by Essie L. Landry Public Affairs Specialist Social Security Administration Sierra West Area

Whether you’re ready to retire, just joining the workforce, or somewhere in between, regularly reviewing your Social Security earnings record could make a big difference when it’s time to collect your retirement benefits. Social Security prevents many mistakes from ever appearing on your earnings record. On average, we process about 236 million W-2 wage reports from employers, representing more than $5 trillion in earnings. More than 98 percent of these wages are successfully posted with little problem.

Don’t Get Schooled, Get Smart About Social Security – Young workers are in the best position for planning, investing, and saving for their retirement, growing that nest egg as large as it can be. The sooner young workers start, the more money they will have. There are two easy ways to get started in preparing for retirement open a free online my Social Security account with Social Security and start a myRA account. myRA is designed for people who don’t have a retirement savings plan through their employer, or are limited from other savings options.

It’s More Convenient Than Ever to Apply for Social Security Benefits – Social Security is working hard to make it as quick and seamless as possible for you to apply for benefits online. Social Security benefits should be the icing on the cake at your retirement party.

Your Retirement Planning Starts With Social Security – Right now is the perfect time to start planning for a secure, comfortable retirement. And you can count on Social Security to help you begin the process. First, we encourage you to set up an online my Social Security account so you can verify your lifetime earnings record and make sure you get credit for all of your contributions to the Social Security system through the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) payroll taxes. Then, you can use your earnings history and our online retirement estimators and calculators to get a glimpse of what your Social Security retirement future looks like.

As people get older, their driving patterns change. Retirement, different schedules, and new activities affect when and where they drive. Most older adults drive safely because they have a lot of experience behind the wheel. But when they are involved in crashes, they are often hurt more seriously than younger drivers. Age-related declines in vision, hearing, and other abilities, as well as certain health conditions and medications, can affect driving skills.

When people retire, they no longer drive to work. With more leisure time, they may start new activities, visit friends and family more often, or take more vacations. Like drivers of any age, they use their vehicles to go shopping, do errands, and visit the doctor. Driving is an important part of staying independent.

Most people 70 and older have drivers’ licenses. They tend to drive fewer miles than younger drivers. But, they are also keeping their licenses longer and driving more miles than in the past, often favoring local roads over highways. As the overall population ages, there will be more older drivers on the road.

Driving is a complicated task. It requires people to see and hear clearly; pay close attention to other cars, traffic signs and signals, and pedestrians; and react quickly to events. Drivers must be able to accurately judge distances and speeds and monitor movement on both sides as well in front of them.

It’s common for people to have declines in visual, thinking, or physical abilities as they get older. As a result, older drivers are more likely than younger ones to have trouble in certain situations, including making left turns, changing lanes, and navigating through intersections.

Driving errors can lead to traffic accidents, injuries, and death so having the right very cheap car insurance quote is vital. If you do have a car accident, your insurance cost may go up too. The risk of crashes rises with age, especially after age 75. Studies show that older drivers are more, and less, likely to be involved in certain types of crashes than other drivers. Older drivers are less likely to be involved in crashes related to alcohol use, speeding, and driving at night.

Fortunately, the rate of crashes among adults 65 and over has decreased in recent years. Research suggests that this decline is due to a number of factors, including older adults’ better health, safer cars, and safer roads. In addition, older drivers’ ability to “police” themselves – like not driving at night – and stricter state laws for renewal of driver’s licenses may help.

Most traffic deaths of older drivers occur during the daytime, on weekdays, and involve other vehicles. Older adults are more susceptible to death or serious injury in a crash if they are physically frail, but the good news is that older people are more likely to survive crashes than in the past.

by Lori Harasta

It has been said trees are the earth’s effort to speak to heaven.

Livingston Hospice is a participating sponsor of the Los Padres National Forest’s Penny Pines Reforestation Program. This conservation program began in the early 1960s and has been meeting the ongoing need of restoring fire-and-pest devastated areas of the magnificent national forest that stretches through Ventura County. Each year, Livingston purchases two acres of seedlings which will eventually produce approximately 400 trees.

These will not be just ordinary trees, for each seedling has been planted in memory of a beloved hospice patient. The bereaved family receives a card from Livingston Hospice with local artist Susan Florence’s beautiful forest artwork along with the inscription, “A tree has been planted in the Los Padres National Forest in memory of …”

The Penny Pines Reforestation Program plays a vital role in renewing the national forests in California. For Livingston, it provides the opportunity to comfort families by letting them know they are thought of and will never be forgotten. Livingston is honored to help preserve the memory of their loved ones.

A recently bereaved family sent in this note, “Thank you for the tree planted in Mom’s memory in the Los Padres National Forest. She loved the outdoors and trees!”

A tree planted in someone’s memory is a living tribute that benefits present and future generations, and is perhaps the most fitting memorial gift of all. It is enduring and symbolic; it will grow stronger and blossom with life, year after year.

“Our death is not an end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation. For they are us, our bodies are only wilted leaves on the tree of life.” ~Einstein

by Jayson Cohen, American Legacy Solutions.

You may have heard about new legislation affecting Plan F and C. It’s called the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) in the following article we will discuss some key point that you need to know.

FACT: Consumers currently enrolled or looking to enroll in Plan F prior to January 1, 2020 will have complete flexibility in their cover. They will be able to choose any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare patients.

FACT: Anyone Eligible for Medicare Part A before January 1, 2020, can enroll in Plans F or C even after 2020 and can keep their plan as long as they choose.

FACT: Anyone who becomes eligible for Medicare Part A on or after January 1, 2020, will not be able to purchase a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans F or C. Most Medicare Supplement Insurance companies currently offering F will start to offer Plan G, as some already do.

FACT: Consumers that are already enrolled in Plan F or C don’t need to take any action. Plans F and C will still be available for consumers eligible to purchase then in 2020 and beyond.

FACT: The plan F will you the freedom to travel. The plan goes with you when you travel anywhere in the U.S. and pays a benefit if you receive emergency medical services outside of the U.S. [up to plan limits]

As the Plan F is currently the most comprehensive Medicare Supplement/Medi-gap plan on the market, make sure that you do not allow an agent to talk you out of your rights under the Reauthorization Act of 2015. If you like your coverage now or want the ability to see any doctor that accepts Medicare, anywhere in the country with no referrals or pre-authorizations, then make sure you keep the plan that has worked for many years. If you are new to Medicare and want to get the plan F then take a look at the companies in your area that are currently offering them.

As some companies will offer small fringe benefits to entice enrollment, the heart of the plan (how it pays your bills) is the same from company to company. They only difference you will find between companies is price and customer service. Take some time and make sure you compare all plans on the market to find the best for you and your family.

In May 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a vaccine to prevent shingles in people age 60 and older. The vaccine is designed to boost the immune system and protect older adults from getting shingles later on. Even if you have had shingles, you can still get the shingles vaccine to help prevent future occurrences of the disease. There is no maximum age for getting the vaccine, and only a single dose is recommended. In a clinical trial involving thousands of adults 60 years old or older, the vaccine reduced the risk of shingles by about half.

To reduce the risk of shingles, adults 60 years old or older should talk to their healthcare professional about getting a one-time dose of the shingles vaccine. Even if the shingles vaccine doesn’t prevent you from getting shingles, it can still reduce the chance of having long-term pain. If you have had shingles before, you can still get the shingles vaccine to help prevent future occurrences of the disease.

Vaccine side effects are usually mild and temporary. In most cases, shingles vaccine causes no serious side effects. Some people experience mild reactions that last up to a few days, such as headache or redness, soreness, swelling, or itching where the shot was given.

The decision on when to get vaccinated should be made with your health care provider. The shingles vaccine is not recommended if you have active shingles or pain that continues after the rash is gone. The shingles vaccine is available in doctors’ offices, pharmacies, workplaces, community health clinics, and health departments.

Most private health insurance plans cover recommended vaccines. Check with your insurance provider for details and for a list of vaccine providers. Medicare Part D plans cover shingles vaccine, but there may be costs to you depending on your specific plan.

If you do not have health insurance, visit www.healthcare.gov to learn more about health insurance options.

The shingles vaccine is basically a stronger version of the chickenpox vaccine, which became available in 1995. If you’re asking yourself, what is chickenpox?, then doing some research into this would be in your best interest, especially for your children and when you go on holiday. The chickenpox shot prevents chickenpox in 70 to 90 percent of those vaccinated, and 95 percent of the rest have only mild symptoms. Millions of children and adults have already received the chickenpox shot.

Interestingly, the chickenpox vaccine may reduce the shingles problem. Widespread use of the chickenpox vaccine means that fewer people will get chickenpox in the future. And if people do not get chickenpox, they cannot get shingles. Use of the shingles and chickenpox vaccines may one day make shingles a rare disease.

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

Many family caregivers are overwhelmed by the medical attention or physical care required by their loved ones in addition to family members who are unfamiliar with the type of care required. This may cause quite a bit of stress along with some anger and frustration due to the demands and time constraints in care.

Below are some useful tips in managing difficult feelings:

Self – Care It is necessary to put yourself first sometimes. Proper rest, healthy food and exercise are basic needs for every person. If caring for a loved one is causing you to burn the candle at both ends, it may be time to ask for help and accept it.

Be Realistic-If your loved one is seriously impaired by an illness and cannot safely care for themselves, you might not be qualified to care for them so it may be time to talk to your loved one’s primary physician and family regarding your choices in maintaining or improving their care.

Don’t expect praise or thanks from your loved one-They might feel incredibly grateful, but the illness or their own feelings of guilt and inadequacy might make it too difficult to express their feelings.

If you are caring for a family member and need resources, support group or to find out about our trainings at no cost to you, please call the Family Caregiver Resource Center at 420-9608.

Camarillo Hospice is pleased to announce their Fall 2017 hospice volunteer. Hospice volunteer support is sought to serve cities throughout Ventura County including Ventura. Reservations currently are being accepted for the class, which will meet eight consecutive Tuesday mornings from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm starting September 12th through October 31st.

Participants will:

• become familiar with common elements of family dynamics
• acquire communication skills for supportive interactions with patients and families
• learn about and discuss end-of-life care choices

Camarillo Hospice volunteers can provide respite care for caregivers, friendly visits, and practical assistance to patients and families such as running errands, simple meal preparation, etc. Opportunities for volunteers may include conducting “Life Story” interviews, providing pet and music therapy, and sitting at a dying patient’s bedside at St. John’s Hospitals in Oxnard and Camarillo.

For more information, please contact Sandi Biggs, Coordinator of Volunteer Services, at 389-6870 ext.453 or [email protected] before September 2nd, as space is limited.

by Jayson Cohen, American Legacy Solutions

At the core of Life insurance, the most basic feature is to pay a death Benefit: they lump sum payment your beneficiaries would receive if you were to die. It’s the Core reason to own life insurance – but not the only one. Some types of life insurance offer riders or other built in features that can play an important role in your financial strategy, such as the ability to accumulate cash value that grows over time.

Term insurance as most of us know it, provides life insurance protection for a specific period of time – the “term” – and is designed for temporary circumstances. It makes the most sense when your need for coverage will disappear at some point, such as when your children graduate from college or when debt (such as mortgage) is paid off. The most common term provide coverage for 20 years, but they can run the gamut from one-year policies to 30 years or even longer. In some cases, a term policy can even be converted to a permanent policy. Typically, term insurance offers the greatest amount of coverage for the lowest initial premium and is good for people on tight budgets.

Let’s take a look at what the difference is between the “OLD term and NEW term”. Simply put, Old Term will pay out a death Benefit if you pass during the specific time period chosen and premiums have been paid. Some of these polices may include a Terminal Illness rider that will allow you access to a portion of the Death benefit while you are living if you are diagnosed with a Terminal illness and have less than six to twelve months to live. Any money taken will reduce the death benefit to the family upon your passing.

“New Term” on the other hand have the same features of its predecessor, with some additional benefits. It will still provide a death benefit during the time period chosen as long as premiums have been paid. It will still include the terminal illness benefits mentioned under old term, but may include two additional features that old term does not. Most will include a critical Illness rider, this rider will allow you access to your death benefit if you have a major illness such as, a Heart Attack, Stoke, TIA, Cancer, and some other depending of the company and benefits of the policy. They may also include a Chronic Illness rider that will allow access to your Death Benefit if you need help with two activities of daily living, which consist of Bathing, Continence, Dressing, Eating, Toileting, and Transferring. It may also start to pay if you get diagnosed with a cognitive impairment such Alzheimer’s or Dementia.

As you compare new coverage or do reviews of existing coverage make sure that you take into account some of the new options that you have available to you in the market place. Since not all companies are offering “New Term” or as sometimes referred to “Life insurance for the Living” make sure that you sit with an agent that represents multiple companies and works for your benefit.

by Patty Jenkins

There are many nuances and varying symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease which make it one of the most challenging diseases not only to live with, but also for doctors to diagnose early and treat properly. That is why it is vitally important to learn what those early symptoms are and to find the right specialist as soon as possible to diagnose and treat this most frustrating and often very debilitating disease.

The Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group is pleased to bring one of southern California’s top Movement Disorder Specialists & Neurologist, Dr. Robert Hutchman, to our meeting on Wednesday, August 9 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at The Lexington Assisted Living, 5440 Ralston St, Ventura.

Dr. Hutchman will present an overview of the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease, both motor and non-motor, and the management of this progressive disease. He will address medication issues and why “one size does not fit all”, complementary therapies, give updates on new research and talk about “wellness” specifically for people with Parkinson’s Disease.

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc, is co-hosting Dr. Hutchman at this August 9th meeting. Dr. Hutchman will also speak about the newest PD drug, Nuplazid, which is the first drug designed specifically for people who have Parkinson’s Disease and may have developed challenging cognitive changes.

Dr. Robert Hutchman is a Mayo Clinic-trained neurologist and subspecialist in Parkinson’s disease, movement disorders, and all forms of dementia, especially Parkinson’s-associated. His undergraduate medical training was completed at the Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, MI. Since completing his training he has served as Sub-Investigator on approximately 10 Phase 2 thru 4 clinical drug trials, with Dr. Peter LeWitt of the Parkinson’s Study Group at the Clinical Neurosciences Center in Southfield, Michigan. Following that incredible opportunity to develop clinical research and deep brain stimulation surgery management skills, Dr. Hutchman entered private practice in Southern California. Since arriving in California, he has founded a private practice exclusively serving a unique patient population composed of neurodegenerative disorders. As the founder and Medical Director of Neurosearch, Dr. Hutchman has successfully administered 10 additional clinical trials as the Principal Investigator, directing the efforts of an accomplished support staff.

Please check in at the front desk for directions to the meeting room. Extra parking is graciously 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.