By Betty Berry Monday, February 25, 2008

Q: I have a friend who is really in debt because of her credit cards. I've tried to talk to her about the problem, but my words seem to fall on deaf ears. I think if she read about credit card debt in your column she might realize the trouble she is in. Would you help? A: You have brought up a very serious problem that is being experienced by many, including seniors. Having a credit card can certainly be a convenience and, in the case of an emergency, a blessing. But having a card can also be a trap resulting in overspending. When we use a credit card we have a responsibility to ourselves to use it with restraint and to the credit card company to have the ability to pay the bill. We should remember that using a credit card is nothing more than obtaining a short-term loan. So before zipping out our credit card we should ask ourselves, "Would I really take out a loan to make this purchase?" When using credit, try to keep purchases within income limits...

By Betty Berry Monday, February 18, 2008

Q: When I was growing up, memory loss, often called senility, was just normally expected to occur with old age. Today I hear memory loss referred to as Alzheimer's. Has senility just been given a new name or is Alzheimer's something different? A: I can remember being told exactly what you heard and am sure many others were told the same about aging and memory loss. However, what we were told many years ago about aging is not accurate. Senility and Alzheimer's disease are two completely different conditions. I referred to the American Medical Association's Home Medical Encyclopedia and found the following definitions. Senility is defined as changes in mental ability caused by old age resulting in some degree of impaired memory and reduced ability to concentrate. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive condition in which nerve cells degenerate in the brain and cause the brain to shrink, resulting in impairment of intellect, willpower and memory causing the...

By Betty Berry Monday, February 11, 2008

Q. A neighbor told me that the Senior Concerns Advocate services were available at the Simi Valley Senior Center. If this is true, can you tell me when the service is available and how I can arrange to meet with him or her? A. Yes, it is a fact that the services of Senior Concerns Senior Advocate are available through a partnership between the city of Simi Valley and Senior Concerns, a nonprofit organization that serves seniors and their families. The advocate services have been available at the Simi center for some time. These services are available two full days a month. Currently, those days are the third Thursday and fourth Monday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The advocate also provides a monthly seminar on senior issues. The topic and date are announced monthly in the center's newsletter. The advocate is available by appointment and for walk-in clients. To make an appointment or for information, call the Simi Valley Senior Center at 583-6363. Q. I have been widowed for almost two years and am now considering a move. My home and yard are more than I want to continue to take care of. However, I am active and independent. I don't need to be taken care of, but at times am very lonely. I'm considering what they call retirement living. Can you provide any guidance in this area when looking at different facilities. ...

By Betty Berry Monday, February 4, 2008

Q: I have been led to believe that long-term care and how to pay for this type of care should be part of a person's financial planning. I am at a loss when it comes to talking about this subject, what it encompasses and what options are available. Where can I go for help in getting started? A: You are absolutely right that long-term care, available options and how to pay for such care should be part of your overall financial and estate planning. I don't believe you are alone when it comes to not understanding exactly what long-term care encompasses and what options may or may not be available to you. The Senior Concerns' Program Committee also felt that there were many people who found themselves in the same situation that you describe and have included this subject as one of their presentations for the 2007-08 series. The Alzheimer's Day Care Resource Center's Solving the Aging Puzzle series will continue this month with "Taking the Guesswork Out...

By Betty Berry Monday, January 28, 2008

Q: For the past several years I have attended a daylong conference sponsored by the Conejo/Las Virgenes Future Foundation. If I remember correctly it was held in the early months of the year. Is one being planned for this year? A: Yes. The fourth annual Senior Congress is being offered this very week, and I am told there are a few seats still available. One of these seats could be yours if you act quickly. This year's presentation is "How Safe Are You?" An expert panel will present safety solutions for your home, your car and your general surroundings. Subjects to be addressed include Accident and Fire Preventions, Emergency Preparation for 72 Hours, Life Line — A Life Saver, Safety Behind the Wheel, Understanding 9-1-1 Service, and Current Frauds and Scams. The conference will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in the O'Reilly Hall Community Center, 5801 Kanan Road, Westlake Village. Admission is...

By Betty Berry Monday, January 21, 2008

Q: Can you tell me what steps should be taken regarding Social Security benefits when a person collecting those benefits dies? A: A very good question. Many people are unsure about what needs to be done when a Social Security beneficiary dies. A result of not knowing exactly how the Social Security process works can result in delaying benefits survivors may be entitled to or being required to pay back overpayments received in error. First, it is necessary to understand how Social Security beneficiaries are paid. Social Security benefits are paid in arrears. This means that the check received each month is in payment of the preceding month's benefits. Thus a check received in January is for December benefits. You must also understand that for a person to be entitled to receive benefits he or she must be living for the entire month. For example if a beneficiary died on Dec. 20, he or she would not be entitled to the check received in January (December benefits). ...

By Betty Berry Ventura County Star Monday, January 14, 2008

Q. I am trying to get my affairs in order and am somewhat confused by some of the terms associated with wills and trusts. In the past, you have provided definitions of terms used by various industries or professions. Could you do the same for the vocabulary of wills and trusts?

A. An excellent question. Terms that are part of everyday conversation for those working in a particular field are often used with very little thought about how confusing it may be to those of us who only encounter such terms on occasion.

I'll try to define some of the most common terms that you'll likely encounter. Some may be very familiar to you, while others may be completely new, and some may have a slightly different meaning than you are using.

If preparing a will is part of your plan, you should know the meaning of testator, executor, heir, issue, minor, codicil and probate.

A testator is the person, you, who makes a will. An executor...

By Betty Berry Ventura County Star Monday, January 7, 2008

Q: Lately it seems I am reading and hearing more and more about medication errors. It appears that these errors happen in numerous ways both at home as well as in healthcare facilities such as assisted living and hospitals. Do you have any safety tips for unsuspecting consumers?

A: A person can never be too careful in understanding their medications. Let's start at the doctor's office. First, make sure all of your doctors know about everything you are currently taking. This includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and any dietary or herbal supplements.

Also make sure your doctor knows about any allergies and adverse reactions you have had to previous medications. If you do have allergies, you might consider wearing a medic alert bracelet and carrying a card in your wallet with the specific information.

If your doctor writes a new prescription for you, make sure you can read his or her writing. If you can't,...