Senior Concerns In the News

QUESTION: My dad has just gotten his disabled person parking license plate, and I will be doing the driving for him most of the time. I know I can park in the designated parking spaces but have heard there are other locations I also may use. Do you know what [...]

QUESTION: In the past, you have provided information about Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Do you have any information about upcoming classes? ANSWER: Yes, I do. I was just given a copy of the catalog for the early spring semester, which begins Jan. 23. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at CSU [...]

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 2017 will be titled “Path to Positive Aging” and will begin Tuesday. The seminars will be from [...]

QUESTION: I am looking for information about a variety of services and wonder if there is a single place where I can start my search. Do you have any suggestions? ANSWER: You are looking for an expo type event where many service providers are gathered together under one roof — [...]

QUESTION: I am looking for information about a variety of services and wonder if there is a single place where I can start my search. Do you have any suggestions? ANSWER: You are looking for an expo type event where many service providers are gathered together under one roof — [...]

QUESTION: Many people, like me, must use electronically operated life-support equipment. With the high cost of electricity, I was wondering, is there is any program that assists with this expense? ANSWER: Yes, there is a program to help with the cost of electrically operated life support equipment. Southern California Edison [...]

QUESTION: I am a full-time caregiver and at my wits end. I am totally worn out and need a break. Placing my loved one in a long-term care facility is not an option at this time and having someone come into my home will not provide me the peace and [...]

QUESTION: I am not sure if I am required to take a distribution from my retirement account. Can you help? ANSWER: You must begin taking distributions at age 70½ or face stiff IRS imposed distributions If you will reach age 70½ by Dec. 31, 2016, you will have until April [...]

QUESTION: I am going to be part of a group that will be visiting several long-term care facilities during the holiday season. I have not done this before and am looking forward to it, but feel very inadequate in relating to the residents. Are there any particular tips that would [...]

QUESTION: In the past you have provided information on the Thousand Oaks Council on Aging monthly programs. Do you have any information about the December meeting? ANSWER: Yes, I do. The speaker at the Dec. 7 meeting will be Det. Tim Lohman from the Ventura County Sheriff’s office. The topic [...]

QUESTION: I need to renew my driver’s license and am nervous about taking the test. Do you have any suggestions on where I can turn for help? ANSWER: You didn’t indicate in your question whether you are talking about taking the road test or the written test, so I’ll address [...]

QUESTION: When I was growing up, memory loss, often called senility, was just normally expected to occur with old age. Today, I hear memory loss referred to as Alzheimer's. Has senility just been given a new name or is Alzheimer's something different? ANSWER: I can remember being told exactly what [...]

QUESTION: You have provided information about Osher Lifelong Learning Institute classes in the past. Do you have any information about the single-session classes being offered between the fall and winter semesters? ANSWER: Yes — I was given that information last week. During the semester break, six classes will be offered [...]

QUESTION: I live alone and am very much afraid of fire. I would like to “fireproof” my home but don’t have any idea on how to start. ANSWER: Every year, home fires kill and injure thousands of people, many of them seniors. You can stop fires before they start by [...]

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: I am trying to collect information on services available to seniors who want to remain in their homes. Is there one location where I can start my search? ANSWER: The Camarillo Council on Aging is offering a panel presentation, “Local Safety Nets for Seniors,” that seems to fit your [...]

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 [...]

Q: I am looking for a family activity in early October. Do you have any suggestions? A: I think I have just the event for your family outing. Cypress Place Senior Living and the Young and Brave Foundation will co-host Under the Big Top from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. [...]

Q: Recently while in the hospital, I was treated by a doctor who was referred to as a hospitalist. Is this a new specialty, and if so, how will this type of doctor fit in with a person’s general care? A: You might call this a specialty. A hospitalist is [...]

QUESTION: The Empowered Caregiver seminar series has been dark for the summer. Will those seminars begin again this month? ANSWER: The series will return Sept. 27. September’s topic will be “Relieve Stress and Promote Wellness Through Meditation." The presentation will be facilitated by Vinay Chhabra, owner of Pacific Senior Care. [...]