Senior Concerns In the News

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. [...]

QUESTION: If I remember correctly, there has been some activity in the past regarding a possible Village to Village program in Thousand Oaks. Is there any update on that potential program happening in the Conejo Valley? ANSWER: You recall correctly. The committee that was researching the possibility has done extensive [...]

Q: In the past few months I have had several friends laid up because of falls. I believe this is one of the most serious things that can happen to a senior. Do you agree, and, if so do you have any hints on how to avoid falls especially in [...]

Q: I have a long-term care policy that I purchased about 10 years ago and have just received a notice that my premium is going to increase by a substantial amount. I am provided with several options for reducing the premium amount but not sure what is best and how [...]

Q: 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? A: I commend you on preparing for [...]

Q: A family member just told me she is a prediabetic. I would like to learn more about this condition and what one should do if they are diagnosed with it. Do you know where I start my search for information? A: The Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association provides free [...]

Q: I am about to sign up for Medicare and have more than a few questions. But the question I currently have regards doctors and why, when selecting a doctor, you should ask, "Does he or she take assignment?" What does that mean? A: There are many questions that could [...]

Q: I recently applied for my Medicare benefits and soon after received a form to complete asking for information about employer's health plans that I might be entitled to. Why would Medicare need such information? A: Medicare needs to know about other health care coverage to establish your benefits file [...]

Q: I am attempting to help an elderly relative with health care coverage selection. I am so confused, and I can't believe a senior is required to understand all of the options available. I have run into Medicare, Medi-Cal, Medicaid, Medigap and Medicare Advantage. Everything starts with an M, and [...]

Q: I have been a very busy person all my adult life and was looking forward to having free time when I retired. Now that I am retired I find myself with time on my hands and it is not all that I thought it would be. I'm considering volunteering [...]

Q: Most seniors want to "age in place" but their current homes do not fit their current physical needs. Do you have any suggestions about what they should consider if downsizing or remodeling? A: There are many issues that should be considered when building or remodeling for this aging population. [...]