Following a healthy lifestyle is associated with a lower risk of dementia in cognitively healthy older adults at varying levels of genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, according to a study published online July 14 in JAMA. Funded in part by NIA, the study is the first to examine the relationship between multiple genetic risk factors for dementia and multiple lifestyle factors.

Researchers led by the University of Exeter Medical School, UK, analyzed data from 196,383 participants, age 60 and older, who did not have cognitive impairment or dementia when they joined the UK Biobank study between 2006 and 2010. Using polygenetic risk scores based on previously published Alzheimer’s disease genome-wide association studies, researchers sorted participants into levels of genetic risk for dementia (low, intermediate, and high). Participants were also assigned a healthy lifestyle score (favorable, intermediate, and unfavorable) based on self-reports of their current smoking status, regular physical activity, healthy diet, and moderate alcohol consumption.

Over a median 8 years of follow-up, 1,769 participants developed dementia. The researchers found that in participants at high genetic risk for dementia, a favorable lifestyle was associated with lower dementia risk than in those with an unfavorable lifestyle. However, scores for genetic risk and healthy lifestyle were independently associated with dementia risk—that is, following a healthy lifestyle was associated with lower dementia risk for participants at all levels of genetic risk, but higher levels of genetic risk were still associated with increased risk of incident dementia at every level of lifestyle.

The authors noted that additional research is necessary given some of the study’s limitations. The participants studied were limited to those of European ancestry, and they volunteered rather than being randomly selected from a sampling frame, making it difficult to generalize to other populations. Also, the average age of the participants at the end of the follow-up period was 72, so the incident dementia cases were relatively low despite the large number of participants tracked. Finally, the crucial lifestyle variables were self-reported by participants rather than being objectively observed.

This research was funded in part by NIA grants R01AG055654, P30AG024824, and P30AG053760.

by Richard Lieberman

In a recent City Council meeting the council approved a new ad-hoc committee designed to develop a senior strategic plan. The new committee will be managed by the Parks, Recreation and Community Partnerships staff.

The strategic Planning Committee will consider where the organization is currently on senior issues, and what the committee wants to see happen in the next three to five years. This new committee’s goal is to establish a plan for how to achieve the goals they establish for the current and future of Ventura seniors. The committee will also identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and any potential threat to the strategic plan as it affects seniors in the city.

The council approved the appointment of six individuals to the Senior Strategic Planning Committee. The individuals approved by the council are Gregory Bourdreaux, Stanlee Cox, John Darling, Lynn Kipp, Suz Montgomery and William Nelson. The appointments will be based on an approximate term of six months or until the Senior Strategic Plan is developed. Once the plan is complete the committee will terminate.

Parks, Recreation and Community Partnerships Director Nancy O’Connor welcomed the Committee and is ready to begin its work. A consultant will be selected to assist with the development of the senior strategic plans.

Parks, Recreation and Community Partnerships staff will present to the City Council the proposed Senior Strategic Plan developed by the new committee for presentation and adoption before summer 2020.

When you’re enrolled in Medicare, you’ll get your red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail. If you’re automatically enrolled, you’ll get your red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail 3 months before your 65th birthday or your 25th month of getting disability benefits. Your Medicare card shows that you have Medicare health insurance. It shows whether you have Part A (Hospital Insurance), Part B (Medical Insurance) or both, and it shows the date your coverage starts.

Be sure to carry your card with you when you’re away from home. Let your doctor, hospital, or other health care provider see your card when you need hospital, medical or other health services.

5 things to know about your Medicare card

Your card has a Medicare Number that’s unique to you, instead of your Social Security Number. This helps to protect your identity.

Your card is paper, which is easier for many providers to use and copy.

If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO), your Medicare Advantage Plan ID card is your main card for Medicare—you should still keep and use it whenever you need care. And, if you have a Medicare drug plan, be sure to keep that card as well. Even if you use one of these other cards, you also may be asked to show your Medicare card, so keep it with you.

Only give your Medicare Number to doctors, pharmacists, other health care providers, your insurers, or people you trust to work with Medicare on your behalf.

If you forget your card, you, your doctor or other health care provider may be able to look up your Medicare Number online.

Watch out for scams

Medicare will never call you uninvited and ask you to give us personal or private information.

Scam artists may try to get personal information, like your Medicare Number. If someone asks you for your information, for money, or threatens to cancel your health benefits if you don’t share your personal information, hang up and call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Learn more about the limited situations in which Medicare can call you.

How can I replace my Medicare card?

If you need to replace your card because it’s damaged or lost, sign in to your MyMedicare.gov account to print an official copy of your Medicare card. If you don’t have an account, visit MyMedicare.gov to create one.

If you need to replace your card because you think that someone else is using your number, call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.

How do I change my name or address?

Medicare uses the name and address you have on file with Social Security. To change your name and/or address, visit your online my Social Security account.

Medicare is managed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Social Security works with CMS by enrolling people in Medicare.

by Patty Jenkins

On Wednesday, October 9, from 12:30-2:30PM, the Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group is getting the jump on November’s National Caregiver Month by joining the National Alliance for Caregiving in “recognizing that the nearly 44 million family caregivers in the U.S. – nearly 20% of the U.S. adult population – provide important societal and financial contributions toward maintaining the well-being of those they care for.” In the first half of our meeting we will be sharing information for all types of Caregivers and their partners which will then be followed with a “half-round table” for members to share unique experiences, challenges and hopefully some solutions that can help us all on our daily journeys of navigating Parkinson‘s Disease .

Our meeting will begin with a brief presentation from Brenda Birdwell, Ventura County Family Consultant with Coast Caregiver Resources Center (CRCC) to inform us of the various short-term respite services and counseling services available to all Caregivers. Brenda will be followed by Blair Barker MPH, Care Services Director of the Camarillo Health Care District, Wellness and Caregiving. Blair’s presentation will cover the many services available for all Ventura County Caregivers and their partners at the Wellness and Caregiving Center in Camarillo, along with information about respite grants to help take care of you/the Caregiver and your care-partner at home. Blair hopes to help raise awareness of the challenges family caregivers of all types face, help find solutions, support, and also celebrate the efforts of all “family caregiver superheroes!”

During the second half of our meeting, we encourage all of our Parkinson’s Support Group members and their care-partners to join in our “half-round” discussion about how we all cope with the many and seemingly ever-changing aspects of Parkinson’s Disease.

Join us Wednesday at Ventura City Hall’s Community Meeting Room # 202; 501 Poli Street. The Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group welcomes the public along with those who find themselves navigating the challenges of Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological conditions. We are an independent and volunteer-organized group not affiliated with any other organization or group. For more information and important detailed directions to our meetings, please call Patty at 805-766-6070.

by Lauren Popham, PhD

We weren’t surprised when more than half of women responding to a survey we conducted with Ipsos said they are worried about outliving their savings. Income is tied to lots of aspects of aging, but the way that plays out once you turn 60 is very different for men and women. One major reason: the gender pay gap.

Women are more likely to experience financial insecurity than men, and this discrepancy becomes even more pronounced later in life. Making less than their male coworkers means women have less money saved when they retired, and will draw less money from Social Security once they’re eligible. We’re left with sobering statistics like this from the Health and Retirement Study: half of women age 60 or older have household incomes below $39,600, yet the median income for men in the same age range is $55,000.

Despite entering retirement age at a disadvantage, women tend to live longer and face more out-of-pocket costs for things like medication each year. This longevity means that women’s limited income and assets have to be stretched even further than men’s. Older adults of color fare even worse. Around one in five older Black/African American and American Indian/Alaskan Native women is in poverty, with an annual household income of just $12,490 for a one-person home.

So much of our work is focused on public benefits programs because they play a critical role in helping low-income older adults stay economically secure. Many eligible older adults miss out on these benefits because they are not aware of the programs or they do not know how to apply. Since 2010, the Center for Benefits Access at NCOA has helped over 368,000 older women through community-based organizations enroll in benefits to pay for basic expenses to meet their health needs.

Among these benefits are Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to pay for food, Medicare Savings Programs to afford premiums, Part D Extra Help/Low Income Subsidy to afford prescription drug costs, and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to pay heating and cooling bills. In addition, our online screening tool BenefitsCheckUp® (BCU) has connected an estimated 2.9 million women with benefits after they completed a screening. We know based on a recent evaluation that many eligible older adults who complete a screening on BCU go on to apply for and enroll in benefits.

Despite these concerns, the story of aging in America is hardly all doom and gloom. 61% of the seniors we surveyed are satisfied with their lives, and 59% expect to feel similarly in three years. That’s an important thing for everyone concerned about aging issues to remember. By working with today’s seniors and encouraging younger generations that the pay gap is an issue that affects us all, we can build a stronger movement to make aging well a reality for everyone.

The City of Ventura needs your input. City Council allocated Measure O funding to develop a Senior Strategic Plan. To start the process, two public forums will be held on Tuesday, October 1st to gather community input on senior services and needs in the City of Ventura.

Public Forum #1, Tuesday, October 1, 2019 11 am -12:30 pm at City Hall in the Community Meeting Room
Public Forum #2, Tuesday, October 1, 2019 6:30 pm – 8 pm at City Hall in the Community Meeting Room

City Hall is located at 501 Poli Street. The Community Meeting Room is located on the 2nd floor of the building in Room 202. Parking is in the rear of the building.

GreenPlay, LLC, a nationally known parks and recreation management consulting firm has been hired by the City of Ventura to develop a Senior Strategic Plan. During the week of September 30th GreenPlay will be hosting public forums, focus groups, and stakeholder meetings to gather valuable community input. GreenPlay will also be conducting a senior needs assessment survey throughout the month of October.

The Senior Strategic Plan will allow the City of Ventura to identify current and emerging senior needs, potential gaps in services, and partnership opportunities. In addition, the plan will develop a set of realistic goals for meeting senior needs with strategies and actionable steps for accomplishment.

If you have any questions regarding the Senior Strategic Plan, please contact Community Partnerships Manager, Emily Fox at [email protected].