by Connie De La Rosa

Many people who reach the age of retirement, find ways of enjoying their new life.  Whether it is traveling, joining new clubs or spending more time at home gardening, projects or watching grandchildren.  There are many who chose to donate their time in volunteering for different programs which provide many benefits for both the program and the person volunteering.

Volunteers are an integral part of OASIS and in recognition of the generous time each gives our program, OASIS holds an annual Volunteer Recognition dinner in which each volunteer is given  several raffle tickets for prizes, speaker recognizing volunteers and an elegant gourmet meal  which was generously provided this year by Atria in Camarillo.   Our volunteers offer free services in transportation, grocery shopping and errands, produce delivery, friendly visitors and office volunteers.

For more information on how you can make in difference, please call 420-9608.

by Lori Harasta

Sacrifice. Few people know the meaning more than the spouses of military warriors, waiting, worrying, and praying for a safe return home. More than 40 spouses were honored at a ceremony at the Ventura Townehouse on May 12.

The Friday before Mother’s Day was officially designated by President Ronald Reagan as “National Military Spouse Recognition Day” in 1999. This is the second year Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association has honored military spouses in a ceremony.

Diana (Dinah) Davis, Branch Manager for Livingston, knows first-hand about sacrifice. Her father was a 30-year Army veteran, her Father-In-law is a retired Air Force Lt. Colonel, and several other family members including nephews and niece have served. She also has twin Air Force officers who are both currently deployed.

It was Dinah who initiated Livingston into the “We Honor Veterans” program several years ago. Since then she has planned and participated in two to three veteran-honoring events each year. This program aims to enrich the lives of veterans as they begin to assimilate back into the life of a normal citizen. The wounded warriors project aims to support veterans in a similar vein which is providing invaluable support to a large community of vulnerable people.

Mike McManus, Ventura County Veteran Services Officer and Air Force Veteran, gave opening remarks. He read a letter entitled “A Soldier’s Promise”, followed by a reading of “An Army Wife’s Promise” by Teresa (Tree) Pavan, Vice-President/COO of Livingston. The letters were written by Megan Williams while her husband was serving his second tour in the heart of Kandahar for eleven months.

Guitarist Dave Haynes accompanied April Davis as she sang the sweet and sentimental song, “The Locket” and eyes in the audience were dabbed. A video presentation, followed which included military spouse testimonials.

The pinning ceremony involved military spouses being honored one-by-one with a certificate of appreciation, an American flag pinned close to their hearts, and single red rose.

A new element was added this year, as wives of active duty servicemen were honored. Jazmine Dominguez, Concierge at the Ventura Townehouse, is one currently experiencing the sacrifice of service as her Navy husband of two years, Miguel Dominguez, is away from home being trained for deployment in October.

“You don’t sleep. You go stir-crazy!” They were moved 8 months ago to the Port Hueneme Base, away from family and friends. “The other wives are helpful and supportive, and I’m grateful for them. It’s like having another family.”

Jazmine’s sacrifice means a lifetime of uncertainty. “It’s about missing him and trying to get used to not having him there, then trying to get used to having him back in my life and will he be the same as when he left?” And doing this over and over again. “If civilians could understand the sacrifices made, what they go through to keep us safe, I think they’d be more appreciative of what it means to serve our country.”

When the owners of Cypress Place Senior Living in Ventura decided to create a scholarship fund for local high school students wanting to pursue a college degree, the Cypress Place Senior Living “Senior to Senior” Legacy Scholarship was created.

By awarding two $2500 scholarships to local high school seniors, residents at Cypress Place are attempting to pass on opportunities for young people in the community, according to Steve Spira, executive director at Cypress Place.

Applicants needed to have a verified 3.2 or higher GPA and to have applied for fall 2017 admission to a college or university with the intention of obtaining a degree.  Applicants were also asked to submit  an essay about their reason for pursuing higher education along with a personal account of how a senior or seniors has affected their life.

The members of the Resident Scholarship Committee at Cypress Place read the essays, then held oral interviews with the semi-finalists to determine the two award winners.

On June 1,  the awards were presented to Summer Khouvilay of Foothill Technology High School, and Josef Martinez of St. Bonaventure High School.   Khouvilay plans on studying molecular cell and developmental biology at UC Santa Cruz, while Martinez plans on pursuing a career in professional sports management.

Ventura Unified Interim Superintendent of Schools, Joseph Richards, Foothill Technology High School principal, Joe Bova, and St. Bonaventure High School principal, Marc Groff, were in attendance, along with family members of the recipients, and many seniors from Cypress Place.

“Tonight we watched two wonderful high school seniors go confidently in the direction of their dreams,” said Irv Wasserberg, a resident at Cypress Place, and the Scholarship Committee Chair

While enjoying coffee and dessert with the award winners, residents on the Scholarship Committee expressed a true sense of pride and accomplishment in their involvement in the selection process.  But reaching out to help others is nothing new to the residents at Cypress Place.  They’ll be busy volunteering again on June 28th, when the senior community hosts its annual “Salute to Our Veterans” celebration with a ceremony recognizing residents of Cypress Place, as well as members of the public, who served their country.

A military Color Guard presentation will lead the tribute, followed by a special Veteran recognition and recognition of widows of Veterans with a keynote presentation by Captain Chris Janke, Commanding Officer of Naval Base Ventura County, a special Veterans memorabilia display, and live musical entertainment.

A free BBQ lunch will follow this powerful tribute.   Residents, families, and friends of the community are welcome to attend.  The event is free and open to the public and begins promptly at 11am.

As the scholarship awards evening wound down, Khouvilay and Martinez both expressed their appreciation for their awards once again.

by Jayson Cohen, American Legacy Solutions

In today’s world we constantly see things changes and it has come to the point that the only thing that is constant in our life is change. Our organization is constantly asked to explain Medicare in its simplest form. You will find as you read through this article that we are breaking down the four main parts of Medicare into a basic chart*.

Before we get into the parts let first discuss what Medicare is. Medicare is health insurance for the following: People age 65 or older, People under age 65 with certain disabilities, and people of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Not that we have the basic understanding of what Medicare is and who it is for, let’s go through the four main parts.

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) helps cover:

• Impatient Care in Hospitals
• Skilled Nursing Facility Care
• Hospice Care
• Home Health Care

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) helps cover:

• Services from Doctors and other health care providers
• Outpatient Care
• Home Health Care
• Durable Medicare Equipment
• Some Preventative Services

Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage):

• Includes all benefits and services covered under Part A and Part B
• Run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies
• Usually includes Medicare Prescription drug coverage (Part D) as part of the plan
• May include extra benefits and services for an extra cost

Medicare Part D (Medicare prescription drug coverage):

• Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs
• Run by Medicare-approved private insurance company
• May help lower your prescription drug costs and help protect against higher costs in the future

Now having the basic information of what the four parts of Medicare cover, make sure that as you look into your options, make sure you company a number of companies in your area. This will allow you to compare the plans and find the right one for you. At the end of the day wouldn’t you agree that it is all about you? Please check back regularly as we will be addressing different questions and concerns in this section.

*all information has been pulled from CMS Product number 11514, revised October 2016.

On Thursday, May 25 The Palms At Bonaventure presented  A Taste of Italy. A special culinary event prepared by Chef Michael Callahan and enjoyed by residents and guests. The Palms is located at 111 N. Wells Rd. in Ventura.

by Patty Jenkins

What is that new California law all about anyway and how does it work? What exactly are our end-of-life choices? What other options are there to help keep me and my loved ones comfortable before I go?

The Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group is having a special meeting to enlighten us all about a subject we mostly avoid because after all, we are all going to live forever, right? Come to our meeting Wednesday, June 14,  from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at The Lexington Assisted Living, 5440 Ralston St. for answers and information about all of the choices available to us in California. Then we can all go back to not talking about it because we’ll have some peace of mind.

We are pleased to have Erika Ruiz, California Outreach Manager for Compassion & Choices, give us a presentation at the beginning of our meeting to explain the California End of Life Option Act that authorizes medical aid in dying and how to access the Act. Erika’s interest in advocating for and educating on end of life care options stems from her personal experience trying to help a beloved family member during his final days.

Although we mostly don’t want to have these conversations it is important to have them and understand our priorities and options to help overcome our fears. Which is why we are also pleased to have the Director of Community Memorial Health Care’s Palliative Care/Ventura Care Partners, Diana Jaquez, RN and Cathy Dorsey, LCSW along with Bruce Bednar, MAG and Director of Managed Care, Roze Room Hospice of Ventura, joining us to help us understand the differences between Palliative and Hospice Care and how they all work to help us and our loved ones when it turns out apparently we aren’t going to live forever, at least probably not on this planet.

Thanks to the generosity of the Lexington Assisted for donating space for us, the Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group is able to have meetings every second Wednesday of each month from 1-3pm at the Lexington. Please check in at the front desk for directions and sign-in at the meeting. Extra parking is graciously available across the street from the Lexington in the Baptist Church parking lot. Call me at 766-6070 for further information. Reservations are not required. We are an independent and volunteer-organized group not affiliated with or a part of any other organization or group

Alzheimer’s disease is a growing epidemic affecting more than 5 million Americans today and as many as 16 million by 2050. To better inform the public about Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer’s Association, California Central Chapter will be hosting its sixth annual conference, “Dementia: Current Trends & Future Directions.” The all-day event will start at 8:30 a.m. at the Ventura Marriott. Thursday, June 8 at 8:30 a.m.

Speakers include distinguished professionals in their fields, including:

• Cordula Dick-Muehlke, PhD, Consultant in Aging and Dementia for Cordula Cares
• James A. Hendrix, PhD, Director of Global Science Initiatives for the Alzheimer’s Association
• Heather McKay, MS, OT/L, Dementia Care Specialist for Partnership for Health
• Alexandra Morris, Professional Training Specialist for the Alzheimer’s Association
• Brock Travis, PhD, Meditation Instructor and Spiritual Counselor

The day will include workshops and presentations, covering the three stages of dementia, with topics on treating and supporting those with dementia, understanding dementia behaviors, communicating for caregivers, and updates on Alzheimer’s research.

Six continuing education units (CEUs) will be granted for professional attendees.

• BRN number: 10424
• CNA/HHA: 6094 (pending)
• LCSW/LMFT: 1121
• RN/LVN: CEP12415
• RCFE: 2000072-740-2 (pending)

Registration is available at https://goo.gl/AFqNvB. registration closes May 30. For all questions and comments, please contact Donna Beal, MPH, MCHES at 892.4259 ext. 107 or [email protected].

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 in Ventura (others are in Ojai,  Camarillo and Oxnard). At Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association office, 1996 Eastman Ave., Suite 109. Call 642-0239 for more information or email [email protected].

Adult Bereavement Support Group Wednesdays, June  7, 14, 21, and 28 from 6:30-8:00 pm.  These groups are open to individuals who have experienced loss and are free of charge.

Newly Bereaved Support Group Thursday, June 8th from 6-7:30.  This monthly group is designed for adults who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one and is free.  These groups meet every 2nd Thursday of each month.

Diabetes Classes:  Tuesday, June 6th  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: Thursday, June 1st 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.

Monday, June 12th for both English and Spanish speaking.  English 4:00-5:00 pm and Spanish 5:30-6:30. 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.

Can youthful vigor and budding brains overcome the life experience of their elders in a match of wits, wisdom, memory and just plain common sense in a Jeopardy-like contest?

Come to the Knowledge Bowl and experience a true “Battle of the Ages,” now in its eighth year. This time, four teens from Ventura’s Blue-Ribbon Award winning school, Foothill Technology High, face off against four experienced elders from two Ventura-area senior nursing facilities, the Ventura Townehouse and Coastal View.

The free public contest starts at 2 p.m. Monday, June 5 at the Townehouse’s Vista Room, 4900 Telegraph Rd., high atop the seventh floor across from Ventura College.

“The Knowledge Bowl is an extension of my idea to unite our community by building bridges between the ages,” said Suz Montgomery. She is the founder of the Knowledge Bowl, arising from her work with the school district’s Ventura Adult and Continuing Education (VACE).

The event draws many dignitaries along with the public, most of whom can’t help themselves by answering the questions to each other; in a whisper, of course. It also attracts the local print media and will be filmed by CAPS-TV (Channel 15).

The team of elders includes three retired teachers: Ethel Johnduff, Clint Jacobs, Mary Ayres and one entrepreneur, Charlie McMillan. Montgomery is their coach.

The Foothill team is coached by Linda Kapala, the school’s Career/Media Specialist who also crafted most of the questions. She has gathered a team consisting of one senior, Chris Clark; two juniors, Simon Reyes and Angela Zablocki, and Sophomore Mason King.

Cabrillo Middle School Principal Lorelle Dawes is back as the Bowl’s long-time moderator who asks alternating questions to each team. If the team can’t answer or answers incorrectly, it is asked of the other team.

Last year’s Bowl was a squeaker, with each team correctly answering 21 questions each. A last question allows each team to bet some or all its points. Both teams identified the names of all four Beatles, and both bet 21 points to tie, which earned a standing ovation from the audience.