Senior Advocate

Q:  My mom is currently in the hospital, and I think she needs to go to rehab before going home. How can I best advocate for her? A:  When a loved one is in the hospital, they need you to be their advocate and ensure they get the care they need and want. It can [...]

Q:  My husband has dementia and will not remember that it is Valentine’s Day. How can I still make the day feel special? A:  When your partner has dementia, it changes the way special days are celebrated. If your loved one cannot remember the date or understand the meaning, then birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays like [...]

Q:  My husband passed away a few months ago and I want to move out of the house as soon as possible. My friends are all telling me I should not move right away. How soon is too soon? A:  I am sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. After a death, it [...]

Q:  Where can I get help filing my taxes for free? A:  Tax season can be overwhelming. Having a reliable place to go for help is important. Thankfully, there are free and trustworthy programs available for seniors aged 60 or older, and to anyone with an income of $60,000 or less, regardless of age. The [...]

Q: What is the HomeShare Program and how can I learn more about it? A:  Ventura County HomeShare is an innovative program that helps match people who have a home with extra room and people who are seeking a room to rent. Simply put, home sharing is an arrangement where two or more unrelated people [...]

Q: My 89-year-old mother gets upset with me when I can’t reach her on her home or cell phone, and I head over to her house to make sure she is OK. What can I do to reduce this stress? A:  I can understand the stress behind this question. This is a common struggle between [...]

Q: I cannot believe it is 2024 already! Why do the years feel like they are moving faster as I age? A:  It is quite normal to feel like time is speeding up as we get older. There are many reasons for this feeling. We can better understand why this happens and how to help [...]

As the year comes to an end it is a good time to reflect on the past 12 months. It can provide you with a way to resolve issues, learn from the past, and celebrate the good before starting a new year. The new year is often a time to make resolutions. To think about [...]

Q:  My husband has dementia, and I am worried about the family spending time with him at Christmas. Many of them do not realize how different he is now, and I am afraid of what they will think. A:  The holidays often bring people together who have not seen each other in a while. In [...]

Hospice and palliative care are both medical services that include interdisciplinary teams to provide pain and symptom relief. They are similar services, but with different goals of care. Hospice care is focused on comfort care without intent to cure the person. This is because either curative treatment options no longer work, or the person has [...]