by Patricia Schallert

David is a 78 year young, retired gentleman, born in Anchorage, Alaska where he grew up in the dark and cold. He left Alaska at the age of 18, after one year at the University of Alaska, and went to the University of Colorado where they had an Architectural Design Department and beautiful mountains for skiing, which he loved.

After graduation he emigrated to Australia and began his career as an Architect. Returning to Colorado a few years later he started his own firm, David Barber Architects.

After fifty years of designing stunning custom homes and office buildings, he found himself becoming more frustrated with the ever-expanding bureaucracy associated with his work, and decided it was time to retire. He loved the creativity involved in his work and would look for other ways to satisfy his artistic life, without the stress of being a busy Architect.

Like many people, he just didn’t know what to expect when he retired. What would he do? How would he fill his time? Once retired, at the youthful age of 74, he decided to hit the road in a small motorhome, visiting most of the National Parks in the West. He eventually settled in Ventura, near the harbor, with his dogs, Ruby and Doodles. He liked the weather, which suited his outdoor activities year-round.

He wakes early and walks his dogs as the morning light peaks through the fog and low clouds. He is grateful for his good health, which allows him to hike, bike and play golf (even though he says he “never plays very well.”) But “Golf is not a game of perfect”, David says, and he continues to play as often as he can. He walks the golf course and carries his golf bag, getting a good walk and a good workout as he plays.

He is also excited about his oil painting hobby which satisfies his creative need. He loves to paint scenes of the many National Parks he has visited and the mountains of the West. He often dreams about painting, he says, and cannot wait to get up and get to his easel.

Motivated by anything that involves learning, David is currently studying Italian for his up and coming trip to Italy with his son’s family. He would really like to order a cup of Cappuccino in Italian and be able to say ‘Grazie!’ with flair.

David never feels lost or unhappy and cherishes the memories of his successful architectural career. His transition to retirement was not without its own challenges, however. He had to find activities that were interesting and which included learning and creativity to keep him busy and mentally engaged. As part of his day, he does the New York Times Crossword Puzzle.

He learned through meditation and painting to be and stay positive and is happiest when he is walking his dogs, bike riding, having stimulating discussions with friends and “learning something new every day”, which he says is his key to happiness. That, and the thought of hitting a ‘Hole in One!

Editor: If you are a senior (over 70 please) or know of one who would like to share their retirement or job let us know at [email protected].

by Carol Leish, MA

As advocates, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman make a difference for residents in order to improve conditions. Sylvia Taylor-Stein, Executive Director of the Long-Term Care Services of Ventura County Ombudsman Program said, “Through advocating, the main services provided by the Long-Term Care Ombudsman include: 1) Facility Monitoring & Complaints Resolutions;2) Investigating and resolving complaints of neglect and abuse that may include physical, financial, psychological and/or verbal abuse. Another main service is: 3) Advanced Health Care Directives, which is a mandated duty that ensures an Ombudsman will witness all directives that are executed by residents in nursing facilities. Also, 4) Pre-placement Counseling, which informs, supports, and educates those who may be considering the placement of themselves or a loved one in a long-term care facility.”

Taylor-Stein has been executive director since 1999. She and her husband have five adult children, and live in Ventura County. She said, “My greatest inspiration in my life was my grandmother who died at age 92 after suffering with Alzheimer’s disease for 10 years. It was the love and deep respect for my grandmother that influenced my desire to become involved with the elderly and the exceptional work with the Ombudsman program. My grandmother was blessed to live and die at home with loving people around her. This is not the case for most of our elderly in long-term care. My goal is to help to build a strong ombudsman program her in Ventura County that can provide the effective advocacy, care and support that those living in long-term care facilities need and deserve.”

Taylor-Stein emphasized that, “No other organization is federally mandated and authorized, like we are, to go into long-term care facilities unscheduled and unannounced, and to advocate for the persons living there. Th Ombudsman is guaranteed access by federal and sate law to long-term care facilities and its residents. No other agency exists for this purpose or is guaranteed access to enter the facility, move unescorted and unhindered throughout the facility and to advocate for those who live there.”

The State of California has named the Ventura Ombudsman Program as a model program for its excellence and high standards-including weekly and monthly visitations to nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. It is cited by the California Department of Aging as Best Practices in Volunteer Recruitments, Training and Retention. Also, the Ventura Ombudsman Program has been recognized for best practices in family and caregiver support and best practices in systems advocacy.

Taylor-Stein said, “There is always a need for more volunteers to be able to help out in such a meaningful way to ensure the best living situation for those at long-term care facilities. By visiting unscheduled and unannounced and meeting with residents and investigating their complaints/concerns, situations can/will improve. Volunteers also attend Resident Council meetings where residents in groups voice their issues and concerns. We also attend Care Plan meetings with residents in order to get firsthand knowledge of their care needs and how the facility will address their needs.”

“Main services provided by volunteers are: 1) Ombudsman Training/Certification/Re-certification, which is a mandated function of the program. This includes 25 classroom training hours plus 15 hours of field training to new volunteer recruits to ensure that they are prepared to take on facility assignments. Every year thereafter volunteers complete 18 hours per year in continuing education in order to qualify for annual rec-certification.”

Go to www.ombudsmanventura.org or call: (805) 656-1986 for those interested in becoming volunteers. “It’s rewarding and important work,” according to, Taylor-Stein. “You can download the application form on our website. After filling it out, you will be contacted to do a phone interview, followed by an in-person interview. Thank you for making an important difference for those living in long-term care facilities.”

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA) is inviting qualified individuals, public and private nonprofit services, and private for-profit organizations to apply as new contracted vendors for VCAAA programs that serve older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers.

Providers with bilingual Spanish, Tagalog, Farsi and Chinese Mandarin staff are encouraged to apply. Prior to a vendor being granted a contract, they must complete a vendor application packet and supply proof of all required licensing and insurance.

A vendor application packet may be obtained at the VCAAA offices located at 646 County Square Drive in Ventura, or by calling 805-477-7300. Those interested may also obtain an application online by visiting www.vcaaa.org/for-providers/vendor-service-tools/. This application process is ongoing. Preference will be given to vendors that provide service throughout the county. For more information concerning the vendor application process, contact Brian Murphy, at (805) 477-7300.

A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can be difficult but getting accurate information and support can help you know what to expect and what to do next. Use this checklist to help you get started.

Being informed will help you know what to expect as the disease progresses. Here are some resources:

Alzheimer’s and related Dementias Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center:
800-438-4380
Alzheimer’s Association:
800-272-3900
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America:
866-232-8484
Local hospitals and community centers may have educational programs about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias

Make regular appointments with your primary care doctor or specialist (neurologist, neuropsychiatrist, geriatric psychiatrist).

Consider going to a memory disorders clinic. Ask your doctor for a referral if desired.
Find local services and support
Find local services by contacting Eldercare Locator: 800-677-1116
Find local chapters, organizations, and support groups through the Alzheimer’s Association (800-272-3900) or the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (866-232-8484)
Contact your local Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center

Prepare or update your will, living will, health care power of attorney, and financial power of attorney. To find a lawyer, contact your local bar association or the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

Use simple memory aids like a notepad or sticky notes to jot down reminders, a pillbox to keep medications organized, and a calendar to record appointments.

Consider wearing a medical ID bracelet or necklace in case you get lost or need help, or joining the MedicAlert and Alzheimer’s Association’s Wandering Support program.

Getting exercise helps people with Alzheimer’s feel better and helps keep their muscles, joints, and heart in good shape.

Eat a well-balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Continue to enjoy visits with family and friends, hobbies, and outings.

If you live alone
Identify someone who can visit you regularly and be an emergency contact.
If you are at risk of falling, order an emergency response system. A special pendant or bracelet lets you summon help if you fall and can’t reach the phone.
Consider working with an occupational therapist. This person can teach you ways to stay independent. Ask your doctor for more information.

Stick with familiar places, people, and routines. Simplify your life.
Get tips about self-care, safety, staying connected, and more.

If you are working
If you have problems performing your job, consider reducing your hours or switching to a less demanding position.

Consider consulting your employer’s HR department or employee assistance program about family leave, disability benefits, and other employee benefits.
Find out if you qualify for Social Security disability benefits through “compassionate allowances.” Call 800-772-1213.

This content is provided by the NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA). NIA scientists and other experts review this content to ensure it is accurate and up to date.

As we mark the 10-year anniversary of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease, which arose from the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA), it’s striking to pause for a moment and consider how far we have come. Thanks to increased congressional funding, NIH spending on Alzheimer’s and related dementias research advanced nearly 4.5-fold between fiscal years 2015 and 2020, reaching $2.87 billion. This momentum has enabled NIA-funded science to take significant strides forward.

Ten years ago, we knew of just 10 genes associated with Alzheimer’s disease, and 20 years ago, we knew of only four. Today, researchers have identified more than 70 associated genetic areas, opening multiple new foci for potential prevention and treatments.

It is extraordinarily difficult to mimic the brain’s complexity in standard lab models. Improving these models will help us better understand brain-related diseases and test existing and novel drugs as potential therapies. Thanks to NIH research, we now have the “Alzheimer’s in a dish” model, the first to contain the amyloid and tau hallmarks of the disease. In recent years, scientists built two additional “disease-in-a-dish” models and have developed more than 50 new mouse models including one that produces a form of the human beta-amyloid protein.

Before biomarker tests were developed in the early 2000s, the only sure way to know whether a person had Alzheimer’s was via autopsy. Researchers can now use brain imaging methods or lab tests to diagnose people living with the disease. NIA-funded scientists continue to explore novel blood biomarkers for various forms of amyloid, tau, and other promising targets. As one result, NIA small business innovation research funding helped validate and commercialize the PrecivityAD™ test, a more affordable and less invasive alternative to traditional Alzheimer’s tests like spinal taps or brain scans. This blood biomarker-based test is now widely available to doctors and researchers across the United States.

The Accelerating Medicines Partnership® Program for Alzheimer’s Disease has aided discovery of more than 550 novel candidate therapeutic targets and is now exploring a precision medicine approach to therapy development. In a parallel effort, the Drug Repurposing for Effective Alzheimer’s Medicines (DREAM) study, investigators found that use of certain rheumatoid arthritis drugs is associated with a lower incidence of Alzheimer’s and related dementias in people with cardiovascular disease.

Scientists are learning more about risk factors and potential lifestyle changes that may help prevent dementia. In 2019, a randomized clinical trial showed that intensive high blood pressure control may significantly reduce the buildup of brain white matter lesions and the occurrence of mild cognitive impairment. In addition, a 2020 study found that individuals who made multiple healthy lifestyle choices may have a much lower risk for Alzheimer’s.

CAREGIVERS: Volunteers Assisting the Elderly in Ventura County presented the Norm Weitzel Award at the Evening of Gratitude on May 19 for 2020, 2021 and 2022 to Volunteers Keith York, Carol Boatner and Louise Dunlap in memory of her husband, Jesse Dunlap.

Keith York started volunteering with CAREGIVERS in 1984 and still volunteers to this day, having served in every capacity from Board to Advisory to Honorary.  Each year, he donates roses for at least 50 seniors on Valentine’s Day–some of whom have never had a Valentine delivered.

Carol Boatner volunteered with CAREGIVERS for the first 20 years before she joined the staff, helping to pilot one of the original programs that launched more than 1,000 volunteer caregiving organizations throughout the nation.  See nvcnetwork.org

Louise Dunlap champions Jesse Dunlap’s legacy with CAREGIVERS to this day.  His service began after he retired from the United States Air Force and stepped up as an Assembly Delegate for the Senior Legislature.  Jesse was a huge advocate for seniors back when the Silver Tsunami was just a theory.  He knew what was ahead and he brought his advocacy and his helping hands to CAREGIVERS, and Louise has continued that support year after year.

Lori Franco, Karen Jensen, Ann Romero and Ginny Camarillo serve as the scholarship selection committee for student volunteers in CAREGIVERS’ Building Bridges Intergenerational Program. Student Engagement Coordinator, Lori Franco, has rebuilt this program using Adult Team Leaders who supervise 2-3 high school students for one-hour visits to do household chores throughout Ventura County.

Recently, CAREGIVERS forged new partnerships with ARC and Cole Vocational Services giving seniors a total of 45 home visits per month, a 225% in service.  Adult Team Leaders are needed throughout the County.  Scholarship recipient Maria Bernal was not present.

The number of older Americans is rising, so the number of people with dementia is predicted to increase. However, some studies have shown that incidence rates of dementia — meaning new cases in a population over a certain period of time — have decreased in some locations, including in the United States. Based on observational studies, factors such as healthy lifestyle behaviors and higher levels of education may be contributing to such a decline. But the cause and effect is uncertain, and such factors need to be tested in a clinical trial to prove whether they can prevent dementia.

A review of published research evaluated the evidence from clinical trials on behavior and lifestyle changes to prevent or delay Alzheimer’s or age-related cognitive decline. The review found “encouraging but inconclusive” evidence for three types of behavioral changes (called interventions): physical activity, blood pressure control, and cognitive training. The findings mean that interventions in these areas are promising enough that researchers should keep studying them to learn more. Researchers continue to explore these and other interventions to determine whether — and in what amounts or forms — they might prevent dementia.

Although there is no effective treatment or proven prevention for Alzheimer’s and related dementias, in general, leading a healthy lifestyle may help address risk factors that have been associated with these diseases.

Control high blood pressure. High blood pressure, or hypertension, has harmful effects on the heart, blood vessels, and brain, and increases the risk of stroke and vascular dementia.

Manage blood sugar. Higher than normal levels of blood sugar, or glucose, can lead to diabetes and may increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, cognitive impairment, and dementia.

Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese increases the risk for related health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. Being active and choosing healthy foods can help maintain a healthy weight.

Eat a healthy diet. Aim for a mix of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and seafood, unsaturated fats such as olive oil, low-fat or nonfat dairy products, and limit other fats and sugars.

Keep physically active. Physical activity has many health benefits, such as helping to prevent being overweight and having obesity, heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.

Stay mentally active. Lots of activities can help keep your mind active, including reading, playing board games, crafting or taking up a new hobby, learning a new skill, working or volunteering, and socializing.

Stay connected with family and friends. Connecting with people and engaging in social activities can prevent social isolation and loneliness, which are linked to higher risks for cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.

Treat hearing problems. Hearing loss may affect cognition and dementia risk in older adults and can make it more difficult to interact with others.

Sleep well. Sleeping well is important for both your mind and body. Try to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Talk with your doctor if you are not getting enough sleep, sleeping poorly, or think you may have a sleep disorder.

Drink less alcohol. Drinking too much alcohol can lead to falls and worsen health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, memory loss, and mood disorders. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health, recommends that men should not have more than two drinks a day and women only one. Learn more at NIAAA’s Rethinking Drinking website.

Stop tobacco use. At any age, stopping smoking can improve your health and lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and lung disease.

The Ventura Senior Men’s Group continues to meet for a social lunch and program at the Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura on the first and third Tuesday each month. Men of all descriptions are always welcomed to stop in to sample our shenanigans.  Bob Likins at 805-587-1233 or Rick Follenweider at 650-520-1098 can supply details. Located at
3451 Foothill Rd.