Senior Advocate

More voting questions answered Question:  Is it too late to register to vote? The deadline for registering to vote in California is October 18th. You can register online at www.registertovote.ca.gov/. However, if you miss this deadline you still have the option to vote in person by registering and casting a [...]

Question:  What do I need to know to prepare for the flu season this year? The flu continues to be a concern for the fall and winter months, and we should all do our best to prepare. Flu vaccines are available now and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [...]

Question:  What do I need to know about how to vote in the November election? The Presidential General Election held on November 3, 2020, will be the first one where every California voter will automatically receive a Vote By Mail ballot. This is a result of Executive Order N-64-20, and [...]

Question:  I have heard that some people who have pre-paid their funeral expenses did not have their account honored after they passed away. What do I need to know before pre-planning for my own funeral expenses? Pre-planning of your own funeral can help ensure you have your wishes followed, while [...]

It has now been 6 months since the first Stay at Home order for Ventura County and the marker upon which we consider the time all of our daily lives changed. This is a time to reflect on all that has happened in the last 6 months and where we [...]

Question:  I live alone, what will happen if I get sick with COVID-19? Who will care for me? The fear of getting COVID-19 or someone close to us getting the virus can almost be crippling these days. While we want to take every precaution to keep ourselves from getting the [...]

One sentiment I hear a lot right now that I relate to is a general feeling of unease and fluctuating emotions. During this time of COVID-19, it is common to hear people talk about the roller coaster of emotions they are feeling. One minute we think we have a system, [...]

Question:   My drivers license is about to expire, and I am worried about going to the DMV right now. What can I do? Many people share your worries right now. A trip to the DMV is usually dreaded even on a good day and now, with the COVID-19 pandemic, we [...]

Living through the COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult in many ways. We have all had to make changes to our daily routine that may have caused us to exert extra effort, or impose new restrictions we are not used to. This can often lead to frustrations. However, some of these [...]

Question: The doctor has suggested my wife go on hospice. I am worried about having people in my home right now and am not sure if hospice is right for her. How do I know if I am making right decision? Deciding to enroll your wife on hospice care is [...]

Question:   Now that I spend so much more time at home how can I make my home a nicer place to be? Many people are taking on home improvement projects while at home and, in some ways, this is the perfect time. We are staying home more to be safe [...]

Question:   Are masks really that important to wear? Wearing a mask to reduce the spread of COVID-19 is very important and I would like to take some time to explain why. Many studies have been done to understand this virus and how it spreads. According to the Centers for Disease [...]

Question:   What can I do to stay engaged and keep my mind fresh now that I am at home so much more? Engaging our brain in new ways is an excellent way to keep our minds fresh and active. There are many ways to do this and you can find [...]

Question:   My birthday is coming up and I don’t know how to celebrate now during COVID-19. I am not feeling excited for this birthday. How can I find a way to still celebrate this year? Birthdays are a wonderful thing to celebrate. It is a time to reflect on your [...]

Question:   There seems to be so much unrest in the world right now and I am feeling very helpless. Do you have any suggestions? I hear you and expect many people feel the same way. While we are starting to re-open as a county, the threat of the Coronavirus is [...]

Question:   I try to stay at home as much as possible, but I still worry. How should I prepare in case I do get sick? It is always a good idea to be prepared because we never know when a medical emergency may occur, even unrelated to COVID-19.  Preparing ahead [...]

Question:   I take care of my husband at home who has dementia and I think he is bored. Do you have suggestions on how I can keep him busy? The stay at home orders have been stressful for all of us, but this can be especially heightened for someone with [...]

Question:   I really miss visiting my grandkids and want to know when I can visit with them again. Staying apart from our loved ones during the COVD-19 crisis has been one of the most difficult things to cope with during this time. In Ventura County, we are moving to “Phase [...]

Question:   Can you tell me more about this program that delivers restaurant meals to seniors? The program is called “Great Plates Delivered” and was announced by Governor Newsom on April 26th. The concept of the program is twofold. First, it supports local restaurants by providing them business by making and [...]

Question:   My cousin passed away from COVID-19 in another state. We cannot go and visit the family or even have a funeral for him right now. What advice do you have on how to handle the grieving process? I am very sorry to hear about your loss. Grief can be [...]