Senior Concerns In the News

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 [...]

QUESTION: Do you know of any special activities planned for National Senior Health & Fitness Day? ANSWER: The Reserve at Thousand Oaks and the Goebel Adult Community Center are co-sponsoring a day of activities to celebrate the 24th Annual National Senior Health and Fitness Day. The activities will be held at the [...]

QUESTION: In the past you have provided information about special activities offered by Cypress Place. I am wondering if there is anything scheduled in the next few months? ANSWER: A very timely question. Cypress Place Senior Living in Ventura will be hosting its annual Health & Wealth Expo on May 24 from 11 a.m. [...]

QUESTION: I just heard that the Thousand Oaks Police Department now has a hotline about current scams. Do you have any information about this service? ANSWER: Yes, I do. The Thousand Oaks Police Department has launched a scam hotline to help educate the community about current scams. The hotline telephone number is 371-8327 [...]

QUESTION: I am constantly hearing that senior drivers are not safe drivers. Can you tell me what we older drivers should be looking at to determine if we have safety problems? ANSWER: Getting older doesn’t necessarily make you an unsafe driver, however, there are changes in our bodies that could affect our driving [...]

QUESTION: Now that I am retired, I’m considering volunteering. Any suggestions? ANSWER: Volunteering is a wonderful and rewarding undertaking, and no matter what venue selected, you will be greeted with open arms. I don’t know of a single nonprofit organization and even some for-profit agencies as well as community-based programs [...]

QUESTION: Recently, I was with a group of friends and the subject of getting your affairs in order came up. Each of us had a different opinion about what that actually meant. Do you have any suggestions as to when, how and where to start the process of getting your affairs in order? [...]

QUESTION: I am looking for information about living with diabetes. Someone told me about a six-week workshop being offered — do you have any information about where and when? ANSWER: Yes, I do and I would be more than glad to share it with you. You are asking about a self-management diabetes workshop [...]

QUESTION: For several years I have attended a health expo at the Simi Valley Senior Center. Do you know if this event will be given again this year? ANSWER: Yes, the Simi Valley Wellness Expo 2017 is scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon April 19. The theme for the event is "For the Health [...]

QUESTION: I am retired, living alone and thinking about moving to some type of congregate living. I am looking for information on types of facilities and what accommodations are offered. Any suggestions? ANSWER: You will find that these type of facilities are referred to as retirement facilities, retirement communities, independent living, congregate living and [...]

QUESTION: The senior center in Thousand Oaks usually has a spring community garage sale. Do you know if it is planned again for this year? ANSWER: Yes, it is. The ninth annual community garage sale is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 9 in the parking lot at [...]