If you own a phone, chances are you’ve been subject to some type of robocall. You might receive one or even multiple robocalls daily. These pesky and unwanted phone calls are not only a nuisance, but they’ve also led to innocent victims being scammed out of their own money.
Unfortunately, seniors are among the hardest hit when it comes to scam phone calls. In fact, people 60 and older lost a total of $298 million to scams and fraud in 2019, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The median loss for 60-69-year olds was $615 and for 70-79 year olds the loss was slightly higher at $802. But those 80 and older reported the largest amount.
Colorado was the hardest-hit state in terms of receiving the most robocalls. According to the FTC, residents in the Rocky Mountain state filed 130,640 robocall complaints, or 2,403 robocalls per capita. Neighboring Arizona was No. 2 with 158,549 robocall complaints, or 2,328 per capita.
However, if you’re looking for a little solace from robocalls, your best bet might be to move to Alaska. In 2019, the state was home to the fewest robocall complaints with just 4,287, or 580 per capita.
Regardless of where you live, robocalls have only gone up in the last five years. Nationwide, robocalls have seen an average annual increase of 14% since 2015.
While tougher fines and restrictions are being put in place to deter robocalls and scams, it’s still important to be educated and vigilant on these unwanted phone calls, especially to avoid becoming a victim to a potential scam (make sure that is your grand child on the phone).
The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging is partnering with the City of Santa Paula to host A Community Conversation on Aging on February 29 at 9 a.m. at the Santa Paula Community Center. This event is free and open to the public.
A Community Conversation on Aging is a platform to address gaps in services and any concerns related to resources for older adults and individuals with disabilities. As part of a countywide series of community conversations, this event will help shape Ventura County’s Master Plan on Aging.
Currently there are 196,000 individuals 60 and older living in Ventura County. That number is expected to climb to 270,000 by 2040. One in four people are living with a disability, and more than 5.8 million are living with a dementia-related disease. The needs of these populations are growing, and the time to address those needs is now.
All Santa Paula (and others) residents are encouraged to participate in this vital conversation on aging and accessibility in Santa Paula and all of Ventura County. Translation services will be available for individuals who speak Spanish. The Santa Paula Community Center is located at 530 W. Main Street. For more information, call (805) 933-4226 ext. 356.
The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, an agency of the County of Ventura, is the principal agency in Ventura County charged with the responsibility to promote the development and implementation of a comprehensive coordinated system of care that enables older individuals, people with disabilities, and their caregivers to live in a community-based setting and to advocate for the needs of those 60 years of age and older in the county, providing leadership and promoting citizen involvement in the planning process as well as in the delivery of services.
Suz Montgomery speaks about dementia and Alzheimer’s. Photo by Bernie Goldstein
by Carol Leish
On January 21, 2020, at The Ventura Avenue Adult Center, the Ventura Council on Senior’s chair, Suz Montgomery, said that, ‘The importance of doing this talk about dementia and Alzheimer’s within our community is essential, since we need to find ways to improve things for those, who are affected, in order for them to be able to live better lives. The issues of caregiving and transportation are also important topics for us to discuss.”
Teresa Valko, who is a Board Chair, at the Alzheimer’s Association, CA Central Coast Chapter, first mentioned that the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s is, “Dementia is the umbrella diagnosis of memory loss/cognitive impairments that affect daily life in which 60-70% of the time is caused by Alzheimer’s.”
“By getting an assessment and diagnosis in the early stages,” according to, Valko, “People affected will be able to do some planning and to have a voice according to what their wishes/desires are.” She said that, “14,000 people in Ventura are living with Alzheimer’s, which is the 3rd leading cause of death in California, with no cure.” That’s why she mentioned that, “Funding for research is important, especially with no cure yet, since we are all paying taxes.” She said that many bills at the federal level seek to support caregivers.” Continued funding has put more money in research from top scientists through the world. “All researchers, from all over the world, are sharing their data, since everyone wants to see a change, and a cure.”
Teri Helton, MSN, Community Engagement Coordinator for Ventura County Caregivers: Volunteers Assisting the Elderly, focused on ways of managing common behaviors in dementia sufferers. She stressed that, ‘It is important to be understanding, and to offer support to those who are suffering.” She said that this includes, “Helping others by simplifying and organizing their daily routines and limiting distractions. Also, by empathizing and saying, ‘I see you’re frustrated. How can I help?’”
“Late stage challenges within people with dementia,” according to, Helton, “include, the ability to communicate, and possible trouble with sleeping.” She said that, ‘It’s essential to give slow and direct/compassionate statements, since emotions remain intact.” She said that by maintaining a regular routine, and by asking only one question at a time, others feel more comfortable with their particular situation.
Phil Chandler, MBA, Owner/President of Right at Home of Ventura County, is a Senior Advisor, focused on the importance of self-love for caregivers. He said, “It’s important to keep our loved ones safe, happy, and to keep them engaged.” He said that there are many support groups within Ventura County to help out caregivers of those with dementia. “Also, seeing a therapist or counselor might be helpful to those who are caregivers.”
Chandler also emphasized that, “It is very important to set up a legal Power of Attorney and do Estate Planning, if you’re over the age of 18, in order to be able to have a voice of how you want to be treated if you can’t voice it for yourself.”
According to Suz Montgomery, “It’s important to understand how to manage the maze of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, since it is a current crisis that we need to make a priority by finding treatments and cures in order to improve situations.”
Phase 4, of the Senior Strategic Plan’s community meeting occurred on January 27-28, 2020, and focused on the findings and visioning meetings that were held in December, 2019, which was Phase 3.
Phase 2 included a senior needs assessment survey, which was completed after Phase 1, which entailed community engagement meetings. GreenPlay, LLC’s consultant, Dr. Theresa Pambroke, “Was hired by money provided by the Ventura City Council, that was allocated from Measure O funding,” according to Ventura City Council Member, Cheryl Heitmann. “We wanted to find ways to improve the community. In fact, yesterday we just opened a 55-bed homeless shelter. We need to focus on homeless seniors, especially on a way to house them in inclement weather conditions.”
During the Phase 4 meetings several goals were focused on in order to deal with the key challenges, which included not enough staff for seniors; the need for more money to run senior programming and important issues of housing and transportation for seniors in the City of Ventura.
The first goal focused on working with partners in order to improve housing in order for senior to be able to age in place. The development of affordable housing is important, especially with the high cost of living within the city.
The second goal focused on the need to improve transportation, in which more money needs to be allocated to deal with. This is a big priority at the city level.
Goal three focused on the need for overall staffing in order to provide for people of all ages.
Goal four focused on utilizing partners, who are already within the community, in order to expand their reach. This includes a leadership task force to meet on a regular basis.
Goal five focused on the need for staffing needs to be increased for all, especially adding one more senior position at the Ventura Avenue Senior Center.
Goal six focuses on the importance of regularly updating the website:www.cityofventura.ca.gov/seniors.
Goal seven focused on the additional needs for programs for senior: Increasing physical fitness and sports; Making sure programs are offered also on the east side of Ventura; Expanding the senior nutrition program; and addressing the need/demand for medical help.
Goal 8 focuses on the need for improved facilities and amenities for seniors, and making sure places are ADA (Americans with Disabilities, 1990) compliant.
Goal 9 focuses on the utilization of more space at the Ventura Ave. Senior Center; or, co-use within a multi-generational space in order to serve people between the ages of 8-year-old to 80-year-old.
Goal 10 focuses on the need for funding for additional staff; and, looking into funding through grants.
Emily Fox, Community Partnerships Manager, City of Ventura, said: “I’m excited about us coming together, and meeting together. The next phase will occur in March, 2020. If you have a community neighbors/groups that want to reach out, let me know. I appreciate the groups that are providing feedback.” For more information, visit: www.cityofventura.ca.gove/seniors. Contact: [email protected]; (805) 658-4793.
Troupe members of the “Stop Senior Scams (SM) Acting Program” ham it up to help others learn how to protect themselves. Courtesy photo
In collaboration with the Ventura County Adult Abuse Prevention Council (VCAAPC), please join Cypress Place Senior Living in Venturafor a fun, free and educational program on avoiding senior scams.
The Stop Senior Scams (SM) Acting Program uses theater to dramatize senior scams. Members of the troupe, ranging in age from 60 – 97 years-old, write and perform skits based on their own personal experiences. Many of the actors have been scammed, or nearly scammed, themselves. The presentation is a memorable way to equip those who are vulnerable with the knowledge they need to protect themselves.
Using popular songs like the Rolling Stones “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”, “Getting to Know You “, from the Rogers and Hammerstein musical “The King and I”, and Abba’s “Money, Money, Money”, the troupe brings theatricality, laughter and excitement to a commonly frightening and frustrating topic.
The program was founded in 1997 by director Adrienne Omansky, who teaches commercial acting classes for older adults. Her students are trained in commercial and theatrical acting. Many now have agents, and have appeared in hundreds of commercials, movies, videos, television shows, and theatrical productions.
The Stop Senior Scams (SM) Acting Program came out of Omansky’s classes and has been recognized by the U.S. Senate Committee on Aging and the California State Assembly, according to Nancy Cole, an eldercare manager and board member of VCAAPC. The program also provides a safe venue for seniors to share their own experiences with each other and with the acting troupe after the performance.
A representative from the Ventura County Adult Protective Services office will be on hand to provide information and answer questions. Also on hand during the event will be vendors who provide a variety of services to the senior population. Attendees will be able to ask questions and receive materials from these corporate sponsors.
This not-to-be-missed program takes place on February 20, 2020 from 1:30p.m. to 3:30p.m. at Cypress Place Senior Living in Ventura. Seating is limited so please call to reserve a seat. Cypress Place Senior Living is located at 1200 Cypress Point Lane in Ventura. For more information or to RSVP, please call 805-765-1066.
Cypress Place Senior Living is a premiere senior community in Ventura County. The beautiful senior living campus features an Active Senior Living community and adjacent Assisted Living and Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care community connected by a lushly landscaped courtyard.
The Ventura County Adult Abuse Prevention Council is a not-for-profit service organization dedicated to the prevention of elder and dependent adult abuse. To learn more about VCAAPC please visit their web site at http://vcaapc.org/.
“Is this an eye test or have we been invaded from outer space”
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers glaucoma tests once every 12 months.
You’re at high risk if one or more of these applies to you:
You have diabetes.
You have a family history of glaucoma.
You’re African American and age 50 or older.
You’re Hispanic and age 65 or older.
You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount and the Part B deductible applies.
To find out how much your test, item, or service will cost, talk to your doctor or health care provider. The specific amount you’ll owe may depend on several things, like:
Other insurance you may have
How much your doctor charges
Whether your doctor accepts assignment
The type of facility
Where you get your test, item, or service
Older adults with a weaker handgrip were more likely to be cognitively impaired than those with a stronger grip, according to an NIA-funded study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. The findings suggest that handgrip strength may be a potential low-cost, easy way to help detect cognitive impairment and, in combination with other measures, to identify people who may benefit from early interventions.
A team led by researchers from North Dakota State University looked at data over an eight-year period from almost 14,000 people, age 50 or older, in the NIA-supported Health and Retirement Study. A handheld instrument called a dynamometer was used to assess handgrip strength, and a modified screening tool from the Mini-Mental State Examination was used to measure cognitive function every two years. Of the 13,828 participants who were assessed, 1,309 had some degree of cognitive impairment.
Results showed that each 5-kilogram decrease in handgrip strength — roughly 11 pounds — was linked to 10% greater odds of having any cognitive impairment. For the 264 participants with severe cognitive impairment, the odds of a lower grip strength were 18% greater than for all other participants.
As people age, they lose muscle mass, resulting in a weaker grip. Grip strength also can weaken due to age-related changes in parts of the brain that coordinate movement. These same areas of the brain also correspond to cognition, the researchers note. The neural and motor functions needed for the grip strength test may become compromised when cognitive impairment starts, they explain.
Previous studies investigating the relationship between cognitive function and grip strength have shown mixed results, likely due to smaller numbers of participants and varied assessments across studies making it difficult to combine data. Future research is needed to further explore the connection between grip strength and cognition, for example, investigating any associations with structural changes in the brain.
If validated, grip strength could be an easy test used by doctors to help distinguish cognitive dysfunction from normal age-related decline, the researchers noted. It also may have the potential to be used during clinical trials to gauge the effectiveness of interventions meant to prevent or delay cognitive impairment.
This research was funded in part by NIA grant R01AG044424.
“This is my last ice cream bar before I start my diet.”
As you grow older, if you continue eating the same types and amounts of food but do not become more active, you will probably gain weight. That’s because your metabolism (how your body gets energy from food) can slow with age, and your body composition (amount of fat and muscle) may be different from when you were younger.
The energy your body gets from the nutrients in the food you eat is measured as calories. As a rule of thumb, the more calories you eat, the more active you have to be to maintain your weight. Likewise, the reverse is also true—the more active you are, the more calories you need. As you age, your body might need less food for energy, but it still needs the same amount of nutrients.
Many things can affect your weight, including genetics, age, gender, lifestyle, family habits and culture, sleep, and even where you live and work. Some of these factors can make it hard to lose weight or keep weight off.
But being active and choosing healthy foods has health benefits for everyone—no matter your age or weight. It’s important to choose nutrient-dense foods and be active at least 150 minutes per week.
Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week. You don’t have to do that all at once—break it up over the whole week, however you like. If you can’t do this much activity right away, try to be as physically active as you can. Doing something is better than doing nothing at all.
The benefits of exercise aren’t just about weight. Regular exercise can make it easier for you to do daily activities, participate in outings, drive, keep up with grandchildren, avoid falls, and stay independent.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money joining a gym or hiring a personal trainer. Think about the kinds of physical activities that you enjoy—for example, walking, running, bicycling, gardening, housecleaning, swimming, or dancing. Try to make time to do what you enjoy on most days of the week. And then increase how long you do it,or add another fun activity.
Learn more about exercise and physical activity from NIA’s Go4Life, which offers a variety of free, evidence-based resources for older adults in one convenient spot.
For More Information on Maintaining a Healthy Weight
President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition
Executive Director, Eric Terrill, and Director of Business Development, Ronald Agulto of The Lexington Assisted Living in Ventura are very pleased to invite the senior community to an afternoon of dancing and music, with the possibility of romance for those so inclined.
The Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Dance & Social will take place on Friday, February 14, 2020 from 2:00pm until 4:30pm. at The Lexington Assisted Living, located at 5440 Ralston St., Ventura.
Dancing, appetizers and specialty drinks are on tap at this afternoon event for those who attend. Live entertainment will be provided by professional singer/songwriter, recording artist and multi-instrumentalist Bob Bishop. Bishop will be performing a wide variety of R&B, Rock, Classic Rock and Blues.
The Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group is pleased to invite our Members, Friends and the Public to attend our second meeting of the New Year on February 12, 2020 from 12:30PM to 2:30PM at Ventura City Hall’s Community Meeting Room (#202 ). We are pleased to have the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging join us with an overview and presentations of their program “A Matter of Balance” and also their Nutrition Program to help us improve the quality of our lives as we face the many challenges of Parkinson’s Disease including aging!
Jannette Jauregui, Public Information Officer for the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, (VCAAA) will provide us with a quick overview of the many services provided by the VCAAA that can benefit all of us.
Carol Vaughn, Fall Prevention Program Instructor of the VCAAA, will give us an overview of their “A Matter of Balance” classes which are designed for those 60 and older who may be more inactive than active and have poor balance. It is also for those who are at risk for falling, may also have experienced a fall and/or may have developed a fear of falling. The goal of this easy-to-do exercise regimen is to improve balance, strength, flexibility, and self-confidence. The VCAAA Fall Prevention Program strives to assist adults to maintain their independence at home.
Patti Jaeger is a Registered Dietitian with the VCAAA Senior Nutrition Program. She will give us information and an overview of their free nutrition counseling services and classes available to Ventura County residents as part of an effort to promote healthy living among older adults. Nutrition counseling services and classes include personalized one-on-one or group settings with a registered dietitian and a focus on healthy eating and variety of other individualized concerns.
The Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group welcomes the public along with those who find themselves navigating the challenges of Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological conditions. Hand-out resources available at every meeting. We are an independent and volunteer-organized group not affiliated with any other organization or group. For more information and detailed directions to our meetings, please call Patty at 805-766-6070.
If you own a phone, chances are you’ve been subject to some type of robocall. You might receive one or even multiple robocalls daily. These pesky and unwanted phone calls are not only a nuisance, but they’ve also led to innocent victims being scammed out of their own money.
