Senior Advocate

Q:  What legal documents do I need to have in place as I age or if my spouse or I become ill? A:  Every adult should think about and put documents in place for their advance care planning. This means preparing for future decisions to be made about your medical care and assets if you [...]

Q:  I often find myself worrying about things I cannot control. How can I stop myself from worrying all the time? A:  Worrying and anxiety can be a normal part of our lives. In fact, some worrying helps ensure we get things done. We worry about bills being paid, or about traffic, and that anxiety [...]

Q:  I care for my husband who has dementia. How can I have a plan for what happens if I suddenly cannot care for him? A:  I strongly urge all family caregivers responsible for a loved one to come up with a backup plan in case they suddenly are not able to provide care. Recently [...]

Q:  What is Older American’s Month? A:  May is recognized as Older American’s Month and is led by the Administration for Community Living. This year is the 60th anniversary of the year that President John F. Kennedy issued the first proclamation marking this month. It is recognized as a time to celebrate the contributions [...]

Q:  I am caring for my same-sex partner who has dementia. As a gay couple, are there any local services or support that can address our unique care needs? A:  Caring for someone with dementia is challenging for everyone. However, people in the LGBT+ community may face compounded challenges due to a history of discrimination [...]

Q:  Do you have suggestions on hiking outdoors now that the weather is getting nicer? A:  Spring is my favorite time of year. I always mark the beginning of the season with a pedicure so that I am ready to wear sandals and enjoy the warm weather. The blue skies improve my mood, and the [...]

Q: What is the Power Saver Rewards program, and do I need to apply? A:  Southern California Edison has created a program to help incentivize people to reduce their use of energy during heat waves. As we have all seen last year, when there are heat waves the energy grid can be over impacted. This [...]

Q:  What do seniors need to know to protect themselves from fraud? A:  Older adults are targeted by scammers because they are believed to have a lot of money in the bank. They also are at a greater risk of cognitive decline, which may impair their judgement and make them more susceptible to falling for [...]

Q: Can you explain the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease? A: I often get this question from people who are confused about the terms. Dementia is an umbrella term that describes the symptoms of memory loss that are severe enough to interfere with your daily life. Alzheimer’s is a specific disease under the umbrella [...]