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October 30, 2009 7:26 AM During an afternoon tea on Oct. 18 at a private home in Montecito, the Center for Successful Aging celebrated a few firsts. The group has offered peer counseling services for seniors for the past 15 years under the auspices of other nonprofit agencies, but it recently received its own tax-exempt status. And Larry Crandell, aka "Mr. Santa Barbara," was honored with the first Successfully Aging Hero award at the event. Mr. Crandell is known for tirelessly volunteering his services as emcee and auctioneer and in other capacities at area nonprofit fundraisers. "Through the recent loss of his wife, his diagnosis of diabetes and the celebration of his 86th birthday, he has remained positive, upbeat and always productive; indeed the epitome of Aging Successfully," reports a CSA volunteer. Through its volunteer peer counselors, the Center for Successful Aging helps the elderly cope with the challenges of aging, such as loneliness, isolation, declining health and financial insecurity. The nonprofit also sponsors a "Pro-Active Aging" education series with local specialists who address topics including elder nutrition, grieving, dementia, stress management and depression. For more information about the Center for Successful Aging, visit www.csasb.org or call 963-8080.
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