Q: Will the Thousand Oaks Council on Aging have a speaker at its December meeting?
A: Yes. A program Dec. 5 will address the issue of forgetfulness.
Many seniors worry whether their forgetfulness is a normal part of aging or a sign of trouble. Some forgetfulness, like forgetting where you put your keys, is normal. But not knowing what to do with your keys when you find them is abnormal.
Tee Barr, Senior Concerns brain fitness program coordinator, will provide insights on normal brain activity. Barr’s Brain Fitness Program is designed to help people understand what mental fitness is and how to incorporate it into daily activities.
The presentation will include audience participation through exercises and laughter.
The meeting will start at 1 p.m. in the Board Room (third floor) at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Thousand Oaks.
The program will be broadcast live on TOTV and archived at http://www.toaks.org.
The public is invited. For information or reservations, call 381-7362.
Q: I understand that as a beneficiary of Social Security I can continue to receive my benefits even if I am out of the country. Is this also true for SSI payments?
A: Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, payments are different from Social Security benefits, and different rules apply.
SSI payments are based on need. Changes in income, resources or living arrangements can make a difference in the amount of that payment. Recipients should report any changes to Social Security to avoid overpayments and resulting payback arrangements. Absences from the United States for 30 consecutive days or more fall into this reportable category.
SSI recipients are ineligible for payments for any month in which they are outside the country for the full calendar month. In addition, upon return after such an absence, the recipient must meet a new 30-day residency requirement before eligibility for payments resumes.
Recipients traveling outside the country should keep airplane or travel tickets as proof of departure and return dates, and they should be prepared to prove a new 30-day residency period.
For more information about absences from the country, call Social Security at 800-772-1213 or visithttp://www.ssa.gov/pubs.
ONE-STOP SHOPS
Seminars that will assist with Medicare questions and Part D prescription drug selections for 2013 are being offered at several locations. Call 477-7310 for time and details.
Wednesday: Area Agency on Aging Office in Ventura;
Friday: Goebel Senior Adult Center in Thousand Oaks; and
Monday through Dec. 6: Area Agency on Aging Office in Ventura.
The annual open enrollment period for making changes for next year ends Dec. 7.
BRAIN FITNESS
Free preview classes will be offered:
n 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Senior Concerns Day Care Center, 401 Hodencamp Road in Thousand Oaks. For information call 497-0189.
n 1-2:30 p.m. Dec. 12, Agoura Hills Recreation Center, 30610 Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Agoura Hills. For information or reservations, call 818-597-7361.
n 1:30-3 p.m. Jan. 7, Borchard Community Center, 190 N. Reino Road in Newbury Park. For reservations, call 381-2791.
