Senior Advocate
Martha Shapiro, Director of Programs at Senior Concerns, authors a weekly column for the Ventura County Star titled “Senior Advocate,” focusing on issues affecting seniors and their family caregivers.
How We Can Age Smarter
What does it mean to age smarter? I think a lot about this topic, and one thing is inherently true: there is no single correct way to age smarter. But you can think ahead and give yourself every opportunity to age the way you want. For most of history, [...]
The Modern-Day Golden Girls
I recently met a woman who is living in her own “modern-day Golden Girls” house, as she calls it. Luann and her wife are both in their 60s, and since 2018, they have shared a home with both of their mothers, now in their 90s. Four strong, independent woman, [...]
A Walker as a Sign of Strength
Q: I use a cane instead of my walker to avoid being thought of as frail. Why do I let my pride get in the way? A: It is natural to want people to see us as capable or strong. We wear certain clothes, put on makeup, and find [...]
Is it Aging, or is it the Medication?
I recently attended a seminar held at Senior Concerns that posed an important question: Is it aging, or is it the medication? Andrea Simon, a hospital pharmacist, presented and shared some of the medication-related issues she has encountered in her work over the years. Older adults visit the emergency [...]
Preparedness Starts at Home
For my birthday last year, I was gifted a rechargeable battery-backup light bulb. This seemed like an unusual gift, but it is a lifesaver in a power outage. My friend who gave it to me shared that she has started giving gifts of useful and practical items she has [...]
It’s Never Too Late for a New Perspective
Q: I turn 90 this year, and I am not sure how to approach my future anymore. I feel lost at sea. I am happy with everything I have done, and now I do not know what I should be doing with the time I have left. A: Celebrating [...]
Connecting with our creativity
Recently, I was reminded of the power of art and creativity for our mental health. In the Senior Concerns Adult Day Program, we had an art therapist come to provide an activity. This activity found a way to connect our feelings with colors and shapes. It was such a [...]
A Frightening Reminder About Medical Emergencies
My friend recently shared a frightening experience of something that happened while she was out for dinner. It served as an important reminder that while medical emergencies can happen to anyone, when you are caring for a loved one with chronic conditions, they are almost inevitable. Taking time to [...]
Stress-free tools for managing household expenses
Q: I have become overwhelmed by managing all the household expenses. How can I make this easier? A: I can remember my parents sitting at the kitchen table with a pile of receipts and arguing over money. It was a ritual they did every month. They would save every [...]
Stay ahead of heat-related Illness: hydration tips for seniors
Q: My mother recently fainted, and we learned it was due to dehydration. How can we encourage her to drink more water? A: Older adults are at higher risk for dehydration because of several reasons. Yet with the summer heat, it is more important than ever to ensure we [...]
Inspirational messages in unexpected places
I often find inspirational messages in unexpected places. If you are willing to pay attention, moments of wisdom have a way of finding us when we least expect them. Recently, I was watching a show called How I Met Your Mother when one of these messages jumped out at [...]
Lying to a loved one with dementia is not a betrayal
Q: My wife has dementia, and people keep telling me I should lie to her. That doesn't feel right. We've always been honest with each other, and I don't want to betray that now. Is it ever okay to tell a "little lie" to someone with dementia? A: Many [...]
The importance of the Older Americans Act
Q: What is the Older Americans Act? A: The Older Americans Act (OAA) is celebrating its 61st anniversary this month. It was signed into law in July of 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, thus becoming the first system in the United States to provide home and community-based services [...]
Benefits of integrating Spoon Theory into our lives
Q: I recently heard about Spoon Theory. How does it apply to older adults and family caregivers? A: Spoon theory was developed by a woman named Christine Miserandino as a way to explain to her friend what it was like for her to have Lupus. I only recently learned [...]
Tools to help navigate expections when hiring in-home care
Q: I hired a caregiver to help with my husband who has dementia, but all they do is sit and watch TV with him. How can I get them to do more? A: When hiring in-home care, it is helpful to clearly communicate your expectations and provide a list [...]
Taking Steps Towards Social Connection
I was recently attending a community event when I struck up a conversation with an older woman. We talked about the beautiful weather and all the wonderful things we were experiencing at the event. As our conversation came to an end, she said, “Thank you for this. I don’t [...]
What to expect when your partner enters a skilled nursing facility
Q: My husband just transferred from the hospital to a rehab facility following a fall. What do I need to know about how to manage his care while in the facility? A: When your loved one is in a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation, it is important to be [...]
Using California’s Paid Family Leave to care for an ill family member
Q: Can I use Paid Family Leave to take care of my mother? A: In California, Paid Family Leave (PFL) can be used to care for a seriously ill family member, including your mother, if you qualify. PFL provides short-term wage replacement benefits to eligible California workers for up [...]
The power of forgiveness in caregiving
A poem was recently shared with me called “If I Get Dementia.” It was written by Rachael Wonderlin. The poem is a collection of requests for loved ones to remember if the writer were ever to develop dementia. Through simple but deeply meaningful statements, it offers guidance on how [...]
The price of memories
I recently learned that my mother was still paying the monthly bill for my father’s cell phone, two years after he passed away. For someone who is careful about money, this was very surprising. It was not about the money or the hassle of canceling the plan, it was [...]
