The Other Side of 50

Putting the focus on senior hunger

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 23:25:00 GMT

Every day in our community some 5,000 seniors struggle to put the right food on their tables.

Faced with financial challenges, physical limitations or isolation, they face a dilemma— whether to skip meals or choose cheaper, less nutritious meals.

Linda is a 72-year-old widow with low income living in Thousand Oaks. She developed cancer last year and frequently returns to the hospital for treatment.

Each time Linda comes home from treatment she is weak and frail—too weak to drive or cook for herself. Linda doesn’t have family nearby, and her limited income doesn’t allow her to hire someone to shop and prepare meals.

Linda is not alone. Sixteen percent of seniors in our community lack access to the right foods. This phenomenon is called food insecurity.

The United States has seen a 70 percent increase in food insecurity since 2005, and it is predicted we will see another 70 percent increase by 2025.

Food insecurity is the tip of the iceberg. According to the Center for Disease Control, 69 percent of seniors over the age of 65 are at risk for malnourishment and 50 percent of those have yet to be identifi ed.

How could we be unaware that seniors in our community are malnourished?

In some cases seniors may not be aware of the changes affecting their food intake. Taste buds decline with age, dental problems may get in the way, and medications may alter appetites. In addition, there is a stigma associated with reaching out when needing help.

Tori Cohen, director of food and nutrition services at Los Robles Hospital and a registered dietician, suggests Meals on Wheels to frail seniors who are being discharged from the hospital and need short- or long-term help with getting the proper nutrition.

“Sometimes patients say, ‘I can’t afford it,’” Cohen said, “and I tell them it’s affordable, tasty and nutritious. The meals delivered to the home will assist them with getting proper nutrients to decrease further deterioration and possible weight loss.”

Indeed, programs like Meals on Wheels may help prevent further problems.

Studies have shown that food-insecure seniors are twice as likely to be diabetic and experience repeat hospitalizations. They are five times more likely to suffer depression and are twice as likely to not be able to perform at least one activity of daily living.

One way to tell if you are at risk for malnutrition is to take the mini nutritional selfassessment. It is a simple tool for adults 65 years of age and older that helps them figure out whether they’re getting the nutrition they need. The assessment can be found at www.nestle-nutrition.com/pdf/SelfMNAFinal0326. pdf.

Meals on Wheels programs are a critical resource for preventing malnourishment and food insecurity in seniors.

Senior Concerns administers the program for Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park. It serves more than 50,000 freshly prepared, nutritionally balanced meals 364 days a year. Each day, one hot and one cold meal are delivered by a volunteer, along with friendship and a smile, right to a senior’s door.

On Sun., June 3, 1,500 runners and walkers will test their stamina in the 19th annual Senior Concerns Love Run to help run senior hunger out of the Conejo Valley.

Presented in collaboration with Dole Food Co., the 5K, 10K and one-mile fun walk offer something for everyone.

For avid runners, the Love Run is a USATF-certified chiptimed race. Medals will be awarded for the top three male and female finalists in each age group.

For seniors, local columnist and senior advocate Betty Berry will lead the Betty Berry Brigade, inviting all seniors to join her in the one-mile walk to end senior hunger in our community.

To sign up for the Love Run, go to www.seniorconcerns.org.

To inquire about Meals on Wheels for yourself or a loved one, call one of the following numbers: Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park, (805) 496-2009; Westlake Village, (805) 341- 4622; or Camarillo, (805) 388- 1952, ext. 145.

Andrea Gallagher, CSA, is president of Senior Concerns, a nonprofit agency serving Ventura and western Los Angeles counties. For more information, visit www.seniorconcerns.org,

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Four movements to watch

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 23:17:00 GMT

Attending the Aging in America conference every year is my way of sharpening the saw. This was my fifth year attending this event, and I am amazed at how I always learn something new.

My role as president of Senior Concerns is taking me into new arenas—adult day programs for those with dementia, Meals on Wheels to combat food insecurity and caregiver support services for stressed caregivers.

I attended this year’s conference with a fresh eye and came away with information on four movements that seem to be hot topics in the world of seniors.

Pioneering a New Purpose for Maturity: According to gerontologist Ken Dychtwald, the baby boomer generation was the first to think work should be fun, that it should be a place where you grow, learn and feel good.

So when it comes to paid or unpaid work, boomers will look for these same attributes. Whether starting a new business, going into the nonprofit world or volunteering, boomers are set to reinvent roles that allow them to achieve personal development and enjoyment in the second half of their lives.

Female Power and Influence: “My mother was born before women could vote,” said Hillary Clinton in 2008. “But in this election my daughter got to vote for her mother for president.”

Look how far we’ve come!

Boomer women have tremendous influence up and down generational lines. They are reinventing how they care for their aging parents and are modeling the behavior they expect of their children.

Boomer women have rewritten the relationship between mother and child to one more closely based on friendship and mutual interests, influencing the way their children think, shop and work.

Bless Rosalynn Carter: Here’s a visionary who 25 years ago had the foresight to bring resources to the challenges facing boomers as caregivers today.

The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving has succeeded in testing support for caregivers and quickly putting good programs into wide-spread practice, as well as fighting for financial support for family caregivers.

It’s only today, 25 years later, that a large percentage of the population is beginning to see that her organization’s efforts—to build long-term services for aging seniors in their homes and to reduce the astronomical financial, physical and emotional cost of care for family caregivers—are at the forefront of boomers’ needs.

A Key to Successful Aging— Vital Involvement: The oldest old are the fastest growing age group in America today. Seniors are living longer because chronic conditions won’t kill them; medical science is seeing to that.

So what happens when we boomers become the oldest old, our bodies aren’t what they used to be and we need help to bathe, prepare meals and get around town? How will we stay actively engaged in the world and feel a sense of meaning and purpose?

The Vital Involvement movement is a method to help older adults remain involved in the present.

What makes a good day for you? What are the things you do each day that you really want to continue? What are you good at? What kinds of help or assistance do you give to others?

By getting answers to these questions, those involved in our care can help ensure that our strengths and aspirations are nurtured, even if our bodies are failing.

Combining insights from these and other movements, the last day of the conference focused on how boomers will transform aging, with a panel presentation by some experts in the field.

The presentation was recorded, to be viewed by students and professionals in colleges, universities and institutions around the county.

The goal of these screenings is to develop awareness for the emerging needs and challenges facing our society as the boomer generation ages. The future is both exciting and alarming.

For highlights of the session, visit www.huffingtonpost.com/ 2012/ 04/ 02/ aging- iname rica-baby-boomers- arianna-huffington_ n_ 1397686. html?view=screen.

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Putting the focus on senior hunger

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:00:00 GMT

Every day in our community some 5,000 seniors struggle to put the right food on their tables.

Faced with financial challenges, physical limitations or isolation, they face a dilemma—whether to skip meals or choose cheaper, less nutritious meals.

Linda is a 72-year-old widow with low income living in Thousand Oaks. She developed cancer last year and frequently returns to the hospital for treatment.

She is not alone. Sixteen percent of seniors in our community lack access to the right foods. This phenomenon is called food insecurity.

The United States has seen a 70 percent increase in food insecurity since 2005, and it is predicted we will see another 70 percent increase by 2025.

Food insecurity is the tip of the iceberg. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 69 percent of seniors over the age of 65 are at risk for malnourishment and 50 percent of those have yet to be identified.

How could we be unaware that seniors in our community are malnourished?

Tori Cohen, director of food and nutrition services at Los Robles Hospital and a registered dietician, suggests Meals on Wheels to frail seniors who are being discharged from the hospital and need shortor long-term help with getting the proper nutrition.

Programs like Meals on Wheels may help prevent further problems.

Studies have shown that foodinsecure seniors are twice as likely to be diabetic and experience repeat hospitalizations. They are five times more likely to suffer depression and are twice as likely to not be able to perform at least one activity of daily living.

One way to tell if you are at risk for malnutrition is to take the mini nutritional self-assessment. It is a simple tool for adults 65 years of age and older that helps them figure out if they’re getting the nutrition they need. The assessment can be found at www.nestle-nutrition.com/pdf/SelfMNAFinal0326.pdf.

Meals on Wheels programs are a critical resource for preventing malnourishment and food insecurity in seniors.

On Sun., June 3, 1,500 runners and walkers will test their stamina in the 19th annual Senior Concerns Love Run to help run senior hunger out of the Conejo Valley.

The 5K, 10K and one-mile fun walk offer something for everyone.

For avid runners, the Love Run is a USATF-certified chip-timed race. Medals will be awarded for the top three male and female finalists in each age group.

For seniors, local columnist and senior advocate Betty Berry will lead the Betty Berry Brigade, inviting all seniors to join her in the one-mile walk to end senior hunger in our community.

To sign up for the Love Run, go to www.seniorconcerns.org.

Andrea Gallagher, CSA, is president of Senior Concerns, a nonprofit agency serving Ventura and western Los Angeles counties. For more information, visit www.seniorconcerns.org, and for comments or questions, email acorn@seniorconcerns.org.

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Taking responsibility for ourselves as we age

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 17:08:00 GMT

It was really encouraging to see the turnout at the recent Thousand Oaks Council on Aging program about the Village Movement.

Too frequently I meet seniors, young and old, who mentally live in “Never Never Land”—where they’ll never get old and they’ll never need help.

So when a large group of seniors seem interested in a concept that, at its foundation, suggests we take responsibility and develop a plan for our future, it’s encouraging.

No government or social service program will ever be able to meet the needs of the age wave that began just last year. Over the next 20 years our senior population will double and our 85-plus population will grow fourfold.

It’s these statistics that motivated Senior Concerns and the Council on Aging to take the lead in exploring the village concept in our community.

According to the Village to Village Network, “Villages are self-governing, grassroots, community-based organizations developed with the sole purpose of enabling people to remain in their homes and communities as they age.”

These virtual communities provide a mix of transportation, home maintenance, social and healthcare services to their members.

There are more than 60 such villages operating in the United States today. Creating a new one involves five initial steps:

Establish your founding fathers (and mothers). Most villages begin with a core group of five to eight volunteers who are passionate about the project. They have a shared vision of what a village could offer and how it might benefit themselves and their neighbors.

The founding team should include a mix of skills—business management, community leadership, fundraising and membership development are good skills to include. The core team does a lot of the early work in scoping out the project.

Find a champion. Being affiliated with an area institution can help jump-start a village. A champion may come in the form of a medical facility, a college, a community nonprofit or an organization that works with seniors.

Establishing a relationship with a nonprofit can save the village from creating its own nonprofit structure. A trusted nonprofit partner may provide community credibility as well as access to many valuable resources and services.

Determine community needs. Each village should develop a solid understanding of the needs in the community, especially needs that are currently unmet. Examples of unmet needs are free door-to-door transportation, affordable dementia care and trusted service providers with reduced fees. A needs assessment survey may be used to collect this information.

Define the service area. Selecting too large a geographical area may make it difficult to find volunteers to provide necessary services. For example, a senior in Ojai needs a ride to the doctor, but the available volunteer lives in Thousand Oaks. Today’s villages suggest starting small and branching out over time into new geographies or “pods.”

Define strategic partners. While a champion takes the lead, strategic partners are added as the village defines its service offerings. Hospitals, large medical providers, nursing schools, gerontology programs, senior service providers, retirement communities, retail businesses and city government are but a few of the strategic partners that can help make a village a reality.

To paraphrase Confucius, every journey begins with one step. If these steps produce positive results, there is much more to do.

Senior Concerns will host “A Village: The First Step” from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tues., April 24 for community members who are interested in becoming founders of a village. The meeting will be at Senior Concerns, 401 Hodencamp Road, Thousand Oaks. RSVP to Dana at (805) 497-0189.

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Single? Be prepared for the unexpected

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:05:00 GMT

I learned last week that almost half of the people over age 65 in America are single.

Simply put, wow!

While getting older has its benefits (if you don’t think so, you need to read this column more often), traveling the journey without a partner can be challenging or at least require some careful planning.

Being single these days comes in all shapes and sizes—never-married, separated, divorced or widowed— and with varied living arrangements—living alone or with a partner, friends, children, grandchildren or relatives.

Here are a few interesting facts about single seniors.

The number of single seniors living alone is on the rise, up 17 percent since 1970.

Almost one-third of all seniors age 65 and older are widowed.

The median age of widowhood is 58 years.

Certainly marriage does not guarantee any of us an easier ride as we age, but a marital partner may afford us another income, another option for health insurance or even a built-in caregiver.

A spouse may be the yin to our yang; if we are unwilling to plan for our future, they make take on the responsibility.

While it’s a good idea for both men and women to prepare for their future, women face greater risk if they don’t.

A 2011 MetLife study— “Women, Retirement, and the Extra-Long Life”—says that because women live longer they experience a number of unique risks in retirement, including aging single, lower retirement incomes, greater healthcare costs and caregiving responsibilities.

The study goes on to say that women have not planned adequately for their future.

Women have higher lifetime healthcare expenditures, in part due to their longer life expectancy (8 percent longer than men on average). Women are also less likely to be insured or adequately insured.

Women are more likely to be caregivers, with physical, emotional and financial consequences.

Women have significantly lower retirement income than men. The average retirement income from all sources for men age 65 and over in 2009 was $37,509; women’s income was 57 percent of that amount, or $21,519.

Whether male or female, being single means taking charge of our lives.

A big part of planning for our future is thinking about the unexpected. Through my work, I’ve developed seven questions that can help singles determine if they are prepared.

1. Who will help me if I am in a financial crisis?

2. Who will help me if I can no longer drive or take public transportation?

3. Who will write my checks and pay my bills if I can’t?

4. Who do I call if someone is abusing me—emotionally, financially or physically?

5. Who will check on me if I’ve fallen in my home and can’t get up?

6. Who knows my end-of-life wishes and will fulfill them for me?

7. Who will care for me if I can no longer care for myself?

The questions seem obvious, but the choices they represent are sometimes hard for single seniors to decide.

Did I choose the same person for each question?

Is my answer one of my children, a friend, a neighbor, a relative or a paid service provider?

Have I asked the people I have chosen to be there for me in crisis? Are they willing?

Can I get the help I need where I live today, or will I need to move to ensure support will be there for me when I need it?

Making these choices now or planning for them puts us in charge of our future and defines the support system we’d like. It’s one of the responsibilities of being a single senior.

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California caregivers stressed, in poor health

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:32:00 GMT

By Andrea Gallagher, Thursday, March 1, 2012

Compared to caregivers in the rest of the United States, those in California have higher levels of stress and poorer health.

To many of us who work with family caregivers in multiple states, those facts seemed obvious, but we now have data to support our beliefs.

According to the 2011 UCLA policy brief “ Stressed and Strapped: Caregivers in California,” baby boomer caregivers are at the greatest risk for stressinduced illness.

There are 2.6 million boomer caregivers between the ages of 45 and 64 in our state.

According to the study, compared with older caregivers and non-caregivers of the same age, boomer caregivers are more likely to binge drink, smoke or be overweight. The majority have poor health behaviors because of the stress they are experiencing.

But why are California caregivers more stressed than caregivers in other states?

For reasons that include the demographic makeup of caregivers and the lack of a strong support system in our state, California caregivers experience a tougher time than most as they endeavor to care for another person.

Following are some of the facts the study revealed about California caregivers.

More California caregivers juggle work and caregiving. More than two-thirds of boomer caregivers have full- or part-time jobs. Caring for a loved one with health emergencies, care challenges and frequent medical appointments can make it extra stressful when these activities compete with work responsibilities.

More California caregivers don’t have help. Thirty percent of caregivers are single, divorced or widowed. This means that California has a lot of people who are carrying the burden of caregiving without someone to lean on.

More California caregivers spend longer hours caring for another. According to the study, caregivers living with the person they’re caring for spend an average of 36 hours a week giving help. For one-third of caregivers, caring for a loved one is a full-time job.

More California caregivers are under financial stress. Ninety percent of family caregivers are not paid for the care they provide, and many spend their own money caring for a loved one. Nearly onequarter of all caregivers are in the low-income bracket. And often caregivers are forced to reduce their work hours, change their work responsibilities or quit their job to care for a loved one.

The mental health of California caregivers is declining. More than 1 million California caregivers report moderate or serious stress levels, with almost onethird reporting that their emotions interfere with their social lives or daily activities.

California doesn’t have a strong support system for caregivers. Often we hear of caregivers who are unable to take a break from the duties of caregiving. While grants are available for family caregivers to receive brief respite care, the waiting list is long and funding is limited.

The problem is getting worse. Boomer caregivers who are stressed and experiencing poor health will in 20 or 30 years become older seniors themselves, bringing their poor health conditions along with them.

Rosalyn Carter said it best: “There are only four kinds of people in the world—those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers.”

We need to find ways to care for those who are doing the caregiving, providing support mechanisms in the workplace, in our communities and within our own families. The health and well-being of our senior population depends on it.

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Does Playing Chess Prevent Alzheimer’s?

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:02:00 GMT

By Andrea Gallagher, Thursday, February 16, 2012

How many of us know what we can do to reduce our risk of Alzheimer’s disease? When I ask groups of seniors that question, some of the more common answers include games such as crossword puzzles, chess, or sudoku.Each one of these answers is right but also wrong, because simply playing games falls short of what we can do to reduce our risk of dementia. Playing games like chess can stimulate our minds, increase our social interactions with others and possibly reduce stress, but when it comes to reducing our risk of Alzheimer’s, the type, variety and frequency of the games we play is key. We all know that games can be fun and challenging, but if we are interested in actually maintaining brain fitness, then games and activities that stimulate all six cognitive areas of the brain at the same time are the most beneficial.

Those six cognitive areas:Short-term memory, used when we remember information shortly after it’s been understood. The child’s game Memory, where cards are face down and the goal of the game is to uncover pairs, is a great example. Long-term memory, used when we recall something from the vast store of information that’s in our brain. Trivial Pursuit is an example of a game that relies on long-term memory. Language, the use and form of words. The TV show “Password” exercised each contestant’s language skills. Calculation has two definitions. First, calculation is the use of numbers. Playing sudoku gets us to calculate numbers. The other form of calculation involves assessing the risks, possibilities or effects of a course of action. Playing chess is another way to exercise calculation skills. Visuospacial, referring to our visual perception of objects. Jigsaw puzzles are an excellent example of a game that uses this skill. Critical thinking, our ability to analyze and evaluate situations. The game of Risk challenges us to use our criticalthinking skills.

The emergence of brain fitness as a tool to reduce our risk of Alzheimer’s is based on using new ways to exercise all six cognitive areas of the brain in one session and continuing the program over a period of time. A number of area adult senior centers will offer a series of four-week brain fitness programs beginning in the spring. The program encompasses brain games, exercises, learning and laughter, in part utilizing Dakim Brain Fitness, a clinically tested brain fitness program for active adults over 60. The ongoing series will be offered as separate programs at the following centers: the Goebel Senior Adult Center, (805) 381- 2744; the Simi Valley Senior Center, ( 805) 583- 6363; the Agoura Hills Senior Recreation Program, (818) 597-7366; and the Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center, ( 818) 880-2993. Contact the centers for dates and times.

In addition, Senior Concerns has teamed with Dakim Brain Fitness to bring individuals the most advanced system to fight the effects of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Senior Concerns will offer 20-minute Dakim sessions intended to provide a rigorous workout of all cognitive processes using fun games and activities based on science and grounded in fun. No computer skills are necessary. To book a time convenient for you, call Dana at Senior Concerns, (805) 497-0189.

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The third place

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:15:00 GMT

I have a neighbor who heads to the beach when life becomes too stressful. When she felt the strain from caregiving for her 95 year-old mother or the overwhelming demands of at work, watching and listening to the waves, feeling the sand under her feet and the warmth of the sun provided a healing experience.

This isn’t so surprising since years ago, scientists discovered that when we experience “burnout” such as from an exhausting day at work or caring for a loved one, natural surroundings like parks, green spaces, and beaches offer a soothing environment to de-stress.

Research now shows that in addition to visiting natural surroundings, “third place” locations, like health clubs, coffee shops, restaurants and senior centers may also offer some of those same restorative qualities.

Sociologist, Ray Oldenburg coined the terms “first, second and third place” about twenty years ago. “First place" is home. "Second place" is the workplace. “Third places” are informal meeting places we seek out to nourish our social needs.

Oldenburg defines “third place” as a close-by location offering free or inexpensive food and drink, where regulars gather and welcome new and old friends.

Our ability to deal with long-term stressful situations like caregiving, extended periods of taxing work, or extreme loneliness can create mental fatigue and result in negative emotions, impatience, difficulty focusing and planning, and slower recovery from illness.

“Third places” have been studied for their healing qualities. They often provide a break from our day-after-day concerns, offering an interesting change of pace, where we can enjoy each other’s company and feel part of a community.

When I think of “third place”, I can’t help but think of Norm walking into Cheers – hearing everyone call his name. Even the lyrics from the theme song sound like the description of a “third place” – “Where everybody knows your name… and you’re always glad you came”.

As I go about my daily activities, I noticed what might be “third place” for me.

Most days I wander into Starbucks or Coffee Bean to get my iced tea. As I enter the shop, I really think my blood pressure lowers a bit. I feel relaxed and forget the time of day. I feel as if I am in someone’s living room. I see animated conversations, people sharing a crossword puzzle, and often run into neighbors and workmates catching up on goings on. I read the postings on the bulletin board encouraging me to join in a charity drive or donate a package of coffee to our troops. When one of the cashiers knows my name to put on the side of my cup, I feel a real sense of belonging. I refer to the coffee shop as “mine”, unaware it’s my “third place”.

For other TO residents, the Goebel Senior Adult Center is their “third place”. Visitors exchange news with old and new friends. Quartets of men are playing cards and women in athletic gear are tap dancing or doing Jazzercise. About 30-40 people gather each day for an inexpensive weekday lunch. A lot of the same faces are there each day. For many, The Goebel is a “third place”, a place of well-being and belonging that unconsciously reduces feelings of loneliness, loss, stress or depression.

In our stress-laden world “third places” offer a safe harbor to relate, relax, and rejuvenate. Do you have a “third place” in your life?

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February programs for senior wisdom

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:17:00 GMT

By Andrea Gallagher, Jan. 19, 2012

February is a bonanza month for programs intended to help us plan and prepare for a good old age

Woodrow Wilson once said, “Wisdom doesn’t necessarily come with age. Sometimes age just shows up all by itself.”

What happened to the older is wiser theory?

When I was young my father defined wisdom as the combination of experience, knowledge and good judgment. I am sure he was hoping that I would latch on to wisdom at some point in my adulthood.

Parents may have warned us, and teachers may have lectured us, but most of the time it took the school of hard knocks to teach us life lessons in our growing up years.

It’s been my experience, though, that one of the advantages of getting older is that we have a greater willingness to learn from the experience of others.

I think that’s why I see so many seniors at local programs. The road to a long, healthy and happy life has been less traveled, and many of us are searching for that right path.

February is a bonanza month for programs intended to help us plan and prepare for a good old age.

Eat, Play, Sleep: Healthy Senior Living focuses on lifestyle choices that lead to happier, healthier lives.

Looking to live a vital life? Come to this program to discover ways to rethink your future. Specialists in life planning, nutrition, play and sleep will provide wisdom for healthy living.

This is the eighth in a popular, often sold-out series of forums offered by the Conejo/Las Virgenes Future Foundation.

The program will be from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wed., Feb. 1 at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church, 5801 Kanan Road, Westlake Village.

Doors and exhibits open at 8:45 a.m. Admission is free, but seating is limited, so call for reservations at (818) 880-1054 or email info@clvff.org.

Self Assess Your Driving Ability: Hosted by the ever popular Betty Berry of Senior Concerns, this program showcases the tools and skills you need to continue to be a safe driver. If you are wondering if you or someone you love should still be driving, this is a must-see program.

The presentation will begin at 1:30 p.m. Wed., Feb. 8 at the Westlake Civic Center, 31200 E. Oak Crest Drive, Westlake Village. No reservations are required. For information, call (805) 495-6250.

How to Choose a Senior Community: What to ask, what to look for and when is it the right time? This seminar for seniors and their families will showcase a panel of professionals to talk you through what’s ahead. In particular, join them to learn the ABCs of senior living terminology, including “bundled services,” “points versus level of care,” “memory care” and “move-in criteria.”

The program will begin at 11 a.m. Sat., Feb. 11 at The Reserve at Thousand Oaks, 3575 N. Moorpark Road. Seating is limited, so call (805) 492-2471 for reservations. Ask for Annette and leave a message with name, phone number and number of people attending, or email abroersma@leisurecare.com. Refreshments will be served.

The Loneliness of a Caregiver, featuring Dr. Lisa Hayden: Caregiving, especially for a loved one with dementia, can be a very isolating experience. In scientific studies, loneliness was the most important factor predicting low quality of life among caregivers, including a loss of self and significantly higher levels of depression.

If you are a caregiver and are experiencing loneliness, this program is for you. Hayden will offer tips and techniques to combat feelings of loneliness and isolation, and to get the help you need to take care of you.

This presentation is offered from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tues., Feb. 14 at Senior Concerns, 401 Hodencamp Road, Thousand Oaks. Light refreshments will be served.

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Life skills for positive aging

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:09:00 GMT

By Andrea Gallagher, Jan. 5, 2012

Ever wonder what those hundred year-olds featured on the Smuckers’ segment of the Today Show, may have done right? In particular, what abilities might they possess, that allow them to live over a century, while still enjoying life?

Since the world we live in has changed dramatically for a person who is a hundred years-old today, chances are, the skills they used to reach their long life were probably learned at an early age. Scientists have been studying the traits of centenarians for a number of years now, trying to determine the skills that have provided them the ammunition for successful aging.

Here are three life skills that according to scientists play a significant role in a long happy life.

Resilience: Some people have more troubles and disappointments than most, but still manage to overcome their setbacks and achieve a good life. Those people who are resilient handle stress well and get more energetic and optimistic when the chips are down.

Resilient people are persistent. When hit with an obstacle, they look for another way to accomplish their goal. They have an amazing ability to find other people who can, and will, help them accomplish their goals.

Resilient people are happier and more positive than others. And resilient people do not give in to the urge for immediate satisfaction. They are willing to wait and work to get what they want.

Centenarian, Ada Brenner was a resilient woman. Emigrating from Italy as a young girl, she endured a lot of cultural and personal change. Newly married, she was disappointed to learn she could not have children but embraced a career as a mender in a woolen mill. In her early fifties, Ada’s husband died unexpectedly. Ada found solace spending time with her brother and sister-in-law. Finding love again in her mid-seventies, Ada remarried, only to lose her husband three weeks later to a heart attack. Ada moved back in to her previous home and rebuilt her life. In her later years, whether in an assisted living facility or a nursing home, Ada made the best of her time, making friends and enjoying her hobbies of knitting and teaching pasta making. In later life, her goal was to live to be 100. Ada passed away at 100 years and five days.

Belonging: Whether belonging to a community, a religious organization, a professional group or a tight knit family; a sense of belonging is central to aging well, because you matter to others and not just to yourself. Belonging gives us a sense of purpose.

According to executive coach and author Richard Leider, “Living on purpose fills us with passion, drive and direction”. Leider explains, “When everything else seems unsettled, uncertain, or impermanent, purpose gives us the will; not just the will to live, but to live long and well. It’s not a grand concept reserved for a gifted few, but something each one of us possesses, needing only to be uncovered”.

Wikipedia offers a long list of centenarians, including Bob Hope and Rose Kennedy, who are well known for their sense of purpose rather than their longevity. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_centenarians

Interdependence: Getting older has its challenges. As we age, at least half of us will experience some form of disability, either short term or lasting. Being disabled will likely be inevitable for even the healthiest among us.

The skills valued today by our society are independence and self-reliance, so accepting that we need to rely on others may not come naturally but will allow us to make the most of our lives.

Consider how, after his accident, Christopher Reeve led a full life, grateful for what he had, his experiences, and the people around him.

As we begin the New Year, think about practicing the skills that have led others to age well. But beware, if thirty or forty years from now you plan to be featured on the Smuckers’ segment of the Today Show, I suspect the new age for inclusion might be 120!

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