Senior Advocate

SENIOR ADVOCATE – April 27, 2022 Q: I recently went to a friend’s home for the first time, and I think she may be a hoarder because the house was filled with junk. How can I help her? A: Hoarding is a serious issue that causes stress and unsafe living [...]

Q: What is an Area Agency on Aging and do we have one in our community? A: An Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is an agency designated by the state to address the needs of older adults in the community. AAAs were created in 1974 under the Federal Older Americans [...]

Q: My husband refuses to wear his hearing aids and it’s driving me crazy. How can I make it easier for both of us when he has trouble hearing me? A: Living with someone who has hearing loss can be challenging. A study published in the International Journal of Audiology [...]

At Senior Concerns, one type of phone call has been steadily increasing in the last few years, older adults calling because they are in danger of losing their housing. Typically, older adults on Social Security have a fixed income that only increases nominally with a cost-of-living increase of a few [...]

Q: I am looking for work as an older adult and finding it difficult. Do you have any tips for an older job seeker? A: Many older adults look for new work opportunities for various reasons, including financial needs, the joy of new work challenges and the satisfaction of completing [...]

A few weeks ago, I attended a work conference with my husband. I was the trailing spouse, which meant I could relax and enjoy myself while he attended CPA classes. A free vacation sounded good to me, especially after these past 24 months. Yet little did I know just how [...]

This week begins the season of spring. The sunsets are later, the temperatures warmer, and it is the perfect time to enjoy the beautiful Southern California outdoors. Spending time in the natural sunlight has many health and wellness benefits. Take note of the many reasons the outdoors is important and [...]

Q: I am moving my mother into my home so I can care for her as she ages. What do I need to do to prepare my home for her? A: When moving a parent into your home be sure to take time to think through all the changes that [...]

Q: I worry how I look if I continue to wear a mask in public now, but I also worry about how I feel when I do not wear one. How do I know what is the right thing to do going forward now that mask mandates are no longer [...]

As a social worker in the field of gerontology, I have worked directly with family caregivers for the last 15 years. This experience has changed my entire world view. I have never been so in awe, so inspired, and so touched by the amazing love and care that I witness. [...]

Q: I am having a hard time cleaning out my home and I have so much stuff I don’t know where to start. Where can I donate everything including medical supplies, clothing, and furniture? A: Cleaning out can be a liberating process because it allows you to free up space [...]

Q: I have no family and wonder how I can plan for what will happen when I pass away. How can I arrange my affairs and who will manage my estate if I have no family? A: Adults over the age of 50 who do not have children or close [...]

Q: Can you tell me if there is still a Food Stamps program and if there is, how do I know if I qualify? A: The Food Stamps program, now called the CalFresh program, has a long history of helping to supplement people’s food budgets, to ensure everyone has access [...]

Q: Is there a free tax preparation program again this year for seniors? A: Free tax preparation services are available for seniors aged 60 or older, and to anyone with income of $57,000 or less, regardless of age. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has operated a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance [...]

Recently I was reminded about how powerful music can be on the human spirit. In a room of people who have dementia, the song “Sweet Caroline” was played. Suddenly everyone was singing along and waving their hands to the music. It did not matter if they had been anxious, tired, [...]

Q: My mother recently moved in with me and has assigned me as her power of attorney for finances. What do I need to know about managing her money for her? A: When someone feels they are not able to manage their own finances they can give the power of [...]

There are many different life changes that can prompt us to think about our legacy, and how we want to spend our last chapter. Sometimes it is sparked by entering retirement and wanting to rethink your purpose and daily life plan. Other times it is because we receive a difficult [...]

Q: What is the point of making New Year’s resolutions if I know nothing will change? All the things I want to change I have no control over, like my health or my mobility. A: Finding ways to envision the next year with hope and gratitude is not always something [...]

Q: I know many people are having regular holiday gatherings because they are vaccinated and feel safe now. But my neighbor has disabilities and told me she doesn't feel safe gathering in a large group, so she is staying home alone. How can I support her, so she does not [...]

The year 2022 sounds like something out of a futuristic science fiction movie. It is hard to believe this is the year upon us, especially after all we have been through. The New Year is often a time to reflect and move forward in our lives. It feels like an [...]