Betty Berry’s Column
Senior Concerns’ Senior Advocate Betty Berry’s column appears weekly in the Ventura County Star.
Don’t Put Off Estate Planning Another Year
It was my recent fall - documented extensively in previous columns - that compelled me to suggest to my husband that we review our estate plan. I guess I needed to remind myself that I am not immortal, and I wanted to be sure that our plan fits our current [...]
Progressed Dementia and Holiday Gift Giving
Q: My mom has progressed dementia. What can I buy her for the holidays this year? A: When someone has progressed dementia their memory loss is severe and traditional gifts may no longer be appropriate or useful. However, wanting to do something nice for your mother to recognize holiday traditions [...]
Practicing Gratitude All Year
The Thanksgiving holiday is a great excuse to talk about what you are grateful for. The holiday name means “to give thanks” and was originally celebrated as a day to give thanks for the previous year’s harvest. Now it has evolved to a gathering where people usually go around [...]
Make Wishes Known For Organ Donation
The organ and tissue donation process is unfamiliar to a lot of us. Some people may not even know they are registered donors. Understanding the law and how it is implemented is important. The first time many of us heard of choices about organ donation was at the DMV. [...]
What Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Have to Offer
Q: What are over-the-counter hearing aids? Are they the same as prescription hearing aids? A: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agreed in August to allow over-the-counter hearing aids to be sold directly to the public. No prescription is needed and no fitting by an audiologist is required. This is a [...]
How To Leverage The Power of an IRA’s Required Minimum Distribution
It’s the end of the year and you know what that means — it’s time to make year-end plans for your charitable contributions. Here’s a strategy that you may not have thought about: directing a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) to Senior Concerns. Watch the short video below to learn [...]
Would You Like To Take A Virtual Tour of Senior Concerns?
If you've never dropped by Senior Concerns for a visit, you may have wondered what our facilities are like. Wonder no more! Sit back, enjoy a virtual tour, meet many of our wonderful staff and even get a glimpse of our Adult Day Care Program in action. [...]
Finding Comfort While Grieving During The Holidays
Q: My father passed away this year and I am dreading the holidays. How can I get through this without being so sad? A: The year after a loved one’s passing is filled with firsts. The first birthday, the first Thanksgiving, the first of every event without your father [...]
Call For Donations!
Is It Time For A Closet Clearance? Clean out your closet before December 3rd so you can enjoy the holidays with an uncluttered mind! We're looking for: Accessories Decor Home Goods Jewelry High-End Fashion Artwork & More! Call 805.373.0504, Tuesday - Friday, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm to arrange [...]
Be mindful: Most bad falls have a cause
For weeks, friends and neighbors worked on planning a surprise block party for my friend Margaret’s 90th birthday. On the big day, over 50 people showed up with food, drink and gifts to celebrate this amazing lady. Several of the neighbors who attended the party had read my Acorn column [...]
Achieving Balance Between Work and Caregiving
Q: I am caring for my mom who lives with us and my two young kids. Besides that, I also work a full-time job. How can I better balance my work and caregiving responsibilities? A: First, I want to let you know that you are not alone in this. According [...]
Preparing for the Flu Season
Q: What do I need to do to prepare for the upcoming flu season? A: The flu season begins in October and usually peaks between December and February. Older adults are more likely to have slower immune response and have higher risk of infection and complications from the flu. In [...]
Social Security COLA increase a good chance to talk to finances with parents
Due to this year’s meteoric rise in the consumer price index, a measure of inflation in the cost of goods and services, Social Security beneficiaries will receive an 8.7% cost-of-living adjustment for 2023. Only three times in the past 46 years has the COLA been higher - in 1979 to [...]
Paying Attention to Names
Q: I am always forgetting people’s names right after I am introduced to them. What does this mean and what can I do about it? A: Many people can relate to this issue. You are introduced to a new person at a party and immediately you cannot remember what [...]
How to Create a Dementia Friendly Home
Q: My husband has dementia, and I am finding it challenging at home. How can I arrange my home to help him function better? A: There is a lot of information on how to create a home environment that is more friendly and comfortable for people with dementia. It [...]
Getting a painful lesson in fall prevention
Morning walks in my neighborhood are one of the most enjoyable parts of my day. I love the coolness of daybreak and the special sightings of the stag and two does that frequent our open space. I also enjoy my walk because each day at that time I call [...]
The Benefit of a Skilled Nursing Facility for Rehabilitation
Q: My father is in a skilled nursing facility following a hospital stay. He is complaining and wants to go home, but we cannot care for him at home until he gets stronger. How can I make him understand he needs to be there? A: Having rehabilitation in a [...]
Caring About Our Neighbors
Q: I am worried about my elderly neighbor. She hardly comes outside anymore, and I am afraid she is not able to take care of herself. What can I do to help? A: It is wonderful to hear neighbors caring about each other and noticing when there are changes [...]
What You Need to Know About Medicare Open Enrollment
Q: My friend convinced me to join her Medicare plan, but my costs have been very high this year. What do I need to know about open enrollment for Medicare for next year? A: It is common for friends to share information about their health plans and, while this [...]
Forced retirement may be a waste
How old is too old for working at a job? Last week a news story hit my inbox and it really got me to thinking about age and retirement. The article noted that Target Corp. abandoned its mandatory retirement age of 65 for its CEO, Brian Cornell. Cornell is [...]
