Senior Concerns In the News

QUESTION: I am trying to get my affairs in order and am somewhat confused by some of the terms associated with wills and trusts. Could you provide definitions for those terms? ANSWER: An excellent question. I’ll try to define some of the most common terms that you will likely encounter. [...]

QUESTION: I am a caregiver for my parents and have been reviewing their financial situation. I have several questions about Veteran’s Benefits that my dad may be entitled to. Do you know who I can contact? ANSWER: You should contact Ventura County Veterans Services. This agency has a staff of [...]

QUESTION: Some time ago you wrote a column about how to help or give assistance to a person who has a vision problem. I found it very informative and wonder if you have any suggestions when encountering those with other types of disabilities. Many times I find I want to [...]

QUESTION: A friend has been attending “OLLI” classes at CAL STATE Channel Islands and said I might be interested in the next session. Have you received information on the upcoming session? ANSWER: Yes – the fall session information has arrived and I have the following information. The program you are [...]

As part of its commitment to provide support for seniors with dementia and their family caregivers, Senior Concerns is offering quarterly Memory Cafes, with the next Memory Café scheduled for Saturday, August 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Senior Concerns, 401 Hodencamp Road in Thousand Oaks. Atria Hillcrest [...]

QUESTION:  I just spent some time with my dad who lives in another state and came away with some concerns about him continuing to live alone.  What signs would indicate that it might be time to seek assistance for him?   ANSWER:  A number of signs could send up a [...]

QUESTION:  I have been widowed for almost two years and am now considering a move.  My home and yard are more than I want to continue to take care of.  However, I am active and independent.  I don’t need to be taken care of but at times am very lonely.  [...]

QUESTION:  I am looking for information about hospice. What is it, does Medicare cover it and how does a person qualify for coverage?   ANSWER:  Hospice is a unique way of caring for a person with an advanced illness.  It focuses on palliative care instead of curative care.  It includes [...]

QUESTION:  Every year Cypress Place Assisted Living has a special event in honor of our veterans.  Do you know if that event is scheduled to be held again this year?   ANSWER:  A very timely question and yes the “Salute Our Veterans” event is scheduled for Wednesday June 26 at [...]

QUESTION:  During a recent business trip my husband lost his wallet and I’m trying to replace the contents.  This is a difficult job since he doesn’t remember everything that he carried.  Please tell others to inventory what they carry with them in case they should have the need to replace [...]

QUESTION:  My mother has been in and out of hospitals for the past two years.  She used her 100 days in a skilled nursing facility and now my father is paying the bill.  She went back into the hospital for four days.  I thought that if you were hospitalized and [...]

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 2019 Taste of OLLI: Single Lecture Series [...]

QUESTION:  I’m hearing more and more about how overweight the people of this nation are becoming—both young and old.  We are told to eat right, cut back on portions and eat our fruit and vegetables.  I’m not in control of how much food is served.  Are there any guidelines for [...]

QUESTION:  A friend of mine was recently in the hospital and has been talking about several mistakes she found on her hospital bill.  Do you have any suggestions about how to avoid this happening?   ANSWER:  Any bill can contain an error and a hospital bill, which is rather complicated, [...]

QUESTION:  My husband was considered disabled by his employer yet when he applied for Social Security disability he was turned down.  Can you provide an explanation?   ANSWER:  It is not unusual for a person to be turned down when first applying for Social Security disability.  Perhaps Social Security just [...]

 QUESTION:  Medicare has been health care coverage for seniors for many years – are there any recent changes made that improve their services?  ANSWER:  Medicare is now 54 years old.  It was signed into law in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson with President Harry S Truman at his side; [...]

QUESTION:  My parents are getting on in age and will eventually need my assistance.  I have no idea where to start planning.  Can you suggest some starting points?   ANSWER:  Many people avoid dealing with this subject until a crisis arises.  You are to be congratulated for wanting to be [...]

As a result of Subaru’s recent Share the Love Campaign, Ladin Subaru in Thousand Oaks and Subaru of America have partnered to provide a grant of $56,875 to Senior Concerns to help support the organization’s programs for seniors and family caregivers. The generous donation will provide invaluable funding for Senior [...]

QUESTION:  All of us at sometime will be a patient.  To get well you not only need good medical care but must understand everything your doctor(s) are telling you.  Do you have any suggestions on how to help yourself be a better informed patient and healthier person because of it? [...]

What started out as the “Senior Stroll” in 1991 has now grown into the Ladin Subaru Love Run, one of the premier races in the Conejo Valley. Planned for Sunday, June 2, 2019 in Westlake Village, this popular event features the Love/Hate Half Marathon, which will be run on a [...]