Betty Berry’s Column
Senior Concerns’ Senior Advocate Betty Berry’s column appears weekly in the Ventura County Star.
Senior Concerns: A 50-year Lifeline for Seniors – Valley Vista Neighbors Feature
Valley Vista Neighbors Magazine March 2025 Edition Senior Concerns: A 50-year Lifeline for Seniors Living in this area of southern California, we enjoy a wealth of resources, not the least of which are available for the elderly in our communities and for those who care for them. [...]
Concerned about seniors? We are – The Acorn Editorial
The Acorn EDITORIAL February 28, 2025 For five decades, Senior Concerns has been serving the needs of Conejo Valley’s older adults and their caregivers. To celebrate, the Thousand Oaks nonprofit has chosen “The Golden One” as the theme for its annual Ultimate Dining Experience, set for March. The [...]
Exploring options to affording In-home caregiving
Q: I was surprised to hear the price of hiring in-home care. How do people afford to pay for care at home?A: The cost of hiring a caregiver through an agency is at an all-time high. It can seem very overwhelming if you are not familiar with the industry. Rates [...]
Personal control is important for older adults
The other day I was talking to my mom about a challenging interaction I was having with a gentleman. My mom was amused at this person’s bad behavior.I jokingly told my mother, “If you think he is so funny, maybe you should spend time with him.”My mother quickly responded by [...]
Understanding all the options for in-home care
Q: I was surprised to hear the price of hiring in-home care. How do people afford to pay for care at home?A: The cost of hiring a caregiver through an agency is at an all-time high. It can seem very overwhelming if you are not familiar with the industry. Rates [...]
Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate the love in our lives
Q: This is the first Valentine’s Day since my father passed away, and I want to do something special for my mom. What can I do that will help her get through this day?A: The first holidays after a loved one passes are often the most difficult. It is very [...]
Federal funding pause could affect local seniors’ food source
Last week, the administration sent a memo seeking to pause potentially trillions of dollars in government loans, grants, and financial assistance. That memo was later rescinded, but it did create confusion and uncertainty, particularly in the nonprofit world. While we are not sure what the future holds, a substantial [...]
Learning to Manage Anxiety During Times of Uncertainty
Q: How can I manage my anxiety when there is so much uncertainty in the world? A: It is normal to feel some anxiety around times of uncertainty. Anxiety is when we have excessive or persistent worry and fears. We may experience it physically with a fast heartbeat, sweating, [...]
When is a house not a home?
When I consider the word “home” it conjures up a safe haven. A place where one can live alone or with loved ones and a place to enjoy with friends. It’s a place to build memories and a place where we can truly just be ourselves. It is easy [...]
Senior Concerns to Celebrate 50 Years of Service with Ultimate Dining Experience 2025: The Golden One
Thousand Oaks, Calif.— Tickets are on sale for Senior Concerns’ 50th Anniversary Gala, The Ultimate Dining Experience: The Golden One, Saturday, March 15 at 5 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Westlake (880 South Westlake Boulevard, Westlake Village).The evening will celebrate the nonprofit’s five decades of service to seniors and their [...]
Creating a Plan Now Can Help Make an Unexpected Hospital Stay Less Stressful
Q: I hear from friends how stressful and confusing hospital visits can be. How can I better prepare myself in case my husband or I need a hospital stay? A: A hospital stay can be stressful and often not what we expect. People frequently call Senior Concerns when their [...]
Start the year fresh with an annual home clean out
Q: I like to start the new year by cleaning out and organizing my home. What should I focus on this year? A: An annual home cleanout is a great way to help stay organized. It also can make you feel clearer and more ready to start the year [...]
Well meaning retirement questions can be jarring
A friend stopped by over the holidays to say hello. I knew her from work activities, and we became friends, grabbing lunch occasionally and sharing anecdotes about our lives. She was a highly skilled individual, educated, and successful. I enjoy my time with her because our conversations are stimulating. [...]
The Ventura County Ombudsman Program advocates for people who live in long-term care facilities
Q: What is the Ombudsman Program, and how do they help people living in long-term care facilities? A: The Ventura County Ombudsman Program advocates for the highest quality of life and care for people who live in long-term care facilities. This includes skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, memory care [...]
Little steps can add up to big changes in the New Year
Q: How can I make this year better than last year? A: I imagine most people start a new year feeling ready for change, and ready to be better than before. But what does that really mean? I think it is important to be thoughtful about what you want [...]
Holidays can stir up a range of emotions in all of us
My friend recently shared with me that after making plans for her mother and father to come to her house for Christmas, they unexpectedly changed their mind and told her they weren’t coming. The original plan was that one of her adult children would pick her parents up and [...]
Reminiscing on the past year allows you to start the new year fresh
As the year comes to a close, it is a good time to look back and review the year. I often write about the use of reminiscence as a way to create acceptance in your life. It allows you to retell your story in a way that brings closure, [...]
Don’t jump to conclusions about a loved one’s symptoms
Right after the Thanksgiving holiday, while we were chatting on the phone, I asked my 90-year-old mother what she was doing. She told me she was in the den in her recliner with her feet elevated. She explained that for the last few days her ankles were swollen and [...]
Finding the happy medium between maintaining independence and accepting help
Q: My adult daughter recently said I was being stubborn because I would not let her help me. How can I explain to her that I prefer to be independent? A: As parents age it is common for adult children to want to step in and be more involved. [...]
Keeping older adults hydrated can be a challenge
Q: My mother has dementia, and I have trouble getting her to drink enough water. How can I encourage her to drink more water? A: Good hydration is important for everyone, but especially for people with dementia. And yet for many reasons it can be a challenge to get [...]
