Experiencing a negative wealth shock, defined as a sudden loss of 75% or more in total wealth, was linked to cognitive decline among older adults in the United States and China, but not in England or Mexico, according to an NIA-funded study. The results, published in Lancet Healthy Longevity, suggest that factors such as government policies and social safety nets may account for cross-national differences in the adverse health effects of negative wealth shocks.

There is a positive association between household wealth and cognitive health outcomes in later life, with poorer outcomes among people with lower socioeconomic status. However, the link between negative wealth shock and cognitive function in later life had not been examined. To look more closely at a potential relationship, and whether the association varied in countries with different income levels, University of Michigan scientists in this study examined data from four NIA-funded longitudinal studies of aging: the Health and Retirement Study in the United States and international partner studies in China, England, and Mexico.

These study findings suggest negative wealth shocks may be a potential risk factor for cognitive decline. The researchers note some limitations of the study, including possible errors in wealth measurement, and respondents experiencing declines in cognitive function may face problems with money management that could then lead to loss of wealth. The authors also underscore several strengths of the study, including its large, representative sample. Future studies may explore differences in government policies and social safety nets that contribute to variations across countries.

This research was supported in part by NIA grants U01AG009740-35, P30AG012846-26, R01AG069128-04, R01AG070953-04, and K99AG070274-02.

by Carol Leish, MA

How do you get involved in volunteering for the Fall Prevention Classes at the Ventura County Area Agency on Agency? Is there much training involved in becoming an instructor?

“Our volunteer instructors are passionate about helping seniors in the community,” according to, Julianna Eusanio, MSW, Program Coordinator for the Fall Prevention Classes. “No previous experience is needed to become an instructor. We are flexible with our instructors’ hours to fit into their schedules.

“Volunteer trainings to instruct classes varies depending upon the class. For a Walk with Ease class, the training is 2 hours online. For the Matter of Balance class, the training is 2 days. Class members and instructors are very supportive of each other. Volunteers gain a sense of community while helping seniors. Training for volunteers, along with the classes for the community, are free to those who are age 60 and older, along with those with disabilities, who qualify for the classes.

“Carol Vaughn has been teaching Tai Chi with the Area Agency for 7 years, and is a senior advisor and master trainer. Pam Hantgin has been teaching Tai Chi for almost 2 years. Pam first started taking the classes, and enjoyed the classes so much that she decided to become an instructor of the classes.”

Through the classes: 1) Bingocize; 2) A Matter of Balance; 3) Stepping On; 4) Walk with Ease; and, 5) Tai Chi Moving for Better Balance, adults 60 and older are helped in maintaining their independence at home. A good method of preventing falls is by participating in one of these five FREE evidence-based classes. The classes help those who are mildly active and have fallen or who have a fear of falling to help them to improve their balance, mobility, and their confidence.

Bingocize is a 10-week series that meets twice weekly for 1 hour per session Participants play bingo, answer trivia questions, and participate in seated and standing exercises that they can also do at home. In a Matter of Balance, which is an 8-week series that meets once a week for 2 hours per session, that focuses on improving balance, strength, flexibility, and self-confidence.

Stepping On is a 7-week class that meets once weekly for 2 hours per session. Participants complete standing and seated exercises with gradual use of leg weights, both in class and at home. This class also offers access to a physical therapist, and a vision expert, who provides information linking vision issues to falls. A public safety expert discusses how to avoid falls in public. A pharmacist explains how various medicines affect a person’s risk of falling.

Walk with Ease is a 6-week class that meets three times weekly for 1hour per session. This class gives motivational tips on how to exercise with arthritis while still maintaining a walking goal. Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance is a 12-week class that meets twice weekly for 1.5 hours per class. Participants participate in slow and controlled seated and standing movements. Participants also focus on improving their strength, stamina, balance, and body awareness.

Those who are interested in trainings to become a volunteer to support seniors within the community, along with getting exercise for themselves, please call the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging at: 805-477-7354; or, email: [email protected].

by Leslie Sokol

The Spring season symbolizes fresh starts. It is the perfect time to try out new and exciting workout ideas that will help you get in shape and feel great. You can also enjoy your indoor workouts outside too. With spring comes warmer weather, longer days and lots of sunshine. Wake up and smell the roses, hear the birds chirping and enjoy the benefits of getting outside. If you have been looking for fun ways to spruce up your workout routine, here are some simple suggestions to help you get started:

1. Design an exercise plan that works for you.
2. Find a workout you love.
3. Stay motivated.
4. Mix it up, variety is the spice of life.
5. Give yourself time to rest and recover from your workouts.
6. Stop pressuring yourself, do positive self-talk.
7. Be consistent and dedicated – start a workout routine.
8. Dress the part – wear comfortable athletic clothes and good, supportive shoes, preferably sneakers.
9. Eat healthy and drink plenty of fluids.

Although humans are creatures of habit and comfort, frequently changing your workout program can help you avoid burnout or boredom. Mix up your workouts by doing a variety of different activities to improve your fitness level, get you in better shape, and utilize different muscle groups. Plan well-balanced activities that work the body from head to toe.

Here are some activities and exercises to put a spring in your step:

1) Dance workouts
2) Golf
3) Hiking
4) Brisk walking
5) Biking
6) Swimming
7) Yoga
8) Playing with your grandkids
9) Low impact sports
10) Pickle Ball
11) Calisthenics, stretches, and/or strength exercises

Spring Into a Heart-Healthy Diet

Another component of living a healthy lifestyle is eating well. Remember the old saying, “You are what you eat.” The 80/20 rule is a smart guide for your everyday diet. If you aim for 80 percent of what you eat being healthy, then the other 20 percent can be treats or snacks. Included in the 80 percent would be fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, fish along with unsaturated fats. “Your food is your body’s fuel.” You also want to make sure you are drinking plenty of water and other hydrating liquids. Drinking healthy fluids is important, especially if you exercise a lot. Keep in mind that your body is over sixty percent water. I always suggest to my students to drink water before, during and after any exercise routine.

Let’s get this Spring off to a healthy and happy start!

Leslie Sokol is the creator and founder of the adult dance and fitness program For the Young at Heart. You can watch For the Young at Heart by visiting her YouTube Channel or on TVSB. She also teaches in retirement communities throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.

For more information contact Leslie at [email protected] 805-312-8089
or visit the website: www.LeslieSokolDance.com

It’s time to mark your calendars! The Parkinson’s Foundation and the Ventura County Neurofitness Center are hosting a Bingo/Talent Show to support fundraising efforts for the Parkinson’s Foundation. The event will be held Friday, March 15th from 7-9pm at the Ventura Marina Community Clubhouse located at 1215 Anchors Way in Ventura. The event will include 5 regular games of bingo, a talent show, desserts, coffee and water.

Doors open at 6:00pm with regular bingo games starting promptly at 7pm. Entry fee is $10 per person plus $5 buy-in for bingo. Every game has a minimum $100 prize value (Amazon, Wood Ranch gift cards). Talent show starts at 8pm immediately following the bingo games and will feature the many talents of our local community.

This event is open to the public and 100% of the proceeds go directly to support the Parkinson’s Foundation and its mission to improve care and advance research toward a cure.

“We are partnering with the Parkinson’s Foundation to raise money for our relentless pursuit of a cure for Parkinson’s,” said Dr. Vanessa White, owner/founder of the Ventura County Neurofitness Center and Director of the Ventura County Parkinson’s Support Group. Dr. White added that she “would love for you to be a part of this fun-filled night you won’t want to miss,” and, she “hopes to make this an annual event” held in conjunction with the Foundation’s Moving Day event (scheduled for Saturday, April 13th this year from 9-11am at the Ventura County Fairgrounds).

Seats are limited to 200 attendees and this exciting event will fill up fast—please arrive early with your friends and family and the bingo fun will start promptly at 7pm—all for a good time and an even better cause. For those unable to attend this event, but would still like to support the Parkinson’s Foundation, please visit the A-Team page (on the Parkinson’s Foundation website—Ventura County Moving Day—http://www3.parkinson.org/goto/ATeam_2024) to make donations directly through the Parkinson’s Foundation website.

For more information, please visit vcneurofitness.com or contact Dr. Vanessa White (cell: 805.300.7749 or email: [email protected]).

Ask friends or family to help with needs like cooking, paying bills, transportation, or shopping.
If you live alone, find people you trust who can visit often.
Consider letting trusted neighbors know of your diagnosis so they can help if needed.
Use social service agencies, local nonprofits, and Area Agencies on Aging to connect with in-home help, transportation, meals, and other services.
Learn more about support and services.

Safety Tips for People Living With Dementia

Carry identification with you in case you get lost or need help. If you drive, talk with your doctor about changes in your driving and take seriously family and friends who express concerns. Make minor changes in the home to create a safer environment to prevent falls and injuries. Good balance, a habit of standing up slowly, and non-skid shoes can also help prevent falls.

Home-safety tips:

Simplify the amount and layout of furniture and remove small rugs.
Have a sturdy handrail on stairways.
Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are installed in or near the kitchen and in all bedrooms.
Install an automatic shut-off switch on the stove and set the water heater temperature limit to
120 F to avoid burns.
Consider safety devices, like fall monitors and emergency call buttons.

As much as you might want to put off difficult decisions about the future, now is the time to think about health and finances to make sure you have a say and are prepared. Start discussions early with your family members while everyone can still help make decisions together. There are several areas you will want to consider, including legal and financial matters, and options for in-home care, long-term care, and funeral and burial arrangements.

Eating healthfully and having an active lifestyle can support healthy aging. Use the resources below to learn about different patterns of healthy eating and ways to create a nutritious meal plan.

Simple adjustments can go a long way toward building a healthier eating pattern. Follow these tips to get the most out of foods and beverages while meeting your nutrient needs and reducing the risk of disease:

Enjoy a variety of foods from each food group to help reduce the risk of developing diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Choose foods with little to no added sugar, saturated fats, and sodium.

To get enough protein throughout the day and maintain muscle, try adding seafood, dairy, or fortified soy products along with beans, peas, and lentils to your meals. Learn more about protein and other important nutrients.

Add sliced or chopped fruits and vegetables to meals and snacks. Look for pre-cut varieties if slicing and chopping are a challenge for you.

Try foods fortified with vitamin B12, such as some cereals, or talk to your doctor about taking a B12 supplement. Learn more about key vitamins and minerals.

Reduce sodium intake by seasoning foods with herbs and citrus such as lemon juice.

Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help stay hydrated and aid in the digestion of food and absorption of nutrients. Avoid sugary drinks.

It can be hard for some people to follow through on smart food choices. Read about common roadblocks and how to overcome them and check out the USDA’s tips for older adults.

Answering the question “what should I eat?” doesn’t need to leave you feeling baffled and frustrated. In fact, when you have the right information and motivation, you can feel good about making healthy choices. Use these tips to plan healthy and delicious meals:

Plan in advance. Meal planning takes the guesswork out of eating and can help ensure you eat a variety of nutritious foods throughout the day.

Find budget-friendly foods. Create a shopping list in advance to help stick to a budget and follow these SNAP-friendly recipes.

Consider preparation time. Some meals can be made in as little as five minutes. If you love cooking, or if you’re preparing a meal with or for friends or family, you may want to try something a little more challenging.

Keep calories in mind. The number of calories people need each day varies by individual. Always discuss your weight and fitness goals with your health care provider before making big changes. Read about calorie goals and healthy food swaps.