Betty Berry’s Column
Senior Concerns’ Senior Advocate Betty Berry’s column appears weekly in the Ventura County Star.
You’re not too old for hearing aids—only too young to miss out on life
At age 91, my mother finally got hearing aids.It wasn’t the well-reasoned arguments that my sisters and I espoused, such as: Hearing loss is strongly linked to dementia and cognitive decline, and that hearing aids may help slow this by keeping the brain engaged.Or that hearing aids can help maintain relationships [...]
Micro-Interactions can improve the quality of your day
I recently heard a new term: micro-interactions. I was sharing with my co-worker the topic of my column that appeared last week on how to meet new people and make friends as an older adult. I shared the story of the 95-year-old man who enjoys conversations with the barista [...]
Discharged from the hospital: what happens after that?
I recently received a letter from a reader concerned about a problem some of her friends are facing. Either they—or their spouse—have been released from the hospital but remain weak and in need of care. These are couples in their 80s or 90s, and she wonders if any type of [...]
Love Run brings joy back to town – The Acorn
Event relieves funding gap faced by seniorsConditions were perfect and enthusiasm high for the 31st Love Run held June 1 in Westlake Village. Presented by Logix Federal Credit Union, this year’s family-friendly Love Run included 5K, 10K and 1-mile runs through the streets of Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks.The races [...]
Making new friends isn’t child’s play
Q: I am unsure how to meet new people now that I am retired. Do you have any tips on how to make new friends as an older adult? A: Meeting new people and putting yourself out there to create relationships is easier for some than for others. When [...]
Leadership and Excellence Awards – VC Reporter
Leadership and Excellence Awards Ventura County Supervisor Jeff Gorell has launched a new awards program to honor community leaders. Five recipients of the first District 2 Supervisorial Leadership and Excellence Awards were honored May 21 during a ceremony at Amgen headquarters in Thousand Oaks. Gorell said the inaugural celebration [...]
Daryl Hannah Takes Miniature Horses to Visit Seniors – Inside Edition
"Splash" and "Bladerunner" star Daryl Hannah has a new role: taking miniature horses to visit appreciative seniors. Dressed as a cowboy, Hannah could be seen introducing a little equine named Romeo to people at the Senior Concerns adult center in Thousand Oaks. Hannah told Inside Edition's Jim Moret, "I [...]
Emotional and challenging “firsts” after someone passes away
Q: This will be the first Father’s Day since my dad passed away. How should I spend the day and support my mom through it? A: This will be the second Father’s Day since my father passed away. I had not discussed it ahead of time with my other [...]
Enjoying the journey, including age mix-ups and misjudgements
Have you ever encountered a circumstance that totally alters your view of yourself, challenges your existing beliefs, and causes you to reevaluate your understanding of yourself and your place in the world? It happened to me a few weeks ago, not once, but twice. The first incident occurred at [...]
Andrea Gallagher receives Community Leadership Award May 21, 2025
Andrea Gallagher awarded Community Leadership Aware at 1st Annual Supervisorial Leadership & Excellence Awards On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, Andrea Gallagher was awarded the Community Leadership Aware at the 1st Annual Supervisorial Leadership & Excellence Awards, a signature event recognizing extraordinary individuals whose leadership, dedication and compassion have [...]
Increasing our energy and fitness as we age
Q: I struggle to stay active and fit. What are some tips for getting my energy up as I age? A: I imagine everyone has times when they struggle with their energy. We usually know what we should be doing, like getting exercise, eating healthy, and staying engaged. But [...]
Older Americans Month’s message is clear and more important than ever
Q: What is this year’s theme for Older Americans Month? 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 resilience in uncertain times
For many of us, uncertainty is at an all-time high. Well, at least for me. Whether one is feeling the unpredictability of politics, economic instability, global tensions, or situations affecting us in our own backyard, I sense an overarching tension as I talk to others. In fact, I just [...]
Asking for what you need in a time of grief
Q: My father passed away after a difficult time with dementia. People keep saying it was for the best because he is not suffering anymore, but it does not feel that way to me. How can I tell them to stop saying that? A: First of all, I am [...]
City distributes federal funds to benefit residents in need – The Acorn (Thousand Oaks)
The City of Thousand Oaks is planning to distribute more than $600,000 in federal funding to local nonprofits in an effort to benefit hundreds of lower income residents. Each year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides the city with grant funding for public service and community [...]
Building love for upcoming Love Run – The Acorn (Thousand Oaks)
Registration is open for the Senior Concerns 31st Anniversary Love Run scheduled for June 1 in Westlake Village. This annual fundraiser supports Senior Concerns’ Meals On Wheels Program, which provides more that 65,000 meals per year to over 450 homebound seniors in Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Oak [...]
Toppers Fundraiser May 13, 2025 in Camarillo to benefit Senior Concerns
Pizza Night! Family Fundraiser Benefiting Senior Concerns Where: Toppers Pizza Place 425 Arneill Rd. Camarillo (805)385•4444 or 495•4444 When: Tuesday, May 13, 2025 3:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. What: Toppers Pizza will donate back 20% of pre-tax sales generated by our group! How to Help: Just follow these steps [...]
Senior Concerns Seeks Volunteers for 31st Annual Love Run
(Thousand Oaks, CA) Senior Concerns is calling on community members to volunteer for the 31st Annual Love Run, presented by Logix Federal Credit Union, which will take place on Sunday, June 1, in Westlake Village. One of the largest 5K/10K events in the Conejo Valley, the Love Run, draws [...]
5 Decades of Dedication – Conejo Valley Lifestyle Magazine
Senior Concerns' 50th Anniversary Ultimate Dining Experience was captured in Conejo Valley Lifestyle Magazine's May issue. Click on the thumbnail to see our page. You can also view the May issue of Conejo Valley Lifestyle Magazine HERE.
