QUESTION:  Can you provide any information about the REAL ID Card that we are being told we need to apply for.  I’ve heard all kinds of things but don’t really know why and what I need to do.   ANSWER:  A very good question.  The information I will give you is provided by the [...]

  QUESTION:  I have found a number of ads for work-at-home jobs.  How can I determine if these are legitimate businesses or a scam?   ANSWER:  An excellent question.  My advice is – don’t take their word for it – you need to do your own investigation.   These ads make working-at-home sound like a [...]

QUESTION:  Several of my friends recently lost their spouses and have commented on some of the difficulties they are facing due to lack of information on financial matters, people who should be contacted and legal issues.  Can you provide some steps that should be taken to avoid this type of problem?   ANSWER:  An excellent [...]

  QUESTION:  I am a senior approaching 75 and very concerned about cognitive decline.  Are there any steps a person can take to eliminate or reduce the risk?   ANSWER:  I am sure there are a number of readers who have this same concern.  We all know that exercise and healthy habits help keep our [...]

  QUESTION:  I have been talking with some friends about health care coverage and the conversation turned to the cost of prescriptions.  It seems each time I pick up a prescription the cost is higher. Any suggestions on how to cut costs?   ANSWER:  There are a number of steps you can take and it [...]

  QUESTION:  The holiday charity and fundraiser requests have already started to arrive in the mail and on the phone.  Do you have any advice on how to avoid scams?    ANSWER:  A timely and excellent question.  Giving to charities and supporting fundraisers is a way of American life – but we want to make [...]

  QUESTION:  I am a new caregiver for a loved one with dementia and have more questions than answers.  Is there a program or guidebook to help me find my way?   ANSWER:  The answer to your question is yes.  There is a very complete detailed caregiver’s guide and an interactive workshop that will prepare [...]

QUESTION:  With all the fires, floods and storms that have occurred during the past year I have been thinking more about planning for an emergency – but I don’t know exactly where or how to start.  Do you have any suggestions?   ANSWER:  Planning for any event takes a lot of time and hard work.  [...]

QUESTION:  If I’m not mistaken, in the past Cypress Place has offered a unique program about how to avoid senior scams.  Do you know if that program will be repeated?   ANSWER:  You remember correctly.  This program, Stop Senior Scams (SM), brings laughter and excitement to a commonly frightening and frustrating topic.   In collaboration [...]

Senior Concerns of Thousand Oaks celebrated its 33rd annual Ultimate Dining fundraiser Sept. 15 by honoring two of the Conejo Valley’s best-known philanthropists, George and Patricia Jones. The organization named the T.O. couple Philanthropists of the Year in front of the over 400 guests who attended Saturday’s gala affair at the Hyatt Regency Westlake. George [...]