Senior Concerns In the News

QUESTION:  If I remember correctly about this time of year there has been a program recognizing those who serve as family caregivers.  Do you know if such a program is on the schedule for this year?   ANSWER:  Yes it is.  On Friday March 2nd  Senior Concerns will host “Caregivers [...]

QUESTION:  I have heard much said about probate and avoiding it if possible.  I am not exactly sure what happens during probate.  Can you enlighten me?   ANSWER:  Probate is a court procedure which starts with determining the validity of a will presented to the court and ends with the [...]

QUESTION:  For a number of years I have attended a seminar series offered by Senior Concerns.  Do you know if that series will be offered again this year?   ANSWER:  Yes the series for 2018 will again be titled “Path to Positive Aging”.  The series started on January 9th with [...]

QUESTION:  I need to place a family member in a care facility.  Do you have any suggestions on how I should start my search?   ANSWER:  Finding the appropriate facility takes time and effort.  But spending this time early in the process makes the transition to a care facility much [...]

  QUESTION:  Each year I have my income taxes done by volunteers at my senior center.  I have two questions.  Are these services being offered again this year and who is eligible for these services?   ANSWER:  Yes, tax preparation services will be offered again this year.  I have information [...]

  I am sure we are all tired of hearing that we must exercise more.  Well exercise can be fun and one way to do that is by dancing.  Could you tell your readers about the Thousand Oaks Dance Club – they could have fun while they exercise.   ANSWER:  [...]

  QUESTION:  I am looking for a Driver Safety Program for seniors.  Do you have information on such a program and where and when it is given?   ANSWER:  I think you are looking for AARP’s Driver Safety Program.  This is an eight hour classroom refresher class for drivers aged [...]

  QUESTION:  Last year I attended a health and wellness event at the Goebel Center.  Do you know if that event is being offered again and if so when?   ANSWER:  Yes.  The Conejo Senior Volunteer Program’s (CSVP) 4th Annual Wellness Fest is scheduled for Wednesday January 17 from 9:00 [...]

QUESTION:  I am attempting to help several older members of my family with their health care coverage and trying to understand various concepts such as Medicare fee-for-service, original Medicare, health maintenance organization plans, Senior Advantage plans, and Medicare Part A, Part B, Part C and Part D. Can you help? [...]

QUESTION: If I remember correctly, it is about this time of year that Medicare has its annual open enrollment. Can you provide the dates? ANSWER:  Medicare annual open enrollment will start Oct. 15 and run through Dec. 7. During this period, you can change the coverage you have from Medicare-fee-for-service [...]

QUESTION: I have a family member who has just been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and I am looking for a support group in the City of Ventura. Can you provide any information? ANSWER: Yes. I just recently learned of a Parkinson’s disease support group that meets in Ventura every month. [...]

QUESTION: I recently retired and would like to spend some of my free time volunteering. I am interested in doing something that would benefit my community. Could you give me any leads? ANSWER: I commend you for thinking of volunteering your time. Many activities and events we enjoy are possible [...]

Westlake Girl Scout Lauryn Wang is in process of trying to earn her Gold Star Award, the highest rank a girl scout can earn. It is similar to a boy scout earning the rank of eagle scout. As part of her Gold Star Award project, Wang is organizing a charity [...]

QUESTION: A family member has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and while not needed at this particular time, I am beginning to think about hospice services. When looking into this type of care, what should I consider when selecting a hospice provider? ANSWER: Most Americans know very little about [...]

QUESTION: I am in my mid-80s and my children are telling me I’m too old to drive. Can I be denied a license because of my age? ANSWER: No. There is no age limit for renewing a driver’s license. However, as we age physical changes do take a gradual toll [...]

Senior Concerns, as part of its commitment to provide support for family caregivers of aging loved ones, will present a community seminar titled “Legal Information for Elders” on Tuesday, June 27, 2017, 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Senior Concerns, 401 Hodencamp Road, Thousand Oaks. This seminar will be presented by Mike Williams [...]

QUESTION: I stay very active and attend many events — but these are usually educational classes and seminars. I am in the mood for some light entertainment. Do you have any suggestions?   ANSWER: Yes I do. I am happy to say I think I have just the event to [...]

QUESTION:  In the past, I have seen lists of symptoms to look for if you think someone might be having a stroke or heart attack. With summer heading our way, do you know of such a list for signs of heat stroke? ANSWER: There are a number of specific signs [...]

QUESTION: I have a friend who is legally blind, and I am at a loss as to how to act around her or what sort of help to offer or what to say. Any suggestions? ANSWER: I too have a friend who is legally blind, and I asked her for help [...]

QUESTION:  Each year about this time, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute offers a single lecture series. Do you know if that will be offered again this year? ANSWER: Yes it will. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, known as OLLI, will offer the Summer 2017 Taste of OLLI Single Lecture Series. It will [...]