Senior Concerns In the News

QUESTION:  I am a senior and have never given much thought about elder abuse.  However, I am now hearing more about it.  What is considered elder abuse and what steps can be taken to help prevent it?   ANSWER:  Elder abuse wears many faces.  It can be actual physical abuse, [...]

QUESTION: If I remember correctly Cypress Place Senior Living hosts an event each year to honor our veterans. Will they be doing that again this year? ANSWER: The “10th Annual Salute Our Veterans” event is scheduled for Wednesday June 27 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Cypress Senior Living. [...]

QUESTION:  If I remember correctly Cypress Place Senior Living hosts an event each year to honor our veterans.  Will they be doing that again this year?   ANSWER:  The “10th Annual Salute Our Veterans” event is scheduled for Wednesday June 27 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Cypress Senior [...]

QUESTION:  Everyone is telling me to get my affairs in order.  I assume they are referring to “important papers.”  Exactly what is considered an important paper?   ANSWER:  When people talk about important papers they are basically talking about a will, a trust, an advance directive for healthcare and a [...]

Senior Concerns, a Thousand Oaks-based group dedicated to serving seniors, has been selected by Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin, D-Thousand Oaks, as one of 100 California nonprofits of the year. Officials of the 100 nonprofits will be feted Wednesday, California Nonprofits Day, by state legislators at a luncheon in Sacramento. Andrea Gallagher, [...]

QUESTION:  My question concerns driving.  As a senior I know that changes occur as we age that could, among other things, affect our driving skills.  Do you have any suggestions on how to counter these issues?   ANSWER:  Much has been said about this subject.  It has been and still [...]

QUESTION:  A few friends of mine were telling me about the OLLI classes they have been taking at CSUCI and thought I might be interested in the upcoming offering.  Can you tell me about it --- when, where etc?   ANSWER:  Your friends were referring to the Osher Lifelong Learning [...]

QUESTION:  Before I moved from the area I enjoyed taking part in Senior Concerns Love Run each spring.  Now I have returned to Ventura County and wonder if the Love Run is still an annual event?   ANSWER: Welcome back and yes the Love Run is still an annual event.  [...]

QUESTION:  I am trying to help a friend who is homebound.  She has some help with daily chores but the one area not covered is grocery shopping.  Do you know if there is a service of this type available?   ANSWER:  Yes I do.  The program that appears to fit [...]

QUESTION:  It seems I am hearing more and more about problems from prescription drug side effects and errors.  How can we protect ourselves?   ANSWER:  Since there will always be side effects from prescription drugs and errors will happen each one of us must take personal responsibility for understanding the [...]

QUESTION:  I just heard that a new area code will be added to our area and this will result in our having to change the way we dial our friends and neighbors.  Is this correct?   ANSWER:  Yes.  Beginning June 30, 2018 new telephone lines or services in the 805 [...]

QUESTION:  Is this the month that the new Medicare cards will start being mailed to those who are currently receiving Medicare benefits?   ANSWER:  Yes.  The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 required the Agency to remove Social Security numbers from all Medicare cards by April 2019.  The [...]

QUESTION:  Just recently a friend of mine was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.  I am at a loss of exactly what Parkinson’s disease is and what I can do to help my friend.  Is there somewhere that I can go to learn more?   ANSWER:  I am sorry to hear about [...]

QUESTION:  I recently met with a group of retired friends and we all spoke about having time on our hands.  Someone suggested volunteering.  Do you have any suggestions?   ANSWER:  Your question is not only a good one but also very timely as April is “Volunteer Appreciation Month.”   Volunteering [...]

  QUESTION:  I am interested in taking a Tai Chi class.  Can you tell me where I can get information about where and when these classes are offered?   ANSWER:  Tai Chi classes are very popular and offered at most senior centers.  Since you didn’t say what city you lived [...]

QUESTION:  Each spring the Goebel Center has had a Community Garage Sale.  Do you know when it is scheduled for this year?   ANSWER:  You can mark your calendar for Sunday April 8th.  As usual it will be from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Goebel Adult Community Center, [...]

QUESTION:  I am about to retire and have mixed emotions about it.  While I hope to enjoy some free time I’m concerned about missing intellectual stimulation and social interaction that you have while working.  Do you have any suggestions for filling this gap?   ANSWER:  As we enter new phases [...]

QUESTION:  I have never been one to exercise but I know that I should.  I’ve attempted several times but always find some excuse to postpone it.  Any suggestions on how I might get myself in the habit.”   ANSWER:  There are many reasons why some people find exercise a chore [...]

QUESTION: I have never been one to exercise, but I know I should. I’ve attempted several times but always find some excuse to postpone it. Any suggestions on how I might get myself "in the habit?” ANSWER: There are many reasons why some people find exercise a chore while others [...]

QUESTION:  I am a believer in sharing and give to a number of charities.  However, lately I am beginning to question how much of the donation, if any, is actually going to those that the charity claims they are helping.  Any suggestions?   ANSWER:  My first thought is give to [...]