Other Side of 50

Death is a certainty for all of us, but the “where” and “how” are increasingly our own choice. I’ve been in the room for a handful of deaths and have heard clients and friends recounting stories about many more. Contrary to what some may believe, there are good deaths. Hildy’s was one. Hildy was the [...]

Q: Recently you wrote an article on falls and provided some simple steps that can be taken to help make your home safer. Are you aware of any upcoming seminars that address this subject? A: Yes I do. The Elderly Fall Prevention Coalition of Ventura County is hosting an event, "Healthy Aging: How to Prevent [...]

For those who know me, I am more apt to have a “wine” moment than a “whine” moment, but every so often you just gotta give in to complaining. Even though I consider myself to be in good health physical ailments can still be a bother. For me of late, it’s been my shoulder. Several [...]

Last month my husband and I moved my niece, an incoming freshman from Connecticut, into her dorm room at USC. The experience revealed to us just how much has changed since our days on a college campus. Where's the story? For starters, I was amazed at all the help that was available. Before arriving on [...]

Q: My father, a widower, lives some distance away and I am considering having him live with us but have heard negative comments about such arrangements. Do you have any suggestions on how to make it work? A: I too have heard negative comments about sharing a home with a parent, however, I have also [...]

It’s been said that necessity is the mother of invention. Where's the story?4 Points Mentioned While this proverb is frequently true, I can say from my time in the consumer products industry that it isn’t always the case. Based upon marketplace staying power, Ben-Gay aspirin, Quisp and Quake cereals, and New Coke weren’t really necessities. [...]

 Q: I am trying to get my affairs in order and am somewhat confused by some of the terms associated with wills and trusts. Could you provide definitions for those terms? A: If preparing a will is part of your plan, you should know the meaning of testator, executor, heir, issue, minor, codicil and probate. [...]

Last week I hosted an early morning meeting of care professionals at Senior Concerns. Where's the story? PointsMentioned Map5 Points Mentioned As we sailed into the second hour of our meeting and the early-morning coolness gave way to summer heat, many of us in the room were sweating. When I asked why the room’s air [...]

Q: Every day, I seem to have a mailbox full of invitations to free seminars on living trusts and financial planning. Would these seminars provide me with the information I need?A: The answer may be yes — but more likely no.These seminars address general issue of estate planning. The right strategies for a person to [...]

A confession: When I was young, “good” rock ’n’ roll somewhat eluded me. I was born in 1958. I loved songs like The Foundation’s “Build Me Up Buttercup.” Petula Clark’s “Downtown” was also one of my faves and the innocence of early bubblegum rock (The Monkees, invasion (Beatles, Rolling Stones) was not my cup of [...]