The Ventura Council for Seniors (VCS) will present a free educational forum “Workforce Re-Entry for Seniors” on Thursday, July 28, 10 am to 12 pm at Ventura Adult and Continuing Education (VACE), 5200 Valentine Rd.

Four speakers will discuss tools, tips and strategies for older adults wishing to rejoin the workforce. Speakers include Marleen Canniff with Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, Cathie Jimenez from the Employment Development Department, and Kay Miller and Suz Montgomery with VACE.

RSVP to 658-4742 to reserve a free lunch following the forum from noon to 1 pm compliments of the Downtown Ventura Rotary.

VCS meets on the third Wednesday of the month from 9:30 to 11 am at alternating locations: Ventura Avenue Adult Center (VAAC), 550 N. Ventura Ave. and Silvercrest Senior Residence, 750 S. Petit Avenue:

At VAAC September 21 and November 16

AT Silvercrest: August 17 and October 19 – there are no VCS meetings in December.

VCS Ventura City Council Candidates Forum on September 20

Mark your calendar for the VCS Ventura City Council Candidates Forum to be held on Tuesday, September 20, from 10:15 am to 12 noon, hosted at Ventura Missionary Church, 500 High Point Dr.

To find out more, obtain agendas or get involved go to: http://www.cityofventura.net/adult where you may also subscribe to the monthly Silver Tsunami newsletter published by the city to publicize events and services for adults or request it by calling 648-3035. Or contact VCS liaison and PRCP Supervisor Cary Glenn at 658-4732 or [email protected].

Hearing loss happens for many reasons. Some people lose their hearing slowly as they age. This condition is called presbycusis. Doctors do not know why presbycusis happens, but it seems to run in families.

Another cause is the ear infection otitis media, which can lead to long-term hearing loss if it is not treated.

Hearing loss can also result from taking certain medications. “Ototoxic” medications damage the inner ear, sometimes permanently. Some antibiotics are ototoxic. Even aspirin at some dosages can cause problems, but they are temporary. Check with your doctor if you notice a problem while taking a medication.

Heredity can cause hearing loss, but not all inherited forms of hearing loss take place at birth. Some forms can show up later in life. In otosclerosis, which is thought to be a hereditary disease, an abnormal growth of bone prevents structures within the ear from working properly.

One of the most common causes of hearing loss is loud noise. Loud noise can permanently damage the inner ear. Loud noise also contributes to tinnitus, which is a ringing, roaring, clicking, hissing, or buzzing sound in the ears.

Noise-induced hearing loss is 100 percent preventable. You can protect your hearing by avoiding noises at or above 85 decibels in loudness, which can damage your inner ear.

Lower the volume on personal stereo systems and televisions. When you are involved in a loud activity, wear earplugs or other hearing protective devices.

There are other ways to prevent hearing loss.

If earwax blockage is a problem for you, ask your doctor about treatments you can use at home such as mineral oil, baby oil, glycerin, or commercial ear drops to soften earwax.

If you suspect that you may have a hole in your eardrum, you should consult a doctor before using such products. A hole in the eardrum can result in hearing loss and fluid discharge.

The ear infection otitis media is most common in children, but adults can get it, too. You can help prevent upper respiratory infections — and a resulting ear infection — by washing your hands frequently.

Ask your doctor about how to help prevent flu-related ear infections. If you still get an ear infection, see a doctor immediately before it becomes more serious.

If you take medications, ask your doctor if your medication is ototoxic, or potentially damaging to the ear. Ask if other medications can be used instead. If not, ask if the dosage can be safely reduced. Sometimes it cannot. However, your doctor should help you get the medication you need while trying to reduce unwanted side effects.

No matter what your age, it is easy to forget a lot of what your doctor says. Also, sometimes what your doctor says may be hard to understand. As your doctor gives you information about your health, it’s a good idea to make sure that you understand it and that you will be able to remember it. Here are some tips to help you understand and remember what you and your doctor discuss.

Ask for clarification. Always ask your doctor about anything he or she says that seems unclear. You might say, “I want to make sure I understand. Could you explain a little more?” or “I didn’t understand that word. What does it mean?” You may also find it helpful to repeat back to your doctor what he or she says using your own words and ask, “Is this correct?”

Take notes. Taking notes during your doctor visit can help you remember what you and your doctor talk about. Take along a notepad and pen or pencil, and write down your doctor’s main points or ask your doctor to write them down for you. If you cannot write while the doctor is talking to you, make notes in the waiting room after your visit. Or, bring an audio recorder along, and (with the doctor’s permission) record what is said. Recording is especially helpful if you want to share the details of the visit with others.

Request written or recorded materials. Ask if your doctor has any brochures, DVDs, CDs, cassettes, or videotapes about your health conditions or treatments. For example, if your doctor says that your blood pressure is high, he or she may give you brochures explaining what causes high blood pressure and what you can do about it. Ask the doctor to recommend other sources, such as websites, public libraries, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies that may have written or recorded information you can use.

Speak with other members of the health care team. Sometimes the doctor may want you to talk with other health professionals who can help you understand and carry out the decisions about how to manage your condition. Nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists, and occupational or physical therapists may be able to take more time with you than the doctor.

Call or email the doctor. If you are uncertain about the doctor’s instructions after you get home, call the office. A nurse or other staff member can check with the doctor and call you back. You could ask whether the doctor, or other health professional you have talked to, has an email address you can use to send questions.

by Cate Kortzeborn

It’s never too late to quit smoking. While it’s best to stop as early as possible, kicking the smoking habit at any age will enhance the length and quality of your life. Many smokers try every year to stop smoking but often find that it is extremely difficult to do so. Some smokers try to replace smoking with alternative methods such as e-cigarettes are vaping. Others read up on alternative methods in the hopes that they may be able to find a way to help them fight their cravings. Studies show that one way of doing this could be the use of CBD Oil, from somewhere similar to Revita Oil, giving smokers a variety of options that could help them take the steps to quit once and for all. So, you might be struggling to quit smoking, but remember you are not alone. There are loads of ways that you could stop smoking. For example, some people like to try nicotine gum, whilst others prefer vaping instead. There are different types of vape pens that you could get if you are interested in trying vaping as an alternative to smoking. There are loads of ways that you can try to stop smoking though, it all depends on what works best for you, as every person is different. For example, you might find that something like nicotine toothpicks is a better way for you to stop (if this is something that interests you then you can buy nicotine toothpicks here). However, there are loads of other things that you could consider.

As soon as you stop, your body begins to repair the damage caused by smoking. You’ll also save money and you won’t have to run outside your home or office every time the urge to light up hits you! No one said giving up smoking will be easy, but it is in your best interest to give this up as soon as you can. The use of a vaporizer as been an successful route that many people have gone down to help stop smoking. You just need to find what works best for you. And don’t give up.

Medicare now covers counseling sessions to help you stop smoking, even if you haven’t been diagnosed with an illness caused by tobacco use. You pay nothing for smoking cessation counseling, as long as you get it from a doctor or other qualified provider who accepts Medicare reimbursement.

Many state Medicaid programs cover smoking cessation services as well.

Smoking tobacco can cause many diseases, including heart disease, respiratory diseases, and lung cancer , the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. More than 56 million Americans still smoke tobacco, but quitting can reduce your risk of getting these diseases.

So if you have Medicare or Medicaid, make a note to talk with your doctor about quitting. Medicare covers eight face-to-face smoking cessation counseling sessions during a 12-month period.

What happens in these sessions? Your doctor may follow the “5 A’s” approach: ask patients about their smoking habits; advise them to quit; assess their willingness to quit; assist their attempts to quit; and arrange follow-up.

To help you get off and stay off tobacco, your physician may prescribe one of seven antismoking drugs currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Medicare often covers such medications under its Part D prescription drug program.

I also want to mention that Medicare covers screening for lung cancer with Low Dose Computed Tomography. To qualify, you must:

• Be age 55-77;
• Be either a current smoker or have quit smoking within the last 15 years;
• Have a tobacco smoking history of at least 30 “pack years” (an average of one pack a day for 30 years);
• Not have any signs or symptoms of lung cancer;
• Get a written order from your physician or qualified non-physician practitioner.

You pay nothing for this screening if your doctor or other qualified provider accepts Medicare reimbursement.

For more information on kicking the habit, visit http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/tobacco/help-quitting-fact-sheet.

Cate Kortzeborn is Medicare’s acting regional administrator for Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and the Pacific Territories. You can always get answers to your Medicare questions by calling 1-800-633-4227.

A new session of Zumba Gold will be starting Monday July 11 at the Ventura Avenue Adult Center from noon until 1:00pm every Monday and Wednesday.

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

To sign up either contact the City of Ventura at  658-4726 or on line at https://apm.activecommunities.com/venturaparksandrec.  For more information contact Marty at (818)515-8590 or [email protected].

ENCORE is a hands-on, self-paced training program for people 50+ who want to learn computer skills for job or personal use.

There is no charge for tuition – just an annual $10 registration fee. You follow written materials and receive help from a teacher as needed. It is not a traditional lecture class where you have to be at the same point as everyone else. Select only the modules you want:
Career Development • Job Seeking Skills • General
Math and English • Office Machines and
Telephones • Keyboarding • Internet Basics
and Email • Microsoft Office Programs.

To register call 289-7925 and ask about the next start date; register at VACE (5200 Valentine). Classes are held M/Tu/F 8-10 am or 10 am-12 pm.

The Ventura Retired Men’s Group extends an invitation to area men who are retired or approaching that status in life to visit one of our semi-monthly Ventura meetings. These informal get-togethers feature a light,  healthy lunch, a presentation on any variety of topics along with an opportunity to engage with men who have gravitated to our area, representing life and employment experiences around the nation and the world.

If this sounds interesting, call Steve at 642-1359 for details and answers to your questions.

by Phil Chandler, Owner of Right at Home of Ventura County, Home Care Agency

Many individuals with serious chronic illnesses find that meeting and discussing their illness at support groups provides comfort and tips in dealing with the disease. The Breeze will be highlighting local support groups for several different conditions in the coming weeks.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. It affects each person differently, and patients live with the disease for a long time, typically decades. It can be mild or severe and is typically diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50. Women are twice as likely to be diagnosed than men.

Multiple Sclerosis is an auto-immune disease because the immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body. Eventually, the disease can cause the nerves themselves to deteriorate or become permanently damaged.

The symptoms of MS vary widely because they depend on the amount of nerve damage and which nerves are affected. Some people have mild symptoms and experience long periods of remission without any new symptoms, while others may lose the ability to walk. There are cheap ways to get mobility equipment and aids to help walking, such as scooters and walking sticks.

There is no cure for MS, but there are many lifestyle modifications and medications that will improve the patient’s quality of life and alleviate symptoms. These medications are vital to some people who suffer from the disease, as some people may lose the ability to walk, as said before. Medical treatments can be found from a medical group called holtorf, who specializes in diagnosing and treating multiple sclerosis, amongst many other chronic diseases. However, medication is not the only thing that is vital to sufferers of the disease. Having the knowledge that others are going through the same thing and building a solid support network is comforting to those who suffer from the disease.

There are two support groups in Ventura for Multiple Sclerosis. They are both co-facilitated by Tammy Jensen and Donna Nowland. Tammy has lived with Multiple Sclerosis for twenty-five years. The support group members range from their early 20’s to the 70’s. The support group provides a great resource for patients and caregivers to discuss symptoms, share tips and tricks for dealing with MS, and build a strong social support network.

The larger support group meets at Carrow’s at 2401 E. Harbor Blvd in Ventura on the last Friday of the month from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. This group typically has 15 to 20 participants and often has guest speakers. Previously, they have had a physician that specializes in MS speak to the group about treatments and managing symptoms. At another meeting, a yoga instructor discussed exercises that alleviate some symptoms experienced by the group members.

The second group meets at Panera Bread, 4910 Telephone Road on the third Thursday of the month from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM. Many of the attendees from the Carrow’s support group attend, but it is more of a social gathering for the members.

The next meeting will be held on July 21 from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM at Panera Bread restaurant, 4910 Telephone Road. Please RSVP to Tammy at 648-6402.

For more information on these support groups, call Tammy Jensen at 648-6402 or Donna Nowland at 646-3750 .

Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association supports the total well-being of our community.  As part of their services, they host free monthly education classes throughout the county which include the following in Ventura held at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association office, 1996 Eastman Ave., Suite 109. Call 642-0239 for more information.

Adult Bereavement Support Group Wednesdays, July 6, 13, 20, 27 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, July 14th from 6-7:30.  This monthly group is designed for adults who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one and is free. Email [email protected].  These groups meet every 2nd Thursday of each month.

Diabetes Classes Tuesday, from 1-2.  These meetings are held on 1st Tuesday of each month.  General information is provided about Type 2 Diabetes with emphasis on the development of an individualized plan of care that includes diet, medication, exercise and blood sugar monitoring.

Joint Replacement Classes Thursday, July 7th from 1:00-2: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. These meetings are 1st Thursday of each month.  For information or to RSVP call Dinah Davis at (805) 642-0239 ext. 739.

Monday, July 11th 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.

by Lori Harasta

Having just celebrated our country’s 240th Independence Day, it is notable that the number one fear in the minds of older Americans is losing their ability to live independently.  One of the primary ways people lose it is by falling.

One in three citizens ages 65 and older fall every year.  A single fall can be life-altering.

As one gets older, falls are more likely because reaction time slows. Muscles and joints may also get stiffer, making them less flexible. Illness, medications, and vision changes can also affect balance.

Since most falls happen in the home, a key prevention measure is to make one’s home safer.  Follow the tips below:

Floors:

Put nonskid pads under area rugs.

Remove throw rugs.

Replace worn floor coverings.

Tack carpets firmly to each step on carpeted stairs. Put nonskid strips on the edges of uncarpeted stairs.

Keep floors and stairs free of clutter and cords.

Arrange furniture so there are clear pathways.

Clean up any spills right away.

Bathrooms:

Install grab bars in the tub or shower.

Apply nonskid strips or put a nonskid rubber mat in the tub or shower.

Sit on a bath chair to bathe.

Use bathmats with nonskid backing.

Lighting:

Keep a flashlight in each room.

Put a nightlight along the pathway between the bedroom and the bathroom.

For more information on fall prevention go to  http://lmvna.kramesonline.com