by Jennifer Tipton

Donald Gay Wright born November 11, 1913 in South Sutton New Hampshire resides at Cypress Place Senior Living in Ventura. I first met Don at Cypress when I did a wellness clinic there and he and many of his neighbors would line up to get their blood pressure checked. Don was 102 at that time and always looked so put together with his hair neatly combed and sporting a rather dashing bolo tie.

Catching up with the now 104 years young gentleman was quite a delight! When I asked for this interview, Don told me, “oh I like to talk!”.

Don grew up in a family of show business, “my folks did vaudeville; my mother sang and played the piano, there were marionettes, dogs, doves and Punch & Judy”. He still has one of the ventriloquist puppets named “Billy” that he promised his father he’d care for sitting in the corner of his apartment and wearing one of his father’s hats from show biz days.

Don’s middle name “Gay” is a family name. “John Gay came to America by ship in 1630”, he told me. The Gay brothers had a factory that made Melton fabric, the heavy wool fabric that was used for United States Army uniforms.

Don himself was a Captain in the U.S. Army. “I was in the army for 25 years and was a high school dropout throughout my army career”, he laughs. “I’ve worked all kinds of jobs – Forestry Department, Highway Department and once for the County with zoning reinforcement, I knew a lot of judges”. He said he liked his position with military government the best and the most exciting thing he’s done was to help set up the government in (South) Korea. “I’d love to straighten out North Korea”, he added.

I asked him what activities he enjoys, and he said, “I’m a camera bug, I have about twenty cameras; in the older days we developed our own film and it was a big thing when it wasn’t black and white anymore!”. Lately he’s become quite the artist, Don’s apartment is filled with his work including a Mona Lisa sketch that won him a ribbon.

And the age-old question (pardon the pun) – “To what do you attribute to your longevity?” (I didn’t tell him I’d read in a previous interview he gave all the credit to shredded wheat) … and he responded, “shredded wheat!”. I did tell him that I read he performed a drum solo at his 104th birthday party and Don said, “I’ve been playing the drums for ninety years! I played with the Big Bands”.

With the next issue of the Breeze coming out on Valentine’s Day … I asked, “are there any secret crushes we should know about?”

And Don replied, “a while ago, a lady named Cookie came to my door and said, “what happened to our relationship?”, I was 103 and didn’t think I had any relationship! But we really did fall in love; she was a great lady. I couldn’t imagine that at 103 I’d have a girlfriend!”. Don said, “I asked the Lord for a friend, and then Cookie showed up, and then He took her away, and He hasn’t sent a replacement yet!”

Donald G. Wright has 4 children, 10 grandchildren, 20 plus great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.

Don sums it up, “I enjoy the time I have on earth!”

by Essie Landry Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Sierra West Area

March is Women’s History Month. This is a time to focus not just on women’s achievements, but on the challenges women continue to face. In the 21st century, more women work, pay Social Security taxes, and earn credit toward monthly retirement income than at any other time in our nation’s history. Knowing this, you can take control of your own rich and independent history, with knowledge you can get from Social Security.

Social Security has served a vital role in the lives of women for over 80 years. With longer life expectancies than men, women tend to live more years in retirement and have a greater chance of exhausting other sources of income. With the national average life expectancy for women in the United States rising, many women may have decades to enjoy retirement. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a female born today can expect to live more than 80 years. As a result, experts generally agree that if women want to ensure that their retirement years are comfortable, they need to plan early and wisely.

A great place to start is with Social Security’s Retirement Estimator. It gives you a personalized estimate of your retirement benefits. Plug in different retirement ages and projected earnings to get an idea of how such things might change your future benefit amounts. You can use this valuable tool at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

You should also visit Social Security’s financial planning website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/planners. It provides detailed information about how marriage, widowhood, divorce, self-employment, government service, and other life or career events can affect your Social Security.

Your benefits are based on your earnings, so you should create your personal my Social Security account to verify that your earnings were reported correctly. Your account also can provide estimates of your future retirement, disability, and survivors benefits. You can access my Social Security at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

If you want more information about how Social Security supports women through life’s journey, Social Security has a booklet that you may find useful. It’s called Social Security: What Every Woman Should Know. You can find it online at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10127.html.

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging and the AARP Foundation are partnering to offer tax preparation services to residents of Ventura County. This service is free and available to anyone of low to moderate income, and may be especially suited to those 50 and older.

To receive services, individuals must bring all necessary documentation, including applicable Social Security cards, a photo ID, a copy of 2016 tax return, and 2017 documents showing income from all sources including wages, Social Security, interest, dividends, investments, self-employment and pensions. For individuals that itemize deductions, please provide total figures for each category of deduction, including medical, charitable contributions, property tax, and mortgage interest. Any individual that received a health insurance statement (Form 1095-A, 1095-B or 1095-C), is asked to also bring the required documentation. Volunteers are unable to prepare returns for married taxpayers who file separate returns, or for taxpayers with rental property income. Volunteers are also unable to prepare out-of-state tax returns.

AARP representatives will be available on Mondays and Wednesdays from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. through April 16 at the VCAAA offices located at 646 County Square Drive in Ventura. No appointment is necessary, and participants are not required to be AARP members. This location is accessible to individuals with disabilities.

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. 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 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.

Rae Huffman playing with Wayne Agnew who is just getting started at 75.

by Amber Hansen

The Old Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Association celebrated member Lady Rae Huffman’s 95th birthday during their meeting-concert held at the Poinsettia Pavilion on February 4th. Rae is a native Californian with a deep-rooted love for music- from classical to bluegrass. Lady Rae has been active in the music community for most of her life- she began with the violin, before discovering her passion for fiddling in the mid 1970’s. She has been a member of the Old Time Fiddler’s association for many years and a member of the Old Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Association since its creation in 2013. Her musical career has spanned her lifetime and she has achieved many accomplishments along the way. Lady Rae continues to inspire through her music and frequently performs with the Old-Country Grass Band.

Going back to 1979 Rae was the ladies state champion in the fiddle division, she has owned the violin that she plays at concerts for more than 85 years starting when shew as 10. Her early training was in playing the classics and the great tunes of the swing era.

A humble woman she stated “music has been a joy to me, all of my life.”

Wayne Agnew estimates they have played more than 1000 gigs together over the past 20 years.

Her daughter Kathy Rae Huffman said “Rae is very special to so many of us . She has been a corner stone of the organization and the band. She has always been willing to play anytime, anywhere.

Music has kept her strong, active and young at heart !!!

“She first came to Oxnard in the 1950’s with her Seabee husband. After moving around for a number of years with the military, they settled in Oxnard to retire, in the 1960s.”

“Mother and dad (he died in 1995) were involved with the Old Time Fiddler’s for many many years. She has rarely missed a concert, only when she was in the hospital with pneumonia a couple of years ago.”

Beginning on the first Sunday of March from 2:30-4:30PM, the Old Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Association will meet in the Knights of Columbus Hall in downtown Ventura. The meetings with the fine music and chatter are free so join them for a fine afternoon.

How prepared are we for the next disaster? Attend “A Call to Action”, a community-wide disaster education forum, presented by the Ventura Council for Seniors on Tuesday, February 20th.

It will take place at Ventura Adult and Continuing Education, 5200 Valentine Rd. Registration will begin at 9:00 am. The program will be from 9:30 to 11:30 am and will include a personal story of loss and resiliency, and a panel that will discuss useful advice in disaster preparedness.

Spanish language interpretation will be provided. A free lunch will follow, courtesy of the Downtown Ventura Rotary. Please RSVP to 648-3035.

“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something.” These words by Edward Everett Hale clearly reflect the attitude of LaVonne Askay as she returns to volunteer for Community Memorial Hospital’s Auxiliary.

Askay began working as a volunteer in 1978 after retiring from the Ventura Unified School District. She served for 40 years as a flyer, front desk receptionist, and was on the board of directors for two terms. It was not until her husband’s illness required her to spend more time at home that she had to move from active to sustaining/inactive status.

Now, several months after her husband’s passing, Askay, at 96 years young, has returned to active service in CMH’s Auxiliary. It is natural to ask the question, why? “I don’t want to waste my time, and I want to give back to my community,” was her quick response.

Askay’s favorite part about being a volunteer was meeting the wonderful people who came into the hospital and working with the other volunteers. It was the friendships with her fellow volunteers that helped sustain her during her husband’s illness. “You always get more than you give,” reflected Askay. “The Auxiliary is a wonderful group to work with and I am proud to be a volunteer,” said Askay.

LaVonne Askay is proof that there is no age limit on being a volunteer. CMH’s Auxiliary offers a variety of ways to serve our community and the hospital. As Elizabeth Andrew put it, “Volunteers don’t necessarily have the time, they just have the heart.” Do you have the heart? Come join our team of volunteers as they strive to provide comfort to patients and their families while furthering the best interests of Community Memorial Hospital.

Applications are available at CMH’s front desk.

by Connie De La Rosa

After spending time speaking with many seniors at senior centers, assisted living places and elder events, many find themselves quite content in being part of a community that can relate to their present situation such as illnesses, losses, changes and challenges. Not only do they feel accepted and understood, they feel their day is fulfilled by being with their friends and acquaintances.

Many family caregivers may feel protective over their loved one and worry if they are able to attend functions or not ready to accept the fact that their loved one is interested in meeting someone their age to spend time with. Most elders really only want to be able to spend time with someone in having a cup of coffee or having a nice dinner and sharing some of their experiences good or bad. After listening to a few elders making statements such as “I don’t want to worry my kids so I talk to my neighbors, my friend, etc.” or “My kids don’t understand or respect my wishes.”

Elders have a need, like most of us, to speak to someone who can understand their situation. As long as their doctor approves and your loved one would like to join a senior center or attend a function, let them do so. This will only enhance their life to their fullest.

For more information on the nearest senior center or senior events, please call 420-9608 for free information and resources. Family Caregiver Resource Center Catholic Charities- OASIS.

by National Institute of Health

Patients and health care providers share a very personal relationship. Doctors need to know a lot about you, your family, and your lifestyle to give you the best medical care. And you need to speak up and share your concerns and questions. Clear and honest communication between you and your physician can help you both make smart choices about your health.

Begin with some preparation. Before your health exam, make a list of any concerns and questions you have. Bring this list to your appointment, so you won’t forget anything.

Do you have a new symptom? Have you noticed side effects from your medicines? Do you want to know the meaning of a certain word? Don’t wait for the doctor to bring up a certain topic, because he or she may not know what’s important to you. Speak up with your concerns.

“There’s no such thing as a dumb question in the doctor’s office,” says Dr. Matthew Memoli, an infectious disease doctor at NIH. “I try very hard to make my patients feel comfortable asking questions, no matter how dumb they think the question is.”

Even if the topic seems sensitive or embarrassing, it’s best to be honest and upfront with your health care provider. You may feel uncomfortable talking about sexual problems, memory loss, or bowel issues, but these are all important to your health. It’s better to be thorough and share a lot of information than to be quiet or shy about what you’re thinking or feeling. Remember, your doctor is used to talking about all kinds of personal matters.

Consider taking along a family member or friend when you visit the doctor. Your companion can help if there are language or cultural differences between you and your doctor. If you feel unsure about a topic, the other person can help you describe your feelings or ask questions on your behalf. It also helps to have someone else’s perspective. Your friend may think of questions or raise concerns that you hadn’t considered.

Many people search online for health information. They use Web-based tools to research symptoms and learn about different illnesses. But you can’t diagnose your own condition or someone else’s based on a Web search.

“As a physician, I personally have no problem with people looking on the Web for information, but they should use that information not as a way to self-diagnose or make decisions, but as a way to plan their visit with the doctor,” says Memoli. Ask your doctor to recommend specific websites or resources, so you know you’re getting your facts from a trusted source. Federal agencies are among the most reliable sources of online health information.

Many health care providers now use electronic health records. Ask your doctor how to access your records, so you can keep track of test results, diagnoses, treatment plans, and medicines. These records can also help you prepare for your next appointment.

After your appointment, if you’re uncertain about any instructions or have other questions, call or email your health care provider. Don’t wait until your next visit to make sure you understand your diagnosis, treatment plan, or anything else that might affect your health.

Your body is complicated and there’s a lot to consider, so make sure you do everything you can to get the most out of your medical visits.

Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association supports the total well-being of our community. They host free monthly education classes throughout the county which include the following:

Social Services/Bereavement Groups

Ojai Caregiver Support Group: Monday, February 5th and Tuesday, February 13th (1st & 3rd Mondays, unless it falls on a holiday) from 10:00 am – 11:30 am at Continuous Care Center, Fireside Room, 1306 Maricopa Hwy, Ojai (behind Ojai Valley Community Hospital). Find encouragement and hope during your time as a caregiver. Share, listen and explore thoughts and feelings about the struggles, losses and successes of caring for your loved one. For more information call (805) 633-9056.

Ojai Adult Bereavement Support Group: Tuesdays, February 13th and 27th (2nd & 4th Tuesdays) 10:30 am-noon at Help of Ojai, West Campus 370 Baldwin Rd., Ojai. These groups are open to individuals who have experienced loss and are free of charge. Call 642-0239 for more information or email [email protected].

Oxnard Adult Bereavement Support Group: on Mondays, February 5, 12, and 26th, and Tuesday, February 20th, from 3:00-4:30 pm at First Presbyterian Church, 850 Ivywood Dr., Oxnard. These groups are open to individuals who have experienced loss and are free of charge. Call 642-0239 for more information or email [email protected]. If you have any schedule questions, please check the website calendar (http://lmvna.org/calendar/index.html) or call us.

Ventura Adult Bereavement Support Group: Wednesdays, February 7, 14, 21, 28 from 6:30-8:00 pm at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association office, 1996 Eastman Ave., Suite 109. These groups are open to individuals who have experienced loss and are free of charge. Call 642-0239 for more information or email [email protected].

Newly Bereaved Support Group in Ventura: Thursday, February 8th from 6-7:30 pm at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association office, 1996 Eastman Ave., Suite 109. This monthly group is designed for adults who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one and is free. Call 642-0239 for more information or email [email protected]. These groups meet every 2nd Thursday of each month.

Diabetes Classes

Ventura: Tuesday, February 6th from 1-2:30pm at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association, 1996 Eastman Ave, Suite 109. These meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday of each month. General information is provided about Type 2 Diabetes including prediabetes, with emphasis on meal planning, medication, exercise, blood sugar monitoring, and new developments in diabetes.

Call 642-0239 for more information.

Joint Replacement Classes

Ventura: Monday, February 12th for both English and Spanish speaking. English 4:00-5:00 pm and Spanish 5:30-6:30 pm at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association offices, in the Community Room at 1996 Eastman Avenue, Suite 109 in Ventura. You will learn what to expect before, during and after knee or hip replacement surgery and how to be an active participant in your care.

For information or to RSVP call Dinah Davis at (805) 642-0239 ext. 739.