By Betty Berry Monday, March 24, 2008

Q: I am a senior who has just become computer literate. I am enjoying my newfound hobby of visiting the Internet, and have viewed a number of Web sites offering health information. How can I determine if the information provided is reliable? A: First, let me congratulate you on becoming computer literate. It is the way of the future, and seniors should take every opportunity available to keep up with technology. Seniors who don't learn how to use a computer will find themselves isolated from current methods of communication. According to the Center for Medicare Education, an estimated 100 million Americans sought healthcare information on the Internet in the past year. That number is expected to rise as more Web sites are established and the number of Americans increases. However, since the Internet allows anyone to set up a Web site, you will find unreliable and biased information along with reliable and unbiased information. Checking the quality and reliability of information on the Internet is not much different than checking other resources. ...

By Betty Berry Monday, March 17, 2008

Q: I am a caregiver for my mom and also hold down a full-time job. I would like to attend seminars or a support group but find most of them on weekdays. Do you know of any group that offers anything on a weekend? A: Yes, I do. The Alzheimer's Association is offering a half-day caregiver conference for Ventura County caregivers at the end of this month. It may be just what you are looking for. This spring conference, "Caring For You, the Caregiver," is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 29 at the Camarillo Community Center at 1605 Burnley St., Camarillo. This event, which is free, is designed to relax and re-energize caregivers as well as provide tools and knowledge to help sustain family caregivers through the caregiving experience. This half-day session will include a continental breakfast, yoga, meditation and other workshops to help caregivers relax and renew themselves. Then at lunch, Gail Rink, director of Santa Barbara Hospice, will...

By Betty Berry Monday, March 10, 2008

Q: I have heard that the Thousand Oaks Council on Aging is planning an outreach dinner at the Goebel Senior Adult Center. Can you provide details on this event? Also, I understand that a survey is being conducted for seniors and baby boomers. What is the survey looking at, and where can survey forms be found? A: Well, let's answer your question about the dinner first. Yes, the Council on Aging is hosting a finger-licking good barbecue chicken dinner with all the fixings at the Goebel Senior Adult Center on April 4 starting at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 and are available at the senior center this month. The event will provide an opportunity to share your concerns and wishes about senior issues and learn what others are concerned about or would like to see happen in our city. The senior advocate will also be on hand to bring you up to date on events and programs that could be of interest to you. She will also be available to answer questions. Now let's...

By Betty Berry Monday, March 3, 2008

Q. I know that I should have an advance directive for healthcare, but I just haven't gotten around to doing it, and I still have a few questions about the process. Is there a seminar or presentation on the horizon about this subject? A. You are absolutely right about needing an advance directive for healthcare. It is one of the most important estate planning documents we need. To answer your question about a coming seminar — yes, there is one scheduled this month that I think might be of interest to you. Senior Concerns Alzheimer's Day Care Resource Center's "Solving the Aging Puzzle" series will present "Written Wishes — What Do You Want?" The presentation is scheduled for 7 to 8:30 p.m. March 11 at Senior Concerns Adult Day Center, 401 Hodencamp Road, Thousand Oaks. Facilitator for the presentation will be Alan C. Mintz, M.D., FACS. Mintz is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a member of the Southern California Vascular Surgery Society...

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). ...