Senior Advocate

I am inspired by the spirit of the holidays and hope to carry some of it with me into the coming year. Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season. Then Chanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and finally the New Year. While Christmas is the most commonly celebrated December holiday and has religious roots, I recently [...]

As a social worker in the field of older adults’ services and dementia care, I have often talked to people who are concerned about their memory. One of the most common responses I get from people when I encourage them to talk to their doctor about their memory is that they do not see [...]

I recently traveled to visit my mother for the Thanksgiving holiday, and I noticed some things in her home that could be improved for her safety. When we live in the same space for a long time it is easy to get used to how things are and not realize they need fixing. As [...]

Q:  I always have a hard time in the winter when it is so dark out. What can I do to help my mood this time of year? A: Mood changes in the winter are common. You may have heard it referred to as the “winter blues”. But it may be something more serious [...]

The holiday season is thought of as the stretch of time beginning with Thanksgiving and continuing through New Years. It can be a busy time filled with decorations, gatherings, food, gift buying and gift giving. There is an expectation that it is a joyous and busy time. But for many people, that feeling may [...]

 I was recently reminded that it is never too late, and we are never too old to learn something new. Although it is not always easy, we can find a way to stretch ourselves and stay engaged and involved in lifelong learning.I tried to learn to knit this year but gave it up pretty quickly. [...]

Q:  I heard there are changes coming to our electric bills. What do I need to know? A: There was an Assembly Bill 205 (AB205) that passed in 2022 that takes effect this month, which will shift the billing structure seen on your electricity bill.   You will see this change implemented in November. [...]

Q:  What is National Family Caregivers Month? A:  November is National Family Caregivers Month. I often write about different months that are recognized because I think it can be an important tool in raising awareness.  Family caregivers are an often unseen force in our community that deserve attention and praise for what they do [...]

Q: What can I do to protect myself from the flu this year? A: Protecting yourself from the flu virus is important to safeguard your health. One of the first lines of defense is the flu vaccine which needs to be taken every year at the start of flu season. The flu vaccine is [...]

I wrote a column a few months ago about how micro interactions can make a difference in our moods and our sense of community. Even small interactions with people at the grocery store or doctors’ office waiting room can change the course of our day and feel meaningful. I was recently reminded of this [...]