Betty Berry’s Column
Senior Concerns’ Senior Advocate Betty Berry’s column appears weekly in the Ventura County Star.
When “fine” isn’t the whole picture
My friend recently had dinner with a long-time neighbor who has been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. She told me, “He carried on a good conversation all through dinner. He seemed fine to me.” She was questioning her neighbor’s diagnosis, since in my friend’s mind, her neighbor appeared normal. [...]
Safeguarding your health this season
Q: What can I do to protect myself from the flu this year? A: Protecting yourself from the flu virus is important to safeguard your health. One of the first lines of defense is the flu vaccine which needs to be taken every year at the start of flu [...]
Small acts of kindness make a big difference
I wrote a column a few months ago about how micro interactions can make a difference in our moods and our sense of community. Even small interactions with people at the grocery store or doctors’ office waiting room can change the course of our day and feel meaningful. I [...]
Medicare open enrollment doesn’t have to be overwhelming
A few weeks ago, I received the thick Medicare & You government handbook that is mailed to every Medicare household each fall before open enrollment (Oct. 15–Dec. 7). Seeing it immediately made me feel anxious and overwhelmed. The handbook is a comprehensive guide to Medicare and covers many topics [...]
Downsizing with Intention
My mother’s cousin, Elizabeth, recently reached out to me. She is moving from her own home and downsizing to live in a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). A CCRC is a retirement community that has different levels of care all in one location, usually including independent, assisted living, memory [...]
The uses of AI to support us as we age
Q: Is AI something that would be useful to me as an older adult? A: Artificial intelligence (AI) can be beneficial for older adults in particular as a way to maintain safety, access resources, increase independence, and reduce isolation. Any new concept and technology may seem overwhelming at first. [...]
Seeing clearly: How a simple magnifying glass can make a big difference
As I was struggling at work this week to read some fine print, I realized I needed the help of my twenty-something workmate, Max. It took him seconds to read what I could not. I know my eyesight is weakening, but honestly, I have had a good run; being [...]
Important information regarding Medicare’s Upcoming Open Enrollment
Q: What do I need to know about Medicare Open Enrollment this year? A: Medicare Open Enrollment is a set time each year when anyone who has Medicare health insurance can change their health plan and their prescription drug plan. Open Enrollment starts on October 15th and ends on [...]
Fifty Years of Care – Pacific Coast Business Times
Pacific Coast Business Times recently posted Senior Concerns in their Giving Guide. Click on image above to see enlarged. Or see it directly linked on their website: https://www.pacbiztimes.com/50-years-of-caring/
Improving your brain health
Q: I am so worried about losing my memory and am starting to see some signs. What can I do to help my memory? A: Most people have some level of fear of developing dementia and having memory loss as they age. This fear is so prevalent because people [...]
Tips for encouraging older adults to embrace new technology
Q: My parents resist all new technology, and I think they are missing out. How can I encourage them to try new technology? A: Technology can feel very overwhelming to people who did not grow up using it. And yet our society has moved so quickly that anyone who [...]
Senior Concerns Swings for Seniors at 4th annual “Par and Away” Golf Tournament, featuring MLB legend Mike Scioscia
Senior Concerns Swings for Seniors at 4th annual “Par and Away” Golf Tournament, featuring MLB legend Mike Scioscia Thousand Oaks, Calif.— Registration is open for Senior Concerns’ 4th annual “Par and Away” Golf Tournament, presented by Logix Federal Credit Union, on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Moorpark [...]
Being seen helps caregivers seek support
Over lunch the other day, a dear friend was talking about the fact that she has been caring for her mother since her dementia diagnosis 14 years ago. She shared key points in her journey, like when she moved her mother into residential care, and how now, many years [...]
Devices and Gadgets that can make your day-to-day activities easier and safer
Q: I have Parkinson’s Disease. What are some gadgets or devices that might make my life easier? A: Using assistive devices to promote your own independence and safety is an excellent idea. Not only can it make things easier, but it also means saving your energy, reducing your stress, [...]
Planning for the future is important at every age
Q: I am 80 years old and still live independently. My kids are telling me I need to think of a plan, but I am not ready. Why should I make any changes until I need to? A: Planning for the future is important at every age. It is [...]
The quiet intimacy of caregiving
I have just returned from time in New Hampshire caring for my mom. In overwhelming pain, my mother became violently ill. My sister called 911, and Mom was transported to the hospital. The diagnoses came fast and furious - gout in her affected hand, aspiration pneumonia, and orthostatic hypotension, [...]
Finding the right therapist
Q: I am looking for a therapist. How do I know if I should look for a psychologist, a psychiatrist, an LCSW or an LMFT? A: When looking for a therapist you will want to consider your needs and find the best match to work with you. It can [...]
Tips for a smoother transition to assisted living
Q: I’m helping my mother move from her house into an assisted living facility next week, and I am so worried all the time. How can I make sure she will be happy there? A: The love and care that you feel for your mother means you want the [...]
When seconds count – be sure to have an emergency contact
The Senior Concerns Director of Nutrition, who leads the Meals On Wheels program, recently asked if I would write a column about why older adults should designate an emergency contact. She relayed that more Meals On Wheels clients than we would like do not identify an emergency contact in [...]
BE FAST: Understanding symptoms of a stroke
Q: What are signs that someone is having a stroke? A: It is vital for people to be aware of stroke symptoms so they can react quickly to get medical attention. I recently spoke with a 77-year-old woman, Angela, who had a minor stroke. She was unaware of her [...]
