The City of Ventura Parks and Recreation is offering a Zumba Gold series at the Ventura Avenue Adult Center from 12:00-1:00pm every Monday and Wednesday beginning September 18 through November 15, 2017.

Zumba Gold is perfect for all active adults, 50+, looking for a Zumba class at a lower-intensity level. This easy to follow class focuses on heart rate, balance, range of motion, and coordination. Come ready to sweat, leave feeling empowered, strong. Regain flexibility and strength while having fun learning a dance step or two! Having two left feet is no problem.

Participants should wear workout shoes, comfortable clothing and bring water to keep hydrated.

For more information call (818) 515-8590. Sign up 658-4726 and request Zumba Gold-9613

Family Caregiver Resource Center- Catholic Charities
by Connie De La Rosa

During the fall season, hot windy weather can be miserable for Elders, or children. Many people use this season to get the common air conditioning problems resolved to help them stay cool, but sometimes you may want to take a few extra steps to keep things chilled.

Here are a few tips on how you can help your elder or child stay cool:

1. Have your loved one remain on the first floor if living in a two story home.

2. Eat lightly, avoid caffeine, alcohol and drink plenty of fluids
3. Leave a hand held fan, battery operated fan in case air conditioner goes out during an outage or there is no air conditioner in the home. If your air conditioner is not working as it should, you can contact ac repair Gilbert AZ to get it back up and running again.

4. If your elderly loved one is able to independently leave the house during the hottest part of the day, ask them to visit a library, go to the grocery store, or anywhere that is air conditioned which will save them money on their electric bill and do things they normally do or like doing. For children, taking them to the library, movies or beach making it fun and staying cool at the same time.

Do you need support, have questions regarding care for your elderly loved one or are you a grandparent raising grandchildren who live with you? We can help at no cost to you, resources/referrals and more. Call 420-9608.

Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association supports the total well-being of our community by hosting free monthly education classes throughout the county which include the following: All at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association office, 1996 Eastman Ave., Suite 109 unless noted. Call 642-0239 for more information or email [email protected].

Social Services/Bereavement Groups

Ojai: Caregiver Support Group Tuesday, September 5th and Monday, September 18th 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, September 12th and 26th (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].

Ventura: Adult Bereavement Support Group Wednesdays, September 6, 13, 20 and 27, from 6:30-8:00 pm These groups are open to individuals who have experienced loss and are free of charge. Ventura: Newly Bereaved Support Group Thursday, September 14th from 6-7:30. This monthly group is designed for adults who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one. These groups meet every 2nd Thursday of each month.

Diabetes Classes Ventura: Tuesday, September 5th from 1-2:30pm. These meetings are held on 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.

Joint Replacement Classes Ventura: Thursday, September 7th from 1:00-2:00pm. 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. These meetings are 1st Thursday of each month.

Dinah Davis at 642-0239 ext. 739.

Ventura: Monday, September 11th for both English and Spanish speaking. English 4:00-5:00 pm and Spanish 5:30-6:30 pm. 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.

by Greg Dill
Greg Dill is Medicare’s regional administrator for Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and the Pacific Territories.

At a recent meeting of my staff, the topic of diabetes came up.

When we went around the table, it turned out that 25 percent of them have problems with blood sugar. That figure exactly matches the percentage of Americans 65 years old and older who have diabetes or a condition called pre-diabetes.

I’m shocked that such a large number of Americans are affected by this disease, because it’s a nasty one. If left uncontrolled, diabetes can lead to some really bad outcomes, including kidney problems, glaucoma and other eye disorders, foot ulcers, amputation of feet or legs, stroke, diabetic coma, and even death.

The good news is that people with diabetes can avoid many of these negative outcomes if their disease is diagnosed, treated, and controlled. At Medicare, we’re committed to preventing diabetes as much as possible and treating those who are diagnosed with it.

If your doctor thinks you’re at risk for diabetes, Medicare covers screening tests for it. And if you develop the disease, Medicare covers a wide variety of medications, home testing equipment, supplies and self-management training to help you cope with it.

Screening tests are used to detect diabetes early. Conditions that may put you at risk for diabetes include:

• High blood pressure

• Obesity (with certain conditions)

• Impaired glucose (blood sugar) tolerance

• High fasting glucose

• A history of abnormal cholesterol and triglycleride levels (Dyslipidermia)

Medicare will pay for two diabetes screening tests in a 12-month period. After the initial screening, your doctor will determine when to do the second test.

You and your doctor can discuss diabetes and any other health concerns you have during a “Welcome to Medicare” visit. Medicare covers this one-time review of your health, including counseling on any screenings, shots, or other care you may need. (You must have this visit within the first 12 months you’re enrolled in Medicare Part B.)

In addition, Medicare covers an annual wellness visit with your doctor, during which you can develop or update a personalized prevention plan based on your current health and risk factors.

If you do develop diabetes, Medicare pays for self-management training to help you learn how to successfully manage the disease. Your doctor must prescribe this training for Medicare to cover it.

The training covers topics including the risks of poor blood-sugar control; nutrition and how to manage your diet; options to improve blood-sugar control; exercise and why it’s important to your health; and how to take your medications properly.

Medicare also covers medical nutrition therapy services to help you learn which foods to eat and how to follow an individualized diabetic meal plan.

Generally, Medicare Part B (medical insurance) covers services and supplies needed by people who have or are at risk for diabetes. Medicare Part D (the prescription drug program) helps pay for supplies for injecting or inhaling insulin.

Many older people worry about their memory and other thinking abilities. For example, they might be concerned about taking longer than before to learn new things, or they might sometimes forget to pay a bill. These changes are usually signs of mild forgetfulness—often a normal part of aging—not serious memory problems.

Talk with your doctor to determine if memory and other thinking problems are normal or not, and what is causing them.

What’s Normal and What’s Not?

What’s the difference between normal, age-related forgetfulness and a serious memory problem? Serious memory problems make it hard to do everyday things like driving and shopping. Signs may include:

Asking the same questions over and over again

Getting lost in familiar places

Not being able to follow instructions

Becoming confused about time, people, and places

Mild Cognitive Impairment

Some older adults have a condition called mild cognitive impairment, or MCI, in which they have more memory or other thinking problems than other people their age. People with MCI can take care of themselves and do their normal activities. MCI may be an early sign of Alzheimer’s, but not everyone with MCI will develop Alzheimer’s disease.

Signs of MCI include:

Losing things often

Forgetting to go to important events and appointments

Having more trouble coming up with desired words than other people of the same age

If you have MCI, visit your doctor every 6 to 12 months to see if you have any changes in memory or thinking skills over time. There may be things you can do to maintain your memory and mental skills. No medications have been approved to treat MCI.

Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning—thinking, remembering, learning and reasoning—and behavioral abilities to such an extent that it interferes with daily life and activities. Memory loss, though common, is not the only sign. A person may also have problems with language skills, visual perception, or paying attention. Some people have personality changes. Dementia is not a normal part of aging.

There are different forms of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form in people over age 65.

by Patty Jenkins

How do I do that, you ask?? Well, it’s by employing the “dreaded E word”, the magic medicine for everyone, but especially for people with Parkinson’s Disease: it’s “exercise!” Every Doctor, Movement Disorder Specialist, Neurologist, fitness professional and Parkinson’s Disease web site emphasize how important it is for people with PD to keep moving. “No matter what symptoms are present and how significant they may be, some form of exercise likely can be done” (from Parkinson’s 360 degrees, Michael J. Fox Foundation) “Group exercise can foster social interactions and a sense of community, too.”

And it can also be fun! Come discover how with the Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group on Wednesday September 13 from 1 to 3PM at the Lexington Assisted ,5440 Ralston. We are having a very special and “interactive” presentation by two of our area’s finest and most experienced professionals in their fields with Parkinson’s Disease: Marc Broberg, PT, Director of the Neuro Division of Two Trees Physical Therapy and Wellness and Camille Torgesen, instructor for The Art of Movement and Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance.

Marc is a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurological Physical Therapy. Marc graduated with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy from University of California San Francisco /San Francisco State University in 2002. Prior to pursuing a graduate degree in PT, Marc earned a Master’s degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Biomechanics from CSUN and participated in clinical research at the Center for Human Movement Studies at Georgia Tech in collaboration with Emory University. Marc will discuss and illustrate the most current evidence-based guidelines for therapy and exercise for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease and also give demonstrations and information about a special class offered for people with Parkinson’s Disease at Two Trees called “Neuro Boot Camp”.

Camille Torgeson has been in the business of assisting in the health and fitness of our senior population since 1997. She earned her teachers credential in Older Adult Health and Physical Fitness. In addition, she is trained in The John Argue Art of Movement for people with Parkinson’s Disease and Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance from the Oregon Research Institute for those at risk of falling or repeated falls. The classes she teaches are “evidence based” and recognized by the CDC and NCOA or based on a combination of evidence based programs. Parkinson’s Disease And The Art Of Moving is a program developed by John Argue in 1985 to help friends diagnosed with the disease. With input from doctors and others in the neurological field, he developed a program that addresses, movement, speech, and activities of daily living. She has been teaching the program there and in Camarillo since her training.

Check in at the front desk for directions to the meeting room. Extra parking is available across the street from the Lexington in the Baptist Church parking lot.

Call Patty at 766-6070 for further information. Reservations are not required. The Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group is an independent and volunteer-organized group not affiliated with or a part of any other organization or group

On Friday, September 22 the Elderly Fall Prevention Coalition (EFPC) of Ventura County, in association with Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA) will host a prevention Forum: “United we Stand to Prevent Falls”.

The format will consist of speakers interspersed with balance enhancement activities and demonstrations. Also health assessments, including vision, hearing, and balance.

Dr. C. Shawn Skillern, founder of West Coast Vascular Clinic will be the keynote speaker. The Event will be informative and fun for the participants!

This year they expect more than 200 participants. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Simi Valley Senior Center located at 3900 Avenida Simi, Simi Valley. Registration starts at 8 a.m. Participants will be given plenty of time to visit exhibitors before, during and after the program.

The goal is to reduce the following startling statistics:

In 24 months (2014-15), there were over 12,000 recorded falls in Ventura County residents ages 65+

99% of fall victims sustained injuries requiring treatment

65% of all falls occurred at home

Sept. 12 (2nd Tues. of each month), 1:30 – 4 p.m., at SCAN Health and Wellness Center, 6633 Telephone Rd., led by Marty Capsuto. For those 55+ and guests, so Marty will guest sponsor all Songmakers under 55. Plenty of parking behind building. For more information, contact Marty at 658-0365 or [email protected].

Sept. 22 (4th Friday of each month), 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. Like to play acoustic music? Songmakers.org welcomes all lovers of acoustic music—instrumentalists, singers, and singer/songwriters of all levels—to join in a free song circle at the Bell Arts Factory Community Room, 432 N. Ventura Ave. Listeners welcome! Information Mike Wittlin, 750-8281.

Sept. 26 (4th Tues. of each month), 1:30 – 4 p.m., at SCAN . For those 55+ and guests, Marty will guest sponsor all Songmakers under 55.