Mondays- Bone Builders strength building class (9am-10:30am), Gentle Yoga with Nate (2pm-3pm)
Tuesdays- Find your Fit with Heidi (11am-11:45am), Aquatics with Mary from 1:30-2:30pm (2nd and 4th Tuesday/monthly)
Wednesdays- Gentle yoga with Nate (2pm-3pm)
Thursday- Bone Builders strength building class 9am-10:30am, Find your fit with Heidi (11am-11:45am)
They will be having their second annual family day with residents, associates in partnership with Koinonia and their foster families on Saturday, August 8, from 11am-3pm. There will be swimming, outdoor games, a taco truck and more. This will also e open to the public.
750 Clyde River Place | Oxnard, CA 93036
805.366.3446
by George Landrith President of Frontiers of Freedom, a public policy think tank
Congressional leaders and some White House officials reportedly favor “binding arbitration.” This proposed reform would allow government-appointed officials to dictate how much Medicare pays for new medicines. Proponents say arbitration could slash what the government spends on drugs.
Binding arbitration is just a clever name for government price controls. It would distort the free market and limit patients’ access to the newest medicines.
Medicare covers nearly all FDA-approved drugs. Part B generally covers medicines that doctors administer through injection or IV drips, while Medicare Part D covers most pills. In each, drug prices are determined by negotiations between pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies or hospitals.
Under the proposed arbitration system, government officials wouldn’t have to accept the prices that result from these negotiations.
Officials could call upon a third-party “arbitrator” to set the price for new drugs. If these officials trigger arbitration, pharmaceutical companies would have to suggest a fair price for their drugs and make the case to the arbitrator.
Government officials would argue for their own suggested price. After considering both sides, the arbitrator would render a final, legally binding decision.
Congressional leaders haven’t fully fleshed out the details of their proposal.
One thing is certain, however. Government officials would hand-pick arbitrators who are on their side. Arbitration isn’t a true alternative to the government setting prices — it’s just a way for government officials to outsource the dirty work.
Since the arbitrator’s decision would be legally binding, drug manufacturers wouldn’t be able to appeal an unfair verdict. Nor would there be a way to hold arbitrators accountable.
Binding arbitration would smother medical innovation.
Successful drug development requires substantial investment. The FDA only approves about one in ten experimental medicines that begin the first phase of clinical trials. Accounting for this massive failure rate, it costs $2.5 billion and takes more than a decade to develop a single new drug.
Drug companies rely on just a few successful drugs to recoup their investments. Price controls make this already difficult process even harder. As a result, they discourage investors from putting money towards future projects. That means fewer lifesaving drugs for patients.
Just look across the pond. Fifty years ago, Europe produced more than half of the world’s medicines; America produced just 30 percent. But then, countries like Germany and the United Kingdom embraced price controls — while the United States let the free market flourish.
Today, scientists invent more than half of the world’s medicines in America. Meanwhile, the entire continent of Europe produces less than a third of medicines. American patients have access to more innovative therapies than patients anywhere else in the world — including Europe.
Binding arbitration would sacrifice Americans’ access to the most innovative medicines. Lawmakers should nip this policy in the bud before patients pay the ultimate price.
Many times, in-home caregivers’ best efforts are met with anger or even abuse dished out by the elder they are intended to care for. It is crucial for the family and hired caregiver(s) to determine the underlying reason for a senior’s lack of cooperation and find ways to remedy the situation.
I believe that fear is the foundation of much of a senior’s reluctance and even disrespect for non-family caregivers. The presence of an outsider may suggest to them that their family can’t (or doesn’t want to) take care of their needs. It also magnifies the extent of the elder’s care needs, making them feel especially vulnerable. This combination of concerns can create the perfect storm, especially if they are prone to lashing out when angry. Of course, the family members who arrange these services get an earful, but the professional caregiver becomes the primary target for sending the message that outside help is neither wanted nor needed.
People of all ages dread the idea of losing their independence, but many seniors are living this reality and trying to come to terms with it. Aging is hardly a graceful process, so who can blame our elders for digging their heels in?
If a senior is still of sound mind, emphasize that home care enables them to continue living safely in their own home. This in itself is an overarching symbol of independence. The right caregiver will pick up on this strong desire to be self-sufficient and provide assistance in ways that allow the senior to retain as much control as possible.
Adapting to in-home care is much smoother when the family is confident in the hire. Know what to look for in a provider and interview caregivers before services begin to determine a good match. With this approach, if something seems off, you have the opportunity to correct your decision before it actually becomes a problem.
It can be challenging to encourage a mentally healthy senior to accept outside help, but Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia can make this process even more complex.
Depending on the progression of the condition, a senior may not be able to fully participate in the hiring process. Nonetheless, introducing potential caregivers beforehand to see how both parties get along is still a valuable step. Dementia patients’ moods and capabilities fluctuate from day to day, though, so keep this in mind when trying to help a loved one to warm up to someone new.
Paranoia, hallucinations and delusions are common symptoms that a dementia caregiver should know how to handle. Look for someone who is trained in this kind of care and knows how to communicate with and calm their clients. Having a family member present during the first few shifts while everyone gets to know each other can reassure a senior that they are safe and in good company.
A senior with dementia may not ever be comfortable with a particular caregiver, even though the aide is making a considerable effort to do everything right. Regardless of the reason, some matches just do not take, and the care team may have to simply request another caregiver.
You know your loved one best, so do whatever you can to help make them more comfortable with this new arrangement. Assure them that you are still their primary caregiver, but explain that you need help. Emphasize that the professional caregiver is there to assist both of you and that you are closely monitoring the process and their wellbeing.
Communicate openly with the caregiver and the home care company about any challenges you experience. Understanding the source of the senior’s resistance will help you cope with this problem, and a care team meeting may be instrumental in brainstorming solutions together.
“I hope I don’t have temper tantrums when I get old!”
As an adult, it’s unsettling when you witness your parent having a temper tantrum for the first time. We tend to think of tantrums as only pertaining to small children or teenagers, but the truth is that emotional outbursts can occur at any time in life. Acting out merely boils down to a loss of composure triggered by strong feelings like anger, sadness, fear or any combination of the three.
Many family caregivers are mortified and have no idea how to handle their parent lashing out in a way they’ve never experienced before. Understanding the reasons behind an outburst is crucial for determining the best way to handle one without losing your temper, too.
Seniors throw temper tantrums for a whole host of reasons. Often, it’s a result of the personality changes brought on by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Certain prescription medications can have negative side effects or interact with one another, causing mood swings and irritability.
If you are weathering the emotional ups and downs of an aging loved one who has dementia, there really isn’t much you can do about it. Outbursts are common with many kinds of dementia and at various stages throughout the progression of the condition. As tempting as it is to try to reason with someone who is cognitively impaired, the truth is that this will only make matters worse.
Some family caregivers have dealt with a parent’s stubbornness and manipulation for their entire lives, while others are seeing an increasingly unflattering new side of their aging Mom or Dad.
Dealing with elderly temper tantrums:
Schedule an appointment with your loved one’s doctor to confirm that their poor behavior is not being caused by any new or worsening physical or mental health problems.
The next time your elder throws a temper tantrum, do not engage. Give it absolutely no energy. Make it clear that you are not going to listen to their outburst. Say this as calmly as possible and then walk away. Leave the room and give them plenty of time to cool down before you interact again.
If your loved one tells you that you don’t love them, gently take their hand once they’ve calmed down and say, “I do love you. In fact, I love you so much that I have to take breaks to be able to give you the best possible care.” Leave it at that and don’t get into a discussion.
“No is a complete sentence.” Remind yourself that you need and deserve a break, and then make it happen. It doesn’t have to be an all-day event but doing something small for yourself each day will set the standard. Schedule time for respite just like you schedule all other appointments.
Eventually, your loved one will come to be more accepting of your self-care and personal boundaries. If you are consistent and unyielding with your “me time” and limitations, they will realize that you are serious and likely cut back on their attempts at emotional manipulation.
Finally, understand that the first few times you actually follow through with these steps, you’re going to feel guilty. You’re going to feel like you’ve done something wrong or mean, but you haven’t. Always putting someone else’s needs before your own is not a healthy or happy way to live. Learning to prioritize self-care and banish undeserved guilt are the keys to successful, sustainable caregiving.
Try to be patient with yourself and forgiving if you make mistakes. Even if your aging loved one is never happy and won’t let you live something down, cut yourself some slack. When it comes to those who are prone to temper tantrums and complaining, it often has absolutely nothing to do with you and everything to do with their own insecurities and shortcomings.
That’s Ron on the right with a few of his happy dancers.
by Maryssa Rillo
It has been Ron Perkovich’s dream to dance since 1964. In 2010, in Ventura, Perkovich finally made that dream come true. Now, nine years later, at the age of 71, he is a part of three dance clubs, is vice president of a dance club, has tried various types of dance, and dances every week.
Perkovich was born in Wisconsin and is the youngest of eight kids. He said that as the youngest, he just wanted to do everything his older siblings did.
Perkovich’s dream to dance started in high school. One of the high school students would bring records and spin them at lunch.
“The kids would go out there and dance. Well, being the youngest you follow your brothers and sisters. Most of them danced to some degree out there so I went out there. I was like 14, 16 years old. I’m out there bojangling around, not doing very well but you do it because your brothers and sisters are doing it. Well I had a couple buddies sitting on the bleachers harassing me,” Perkovich said.
Once the kids started laughing at him, Perkovich quit dancing. Throughout his life he would watch others dance and wish he could do the same but always remained silent.
“About 32 years ago in St. Paul, Minnesota, my brother-in-law and his wife were dancing to a Don Williams song in their kitchen and I am standing there and I didn’t say anything to anybody but I was thinking, ‘damn I want to do this,’” Perkovich said.
About nine years ago, Perkovich was laid off from his job so he had more free time. Perkovich saw this as an opportunity to start dancing. He looked in the newspaper for dance ads and found an ad for line dancing lessons at the Barranca Vista Center in Ventura.
Perkovich began line dancing but later wanted to expand his horizons. Perkovich searched the internet for other dance lessons and found ballroom dance lessons in the same building. Perkovich’s wife knew he had a passion for dance, so she decided to go with him.
“My wife knows that my passion was dancing so she was kind enough and honorable enough to say “I’ll go with you,” Perkovich said. “She suffered through six sessions with me. I know it’s her desire to not do that. She’s very quiet and shy and so she likes to be alone and I honor that. She knows that I need to dance because I waited 46 years for this.”
Since Perkovich started dancing, he has tried various dance styles and dances at different dance clubs in Ventura County.
“Now, I belong to three dance clubs. Monday night at Poinsettia, Tuesday-Line Dancing at the Moose Lodge and Thursday at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. I also go to Leisure Village off Las Posas in Camarillo,” Perkovich said.
Perkovich has tried ballroom dancing, line dancing Latin dancing and Zumba. He said he likes them all.
“It’s such good medicine for the soul. It’s such medicine. As far as my dancing, the strongest thing in the universe is the human soul on fire. My soul is on fire when I dance. There is just something euphoric about it,” Perkovich said.
If anyone is interested in dance lessons in Ventura County, Perkovich said that the Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club offers free lessons on Monday night. More information can be found on their website at www.poinsettiadancers.org
“If somebody is thinking of dancing don’t do what I did when I was 16. Just go out there and relax and just have fun, nobody cares,” Perkovich said. “Adults don’t laugh at each other because you can’t dance. We’re very sympathetic to that, to the person trying to do that stuff. From my end it’s a labor of love.”
When the owner’s of Cypress Place Senior Living in Ventura decided to create a scholarship fund for local high school students wanting to pursue a college degree, the Cypress Place Senior Living “Senior to Senior” Legacy Scholarship was created.
Cypress Place Senior Living is an independent, assisted, and memory care community for seniors. By awarding two $2500 scholarships to local high school seniors, residents at Cypress Place are attempting to pass on opportunities for young people in the community, according to Steve Spira, executive director at Cypress Place.
Applicants need to have a verified 3.2 or higher GPA and to have applied for fall 2019 admission to a college or university with the intention of obtaining a degree. Applicants were also asked to submit an essay about their reason for pursuing higher education along with a personal account of how a senior or seniors has affected their life, including specific examples of intergenerational experiences of the applicant.
The members of the Resident Scholarship Committee at Cypress Place read the essays, then held oral interviews with the semi-finalists to determine the two award winners.
On May 30, 2019, the awards were presented to Nadia Garcia and Daniel Perez, both of Buena High School. Garcia will be attending Westmont College and will major in math. She would like to be a math teacher. Perez will attend USC and is considering a career in the diplomatic corps or another form of public service.
Family members of the recipients were in attendance, as well as many seniors from Cypress Place. The senior citizens were beaming just as brightly as the recipients during the awards ceremony.
“Tonight, we watched two wonderful high school seniors take another step forward in the direction of their dreams,” said Marion Doane, a resident at Cypress Place, and the Scholarship Committee Chair. “This was the 7th year the Cypress Place owners granted this scholarship to our local Ventura students, and it is a highlight for all of us to be a part of it.”
While enjoying coffee and dessert with the award winners, residents on the Scholarship Committee expressed a true sense of pride and accomplishment in their involvement in the selection process.
As the scholarship awards evening wound down, Garcia and Perez both expressed their appreciation for their awards once again. They both hope to be able to present awards to future Cypress Place Senior Living “Senior to Senior” Legacy Scholarship recipients when they themselves have graduated from college.
Six out of every 10 falls happen at home, where we spend much of our time and tend to move around without thinking about our safety. There are many changes you can make to your home that will help you avoid falls and ensure your safety.
Fall hazards in the home, including a scatter rug, dog, and empty slippers in stairways, hallways, and pathways.
Have handrails on both sides of the stairs, and make sure they are tightly fastened. Hold the handrails when you use the stairs, going up or down. If you must carry something while you’re on the stairs, hold it in one hand and use the handrail with the other. Don’t let what you’re carrying block your view of the steps.
Make sure there is good lighting with light switches at the top and bottom of stairs and on each end of a long hall. Remember to use the lights!
Keep areas where you walk tidy. Don’t leave books, papers, clothes, and shoes on the floor or stairs.
Check that all carpets are fixed firmly to the floor so they won’t slip. Put no-slip strips on tile and wooden floors. You can buy these strips at the hardware store.
Don’t use throw rugs or small area rugs.
Mount grab bars near toilets and on both the inside and outside of your tub and shower.
Place non-skid mats, strips, or carpet on all surfaces that may get wet.
Remember to turn on night lights.
In Your Bedroom
Put night lights and light switches close to your bed.
Keep a flashlight by your bed in case the power is out and you need to get up.
Keep your telephone near your bed.
In Other Living Areas
Keep electric cords and telephone wires near walls and away from walking paths.
Secure all carpets and large area rugs firmly to the floor.
Arrange your furniture (especially low coffee tables) and other objects so they are not in your way when you walk.
Make sure your sofas and chairs are the right height for you to get in and out of them easily.
Don’t walk on newly washed floors—they are slippery.
Keep items you use often within easy reach.
Don’t stand on a chair or table to reach something that’s too high—use a “reach stick” instead or ask for help. Reach sticks are special grabbing tools that you can buy at many hardware or medical-supply stores. If you use a step stool, make sure it is steady and has a handrail on top. Have someone stand next to you.
Don’t let your cat or dog trip you. Know where your pet is whenever you’re standing or walking.
Lastly, many people decide to clear their own guttering. Summertime is a good time to clean out your eavestrough, however if you wish to clean it yourself, you will need: a very sturdy ladder, someone holding the ladder firmly and good gloves/equipment.
Keep emergency numbers in large print near each telephone.
If you have fallen, your doctor might suggest that an occupational therapist, physical therapist, or nurse visit your home. These healthcare providers can assess your home’s safety and advise you about making changes to prevent falls.
Your Own Medical Alarm
If you’re concerned about falling, think about getting an emergency response system. If you fall or need emergency help, you push a button on a special necklace or bracelet to alert 911. There is a fee for this service, and it is not usually covered by insurance.
Home Improvements Prevent Falls
Many State and local governments have education and/or home modification programs to help older people prevent falls. Check with your local health department, or local Area Agency on Aging to see if there is a program near you.
Almost sixty percent of Americans aged 60 and over are concerned that health care costs (56%) and 43 percent are concerned that prescription drug costs are outpacing retirement savings, according to a new NCOA/Ipsos survey. The national survey also finds that women are even more concerned than men about these costs and the potential impact on their family.
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) in partnership with Ipsos, a leading polling and data firm, released the results.
The survey of 1227 adults aged 60 and over conducted between May 29, 2019 and June 14, 2019 found the rising cost of health care and prescription drugs and losing their independence are the top concerns of older adults and a direct threat to a secure retirement:
NCOA is working with policymakers in Washington and partners across the country to help address these concerns head-on for a growing population of older adults across the country.
This survey is being released at NCOA’s Age+Action Conference, June 17-20 in Washington, DC. The conference is a premiere national convening focused on ensuring every person’s right to age with their best possible health and economic security. The event brings together 1,000 professionals from across the country who are dedicated to making aging well possible for all.
“Our recent NCOA/Ipsos survey of older Americans finds that most people 60 and older report being pretty happy with their current lives,” reports Annie Weber, Senior Vice President at the research company Ipsos. “That is despite majorities of this group reporting worry about their physical health and their health care costs exceeding their savings.”
These are findings from an Ipsos poll conducted May 29-June 14, 2019. For the survey, a sample of 1227 adults aged 60 and older from the continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii were interviewed online in English. The poll has a credibility interval plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.
About Ipsos
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is a trusted national leader working to ensure that every person can age well. NCOA is working to improve the lives of 10 million older adults by 2020. Learn more at ncoa.org and @NCOAging.
More good news from the House of Representatives, which passed legislation provide funding to expiring Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) programs. The Money Follows the Person program, as well as spousal impoverishment protection program, would receive enough funding to run to October 2023. The bill providing the funding passed by a 371-46 margin. We are proud that our Disability and Aging Collaborative played a key role in the bill’s passage. The Senate is expected to act on this legislation in September.
The Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group is excited to invite our Members, Friends and the Public to attend our “inaugural” meeting on July 10th from 12:30PM to 2:30PM at our new location: Ventura City Hall’s Community Meeting Room (501 Poli Street #202 ). At this “Round Table” meeting we will have the opportunity to get to know each other better, talk about how we cope with the challenges of Parkinson’s Disease, ask questions and share experiences that just might help someone in our Group.
We will also have a surprise guest to help us with our questions and update us on the latest research and local trials going on in our area! Wayne Pickerell, Vice President and Clinical Research Manager of Neurosearch, Inc., has been involved in Parkinson’s Disease for over 18 years and has managed Clinical Research for Neurosearch for well over a decade. Wayne will give us a brief overview of Parkinson’s Disease in general, typical treatments currently prescribed, update us in new treatments and ongoing trials being studied and progress on the search for a cure for Parkinson’s Disease.
Drive straight up California Street all the way to the top where City Hall sits; veer to the right, stop at stop sign and when safe to go, take that immediate left into the driveway on the east side of the building that leads to the large parking lot behind City Hall. Park anywhere except to the west of the sign on the back wall that says “City Vehicle Parking Only” or other “Parking only for” signs.
Enter the building at the handicap access entrance near the handicap parking; go up the hallway past Human Resources and then go to your left. The Community Meeting Room is room # 202 on your left all the way down the hall (past rooms 206, 204, the elevator and stairway). If you park on Poli Street, there is also a handicap access entrance on the east side of the building on the ground floor where the elevator can take you to the second floor; the Community Meeting Room # 202 will be to the left of the elevator. The public is always welcome to attend our meetings. We are an independent and volunteer-organized group not affiliated with or a part of any other organization or group. For more information call Patty at 805-766-6070.
