What is ENCORE? ENCORE is a hands-on, self-paced training program. 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.

What do you learn? Select the modules you want and opt out of those you don’t:
Career Development
Job Seeking Skills
General Math & English
Office Machines & Telephones
Keyboarding
Internet Basics & Email
Microsoft Office Programs:
Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access

Anyone who is 50 years or older can participate. You are also welcome if you want to learn computer skills for personal use.

How long does it take? As long as necessary for you to get the skills!

How much does it cost?  There is no charge for tuition – just an annual $10 registration fee. You can use a classroom copy of the textbook or purchase your own.

When is it held?  Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays
8 am – 10 am or 10 am – 12 pm

How do you register?  Ventura Adult and Continuing Education
(VACE) handles registration for ENCORE.

Call VACE at  289-7925 and ask  about the next start date.
As soon as you have a confirmed start date, go to VACE at 5200 Valentine Road  during business hours to fill out a form and pay the $10 registration fee. On your start date, go to the classroom and begin your program!

VCAAA – Ventura County Area Agency on Aging
646 County Square Drive (near Victoria Ave and Hwy 126)
ENCORE is a partnership between Ventura Adult and Continuing Education and the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging with funding provided by the Ventura County Adult Education Consortium.

For more information, contact:
Ventura Adult and Continuing Education
Ventura Unified School District
5200 Valentine Road, Ventura- 289-7925

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:

Adult Bereavement Support Group Wednesdays, June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 6:30-8:00 pm at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association office, 1996 Eastman Ave., Suite 109.  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, June 9th from 6-7:30 pm at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association.  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.

Diabetes Classes Tuesday, June 7th from 1-2:30pm at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association.  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.  Call 642-0239 for more information.

Joint Replacement Classes Thursday, June 2nd from 1:00-2:00pm at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association. 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 642-0239 ext. 739.

Monday, June 13th for both English and Spanish speaking.  English 4:00-5:00 pm and Spanish 5:30-6:30 pm at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association. 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.  For information or to RSVP call Dinah Davis at  642-0239 ext. 739.

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.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Fortunately, there are many things we can do to minimize our risk for heart disease, and many treatments are available. There are several types of heart disease.

A heart attack occurs when the blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked by a blood clot. If this clot cuts off the blood flow completely, the part of the heart muscle supplied by that artery begins to die.

Heart failure, sometimes called congestive heart failure, means the heart isn’t pumping blood as well as it should. The heart keeps working, but the body’s need for blood and oxygen isn’t being met.

Arrhythmia is an abnormal rhythm of the heart. There are various types of arrhythmias. Bradycardia is when the heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute. Tachycardia is when the heart rate is more than 100 beats per minute.

There are treatments and medications for each of these conditions, but it is most important that patients change their lifestyle to improve their quality of life. Many people seek support groups to help them navigate their treatment make the necessary lifestyle changes.

Mended Hearts is a national organization that provides education, support and hope to all types of heart patients and their families. The Mended Hearts mission is to “Inspire hope and improve the quality of life for heart patients and their families through ongoing peer-to-peer support”. Mended Hearts members see heart patients in the hospital to provide comfort and support, and visit over 200,000 heart patients a year.

Ventura is home to an active chapter that meets at Community Memorial Hospital. Richard Hatcher, President of the Channel Islands chapter, said, “We usually invite a speaker that discusses issues important to heart health. This year we have had several interesting speakers. A periodontist discussed the importance of oral care on heart health, a registered dietician discussed heart healthy nutrition, and a fitness coach showed us some simple exercises we can do at home.” Oral care plays a significant part in a person’s overall health, so it is important that they do everything they can to take special care of this. Not taking care of their mouths the way they should can lead to decay, which can eventually lead to tooth loss. To stop this from happening, the individual may be required to see a dentist who specializes in periodontics to ensure that this can be prevented and that their overall health remains in good condition.

The next Mended Hearts meeting will be a special occasion – the chapter’s 38th birthday. It will be held June 7 at the Main Street Restaurant and Steakhouse , 3159 E. Main Street from 7:00PM to 9:00PM, and the public is welcome. Several members will describe the highlights of the Mended Hearts National Training and Educational Conference that will be held June 3 and 4^th in Mission Viejo.

Although they will be dark in July, the chapter will resume their regular meetings (held on the first Tuesday of each month), on August 2. They are held in the Nichols Auditorium on the 8th floor at Community Memorial Hospital at 147 N. Brent, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

For more information, call Dick Hatcher at 644-2733, or go to http://www.mendedheartsventura.org/ .

by Cate Kortzeborn

Are you looking for a nursing home for yourself or a loved one?

People go to nursing homes for different reasons. They may be sick or hurt and require ongoing nursing care. They may have had surgery and need time to recuperate. Or they may have chronic care needs or disabilities that make long-term nursing care a necessity.

Many communities have nursing homes. But how do you pick one that’s best for you or your family member in need?

The first step is to learn about the available facilities in your area. You can do that in a number of ways.

■ Ask people you trust, like your family, friends, or neighbors if they’ve had personal experience with nursing homes. They may be able to recommend one to you.

■ Ask your doctor if he or she provides care at any local nursing homes. If so, ask your doctor which nursing homes he or she visits so you may continue to see him or her while you’re in the nursing home.

■ If you’re in the hospital, ask your social worker about discharge planning as early in your hospital stay as possible. The hospital’s staff should be able to help you find a nursing home that meets your needs and help with your transfer when you’re ready to be discharged.

Medicare provides a handy way to check out local nursing homes, using our Nursing Home Compare website: www.Medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare.

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-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

At a “We Honor Veterans” Ceremony in March of 2015, when Richard Bryan asked Diana Davis if Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association (LMVNA) had ever honored military spouses, she was touched by the suggestion and determined to make it happen.  And it did.  Unfortunately, Bryan, a Navy Corpsman and double Purple Heart recipient was not there to witness it.  He passed away in December, 2015.

On May 6^th, 43 spouses’ names were called at a ceremony hosted by Bonaventure Senior Living, including Bryan’s wife Sheila, who was accompanied by her sons, Erin and Christopher.

Diana introduced Mike McManus, Ventura County Veterans’ Services Officer and Chairman of the Board for the Ventura County Military Collaborative (VCMC),  who said a few words about the importance of the role of spouses “holding down the fort” at home.

McManus announced the names of the honorees while Mandy Furlong, Hospice Director of Patient Care Services for LMVNA pinned each recipient with a flag.  Diana Davis, MBA, Branch Business Manager for LMVNA handed each spouse a long-stemmed red rose, donated by Sweet Pea Florist of Ventura.

Kim Evans, Executive Director and Founder of VCMC also spoke, saying this was probably the first time some of these women had been honored.  Kim is the wife of Master Chief (Ret.) Michael Logie, US Navy, and was one of the recipients of the honor.

Words of recognition and appreciation were delivered by representatives from the offices of U.S. Rep.  Julia Brownley, D-Westlake Village, and Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin, D-Thousand Oaks.  Ms. Brownley serves on the House Veterans Affairs Committee.

April Davis, accompanied by David Haynes, sang a heart-rending song, “The Locket”.  Teresa Pavan, Vice President/COO for LMVNA, read “A Soldier’s Promise” and “An Army Wife’s Promise” by Megan Williams that brought tears to everyone’s eyes.

We believe Richard Bryan would have been very pleased to see his vision of honoring military spouses has been realized.

by Jill Forman

“I feel rejuvenated every time I come here,” says Indira Pasrich, 76, of her experience as a giraffe docent at the Santa Barbara Zoo.  Set on the beach in Santa Barbara, the Zoo is 20 minutes north of Ventura.  It not only has animal exhibits but is involved in conservation efforts and education programs.

The Zoo is actively seeking volunteers and welcomes seniors and retirees.  Shomari McLemore, Volunteer Coordinator, says that seniors often have more availability, in addition to life and work experiences that fit in well with volunteer needs.  Current volunteers are all ages from teens to those in their 80’s.

Paul Kremser, 70, is a retired attorney who now uses his gift of gab talking about the Zoo’s gibbons.  “It’s fun to meet people from everywhere” he says; “I like to keep active.”    Others agree and stay for decades.  According to McLemore, the longest-serving volunteer has a file dated 1994.

There are many categories of volunteer jobs, something for every preference.  Some work directly with the animals.  Others stick with office work.  Those interested in education can be docents.  Event Volunteers have the special fun of helping out at the social occasions the zoo hosts several times year.

There are train helpers, gift shop assistants, groundkeeper aids, kids’ craft helpers….no matter the level of physical activity or energy there are possibilities. All parts of the Zoo are wheelchair-accessible, and many of the duties of docents or assistants involve children so sitting at their level is a plus!

McLemore feels that, though seniors are welcome at any position, docent is frequently the job that fits best.  The volunteer picks a special animal, learns about it, and talks to zoo visitors.  Customer service skills are a must, and an enjoyment of dealing with families.  Some of the most fun and rewarding encounters are school groups.  Convincing the next generation of the value of nature and the animals is a good way to give back.

Prospective volunteers attend an informational meeting to decide where they might like to help out.  Depending on the position, there are further classes and hands-on trainings.

Volunteers enjoy a special relationship with the Zoo employees, animals and patrons.  And just the enjoyment of being in a special place helping with important programs.  Not to mention less-tangible benefits that apply especially to seniors.  As Pasrich continues, “It helps us to be here, walking and getting our circulation moving.  We are happy talking to children and adults, still productive.”  Her beloved giraffes move gracefully in their exhibit beyond where she speaks and demonstrates artifacts.

One perk of being a volunteer is the classes and programs that are offered frequently, on everything from Local Ecology to Conservation to presentations about specific animals.  And there are opportunities to participate in conservation programs.  Volunteers often become friends.  Pasrich again, “I enjoy the social bonding and peer socialization.”

For more information go to sbzoo,org/about-us/volunteer-at-the-zoo.  Or call Shomari McLemore at 962-5339 ext. 153.

In the upcoming “Battle of the Ages” – otherwise known as the Knowledge Bowl – four senior citizens will place their lifelong experience against a team of teen students weaned on the world-wide web.

Now in its seventh year, the Jeopardy-like contest is even at three matches apiece, so the stakes are high. The public is invited to this free popular event at 2:30 p.m. Monday, June 6 at Aegis Living of Ventura, an assisted living and memory care facility at 4964 Telegraph Rd.

“We’re all here to celebrate education, and the audience has as much fun as the contestants,” promised founder Suz Montgomery, who created the Bowl as a way to foster interaction between the ages.

It is sponsored by her employer, the Ventura Adult and Continuing Education division (VACE) of the Ventura Unified School District, and will be later televised by CAPSTV Media,

The senior team is made up of former educators: Mary Ayers, Don Haskell, Clint Jacobs and Ethel Johnduff. The students – all from Buena High School – are Ali Hemmatyar, Quinn Maloney, Brenna Neri, Anna Rajala, Samantha Scampone and Brady Yarbrough.

“All four of these students are on the school’s ‘official’ Knowledge Bowl team (during inter-school competitions run by the AAUW), and all are high-performing AP students with a wide range of challenging classes on their schedules,” said Buena Librarian Joel Levin, who is also coaching the students.

Levin is also coming up with the questions in five categories: Literature, Current Events, History, Geography and Potpourri.

“The Knowledge Bowl has become one of the most anticipated events in the community, with both sides excited to show how much they know,” Montgomery said. “Is it lifelong experience or the well-educated younger students who know the most?  Come and find out.”

During the past events, the audience is an active participant, often whispering answers to each other, cheering and supporting both sides. However, they are cautioned not to blurt out answers in their excitement.

by Karen Helen Szatkowski

The community service division of SCAN Health Plan held a seminar on April 21st at the Ventura Townhouse  to provide the residents with skills to defeat the many fraud tactics that target the senior community.

Karen Markle, as Volunteer Coordinator for SCAN introduced the speakers: Rachel DeMaree with eighteen years’ experience in health care fraud investigations and Sandhi Ton with four years’ experience. These two are an integral part of the Special Investigations Unit for SCAN and pursue, on a daily basis, cases of fraud targeting seniors and fraud perpetrators.

This meeting was organized with the Townhouse and attended by many of its residents who came with questions and worries about their activities on the phone and the internet. This particular audience has a hefty security that prevents most door knocking scams but it is not unusual for a variety of perpetrators to pursue information by posing as health care providers, medical equipment providers, laboratories or insurance officials through the phone and internet.

The two presenters went over these tools to avoid health care fraud:
Never sign blank insurance claim forms;
Make sure to understand your medical benefits and call the insurer if needed;
Never provide your Medicare or insurance ID to anyone except those that actually provide care for you;
Do not do business with salespeople who promote free medical equipment and be sure to know exactly what your doctor has ordered for you;
Get an up-front quote of charges from medical providers including how much comes out of your pocket.

There should never be requests by anyone for a blanket authorization of health care services and it is always good to keep accurate records of your medical appointments should questions arise in the future.

These approaches will thwart most if not all of the attempts to steal your information and your resources as regards your health care, however there are other goons out there that want your money.

Using the Internal Revenue Service is a favorite channel with fraudsters using scary phone calls to demand payment of past due taxes and requiring use of a specific payment method, such as a credit or debit card. Some of these will threaten to have you arrested for non- payment. The IRS does not place unsolicited phone calls to anyone. So, again, please hang up.

Confronting worrisome doubt by wooing a techie family member or friend for help can boost your experience of the world and broaden your interests. Thanks to SCAN and Karen, Rachel and Sandhi for preparing and presenting the workshop and answering the many questions.

For more information on bringing a presentation like this to your facility or for volunteer opportunities serving seniors, call Karen at 660-1047 or email [email protected].

By Cate Kortzeborn

Have you recently enrolled in Medicare, or will you in the near future?

During the first 12 months that you have Medicare Part B, you can get a “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit with your doctor. This visit includes a review of your medical and social history related to your health. Your doctor will also offer education and counseling about preventive-care services, including certain disease screenings, shots, and referrals for other care, if needed.

When you make your appointment, let your doctor’s office know that you’d like to schedule your “Welcome to Medicare” visit. You pay nothing for this if your doctor or other qualified health care provider accepts Medicare payment rates.

If your doctor or other health care provider performs additional tests or services during the visit that aren’t covered under this preventive benefit, you may have to pay coinsurance, and the Part B deductible may apply.

Your “Welcome to Medicare” visit will record and evaluate your medical and family history, current health conditions, and prescriptions.

Check your blood pressure, vision, weight, and height to get a baseline for your care.

Make sure you’re up-to-date with preventive services such as cancer screenings and shots.

Order further tests, depending on your general health and medical history.

Following the visit, your doctor will give you a plan or checklist with free screenings and preventive services that you need.

You should do a little preparation before you sit down with your doctor. Pull together your medical records, including immunization records. Even if your current physician does the visit, gather as much medical information as you can to make sure nothing is overlooked.

And bring a list of any prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements that you currently take, how often you take them, and why.

If you’ve had Medicare Part B for longer than 12 months, you can get a yearly “Wellness” visit to develop or update a personalized plan to prevent disease or disability based on your current health and risk factors.

When you make your appointment, let your doctor’s office know that you’d like to schedule your yearly “Wellness” visit.

Your first “Wellness” visit can’t take place within 12 months of your enrollment in Part B or your “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit. However, you don’t need to have had a “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit to qualify for a “Wellness” visit.

As with the “Welcome” visit, you pay nothing for the yearly “Wellness” visit if your doctor or other qualified health care provider accepts Medicare payment rates.

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-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).