
Senior Advocate
Martha Shapiro, Director of Programs at Senior Concerns, authors a weekly column for the Ventura County Star titled “Senior Advocate,” focusing on issues affecting seniors and their family caregivers.

Martha Shapiro, Director of Programs at Senior Concerns, authors a weekly column for the Ventura County Star titled “Senior Advocate,” focusing on issues affecting seniors and their family caregivers.
Q: My mother’s best friend was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, and my mother is very upset. How can I best support my mother right now? A: A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s can feel life shattering, but the reality is often not what we expect right away. Your mother is probably both concerned for her friend [...]
What does it mean to age smarter? I think a lot about this topic, and one thing is inherently true: there is no single correct way to age smarter. But you can think ahead and give yourself every opportunity to age the way you want. For most of history, aging just happened to you. [...]
I recently met a woman who is living in her own “modern-day Golden Girls” house, as she calls it. Luann and her wife are both in their 60s, and since 2018, they have shared a home with both of their mothers, now in their 90s. Four strong, independent woman, one house. Two generations of [...]
Q: I use a cane instead of my walker to avoid being thought of as frail. Why do I let my pride get in the way? A: It is natural to want people to see us as capable or strong. We wear certain clothes, put on makeup, and find ways to appear confident even [...]
I recently attended a seminar held at Senior Concerns that posed an important question: Is it aging, or is it the medication? Andrea Simon, a hospital pharmacist, presented and shared some of the medication-related issues she has encountered in her work over the years. Older adults visit the emergency room for medication-related problems more [...]
For my birthday last year, I was gifted a rechargeable battery-backup light bulb. This seemed like an unusual gift, but it is a lifesaver in a power outage. My friend who gave it to me shared that she has started giving gifts of useful and practical items she has found. She said this not [...]
Q: I turn 90 this year, and I am not sure how to approach my future anymore. I feel lost at sea. I am happy with everything I have done, and now I do not know what I should be doing with the time I have left. A: Celebrating a 90th birthday is a [...]
Recently, I was reminded of the power of art and creativity for our mental health. In the Senior Concerns Adult Day Program, we had an art therapist come to provide an activity. This activity found a way to connect our feelings with colors and shapes. It was such a beautiful way to see how [...]
My friend recently shared a frightening experience of something that happened while she was out for dinner. It served as an important reminder that while medical emergencies can happen to anyone, when you are caring for a loved one with chronic conditions, they are almost inevitable. Taking time to think through how you would [...]
Q: I have become overwhelmed by managing all the household expenses. How can I make this easier? A: I can remember my parents sitting at the kitchen table with a pile of receipts and arguing over money. It was a ritual they did every month. They would save every paper receipt and then cross-reference [...]