Finding resources during a loved one’s hospitalization or caring for a loved one at home, can become overwhelming when you are unsure where to begin to inquire about a service or just finding the time to make a call can be a task in itself.
The Family Caregiver Resource Center serves all of Ventura County, free of charge, for those caring for a loved one aged 60 and older who require assistance with at least two ADL’s such as dressing, transportation, medication management, etc. In addition, we can assist those caring for a loved one aged 19 – 59 who suffer from Alzheimer’s , Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, mild cognitive impairment or Traumatic Brain Injury. The center can provide you with many resources, referrals, support groups and trainings to ensure that family caregivers
are finding the right resources. Please call us if you have any questions about our trainings or support groups listed and for other locations at 420-9608
“A Happier Living For You”
Presented by the Elderly Behavioral Wellness Service Therapy Group
Lexington Assisted Living
5440 Ralston St, Ventura
April 27th 2 – 3 pm
“Living with Diabetes”
Presented by Gold Coast Health Plan
Ventura County Behavioral Health
725 E. Main St, Santa Paula- 3rd floor
April 25th 1 -2 p.m.
“I’ll just need to use this until my check arrives.”
Ever wished you could get your Social Security check earlier or wondered why it comes when it does. It may not cross the minds of senior citizens who filed for benefits before May 1, 1997: they get their payment on the third day of the month, unlike more recent filers who get it on the second, third or fourth Wednesday of the month.
When are payment days if you filed for benefits May 1, 1997 or later?
If you file for Social Security benefits May 1, 1997, or later, you are assigned one of three new payment days based on the date of birth of the person on whose record your entitlement is established (the insured individual):
The payment day for insured individuals born on the 1st through the 10th of the month is the second Wednesday of each month;
The payment day for insured individuals born on the 11th through the 20th of the month is the third Wednesday of each month; and
The payment day for insured individuals born after the 20th of the month is the fourth Wednesday of each month.
If the scheduled Wednesday payment day is a Federal holiday, payment is made on the preceding day that is not a Federal holiday.
More about those who filed before May 1, 1997
Social Security payments are usually dated and delivered on the third day of the month following the month for which the payment is due. For example, payments for January are delivered on February 3.
If the third of the month is a Saturday, Sunday or Federal holiday, payments are dated and delivered on the first day preceding the third of the month which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday. For example, if the third is a Saturday or Sunday, payments are delivered on the preceding Friday.
When are you paid on 3rd of month, even if you filed on or after May 1, 1997?
You will receive your Social Security payment on the third of the month if you are any of the following:
A beneficiary who also receives SSI payment;
A beneficiary whose income is deemed to an SSI recipient;
A beneficiary whose Medicare premiums are paid for by the state in which you live;
A beneficiary living in a foreign country;
A beneficiary entitled to payments on the third of the month, who later became entitled on another record, as long as there is no break in your entitlement
A recipient of garnished payments, tax levy case payments, or payments made via the critical payment system; or
A beneficiary entitled on the same record as one of the above.
If you are paid on the third of the month, you can volunteer to change your payment day as long as all beneficiaries receiving benefits on your record agree. The date-of-birth formula determines the payment cycle for beneficiaries. The decision to change to a cycled payment day is permanent.
SSI payments are usually dated and delivered on the first day of the month that they are due. However, if the first falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, they are dated and delivered on the first day preceding the first of the month that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday.
Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association will celebrate 70 years of providing comprehensive home healthcare, compassionate hospice and vital in-home support for Ventura County residents on May 20. The agency will also honor Tom Pecht for his enduring devotion to Livingston.
The Hawaiian themed evening will take place at Old Rancho Matilija in Ojai. Nestled by an expansive lake, guests will enjoy tropical cocktails, dinner and a program.
Livingston hopes to raise $270,000 from sponsorships and tickets to this celebration. Options to support the 70th Anniversary campaign range from the purchase of event reservations for $250 each to a number of sponsorship levels. All proceeds support Livingston Memorial’s services for patients regardless of their circumstances, as well as bereavement programs in schools and the community. For more information or to donate, simply visit lmvna.org or call 642-0239.
Established in 1947, Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association recognizes the growing need to provide services in the home environment for the sick, handicapped, elderly, terminally ill, and homebound. As a community supported, non-profit organization we strive to provide professional, licensed and supportive home care services of the highest quality in the most cost-effective manner to the people of Ventura County to ensure a positive patient outcome.
Seated chair yoga exercises increase strength and flexibility.
Join the “Yoga for Seniors” class at the SCAN Health & Wellness Center in Ventura located at 6633 Telephone. Instructor Lynn Thurston guides seniors through seated chair yoga exercises to increase their strength and flexibility. During the yoga class on Monday, April 17 at 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., a very special visitor, Peter Rabbit will be visiting the classes.
De-Stress with Guided Meditation
Looking for a way to de-stress at the end of the day? A new class to help calm the mind and soothe the nervous system starts this spring at the SCAN Health & Wellness Center in Ventura. “Guided Meditation for Stress Relief” is scheduled for Thursdays from 5:30 – 6:15 p.m. started April 6. This free, six-week class features a variety of meditation techniques to improve your mood, sleep, focus and overall general health. To register, please call 805-658-0365.
Improve Balance with free Better Bones Class
Join a new free, Better Bones class at the SCAN Health & Wellness Center in Ventura. Use the latest techniques to build your bones in new and improved ways. Started Friday, April 7, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., this 10-week class focuses on balance, strength and flexibility. Better Bones, tau
by Marion Levin-Welch M.A. Director Early Childhood Education
Children’s World Preschool at Temple Beth Torah will be celebrating their 50 years as a secular preschool. The school was started back in 1967 as a non-denominational preschool ensuring that a quality program was offered to the community regardless of personal beliefs.
Thousands of children have graduated from Children’s World over those years. Some of the teachers are now teaching the children of the children. Our campus has grown and we offer great programming for children ages two to six. We are a Nationally Accredited school, something that was started by Weitz Chatenever many years ago in partnership with the National Association for the Education of Young Children based in Washington DC . Millie Seidler was the first director at the preschool and Weitz Chatenever the second.
Please come and join us for an afternoon of celebration and see your previous teachers, fellow students, see old photos of yourself and enjoy drinks and snacks for the occasion. We will have music, fun activities, pictures and so much more. It is an opportunity to see friends you may not have seen in years.
Sunday, April 30 from 1pm to 3 pm in the social hall. 7620 Foothill Rd. For further information call 647-3798.
The Elderly Fall Prevention Coalition of Ventura County earned the “Health Champion Award” for 2016.
Annually, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors presents “Health Champion” awards to local community organizations on behalf the Partnership for a Healthy Ventura County. Recipients are recognized for their efforts toward achieving the vision of the Partnership: that Ventura County will be recognized as the healthiest county in California.
Clearly, falls impact health. One-third of adults over the age of 65 and one-half of adults over the age of 80 will fall each year. More than 40% of seniors recovering from fractured hips are unable to ever return home. Ventura County has more seniors over the age of 80 than any other county in California.
Recognizing these facts and observing patients’ pain and suffering far too often, Dr. Thomas Duncan, Chief of Staff and Co-Director of Trauma at Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) formed the Elderly Fall Prevention Coalition (EFPC) of Ventura County in 2013, partnering with other agencies serving Ventura County. A primary partner is the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA), headed by Director Victoria Jump.
People that have fallen are referred by emergency medical services or hospital staff to a Fall Prevention Coordinator who interviews and refers patients to appropriate programs and services. There is a 90% overall acceptance rate of services offered and participation has significantly reduced secondary falls compared to non-participants.
One of EFPC’s goals is to educate the community and facilitate changes in behavior to prevent initial falls of elderly residents. The education committee plans and presents two fall prevention forums per year. A forum in Spanish (translated to English) is planned for Saturday, April 29th from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Santa Paula Senior Center. For more information, call 477-7300.
In addition, four evidence-based exercise programs are now serving seniors in Ventura County.
A Matter of Balance is a program designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase the activity levels of older adults.
Stepping On offers people information, strategies, and exercises to reduce falls and increase self-confidence in situations where they are at risk of falling.
Walk with Ease is proven to reduce the pain and discomfort of arthritis; increase balance, strength and walking pace; build confidence in one’s ability to be physically active; and improve overall health.
Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance is a research-based balance training regimen designed for older adults and people with balance disorders.
To find out more about the evidence-based fall prevention exercise programs listed above, call Dina at VCAAA 477-7300.
Not quite as big as this but well worth the visit.
Lexington resident, Merle Block has created his own Historical Library commemorating the children of the greatest generation. His vision is to restore the past through books, videos, photos, music, movies and memorabilia. M J Block Historical Library will have it’s grand opening on Thursday, April 13th from 9 -11 AM and 1-3 PM in room #236.
The library is open to the public by appointment during visiting hours – 9 AM to 3 PM Tuesday through Saturday. The Lexington is located at 5440 Ralston St. in Ventura.
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 in Ventura.
Adult Bereavement Support Group Wednesdays, April 5, 12, 19, and 26 from 6:30-8:00 pm 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 Thursday, April 13th from 6-7:30 pm. 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.
Tuesday, April 4th 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.
Thursday, April 6th 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.
For information or to RSVP call Dinah Davis at 642-0239 ext. 739.
Monday, April 10th 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.
Classes at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association office, 1996 Eastman Ave., Suite 109. For information or to RSVP call Dinah Davis at 642-0239 ext. 739.
Caring for family member while caring for yourself is no easy task. Making calls in seeking resources and services to help with the demands of caregiving can become overwhelming in your daily routine of caring for your loved one. Recognizing the caregiver role in you:
Caregiving can be a stressful job. Most family caregivers say they feel stressed providing care for a loved one. With all of their caregiving responsibilities – from managing medications to arranging doctor appointments to planning meals – caregivers too often put themselves last.
The stress of caregiving impacts your own health. One out of five caregivers admit they have sacrificed their own physical health while caring for a loved one. Due to stress, family caregivers have a disproportionate number of health and emotional problems. They are twice as likely to suffer depression and are at increased risk for many other chronic conditions.
Proper nutrition helps promote good health. Ensuring that you are getting proper nutrition is key to help maintain your strength, energy and stamina, as well as strengthening your immune system. Maintaining a healthy diet is one of the most powerful things you can do to take care of yourself and keep a positive attitude overall.
Ensuring good nutrition for your loved one helps make care easier. As many as half of all older adults are at risk for malnutrition. Good nutrition can help maintain muscle health, support recovery, and reduce risk for re-hospitalization – which may help make your care of a loved one easier.
Remember: “Rest. Recharge. Respite.” People think of respite as a luxury, but considering caregivers’ higher risk for health issues from chronic stress, those risks can be a lot costlier than some time away to recharge. The chance to take a breather, the opportunity to re-energize, is vital in order for you to be as good a caregiver tomorrow as you were today.
For more information on how our Family Caregiver Center(Catholic Charites/OASIS) can assist you with respite, assistive devices, support groups and much more at no cost to you, please call 420-9608.
by Greg Dill
Medicare’s regional administrator for Arizona, California,
Hawaii, Nevada, and the Pacific Territories
Having practiced pharmacy for many years, I often find myself talking to people about their Medicare prescription drug, or Part D, plans.
People with Part D usually share their thoughts about a favorite pharmacy or pharmacist, or how their plan offers medicines at affordable prices. Sometimes they report problems with a Part D plan, ranging from the cost of drugs to difficulty in getting a specific medication their doctor prescribed.
A first step to correcting problems is always to contact your drug plan (contact information is on the back of your drug card). A call to the plan usually will resolve your issue. If that doesn’t work, you can file a complaint.
You can do that by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or going online at www.Medicare.gov. Complaints can be made against Part D drug plans as well as Part C health plans, also known as Medicare Advantage plans.
The online Medicare Complaint Form is easy to use. Medicare takes the information you send and directs it to your plan. Then we follow up and monitor how well the plan resolves your complaint.
To find the complaint form, go to www.Medicare.gov and locate the blue box near the top of the page that says “Claims & Appeals.” Place your cursor over that box until a dropdown menu appears and click on “file a complaint.” When the next page comes up, click on “Your health or drug plan.”
You can also lodge a complaint by calling or writing to your plan. Your complaint could involve a problem with customer service, difficulty in getting access to a specialist, being given the wrong drug, or being given drugs that interact in a negative way.
If you file a complaint about your Part D drug plan, certain requirements apply:
You must file your complaint within 60 days from the date of the event that led to the complaint.
You must be notified of the decision generally no later than 30 days after the plan gets the complaint.
If your complaint relates to a plan’s refusal to make a fast coverage determination or redetermination and you haven’t purchased or gotten the drug, the plan must give you a decision no later than 24 hours after it gets the complaint.
In addition, you can make a complaint if you have a concern about the quality of care or other services you get from a Medicare provider. This includes doctors, hospitals, or other medical providers; your dialysis or kidney transplant care; or a Medicare-certified supplier of durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, and oxygen equipment.
As a Medicare beneficiary, you also have certain appeal rights. What’s the difference between a complaint and an appeal?
A complaint is generally about the quality of care you got or are getting. For example, you may file a complaint if you have a problem contacting your plan or if you’re unhappy with how a staff person at the plan treated you. However, if you have an issue with a plan’s refusal to pay for a service, supply, or prescription, you file an appeal.
For more information on appeals, take a look at your “Medicare & You” handbook, mailed each fall to every Medicare household in the country.
