Leslie Hanna knew that she wanted to work with seniors since she was a teenager. While recording the oral histories of aging adults for a school project, she was awestruck by their willingness to share their life’s joys and sorrows. And she became determined to help them continue to do so.
As director of the Red Brick Senior Ministry at Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church, Hanna is able to fulfill this special calling. She partners with
Sharp Memorial Hospital’s Senior Resource Center to provide special services for seniors and their caregivers, including lectures, support groups, health fairs and conferences.
Lectures cover a variety of topics such as caregiving, fall prevention, brain health, arthritis, advance care planning and memory skills. Health care professionals also offer flu shots and screenings for diabetes, blood pressure, stroke and hearing, as well as provide information and referrals to other community services.
“We are so thankful that our partnership with Sharp allows us to open our doors to area seniors,” says Hanna. “We reach members of the community who often lack support and are in need of services.”
These programs allow seniors to get out into their community, socialize and learn — all of which are essential to their mental, spiritual and physical health.
“What I love more than anything is listening to the seniors’ stories,” says Hanna. “They’ve fought in wars, lost spouses and children, moved out of their homes, seen their minds and bodies become a challenge as they age, yet they are amazing examples of lifelong curiosity, resilience and gratitude. Sharp’s programs allow them to stay healthy so that they can continue to share their amazing stories.”
Learn more about how Sharp helps the community through its .
Leslie Hanna retired from the Red Brick Senior Ministry in 2016.