Category Archives: Senior Living

Taking care of yourself if you have dementia

Ask friends or family to help with cooking.

Ask friends or family to help with needs like cooking, paying bills, transportation, or shopping.
If you live alone, find people you trust who can visit often.
Consider letting trusted neighbors know of your diagnosis so they can help if needed.
Use social service agencies, local nonprofits, and Area Agencies on Aging to connect with in-home help, transportation, meals, and other services.
Learn more about support and services.

Safety Tips for People Living With Dementia

Carry identification with you in case you get lost or need help. If you drive, talk with your doctor about changes in your driving and take seriously family and friends who express concerns. Make minor changes in the home to create a safer environment to prevent falls and injuries. Good balance, a habit of standing up slowly, and non-skid shoes can also help prevent falls.

Home-safety tips:

Simplify the amount and layout of furniture and remove small rugs.
Have a sturdy handrail on stairways.
Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are installed in or near the kitchen and in all bedrooms.
Install an automatic shut-off switch on the stove and set the water heater temperature limit to
120 F to avoid burns.
Consider safety devices, like fall monitors and emergency call buttons.

As much as you might want to put off difficult decisions about the future, now is the time to think about health and finances to make sure you have a say and are prepared. Start discussions early with your family members while everyone can still help make decisions together. There are several areas you will want to consider, including legal and financial matters, and options for in-home care, long-term care, and funeral and burial arrangements.

Eating healthy by the National Institute on Aging

Eating healthfully and having an active lifestyle can support healthy aging. Use the resources below to learn about different patterns of healthy eating and ways to create a nutritious meal plan.

Simple adjustments can go a long way toward building a healthier eating pattern. Follow these tips to get the most out of foods and beverages while meeting your nutrient needs and reducing the risk of disease:

Enjoy a variety of foods from each food group to help reduce the risk of developing diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Choose foods with little to no added sugar, saturated fats, and sodium.

To get enough protein throughout the day and maintain muscle, try adding seafood, dairy, or fortified soy products along with beans, peas, and lentils to your meals. Learn more about protein and other important nutrients.

Add sliced or chopped fruits and vegetables to meals and snacks. Look for pre-cut varieties if slicing and chopping are a challenge for you.

Try foods fortified with vitamin B12, such as some cereals, or talk to your doctor about taking a B12 supplement. Learn more about key vitamins and minerals.

Reduce sodium intake by seasoning foods with herbs and citrus such as lemon juice.

Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help stay hydrated and aid in the digestion of food and absorption of nutrients. Avoid sugary drinks.

It can be hard for some people to follow through on smart food choices. Read about common roadblocks and how to overcome them and check out the USDA’s tips for older adults.

Answering the question “what should I eat?” doesn’t need to leave you feeling baffled and frustrated. In fact, when you have the right information and motivation, you can feel good about making healthy choices. Use these tips to plan healthy and delicious meals:

Plan in advance. Meal planning takes the guesswork out of eating and can help ensure you eat a variety of nutritious foods throughout the day.

Find budget-friendly foods. Create a shopping list in advance to help stick to a budget and follow these SNAP-friendly recipes.

Consider preparation time. Some meals can be made in as little as five minutes. If you love cooking, or if you’re preparing a meal with or for friends or family, you may want to try something a little more challenging.

Keep calories in mind. The number of calories people need each day varies by individual. Always discuss your weight and fitness goals with your health care provider before making big changes. Read about calorie goals and healthy food swaps.

Next Dementia Friendly Ventura County One-Stop Shop is March 6

Dementia Friendly Ventura County’s next one-stop workshop to help people living with a dementia-related disease and their caregivers is scheduled for Wednesday, March 6, at the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging.

The public is encouraged to stop by anytime during the “Living Well, Caring Well” event and meet with many local providers who can assist with dementia-related issues, including adult day centers, adult protective services, the Alzheimer’s Association, caregiver resources, financial resources, in-home care, health insurance counseling and advocacy, legal and advanced planning, long-term care ombudsman, neurology, and public benefit programs.

The March 6 workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the VCAAA office, which is located at 646 County Square Drive in Ventura.

For more information, email [email protected] or call (805) 477-7300.

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, a division of the County of Ventura’s Human Services Agency, is charged with the responsibility to promote the development and implementation of a comprehensive coordinated system of care that enables older individuals, children and adults with disabilities, and their caregivers to live in a community-based setting. The VCAAA advocates for the needs of those 60 years and older in the county, providing leadership and promoting citizen involvement in the planning process as well as in the delivery of services.

How to Improve Your Mental and Physical Strength

by Leslie Sokol

Have you ever found yourself admiring people you think of as strong, both physically and mentally? Strong individuals take care of themselves, show confidence and serve as an inspiration to others. Physical and emotional strength are also important components of your overall health and it’s critical that you focus on both areas when creating your fitness plan!

It Starts with Mental Strength

Building your emotional wellbeing is fundamental to living your best life. Optimal mental health helps you live a life you love, have meaningful social connections, and can improve self-esteem. It’s never too late to maintain your strength or discover new ways to get even stronger. There are numerous studies showing people who are strong emotionally are also physically healthier and have stronger immune systems.

A good way to start building up your mental strength is by creating a daily routine based on brain-boosting habits. Try mindfulness activities, such as meditation, yoga and breathing exercises to help you deal with stress or challenges in your life. Being mentally strong helps you resist both internal and external influences that weaken your self-confidence and well-being.

How Physical Strength Correlates with Mental Strength

Your physical strength goes hand in hand with your mental strength. As I tell my students, “Strong mind, strong body.” Regular physical activity will not only help keep your muscles, bones and joints strong, but it will also build up your mental resilience. Regular workouts may actually change the way your brain responds to stress, thereby improving your ability to deal with any stressors that may come your way. Also, when you exercise, your mind produces a variety of “feel good” neurotransmitters and hormones, which delivers a major boost to your mood. Those positive emotions go a long way in improving your mental health!

Muscle strength and dynamic balance are vital at every age, but in older populations it becomes even more crucial for maintaining independence and quality of life. As we age, we do lose muscle mass and strength. Muscles atrophy and become weak when we do not exercise or keep our bodies strong. “If you do not use it, you lose it” That’s why it is so crucial to do strengthening exercises and keep physically active.

Tips for Improving Your Mental Strength

Cultivate a growth mindset.
Develop emotional regulation skills.
Set realistic goals.
Strengthen your support system.
Practice self-compassion and love.
Step out of your comfort zone.
Develop a daily routine.
Keep your connections strong (socialize).
Practice mindfulness and start a meditation practice.
Be a believer.

Tips for Improving Your Physical Strength

Exercise and stay active to prevent muscle and bone loss.
Do activities that are fun, get you in shape, increase your alertness, and feel good to your body and mind.
Do exercises that actually strengthen your muscles, such as:
• Lifting weights
• Resistance bands
• Walking
• Hiking
• Dancing
• Push-ups, sit-ups and pull-ups
• Heavy gardening such as digging and shoveling.

I want to share one of my favorite quotes by Tim Grover: “Physical strength measures what you can do, Mental strength measures whether you’ll actually do it!” We can all live a productive, healthy, and well-balanced life by focusing on strengthening both our minds and our bodies. By choosing to do things that make you happy and content, you will see immediate boosts in your attitude, energy, motivation and outlook on life. Stay Strong! Be Happy and Healthy!

Leslie Sokol is the creator and founder of the adult dance and fitness program For the Young at Heart. She has been teaching adults and children for forty-five years. You can watch For the Young at Heart by visiting her YouTube Channel or on TVSB. She also teaches in retirement communities throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.
For more information contact Leslie at [email protected] 805-312-8089
or visit the website: www.LeslieSokolDance.com

Cutting calories may slow the pace of aging in healthy adults

”This is my last piece of cake!”

by National Institute on Aging

Long-term calorie restriction may slow the pace of biological aging in healthy adults, according to an NIA-funded study. Specifically, cutting caloric intake by 12% for two years in lean or slightly overweight adults slowed the pace of aging by 2-3%. Although the effect is small, it adds up over time; earlier research suggests that a similar slowdown may reduce the risk of dying in 10 to 15 years by 10-15%. The findings, published in Nature Aging, provide evidence that age-associated molecular changes can be slowed or reversed to potentially extend lifespan in humans.

Biological age refers to the accumulating damage, physiological changes, and loss of function that occur in a person over time. One method scientists use to measure biological age examines the epigenome, which contains a record of changes to a cell’s DNA and DNA-associated proteins. Led by Columbia University scientists, this study used DNA methylation (DNAm) to determine if the long-term calorie reduction changed how fast bodies were aging. The researchers analyzed data collected from a previous trial called the Comprehensive Assessment of Long-term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy (CALERIE) trial. The CALERIE trial examined the effects of calorie restriction in healthy, lean, or slightly overweight young and middle-aged adults over two years. The scientists wanted to know if the calorie restriction in the CALERIE trial affected molecular processes associated with aging. The goal for participants was to reduce their daily caloric intake by 25%, but the average that the calorie restriction group was able to reach was a 12% reduction.

Compared to the 75 participants who ate normally, the 143 participants who cut their calories slowed their pace of aging by 2-3% over the two-year study using the DunedinPACE measure, a DNAm-based “speedometer” which determines the annual rate of biological aging. In agreement with earlier small studies in animals, the findings suggest that molecular processes of aging can be slowed in humans. Notably the researchers found that “clock” DNAm measures of biological age (rather than rate of aging) were not affected by the calorie reduction intervention.

Notably, the levels of calorie reduction varied among CALERIE trial participants; 75% achieved up to a 20% reduction. Using the information on these participants, the researchers estimated the effects of 20% calorie reduction and found that it resulted in more pronounced drops in their pace of aging compared to the effect in the overall CALERIE population.

The authors note some limitations to their study. First, DNAm is just one marker of aging. Other age-related molecular processes will need to be evaluated to better understand the effects of long-term calorie reduction on disease risk and biological aging. Also, data on the CALERIE trial participants was collected for two years. Larger trials with longer follow-ups are needed to determine if the slowing of the pace of aging with calorie reduction translates to long-term health benefits and longer lifespan.

Despite these limitations, this study is the first to use DNAm to quantify the effects of a lifestyle therapy on aging. Moreover, this study provides evidence that long-term caloric reduction slows changes that occur with aging in humans and suggests that epigenetic aging may be modifiable.

This research was supported in part by NIA grants AG061378, AG028716, AG054840, AG070455, AG071717, AG071549, AG060906, and AG070455.

Artesian of Ojai, Senior Living mural

Recently The Artesian of Ojai, Senior Living presented a mural. This captivating mural unfolds with a burst of color, depicting a rich and vibrant hues of “Memories of Ojai”. The stunning mural was created by the residents of the Artesian, over a period of 6 months, with the guidance of Ojai artist, Gayel Childress a member of the Ojai Studio Artists.

John Perram: A Ventura Citizen’s Journey

Ross Willaims had a great interview with John Perram.

by Ross Wiilliams

Ventura has been home to the dynamic and multifaceted John Perram for the past three years. A man whose life weaves through the realms of sports, family legacies, and the restaurant industry. John’s story is one of passion, resilience, and an unyielding commitment to his pursuits.

School Years

John’s early years were marked by an active engagement in sports, particularly baseball and tennis. As a shortstop for Santa Monica College’s baseball team, his skills on the diamond caught the attention of even professional scouts, leading him to try out for the Oakland A’s. Although unsuccessful, it showed the depth of his dedication and the extent of his talent. Undeterred by the outcome, John’s resilience became a defining trait.

For John, tennis is a family tradition and was ingrained in his DNA. With both parents sharing a love for the sport and a family history adorned with notable achievements. The Wall of Fame at Libbey Park in Ojai proudly displays the names of four of John’s family members, cementing their legacy in the oldest tennis tournament in US history, “The Ojai” Tennis Tournament.

Restaurant Life

Transitioning from the world of sports, John ventured into the realm of culinary delights, becoming a restaurateur. In the 80’s and 90’s the Pelican’s Retreat and Nightclub in Calabasas became synonymous with delicious seafood cuisine, especially renowned for its red snapper adorned with a delectable lemon butter sauce. Over time, the establishment evolved into a vibrant nightclub, attracting both locals and celebrities. However, the shift brought challenges as they navigated finding their identity, experimenting with various foods, and accommodating a changing clientele.

The 94 Earthquake

John and the Pelican’s Retreat stood resilient during the 1994 earthquake. Remarkably, the establishment remained unscathed, with only a lone TV succumbing to the tremors. Ready to open that very night, he wanted to open to help the community in a time of crisis. Recognizing the importance of providing a gathering place for solace and support. The Pelican’s Retreat became a beacon of resilience, offering a comforting refuge for the community to come together and heal in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Retirement and Leisure Activities

John has transitioned into a well-deserved retirement, embracing a life filled with leisure, community engagement, and the joys of travel alongside his best friend and wife, Royce.

Volunteering at Olivas Adobe

A defining aspect of John and Royce’s retired life is their commitment to giving back. Volunteering at Olivas Adobe has become a shared passion for the couple. Royce serves as a docent, sharing the rich history of the site, while John dedicates his time to maintaining the beautiful rose bushes that adorn the grounds. Their joint efforts contribute to preserving Ventura’s cultural heritage and creating a welcoming environment for visitors.

Travel Adventures in Retirement

Venturing into this new chapter of life, John and Royce embarked on a memorable trip down to Key West a year ago. This adventure marked the beginning of their commitment to making travel a priority in the coming years. With a Travel Sprinter RV as their trusty companion, the couple plans to explore new destinations and create lasting memories along the way.

As John transitions into retirement, Ventura remains the backdrop to this chapter, a place where John finds joy, community, and the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure in his well-deserved retirement. His journey continues to be a source of inspiration as he embodies the spirit of embracing life’s diverse experiences. Gazing off into the harbor where sailboats gently rocked against blue gray sky, John expressed a profound sense of gratitude for the life he has built in Ventura. “I feel very blessed and proud to have ended up here! Ventura! I love it!”

Editor’s note: I have played tennis with John but he is too good for me.
Sheldon

VCAAA seeks applicants for California senior legislature position

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, a division of the Human Services Agency, is seeking applicants for an open Senior Assembly Member position on the California Senior Legislature. This person will also serve on the VCAAA’s Advisory Council.

The California Senior Legislature is a volunteer body whose primary mission is to help preserve and enhance the quality of life for older Californians and their families. The CSL gathers ideas for legislation at the state and federal levels, crafts the ideas into formal proposals, prioritizes the proposals, presents them to members of the Legislature or the Congress, and advocates for laws implementing the ideas.

Each October, the CSL meets in Sacramento to convene a model legislative session in the chambers and hearing rooms of the State Capitol. The CSL members participate in hearing testimony, debating issues, and voting to approve or disapprove legislative proposals.

Forty Senior Senators and 80 Senior Assembly Members are selected in elections supervised by the Advisory Councils of the state’s various Area Agencies on Aging.

Candidates must be 55 or older. The application deadline is March 29, 2024. The election packet is attached, though it, and more information related to the election process, can be found at www.4csl.org in the Forms section. The completed packet – which must also include a resume that outlines one’s experience at the city and county levels dealing with older adults – should be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to Roger Horne, VCAAA, 646 County Square Drive #100, Ventura, CA, 93003.

After nominations are received, the VCAAA’s Advisory Council will hold an election at its May 8, 2024 meeting. Newly elected members will be sworn in during the October 2024 Annual Legislative Session. The term of this position runs through October 2026.

MEDIA CONTACT: Roger Horne, VCAAA Public Information Officer, (805) 477-7306, [email protected]

ABOUT: The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, a division of the County of Ventura’s Human Services Agency, is charged with the responsibility to promote the development and implementation of a comprehensive coordinated system of care that enables older individuals, children and adults with disabilities, and their caregivers to live in a community-based setting. The VCAAA advocates for the needs of those 60 years and older in the county, providing leadership and promoting citizen involvement in the planning process as well as in the delivery of services.

Exposure to stress

“Maybe I should hire someone to do my taxes?

Exposure to stress increased biological age in humans and mice, but it decreased after the stress resolved, according to NIA-funded research. Findings from the study were published in Cell Metabolism.

Biological age refers to the accumulating damage, physiological changes, and loss of function that occur in a person’s cells over time. One method scientists use to measure biological age examines the epigenome, which contains a record of changes to a cell’s DNA and DNA-associated proteins.

Led by Harvard University scientists, this study used DNA methylation (DNAm)-based aging clocks to measure changes in biological age in response to diverse forms of stress. The researchers began with a laboratory experiment known to produce aged physiology in young mice or restore youthful physiology to old mice by surgically joining young, 3-month-old mice with older, 20-month-old mice, which allowed them to share their blood. At the molecular level, they found that the biological age of the young mice increased when measured with most aging clocks. Once the young mice were separated from the old mice and therefore were no longer experiencing the older mouse physiology, their biological age returned to youthful levels. This finding suggested that biological age is malleable and potentially reversible, and these changes are reported by DNAm aging clocks.

Next, the researchers examined blood samples from people who had recently experienced stressful situations, including surgery (emergency versus elective), pregnancy, or severe COVID-19. Analysis of blood samples from patients who underwent emergency surgery showed their biological age increased the morning after surgery and returned to pre-surgery levels four to seven days later. Elective surgeries, on the other hand, had less impact on biological age, which the authors attribute to pre-operative regimens known to aide recovery. Pregnancy in both mice and humans led to increased biological age at delivery, which reverted to lower biological age following delivery and recovery.

The research team found the same reversible biological age in older adults with severe COVID-19, although the change differed by gender and treatment. The scientists also found people in the group who were treated with the immunosuppressive drug tocilizumab, usually prescribed to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, showed a greater reversal of their increased biological age related to COVID-19.

The elevation and subsequent return to baseline of biological age found in this study may represent possible targets for geroscience-based interventions to improve health at older ages. Future research may explore how temporary fluctuations of apparent biological age influence aging over a lifetime.

This research was supported in part by NIA grant R21AG065943.

Have you recently been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment?

Do you worry about how to manage if you live alone?

by National Institute on Aging

Have you, or has someone you love, recently been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, or a frontotemporal disorder? Do you worry about how to manage if you live alone? If so, these tips offer ways to help cope with changes in memory and thinking, prepare for the future, and stay active and engaged.

Many people with early-stage dementia continue to manage their everyday activities. But it’s important to look ahead to a time when performing daily tasks will be harder. The sooner you adopt new strategies to help you cope with changes, the more time you will have to adjust to them. Here are some tips:

Organizing your days. Write down to-do lists, appointments, and events in a notebook or calendar. You can also keep track of activities with computer software or a smartphone app. Some people have an area in their home, such as an entryway table or bench, where they store important items or organize the things they need each day. You may also want to consider using a digital clock that displays the day of the week and date, in addition to the time.

Paying bills. Setting up automated payments is an easy way to pay your bills correctly and on time without having to write checks. Many companies and banks offer this service at no extra charge. You can set up automatic payments with your utility providers, insurance companies, bank, and mortgage company or leasing office. Also consider asking someone you trust to help you pay bills. That person could review your financial statements and ask you about anything unusual,

Shopping for meals. Many stores offer grocery delivery services, usually for a small fee. You can also order fresh or frozen meals online or by phone. Meals on Wheels America (888-998-6325) can deliver free or low-cost meals to your home, too, and this service sometimes includes a short visit and safety check. Other possible sources of meals include religious communities and senior centers. If you make your own meals at home, consider easy-to-prepare items, such as foods that you can heat in the microwave.

Taking medications. Several products can help you manage medications. You can try a weekly pillbox, a pillbox that gives you a notification (such as an alarm or vibration) when it’s time to take medicine, or an automatic medication dispenser. You can buy these items at a drugstore or online, but you may need someone to help you set these up. Or try an electronic reminder system, such as a smartphone app or an alarm you set on your phone or computer.

Using transportation. If you drive, you may find that you become confused, get lost, or need help with directions more often than before. Talk with your doctor about these changes. If family or friends express concerns about your driving, take their concerns seriously. Some people decide to give up driving and learn how to use public transportation or ride sharing. Neighbors, volunteers, or ride services for older adults may also be able to help with transportation.

Contact the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116. This nationwide service from the Administration on Aging connects older Americans and their caregivers with local support resources.