Q: Why do some people become aggressive when they have dementia? A: Dementia is a general term for memory loss and loss of other cognitive abilities that is severe enough to interfere with daily life. The most common form is Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts for 60-80% of all cases of dementia. Unfortunately, it is not [...]
I have a 79-year-old friend who I have lunch with about once a month. We met many years ago by happenstance, as she had a weekly appointment that ended when mine began. We started to chat in the waiting room and over time became friends. She is a smart woman who spent many years in [...]
Q: Does Medicare cover therapy services? A: Medicare Part B does cover therapy services and other mental health outpatient services. Individual and group psychotherapy with approved licensed professionals is covered. In addition, psychiatric evaluation, medication management, family counseling (if important to help with your treatment), depression screening, and more are part of the Medicare Part [...]
Q: What are the secrets to healthy aging and longevity? A: Perhaps the secrets to healthy aging and living a long life are not so secret! When I look this up online the main answers are what one would expect: staying engaged with friends and family, eating healthy, and exercising regularly. Of course, sometimes there [...]
One thing the past few years has taught us is the value of breaking bread with family and friends. Holiday meals, casual barbecues, Sunday suppers and milestone dinner celebrations were sorely missed during the height of the pandemic. My friend Nancy and I were talking recently about one of her family traditions, and it struck [...]
Q: My husband just had a stroke and now has some memory problems. He had been taking care of all the household finances. How do I know where to start to figure out what bills to pay? A: Caring for your husband after a stroke can be all consuming. There is worry and stress about [...]
Q: It feels like there is so much available information when I am trying to make decisions, from deciding if I should move, to what doctor to see, to even which restaurant to go to! How can I know if I am making the right decisions? A: I think the availability of information nowadays on [...]
“Go with your gut” is a piece of advice given to me many years ago, somewhere in the middle of my business career. What my boss was trying to convey to me was to trust or follow my intuition, or instinct, as opposed to only basing my opinion or decision on a thorough analysis of [...]
Q: I am over 70 years old. Is there really any benefit to quitting smoking now when I have already smoked most of my adult life? A: The short answer to your question is yes. However, the longer answer is not as simple. If you have been smoking for over 40 years, then quitting is [...]
Senior Concerns, in partnership with the Goebel Adult Community Center, will present a free seminar titled “The DMV, Seniors and Safety” on Tuesday, August 2 at 11:00 a.m. This seminar will be held at the Goebel Adult Community Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. Seminar attendees will learn about driver license renewal requirements, testing [...]
