Betty Berry’s Column
Senior Concerns’ Senior Advocate Betty Berry’s column appears weekly in the Ventura County Star.
Do Memory Troubles Come with Age?
With the issue front and center in President Joe Biden’s bid for reelection, discussions about age-related memory challenges are receiving much attention these days. Here at Senior Concerns, we frequently hear these concerns. It is often the reason that someone reaches out to sign up for our free neuropsychologist-led [...]
Q: I know my home is cluttered, but everything has meaning to me. How can I best find ways to declutter while still saving what is important?
A: Decluttering is important to maintain a safe, clean and comfortable home. It also can help how we feel because with excess “stuff” we often feel the weight of the possessions on our mood. I recently did a lot of decluttering and while the process was tiring, the result made [...]
Love Knows No Age
The other day my husband and I were having a very early dinner at one of the restaurants on Westlake Lake. Because it was so early, we were the only customers in the restaurant. In walked a man, about our age, with a pretty floral arrangement. Being the chatty [...]
Q: Can we still create core memories as an older adult?
A: The concept of core memories was brought to mainstream in the Pixar movie Inside Out. It shows the story of a pre-teen and how her emotions grow with her experiences. The movie highlights five “core memories,” which are memories from her life that have had the most affect [...]
As the Years Fly By, Be Open to the Insights that Come with Aging
My grandnephew Wyatt celebrated his graduation from pre-kindergarten last week. According to my niece, it was an adorable commemoration. Children were seated in front of the parents and the teacher had them perform songs they had rehearsed together. Then everyone watched a slide show with pictures of the kids [...]
Q: I have recently heard the term “positive aging” and want to understand what it means. Is this a change in the way people talk about aging?
A: I hope there is a change for the better in the way our society talks about aging. The truth is that more and more people are aging. And as my grandmother used to say, “its beats the alternative!” We should lean in and enjoy the benefits of aging [...]
Q: I am looking to hire in-home care. What questions should I ask the agency before hiring them?
A: It is always important to do your due diligence and research to find the right in-home care agency for your needs. Home care agencies provide care wherever the person resides, usually in their home or in assisted living. The goal is to help the person remain safe and as [...]
Q: What is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and what does this mean for our community?
A: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is recognized on June 15 every year. It is meant to bring awareness and understanding of elder abuse and neglect. This is so important because, sadly, elder abuse is in every community. Approximately one in every ten people over the age of 60 [...]
‘Dem bones’ can cause pain as we age
Remember that old song, “Dem Bones”? It goes, “The leg bone’s connected to the knee bone; the knee bone’s connected to the thigh bone; the thigh bone’s connected to the hip bone. Now shake dem skeleton bones!” As we get older, our system is more fragile, and when it [...]
Q: I care for my wife who has dementia. How will I know when it is the right time to move her to a facility for care?
A: I have often heard caregivers tell me that they will just “know” when it is time to place their loved one. Most of the time they tell me this because they are confident that it is not yet that time. The truth is that I am not sure anyone [...]
Why trying new things is part of healthy aging:
I have written many times about the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone and trying new things as we age. The benefits are not just enjoyable, but also good for your brain health. I was reminded of this recently when I met David De Vorre, who shared his [...]
Preparing for Future Needs
Q: Why should I prepare for my future needs now when I don’t know what my needs will be? A: Preparing for the future is always recommended, even though we often do not know what that will involve. It is like purchasing homeowner’s insurance. You do not know if [...]
Older Americans Month
Q: What is the theme of Older Americans Month this year? A: Established in 1963, Older Americans Month (OAM) is celebrated every May. Led by a federal agency, the Administration for Community Living (ACL), OAM is a time to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm commitments to [...]
Building Your Care Team
Senior Concerns hosted our annual Caregiver Recognition Day event last week and the theme was “Building Your Care Team.” It got me thinking about how all of us, not just family caregivers, need to think about who is in our Care Team. A care team is the people and agencies [...]
Lessons Learned for Keeping Loved Ones Safe
My friend Ronnie and her sister just signed their mom up for a personal emergency alert system. It’s the kind that hangs around your neck and will signal the company if you press the button. An emergency dispatcher will respond and attempt to talk to you to see if you [...]
Tips On Finding Availble Monthly Benefits
Q: I am struggling to manage my monthly budget. How can I find out if I qualify for any benefits to help reduce my expenses? A: If you are struggling to cover your monthly costs now it is a good time to review your budget and expenses. I always recommend [...]
What Are The Best Options For Prepared Meals?
Q: I used to enjoy cooking but now it’s too difficult physically to stand and prepare meals for myself. What are some prepared meal options? A: There are many reasons people may no longer want to prepare meals from scratch as we age. The physical work needed to stand, bend, [...]
Local Support For Caregivers Awaits
My husband and I have established roles in our daily lives. I am the shopper, the cook, and the social secretary. My husband is the accountant, the contract reader, and the sprinkler repair man. Our roles have been established and reinforced over 33 years of marriage. I can’t imagine my [...]
Honoring Family Caregivers
As a social worker in the field of gerontology, I have worked directly with family caregivers for my entire career. I have always been in awe of what family caregivers do to support and care for their loved ones. Last year I saw my mother become a full-time caregiver for [...]
End of Life Talks Are Difficult but Important
I am unsure how it came to be, but over the last number of years I have become rather involved in the topic of end-of-life choices. For one, I sit on the Steering Committee for the Ventura County Coalition for Compassionate Care (VCCCC), a nonprofit organization advocating for the discussion [...]
