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A 5-Step Coronavirus Survival Plan for Seniors

Washing your hands often is very important.

by Chris Orestis President of LifeCare Xchange

As the Coronavirus continues to spread across the globe, and now is becoming more widespread by the day in the United States, it is critical that the most vulnerable population being impacted understands how to be better prepared.

Seniors have been the hardest hit by the Coronavirus with the tragic death of 8 residents in a nursing home in Washington State, and a much higher mortality rate among seniors registered so far globally. In fact, the CDC now confirms a 14.8% mortality rate for people 80 and older, but only 1.3% for people in their 50’s, 0.4% for people in their 40’s, and 0.2% for people in their 30’s and younger.

As of Sunday, March 8, 2020, the U.S. had recorded 527 cases across 33 states with 21 fatalities. Globally, as of the same date, 109.837 cases have been recorded with 3,805 fatalities and 60,963 full recoveries. These numbers will change daily, and here are two good resources to track how the virus is progressing in the U.S. and Globally.

Mortality with Coronavirus is linked to the strength of a person’s respiratory system. Seniors are particularly vulnerable to respiratory conditions. In the case of Coronavirus, the air sacs of the lung will fill up with fluids cutting off vital oxygen to the organs which can induce failure and possible death. Adding to the danger facing seniors, is the contagious nature of the virus and the threat of it spreading in a confined population such as in a nursing home or senior living community.

Fortunately, the Senior Care industry has taken action to combat these dangers and is working closely with the CDC, the World Health Organization, and CMS to receive daily information updates, coordinate best practices to safeguard residents (and staff), and monitor for any new outbreaks.

Seniors and their families should stay in close contact as this virus progresses, and here are 5 tips to better handle the Coronavirus situation:

5 Step Retirement Genius Coronavirus Survival Plan

Make every attempt to cough or sneeze into a tissue, and then securely dispose of the tissue. If a tissue is not available, use your inner sleeve of your elbow.

Continuously wash your hands with warm water and soap, or alcohol-based cleansers. Avoid touching your face and in particular your eyes, nose and mouth unless you have washed your hands and not come into contact with any possible contamination.

Clean and disinfect surfaces such as electronic devices (cell phone, TV remote), and items that receive regular contact from hands such as doorknobs and handles.

The CDC has specifically warned that seniors (age 60 and above) and/or those with underlying health conditions should avoid travel and gathering in areas with crowds and communal activity such as eating or higher probability of person-to-person contact where any reported cases of Coronavirus have been found. Avoiding activities such as “traveling by airplane, going to movie theaters, attending family events, shopping at crowded malls, and going to religious services”, as well as avoiding cruise ships at this time is prudent.

If you are exhibiting flu like symptoms or any respiratory difficulties, you should stay at home and avoid coming into contact with others. It is best to consult your doctor, and a Telemedicine consultation from home is an option that many patients can use to seek care and get prescriptions.

People should also be very careful about overreacting and from where they get information. The best source for information is medical professionals such as your doctor, and organizations like the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

People should be especially careful of fake news that is spreading across social media platforms, misinformation from political figures, possible scammers looking to prey on frightened seniors, and dismiss foolish rumors such as people should be avoiding Chinese food and restaurants or you can become infected by Corona beer (completely false!).

Smart hygiene, managing social interaction, keep open lines of communication among family members, being well informed, avoiding unnecessary travel or crowds, and not being duped by bad actors are all smart strategies to get through the Coronavirus Pandemic.

AARP Tax Aide Services suspended at VCAAA 

The AARP Foundation announced that they will be suspending tax preparation services at the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA) effective March 16 due to the threat of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Ventura County.

AARP Foundation Tax Aide volunteers began the annual partnership with the VCAAA on February 3, offering free tax preparation services to anyone of low to moderate income, with services especially suited to those 50 and older. ​Thursday’s health emergency declaration in Ventura County prompted several businesses and organizations to stop or limit services in an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19.

The VCAAA office, however, and all VCAAA services continue to operate as usual, with the exception of Senior Nutrition Program classes and in-person counseling. Clients who visit the office will be asked to keep a six-foot distance between themselves and others, but the VCAAA wants to emphasize that assistance is available for Ventura County residents in need of services and resources.

The VCAAA office is located at 646 County Square Drive in Ventura. For more information, call (805) 477-7300 or visit www.vcaaa.org.

The AARP Foundation operates the AARP Tax-Aide program under a cooperative agreement with the IRS. To help you complete your tax forms, AARP’s trained and IRS-certified volunteers will see personal information that you give them about you and your finances. This information is strictly confidential. We will not share your information with anyone except as necessary to accurately file your tax returns or as otherwise required by law. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide has more than 5,000 locations in neighborhood libraries, malls, banks, community centers and senior centers. There’s no fee and no sales pitch for other services and AARP membership is not required.

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, an agency of the County of Ventura, is the principal agency in Ventura County charged with the responsibility to promote the development and implementation of a comprehensive coordinated system of care that enables older individuals, people with disabilities, and their caregivers to live in a community-based setting and to advocate for the needs of those 60 years of age and older in the county, providing leadership and promoting citizen involvement in the planning process as well as in the delivery of services.

Meet County Ventura’s 2020 Irish Belle, Annabella Nemo Page

In a fun twist, the Irish Belle of this year’s County Ventura St. Patrick’s Day Parade actually is named Belle.

To her friends and family, Annabella Nemo Page of Ventura is known as Belle – and from now on, she also can be known more formally as the 2020 Irish Belle of the Ventura Elks Club’s 32nd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Set for Saturday, March 14, the downtown Ventura parade will commence at 10 a.m. near Mission San Buenaventura and make its way up Main Street to the judges’ booth at Chestnut. The Irish Belle will ride in the parade, along with her court, in the convertible that leads the St. Patrick’s Parade Committee entry.

It was much more than her name that qualified Belle for this community honor. A senior at El Camino High School at Ventura College, she is an A student with a generous giving spirit and a remarkably well-rounded range of skills and interests at which she excels, including animation and digital art, hiking, running and biking, baking and, perhaps most notably, acting.

An accomplished actress, Belle has been active in the Ventura Actors Studio for the past five years; she also assists at the studio with private acting lessons for mentally disabled children. In addition, she has dedicated more than 100 hours to L.A. Connection Comedy Theatre in Burbank, where she performs for children on Saturdays. Belle says her pull toward working with children stems from the simple fact that she loves to “make kids smile.”

A Renaissance student and a member of the California Scholastic Federation, Belle is academically strongest in English but has an equal passion for the digital art portfolio she has built over the past seven years and continues to build.

Accompanying Belle on her Irish Belle journey are the members of the Irish Belle Court: Tammy “Shayla” Williams, from Buena High School; Margaret “Molly” Hammer, from Ventura High; Tressa O’Conner, from Foothill Technology High; Sarah Gianelli, from St. Bonaventure High; and Samantha “Sam” Frenes, from Pacific High.

In addition to riding in the parade, the Belle and her court will attend promotional activities supporting the parade. They’ll all receive certificates for their work and Belle will receive a $1,000 academic scholarship from the Elks Club.

The theme of this year’s parade is “Music Makes the World Go Round”; riding as grand marshal will be Nan Drake, a longtime community leader, co-chair of the parade committee and spokeswoman for the E.J. Harrison & Sons trash collection company.

Public health urges preparedness for social distancing

In the face of a significant increase in the numbers of confirmed cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in mainland China and other Countries, many Ventura County residents are understandably worried and fearful. The Ventura County Department of Public Health (Public Health), out of an abundance of caution, is seeking to solidify the County’s readiness should the COVID-19 virus be found here or in a nearby county.

Public Health is urging agencies, businesses, school districts, organizations and health care providers throughout the County to develop and/or update a plan for social distancing.  “These groups are being asked to accomplish this within 24 to 48 hours,” said Dr. Robert Levin, Health Officer.  “The discovery of community transmission elsewhere in the State makes me feel that COVID-19 could arrive in our County at any time and we want to be prepared.”

Community transmission means person-to-person spread.  “Our first level of protection comes from the quarantine and isolation of certain individuals,” said Dr. Levin.  Levin stressed that these plans will not be put into effect immediately. ” Social distancing means lessening contact between individuals throughout the County.  Businesses, for instance, would review their staffing and identify workers who could work from home.

A population that is at particular risk from the COVID-19 is the elderly.  Extended Care Facilities are being asked to write or update their plans for protecting their residents from interaction with those from outside their place of residence.

While children seem to be faring better than other groups with COVID-19, schools have made significant advances in their planning for possible temporary closure.

Primary care medical sites are being asked to implement plans to communicate with patients via Skype, FaceTime and over the phone.  Many patient visits can be dealt with distantly thus avoiding crowding of clinics and the resulting increased risk of close contact which might further spread COVID-19.

There is little evidence that pregnant women are at particularly increased risk from this virus, but special care should still be taken to decrease their social contacts.

Gatherings such as regular religious services might consider live streaming their service so that congregants can view the service from home, or they may consider modifying their service so that there can be at least two spaces between each congregant.

Above all, people who are starting to feel ill or who are ill, should stay away from others and not go into crowded settings.

People should continue to practice the same habits they perform to prevent themselves from getting the flu. They should wash their hands frequently, elbow or fist bump one another instead of shaking hands or hugging, sneeze or cough into the crook of their elbow and maintain a six foot or greater distance between themselves and anyone who looks ill. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Get a flu immunization to prevent influenza if you have not done so this season. The only two needs for face masks are the wearing of a surgical mask if you are ill and going out in public, such as going to the doctor’s office or if you are a health care worker, wearing an N95 mask when you ae interacting with patients.

Preparedness information and up to date information about the situation in the County of Ventura can be found at www.vcemergency.com. Updates will also continue to be provided on County of Ventura social media Facebook: @countyofventura, Twitter: @CountyVentura, Nextdoor @CountyofVentura, Instagram: @ventura_county_news.

For the most up to date information regarding the 2019 novel coronavirus on the national level, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from CAPS Media!

If you can’t make it to the parade you can watch on CAPS.

CAPS Media Crew Members will be “wearing the green” to capture the 32nd Annual St Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Ventura on Saturday, March 14. The festivities start at 10am in front of the San Buenaventura Mission and continue up East Main ending at the corner of North Ann Street.

The parade is a wonderful hometown tradition with more than seventy groups and performers adding to the fun. Thousands of kids and families line the parade route to cheer friends and neighbors on floats, in marching bands, dancing, juggling, driving classic cars, and much more. For those who cannot attend in person, CAPS Media broadcasts the Parade live on Channel 6.

A Ventura County Wide Event, the theme of this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade is Music Makes the World Go’ Round. The grand marshal is the legendary Nan Drake.

This year’s Irish Belle – who is actually called Belle by her family and friends – is Annabella “Belle” Nemo Page, a senior at El Camino High School in Ventura. Joining the Irish Belle Court are Tammy “Shayla” Williams (Buena High), Margaret “Molly” Hammer (Ventura High), Tressa O’Connor (Foothill High), Sarah Gianelli (St. Bonaventura High), and Samantha “Sam” Frenes (Pacific High). Calling the non-stop action in the broadcast booth on Main Street are perennial hosts Tim O’Neil and Jerry Breiner.

Live media coverage of the St Patrick’s Day Parade is an all-hands-on-deck production for the entire CAPS Media staff and more. Starting at 6am the CAPS Crew are joined by students in the CAPS/El Camino High School media program (ECTV) and CAPS Media Member/Producers. Everyone volunteers their time and talent to capture the endlessly entertaining event (it’s always fun to be part of a CAPS Crew).

In addition to being broadcast live on Saturday morning on CAPS Channel 6, the complete parade repeats on channel 6 Monday, March 16 at 8pm; Tuesday March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day) at 10am; Wednesday, March 18 at 1pm and Thursday, March 19 at 3pm. Go to capsmedia.org/schedules to find the complete schedule.

On a far more serious and important note, CAPS Media is actively collaborating with City and County Health officials to produce informational and update videos regarding the COVID-19 (coronavirus) disease. The updates are posted on the county website

(https://www.ventura.org/covid19/) and social media and are updated on an ongoing basis. As outlined by experts in the county, common sense steps for everyone to take to help prevent the spread of the respirator illnesses include:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily.
  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Additional information and updates can be found at https://www.ventura.org/covid19/at-home/

Are you interested in learning how to produce a radio show or television program? Consider joining the growing CAPS Media community of member/producers. If you have an interest in community television or radio production, or are just curious, sign up for an orientation tour of the CAPS Media Center on the first Thursday of the. Go to capsmedia.org for information or call 805-658-0500.

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Follow Flu Tips to Stay Safe From Coronavirus

Senior News Line
by Matilda Charles

We can’t turn on the news now without hearing about the new virus that’s sweeping the world. Coronavirus, now called COVID-19, is a serious virus that came out of China. At this point the virus has spread to more than 30 countries and there have been over 2,800 deaths.

Protecting ourselves from COVID-19 is much like how we avoid the seasonal winter flu that’s now in high numbers in every state. Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is mostly common sense, but every step is important:

* Wash your hands frequently. Use warm water and soap and wash for a minimum of 20 seconds. Try singing “Happy Birthday” to mark the time.

* Keep your hands away from your face, even if you’ve just washed your hands.

* Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and then throw away the tissue.

* Disinfect surfaces in your environment frequently, such as countertops and doorknobs.

* When you go out, take a pack of antiseptic wipes to wet down grocery cart handles. If you don’t have those, put hand sanitizer on your palms and wet the cart handle.

* Never share cups or plates or anything else with those who are sick.

* If you have to be out in public, keep your distance. Stay at least 6 feet away from others. For now, avoid shaking hands.

* If you feel sick, don’t rush to the doctor. Call first and explain your symptoms. If they want you to come in, there might be a special entrance for you to use to keep from spreading germs to others.

Stay healthy this winter. Get enough sleep, eat well and keep your stress down. All of those affect your immune system. And if you haven’t had a flu shot, get one now.

What Makes Us Happy?

What makes us happy as we get older? Below are the results of an informal poll of seniors at the local coffee shop.

* Having enough income. It turns out that many who are living only on Social Security can have enough to make it through the month if they made wise decisions before retiring. Paying off the mortgage is a big one.

* Being listened to, or at least not being disregarded. There’s something about aging that seems to make us melt into the background, and if we have opinions or comments, people don’t always listen. Medical staff seem to rank very high on this list of people who really aren’t listening. Being heard is important.

* Freedom. This comes in many forms. It might mean continuing to drive; it might mean watching only what we want on television.

* Having a social life. For some of us that might mean being part of a group that meets regularly. For others it might mean talking to friends on the phone daily.

* Laughing. Finding something amusing every day ranked high on the list of what makes us happy. Sometimes it was reading the next page of a joke-a-day calendar. Sometimes it was talking to a friend who had a great, skewed view of the world.

* Having a reason to get up every day. Whether it’s a hobby, a good book or a social gathering, having a reason to look forward to the next day was key.

And what does it mean if we’re happy? A study monitored 3,000 seniors over the course of eight years to see how happiness impacted physical function. Researchers found that happy people decline more slowly. Conversely, unhappy people were three times more likely to develop health problems.

Where do you fall on the happiness spectrum?

First Ventura County Women’s Day Festival

Civil rights activist Lupe Anguiano and high school senior Hannah Yale will dialog. Photo by Marie The Photographer

The first Ventura County Women’s Day Festival will be held on International Women’s Day (IWD), March 8 at the Museum of Ventura County from 1-4 pm. The free event is being organized by The Acorn Project and will feature hands-on community art, live music, dance, a film screening of the documentary Legalize Equality, census information, voter registration, pop up Pilates, food trucks and drinks to purchase. Information at Ventura County Women’s Day Festival.

The highlight feature will be a moderated intergenerational dialog between 90-year-old veteran civil rights activist Lupe Anguiano and 17-year-old high school senior activist and emerging leader Hannah Yale. Power sessions on topics including ‘How to Run for Office,’ ‘Speaking Up for Change,’ ‘Breaking Barriers,’ and ‘Self Care’ will also be offered.

“The goal of the event is to celebrate women’s social, political and economic contributions to our county and beyond while also encouraging deeper civic and political engagement so that women’s voices, votes, and contributions increasingly shape the future we envision,” said Junemarie Justus, Founder of the Acorn Project. “Nationally and locally we have seen record numbers of women running for office and a groundswell of young activists emerging. We hope this festival will support and inspire more women to participate in the political process.”

International Women’s Day, established in 1911, is a global day of celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This year coincides with the centennial of the passage of the 19th amendment. The day marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.

The Acorn Project is spearheading this local VC event in managing partnership with Alyson Warner and fiscally sponsored by 501(c)(3) non-profit, Arts Ventura. Major sponsors include the Museum of Ventura County, American Association of University Women (AAUW), Body Smart Medical Massage Solutions , CAPS Media, Downtown Ventura Partners (DVP), Girl Scouts California Central Coast (GSCCC), Renee Gomez, League of Women Voters of Ventura County (LWVVC), Ojai Chapter for the National Organization of Women (NOW), Ventura County Alumnae Chapter (VCAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Ventura County Women’s Political Council (VCWPC), Ventura Rental, and Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV).

Founded in 2018, The Acorn Project seeks to breakdown silos, foster creative collaboration, and strategic partnerships to promote positive social change. Their current initiative, “The Reel Advocacy Series,” supports community documentary film screenings to inform, engage, and inspire political and social action. www.theacornproject.com

Festival of Talent celebrates Ventura talent

This live musical performance celebrates the arts.

The public is invited to join the Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) and the Kiwanis Club as they move “Full Steam Ahead” with this year’s Festival of Talent event. This live musical performance celebrates the arts and benefits, VUSD students. The event will take place in the auditorium at Ventura High School, located at 2 N. Catalina Dr., in Ventura on Saturday, March 14, 2020, at 7 pm. 

“Festival of Talent supports the character of a well-rounded student, raising funds to increase the arts and to introduce students to community service through meaningful volunteer and leadership opportunities. Equally important, this fantastic show itself enhances these qualities by introducing the performers to professional directors, musicians, stage crew, sound managers, technical directors, and an audience of over 1,000. It is truly exciting,” stated Bart Bleuel, Festival of Talent Chairperson. 

The show, professionally directed by Beverly and Kirby Ward and with musical director, Miriam Arichea, will feature a wide range of dynamic performances; including a big production opening, singing, dancing, and specialty acts, including a nail-biting aerial trapeze performance last year. This signature event shines light on the talent of more than 150 performers, including students, staff, and teachers from Ventura. It attracts hundreds of Venturans looking for a professional level, live performance that has been touted as one of the best shows of the year. Behind the scenes are 50 volunteers, professional directors, sound and lighting experts, stage crew, and more. General admission tickets are available at https://festivaloftalent.org/  for $10 or $25 for reserved seating. General admission tickets can also be purchased at the door for $15. 

“The talent on stage is always incredible, and the production flawless. This event highlights the amazing work our students and staff do in our schools to elevate the arts daily. The arts are not just an elective at Ventura Unified, we are dedicated to ensuring our students have a well-rounded education where every student can find their passion as they move towards their future goals,” stated Dr. Roger Rice, VUSD Superintendent.

 

The parade theme is “Music Makes the World Go Round.”

2020 County Ventura St. Patrick’s Day Parade set for March 14

Parade entries are now being accepted for the Ventura Elks Club’s 32nd annual County Ventura St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which will commence at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 14, along Main Street in downtown Ventura.

Among the county’s most popular annual community events, the parade draws thousands of folks young and old, who line the route along Main Street, starting near Mission San Buenaventura.

Entry to join in the parade is easy: Prospective entrants can simply go to the parade website and follow the basic all-online steps to submit their forms and pay via PayPal. Entry deadline is Thursday, March 5; only the first 100 entries will be accepted.

Leading the parade as its grand marshal will be Nan Drake, longtime co-chair of the parade committee (along with Jim Monahan and Brian Brennan). Drake is the governmental affairs and public relations director for E.J. Harrison and Sons, a 32-year sponsor of the parade. She’s proud of her work, she said, “because every day at Harrison, we improve the environment by recycling with the help of all of the residents and businesses in their service areas.”

Drake is a former Ventura City Council member and a former chair of the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board. Equally avid about the environment and the economy, she is currently the board chair of the Economic Development Collaborative, where she works with the board to develop economic strategies to improve the economic climate in the region. She also has served as chair and on the boards of many local chambers of commerce. She has earned countless awards and accolades over the years and for the past 12 years has been named among the Top 50 Women in Business in the Tri-Counties; this annual honor is presented by the Pacific Coast Business Times, which is celebrating its 25th year serving the regional business community.

For more information on the parade and to enter, visit venturastpatricksdayparade.com.