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 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 [...]
Q: How can I get through December and feel ready and motivated for the New Year? A: People handle the last month of the year in many ways. If you are like me, this entire month becomes like one big to-do list. I feel the stress before we enter Thanksgiving, and it usually stays [...]
Q: It seems like everyone is getting sick right now. How can I stay healthy while going to holiday gatherings? A: As we head into winter we will see an increase in the cold, flu, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). A winter increase in COVID cases is also expected as has been the trend since [...]
Q: How can I enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday this year without feeling so stressed? A: Holiday gatherings can feel stressful for many different reasons. Some of us are hosting and feel pressure to make the experience wonderful for everyone who attends. Some of us are caring for a loved one who may have difficulty [...]
Over 40 million Americans provide unpaid care to an aging loved one or an adult with disabilities. November was first declared National Family Caregivers month in 1997 and has been proclaimed every year since by the President in office. It is a time to celebrate, recognize and thank those who provide care for their loved [...]
Q: What are some ways I can cope with my memory slowing down as I age? A: It is normal to experience some memory related issues as we age. Recalling words or names may take longer, and you may misplace things from time to time. This is different than dementia, where memory related problems are [...]
Q: How can I learn more about Veterans benefits and see if my dad qualifies now that he needs more care? A: In our country, we estimate there are over 18 million Veterans who have served in conflicts around the world including World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and even in the [...]
Q: I cannot stop watching the news all day and it is making me anxious. How can I balance staying informed with my mental health? A: Many people struggle with this issue, including myself. We want to stay informed and not ignore the reality of the world news, but the toll it takes on our [...]
Recently, I participated in a support group and I was reminded about the importance of creating connections. In my career working with older adults and family caregivers I have often commented that my goal is to create community. Creating community, to me, means that people start to see they are not alone, and that [...]