September 9, 2004

New AVCS gerontologist is a familiar face to many in Almaden

By Julie Davis Berry
Executive Editor

When gerontologist Cathleen Starr ann-ounced that she was leaving the Almaden Valley Counseling Service Executive Director Rocki Kramer was concerned that she would have trouble replacing the popular Starr. Fortunately for the AVCS another highly qualified gerontologist has been found to continue the efforts of the Geriatric Advisory Program (GAP).

The program is designed as a way for seniors and those who love them to receive practical advice on the challenges presented by the changing needs of seniors. Whether it be finding a local caregiver, support groups or housing solutions, GAP offers a personalized assessment to help get the most out of the ‘second half of life.’
Vivian Silva brings years of experience as a gerontologist as well as the title of social worker to her new role at AVCS. In addition, her new position is like a homecoming because she lived in Almaden for nearly twenty years while raising her two sons, Mitch and Matt Kern.

“We lived in the TJ Martin homes behind Alpha Beta (now known as Albertsons) and then we moved to the Shappelle Development near the Almaden Lake. I was a soccer mom, volunteered at the schools, and served on boards.”

In fact, she loved soccer so much that she joined a team of other moms to form a soccer mom team. She was also active in the social scene in Almaden in the 70s and 80s, participating in bridge and bunco groups with other moms.

“This was the time when moms stayed home to raise their kids,” said former neighbor Terry Giorgetti. “Vivian was always a very genuine, warm-hearted individual. It doesn’t surprise me that she went into the field of gerontology because it seems to fit her personality. She helped me with my mother-in-law when she had a stroke. I still call Vivian for advice and she is always there with an answer to a problem.”

Silva feels that her interest in geriatrics was sparked by the quality time she spent with her Portuguese grandparents as a young girl. “I always enjoyed spending time with them,” said Silva. When she realized her marriage was faltering she decided to go back to school and earned her masters degree in Social Work in 1991, the same year she went through her divorce.

“I remember my husband’s co-workers asking me, ‘Are you still taking those Mickey Mouse classes?’” said Silva. But in midlife Silva found it important to pursue interests that were truly important to her. “I went into the field of gerontology because I really want to give older adults a sense of dignity. Many in our society ignore the aging population. It is such a transitory society. But I’ve worked with a lot of elders who are truly dynamic, creative individuals.”

She has worked in a variety of positions that will help her lead the Geriatric Advisory Program at AVCS. She was a care manager for the Cupertino Senior Center for eight years and facilitated groups for the Sunnyvale and Pleasanton senior centers. At San Jose State University she teaches a class entitled, “Women in the Second Half of Life.”

In addition to her teaching duties, Silva is currently writing a book and finishing a documentary on a 104-year-old woman. “I like to incorporate film into my classes. I show films with themes that people in the second half of their lives can relate to,” she said.

Silva clearly has a variety of interests but one of the things she missed while pursuing those interests was the client interaction. Another thing she has missed is her old stomping grounds. “I look forward to being back in Almaden because it is such a great area and I have so many friends here.”

One of those friends, Ginny D’Angelo, relied on Silva to get her through a rough transition with her aging mother. “My mom died in 2003 after living here for five years, and Viv was always a great sounding board for me,” said D’Angelo. “When I would call her she would always have advice or could reinforce what I was feeling or doing…She has a plethora of knowledge, experience and practical references in dealing with every facet of aging.”

Kramer is relieved to have found such a capable person to lead the Geriatric Advisory Program. “I’m ecstatic that we found someone of Vivian’s caliber to replace Cathleen. And, it’s really nice to have another social worker on staff.”

Whereas Starr focused primarily on the “sandwich generation” adult children of seniors, Silva plans to focus her efforts on dealing directly with the elderly on issues that have sometimes been taboo in the past. “We’ll talk about sex in the later years and how to make the transition from independent living to dependent living. I want to break the stereotype that aging is all doom and gloom,” said Silva. “But, I’ll also be here to help the families develop better communication with their parents and older relatives and to help answer adult children’s questions about their parents.”

Silva will be joining The Almaden Times Weekly next month as a columnist focusing on a variety of senior issues in a column entitled “The Aging Connection.”

You can e-mail gerontologist/ MSW Vivian Silva at vivsilva@aol.com with questions for the “Aging Connection” column or call (408) 975-2988 to make an appointment with the Geriatric Advisory Program at the Almaden Valley Counseling Service.