Senior Advocate: Four seminars of interest to Ventura County seniors planned in January
Dec
30
Written by:
12/30/2009 3:49 PM
By Betty Berry, Tuesday, December 29, 2009 Q: With the busy holiday season almost behind us and a new year approaching, I am wondering if there are any seminars or workshops scheduled in January.
A: For a number of years, January has not had a lot of activity in the seminar-workshop area. However, from where I sit it looks like 2010 will be different.
I can tell you about four events scheduled for the first half of January. Each addresses a subject of interest to a particular group of people, so I am sure you will find at least one of them of interest to you.
Senior Concerns and Coast Caregiver Resource Center, a program of Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital, are co-sponsoring a seminar, “Coping Strategies for Family Caregivers.” It is scheduled for Jan. 12, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., at Senior Concerns Day Care Center, at 401 Hodencamp Road in Thousand Oaks.
The presentation will be facilitated by Carolyn Kopp, who is a family consultant and gerontologist.
Kopp’s presentation will address how caregivers can reduce stress and depression and enhance health and well-being. She will explain how “good copers” follow the golden rule, prepare for the worst and hope for the best and focus on the present.
Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling Senior Concerns at 497-0189. However, if you forget to make a reservation, walk-ins are always welcome.
If you need respite care for a special-needs senior so that you can attend the seminar, you can arrange for that care at the center when making your reservation. Reservations for respite care are required.
Emmanuel Presbyterian Church has scheduled “Planning Ahead 101” for Jan. 9, from 9 to 11:45 a.m.
The workshop will offer three speakers. Dr. Arnold Bresky, a preventive gerontologist who is responsible for pioneering a memory improvement program, will speak about caring for yourself and loved ones and the challenge it can be.
Dale Berry, an estate planner, will explain the need for all, no matter what their net worth, to have a basic estate plan in place.
Indy Rebhun, family service manager at Pierce Brothers, will share information on the importance of planning ahead as a gift to your loved ones.
Emmanuel Presbyterian Church is at 588 Camino Manzanas (at Lynn Road) in Thousand Oaks.
Reservations for the event are strongly recommended and can be made by calling the church at 498-4502.
Simi Valley Senior Center has scheduled “Will You Pass Your Next Driving Test?” on Jan. 7, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. The center is at 3900 Avenida Simi in Simi Valley.
The presentation will be facilitated by the Senior Concerns advocate.
For more information or to make a reservation, call the Simi center at 583-6363.
The city of Westlake Village and Senior Concerns co-sponsor a monthly seminar at the Westlake Village Civic Center, 31200 E. Oak Crest Drive, on the second Wednesday of each month, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
On Jan. 13, the senior advocate will facilitate a seminar titled “Where Does My Money Go?”
For more information, call the Senior Advocates’ office at 495-6250.
It looks like the new year is starting out at full speed. As I look ahead, I see many more interesting events on the planning board. Why not take advantage of these free educational offerings to make sure you keep up with the changes that are occurring on a daily basis?
I hope that all of my readers had a safe and peaceful holiday season and am wishing each of you a very happy new year.
— Betty Berry is a senior advocate for Senior Concerns. The advocates are at the Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362; or call 495-6250 or e-mail betty@seniorconcerns.org (please include your telephone number). You are invited to submit questions on senior issues.