Betty Berry’s Column
Senior Concerns’ Senior Advocate Betty Berry’s column appears weekly in the Ventura County Star.
Recognizing National Social Work Month
I have been a professional social worker for over 15 years. I entered the field because I wanted to work in a helping profession. I was not sure exactly how, but I loved the field of social work because it is so varied. It provides an educational foundation to work [...]
As An Older Worker The Choice To Leave Your Job May Not Be Your Own
In 1988, at the age of 58, my father was laid off from his job as a lighting engineer at GTE Sylvania. Thus began his forced retirement. My mother worked two more years and left her job in the school system on her own terms. Both had vastly different experiences [...]
Advance Planning Before You Become Ill
Q: What do I need to know about making plans in case I become ill and can no longer make decisions for myself? A: Advanced care planning, making plans for the “what ifs” of the future, is an important step as an adult and can provide peace of mind. It [...]
What Can I Do To Feel Better In The Cold?
Q: This weather has been so hard on my joint pain. What can I do to help myself feel better in the cold? A: Many people believe they can predict the weather based on how their joints feel. There is some real research to support this idea, although there are [...]
Men Are Reluctant To Share Health Concerns
I’d like to start a campaign to encourage older men to address their health issues with their doctor. I have a dear sixty-something friend who recently expressed frustration because her husband refuses to get medical attention. Statistically, men are more likely than women to be stubborn about seeing a [...]
How To Advocate For A Loved One
Q: My mom is currently in the hospital, and I think she needs to go to rehab before going home. How can I best advocate for her? A: When a loved one is in the hospital, they need you to be their advocate and ensure they get the care they [...]
Making Valentine’s Day Special When A Spouse Has Dementia
Q: My husband has dementia and will not remember that it is Valentine’s Day. How can I still make the day feel special? A: When your partner has dementia, it changes the way special days are celebrated. If your loved one cannot remember the date or understand the meaning, then [...]
Making Life Decisions After A Spouse Dies
Q: My husband passed away a few months ago and I want to move out of the house as soon as possible. My friends are all telling me I should not move right away. How soon is too soon? A: I am sorry to hear of the loss of your [...]
Be Diligent When Taking Generic Medications
When it comes to taking prescription medications, I am fortunate that I take only one medication and it’s a generic one. I have taken this medication for years now. Each time I get a refill, I receive the same familiar yellow colored, flat oval tablet with tapered ends. I don’t [...]
Where Can I Get Help Filing My Taxes For Free?
Q: Where can I get help filing my taxes for free? A: Tax season can be overwhelming. Having a reliable place to go for help is important. Thankfully, there are free and trustworthy programs available for seniors aged 60 or older, and to anyone with an income of $60,000 or [...]
Financial Planning For Solo Agers
Last week my husband and I joined a Zoom call with my mother and her financial advisor. It was an annual call to go over my mom’s needs and goals in the coming year. My husband and I are my mother’s partners in her financial decisions. Up until five years [...]
What You Need To Know About The HomeShare Program
Q: What is the HomeShare Program and how can I learn more about it? A: Ventura County HomeShare is an innovative program that helps match people who have a home with extra room and people who are seeking a room to rent. Simply put, home sharing is an arrangement where [...]
The Delicate Question Of Senior Autonomy
Q: My 89-year-old mother gets upset with me when I can’t reach her on her home or cell phone, and I head over to her house to make sure she is OK. What can I do to reduce this stress? A: I can understand the stress behind this question. This [...]
Housing Choice Voucher Program Opens
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program Opens A Waiting List Good news! The Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura (AHA) will be accepting applications for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program from very low-income households. Note The Date The AHA will accept applications from Tuesday, January 30, 2024 through Tuesday, [...]
For Older Adults, Preparing for Doctor’s Appointments Is Essential
I call January my health month because it is when I schedule my annual doctor appointments, with my primary care physician as well as the specialists I see. One certainty is that almost all of us will have an annual wellness exam or an appointment to address a specific health [...]
Why Do The Years Feel Like They’re Moving Faster As I Age?
Q: I cannot believe it is 2024 already! Why do the years feel like they are moving faster as I age? A: It is quite normal to feel like time is speeding up as we get older. There are many reasons for this feeling. We can better understand why this [...]
Reflecting On The Past Year
As the year comes to an end it is a good time to reflect on the past 12 months. It can provide you with a way to resolve issues, learn from the past, and celebrate the good before starting a new year. The new year is often a time to [...]
What’s In Your Purse Or Wallet?
Years ago, I remember getting permission to go into my mother’s purse to get a piece of gum or hard candy. Inside was a veritable treasure trove of items for a young girl to examine. Lipstick, a compact, eyeliner, a hairbrush, a calendar, a pen, an address book, an embroidered [...]
Spending The Holidays With A Loved One Who Has Dementia
Q: My husband has dementia, and I am worried about the family spending time with him at Christmas. Many of them do not realize how different he is now, and I am afraid of what they will think. A: The holidays often bring people together who have not seen each [...]
What Is The Difference Between Hospice And Palliative Care?
Hospice and palliative care are both medical services that include interdisciplinary teams to provide pain and symptom relief. They are similar services, but with different goals of care. Hospice care is focused on comfort care without intent to cure the person. This is because either curative treatment options no longer [...]