Betty Berry’s Column
Senior Concerns’ Senior Advocate Betty Berry’s column appears weekly in the Ventura County Star.
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 [...]
What Does It Mean To Be A Caregiver?
Q: I have been helping my mom with errands and little things since my dad passed away. My friend said I am a caregiver, but my mom is still mostly independent. What does it mean to be a caregiver? A: If you are helping your mom and serving as her [...]
Spring Cleaning Tips With Safety In Mind
Q: I am feeling the urge to do some spring cleaning. What are some tips for how I can clean out with safety in mind. A: I commend you for feeling ready to refresh your home environment to feel ready for the springtime. I love any opportunity to organize, clean [...]
Preventing Dementia As You Age
Q: What can I do to help prevent dementia as I age? A: There is always something we can do to be healthier and lower our risk factors for dementia. It is never too late to make a positive change in your health. I recently attended the Senior Congress Senior [...]
Beware of the Unknown About COBRA and Medicare
As a recently unemployed older worker, you have options for health insurance, but read the fine print. It will be crucial. If you were part of a group health insurance plan sponsored by your employer and you lose your job, you may be entitled to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation [...]
Tips For Reducing Feelings Of Loneliness
Q: I have been feeling lonely lately even though I try and stay busy. What can I do to help stop feeling so lonely in my day? A: First, I will tell you that you are not alone in feeling alone. Studies show that 43 percent of older adults report [...]
Recognizing National Social Work Month
I have been a professional social worker for over 15 years. I entered the field because I wanted to work in a helping profession. I was not sure exactly how, but I loved the field of social work because it is so varied. It provides an educational foundation to work [...]
As An Older Worker The Choice To Leave Your Job May Not Be Your Own
In 1988, at the age of 58, my father was laid off from his job as a lighting engineer at GTE Sylvania. Thus began his forced retirement. My mother worked two more years and left her job in the school system on her own terms. Both had vastly different experiences [...]
Advance Planning Before You Become Ill
Q: What do I need to know about making plans in case I become ill and can no longer make decisions for myself? A: Advanced care planning, making plans for the “what ifs” of the future, is an important step as an adult and can provide peace of mind. It [...]
What Can I Do To Feel Better In The Cold?
Q: This weather has been so hard on my joint pain. What can I do to help myself feel better in the cold? A: Many people believe they can predict the weather based on how their joints feel. There is some real research to support this idea, although there are [...]
Men Are Reluctant To Share Health Concerns
I’d like to start a campaign to encourage older men to address their health issues with their doctor. I have a dear sixty-something friend who recently expressed frustration because her husband refuses to get medical attention. Statistically, men are more likely than women to be stubborn about seeing a [...]
How To Advocate For A Loved One
Q: My mom is currently in the hospital, and I think she needs to go to rehab before going home. How can I best advocate for her? A: When a loved one is in the hospital, they need you to be their advocate and ensure they get the care they [...]
Making Valentine’s Day Special When A Spouse Has Dementia
Q: My husband has dementia and will not remember that it is Valentine’s Day. How can I still make the day feel special? A: When your partner has dementia, it changes the way special days are celebrated. If your loved one cannot remember the date or understand the meaning, then [...]
Making Life Decisions After A Spouse Dies
Q: My husband passed away a few months ago and I want to move out of the house as soon as possible. My friends are all telling me I should not move right away. How soon is too soon? A: I am sorry to hear of the loss of your [...]
Be Diligent When Taking Generic Medications
When it comes to taking prescription medications, I am fortunate that I take only one medication and it’s a generic one. I have taken this medication for years now. Each time I get a refill, I receive the same familiar yellow colored, flat oval tablet with tapered ends. I don’t [...]
Where Can I Get Help Filing My Taxes For Free?
Q: Where can I get help filing my taxes for free? A: Tax season can be overwhelming. Having a reliable place to go for help is important. Thankfully, there are free and trustworthy programs available for seniors aged 60 or older, and to anyone with an income of $60,000 or [...]
Financial Planning For Solo Agers
Last week my husband and I joined a Zoom call with my mother and her financial advisor. It was an annual call to go over my mom’s needs and goals in the coming year. My husband and I are my mother’s partners in her financial decisions. Up until five years [...]
What You Need To Know About The HomeShare Program
Q: What is the HomeShare Program and how can I learn more about it? A: Ventura County HomeShare is an innovative program that helps match people who have a home with extra room and people who are seeking a room to rent. Simply put, home sharing is an arrangement where [...]
