Cypress Place senior living community is pleased to announce the 11th annual Health and Wealth Expo. The annual event promotes the active and engaging lifestyle of Ventura County seniors. This year’s event features 35 local vendors as well as local author, Fawn Parish as keynote speaker.

The Health and Wealth Expo is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10, at Cypress Place, located at 1200 Cypress Point Lane in Ventura. The event is free and open to the public.

Over the last 11 years, the expo has featured speakers with incredible stories that inspire seniors across the area. This year’s event will be no different, as local author Fawn Parish presents her book, “Living a Life that Outlives You.” Parish is the author of eight books that aim to inspire. She is also a documentary filmmaker and storyteller whose work has been seen in many countries around the world.

Parish will share practical, do-it-right-now ideas on how to find purpose in your life, no matter your age.

In addition to enjoying Parish’s uplifting presentation, attendees can get their blood pressure checked, receive glucose screenings, along with balance and hearing tests. Wealth management and veteran benefit consultants will also be on hand to answer any questions. A free healthy gourmet lunch will also be provided.

Raffle prizes will be given away throughout the event, including one grand prize: a 50’’ HD flat screen TV. Free shuttle parking will also be available at Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura located at 5654 Ralston Street in Ventura.

Corporate sponsors for the event are Mission Home Health, Meditech Health Services, Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association, Buena Vista Hospice and UCLA Health.

For more information or to RSVP, please call 805-416-8793 or visit the Cypress Place website at www.cypressplaceseniorliving.com/events.

Cypress Place offers residents a variety of amenities, activities and residential living options. In addition to maintenance-free independent living apartments, residents have access to graduating levels of care, including assisted living and memory care. For more information, call 805-293-4708 or visit cypressplaceseniorliving.com.

Exercise is good for almost everyone, but there are so many things that can get in the way of staying active. It’s time for some positive thinking. No more excuses!

Older woman holding an exercise ball in a group exercise class

Here are some tips to help you overcome those barriers and improve your health.

Try exercising first thing in the morning. Combine physical activity with a task that’s already part of your day, such as walking the dog or doing household chores. If you don’t have 30 minutes to be active, look for three 10-minute periods. As you progress, add more 10-minute sessions until you hit your goal!

Make exercise interesting and enjoyable. Do things you enjoy, but pick up the pace and try new activities to keep your interest alive. Being creative about your physical activity plans and regularly trying new forms of exercise prevent boredom. If you can stick with it for at least 6 months, it’s a good sign that you’re on your way to making physical activity a regular habit.

No more excuses: overcome exercise barriers infographic icon. Click through for full text

Read and share this infographic for tips to help you overcome exercises barriers like not having time or being too tired.

Being active doesn’t have to cost a thing! All you need for brisk walking is a pair of comfortable, non-skid shoes. For strength training, you can save money by making your own weights using soup cans or water bottles. Check with your local parks and recreation department or senior center about free or low-cost exercise programs in your area.

Regular, moderate physical activity can help reduce fatigue and even help you manage stress. Exercise can also reduce feelings of depression, while improving your mood and overall emotional well-being. Once you become active, you’re likely to have more energy than before. As you do more, you also may notice that you can do things more easily, faster, and for longer than before.

Be sure to choose exercises from each of the four types: endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility.

by Stacey Burling

There are good reasons that older people fear hip fractures. They can remember the days when a broken hip was often the beginning of the end. Even today, up to 30 percent of seniors who break a hip are dead in a year. Many others never get around quite as well as they did before, which could make the difference between living at home or in assisted living, or even a nursing home.

Yet until recently, doctors often took a fairly leisurely approach to fixing broken hips. Patients would wait in bed for two or three days for surgery while doctors carefully evaluated their other medical problems. Now, spurred by research that found better results with shorter delays, hospitals are creating special programs to get more hip-fracture patients into the operating room within 24 hours or less of entering the hospital. A clinical trial in Canada is testing whether surgery within six hours should be the goal. Run by a cardiologist, this trial, known by the acronym HIP ATTACK, is treating hip-fracture victims with the kind of urgency that is now the norm for heart attack and stroke patients.

Hospitals in the Philadelphia region haven’t gone that far yet, but several have created special programs to expedite care for older patients with fragile bones, whose frailty makes prolonged bed rest especially dangerous. Among them are Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Temple University Hospital, Einstein Medical Center, and Bryn Mawr Hospital. The multidisciplinary programs also work with patients before they leave the hospital to discuss how to strengthen bones or prevent more falls.

Almost everyone who breaks a hip will get some kind of surgical repair, surgeons said. The question is when.

by Bob Blancato  Executive Director of the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs

Medicare faces numerous threats in 2019. It’s time for lawmakers and healthcare advocates to attack these challenges head-on.

One threat stems from the Trump administration, which has suggested weakening the so-called protected classes provision in Medicare “Part D.”

Medicare’s Part D drug benefit has enabled seniors to purchase subsidized prescription coverage from private insurers. Part D regulations require every plan to cover all medications in six protected classes of therapies, including anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antineoplastics, antipsychotics, antiretrovirals, and immunosuppressants. This protection ensures that older adults who battle cancer, HIV/AIDS, depression, and other serious diseases have a full range of treatment options.

The administration’s proposal would allow Medicare Part D plans to stop covering some of the most popular and needed medications in these classes. Key medical and patient advocacy groups have indicated that the proposal should be withdrawn.

Another threat lurking for beneficiaries relates to the importation of prescription drugs. Some politicians argue certain drugs can be obtained cheaper if imported from other countries, assuming that price is the only factor that should motivate consumers.

However, consumers should also be concerned with the safety of imported drugs. Is the drug developed in a safe manner? Is it counterfeit? In other words, could it be a threat to the health of a person who uses the imported drug?

It is essential that the most stringent safety requirements be developed before there is any discussion of importation. All drugs that might be imported must pass this rigorous safety test.

In the highly-charged atmosphere around drug prices, importation will be a front and center issue. Different bills permitting everything from unlimited importation to very limited importation will be presented in this session of Congress. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Amy Klobuchar already introduced one importation bill, the “Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act of 2019.” However, the rallying cry from advocates must be safety first.

Another concern relates to Medicare Part D’s Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program, which enables enrollees to obtain heavily discounted prescriptions. Some influential government advisors have proposed raising these enrollees’ co-pays for certain necessary prescriptions. The program is a lifeline for low-income, older adults needing prescription drugs. All efforts to squeeze this vulnerable group of older Americans must be resisted.

Further, we need to do a better job of raising awareness about the LIS program to those older Americans from minority communities who are underutilizing this important benefit.

Medicare has been an unqualified success. Politicians, from the president to representatives in Congress, have pledged to protect Medicare. Advocates should pressure them to fulfill that pledge.

The Parkinson’s Foundation will host its annual Moving Day, Ventura, A Walk for Parkinson’s to unite the community in the fight against Parkinson’s. Funds raised through Moving Day will support cutting-edge research and community programs to improve the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease and their families. On April 13, 9am -12pm at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

More than just a walk, Moving Day Ventura is a celebration of movement featuring a kids’ area, a Resource Pavilion and a special Movement Pavilion with yoga, dance, Tai Chi, Pilates and other activities—all proven to help manage Parkinson’s symptoms. Moving Day events across the country have raised nearly $22 million dollars to improve care and advance research toward a cure.

The Parkinson’s Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson’s disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. In everything we do, we build on the energy, experience and passion of our global Parkinson’s community. For more information, visit www.parkinson.org or call (800)473-4636).

To register or donate visit www.MovingDayVenturaCounty.org.

Join as a participant or attend training and serve as an instructor

Whether your goal this Spring is to do something for your community or something about that prickly balance problem, Tai Chi could be the answer!

Two new free senior Tai Chi classes start in April as does training to become a certified volunteer Tai Chi instructor. Registration is now open for both by calling 805-385-8019.

Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance is a 12-week program offered by Oxnard RSVP and focused on improving the mobility and balance of older adults. Classes are free, designed for those age 50 and older, and taught by certified senior volunteers. The program is offered in Ventura, Oxnard, and Camarillo.

The evidence-based program consists of a simplified eight-form routine of Yang-style Tai Chi. Intended for beginners who can walk easily with or without assistive devices, it teaches participants balance skills and good body alignment by using coordinated and flowing movements. The classes have been proven to reduce repeat falls by 55%.

New volunteer instructors will be trained in two full-day sessions on April 26 and 27. You must be 55 and older to volunteer. Training is free, but a commitment to teach at least two full sessions following certification is required.

New classes are offered at the following locations:

CMH Wellness and Fitness Center, 2723 E. Main Street, beginning April 2

Our Lady of the Assumption, 3175 Telegraph Road, beginning April 8

Pre-registration is required. New participants are accepted only until the third class of each session.

RSVP is a volunteer recruitment and placement program, helping people 55 and older find volunteer positions that match their interests, talent and available time. The Oxnard RSVP has almost 575 members and is sponsored by the City of Oxnard. To learn more about being an RSVP member or to discuss other volunteer opportunities, call 805-385-8023.

by Jayson Cohen American Legacy Solutions

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday, August 31, that proposes asking for reviews on changing certain rules for tax-deferred retirement savings such as 401(k)s and individual retirement accounts, or IRAs. Trump signed the order during a scheduled visit to Charlotte, N.C., and asked the Treasury Department to review the rules for mandatory withdrawals from 401(k)s and IRAs. These mandatory withdrawals are better known as RMDs, and they are required in the year the owner of these tax-deferred accounts turns 70 1/2. According to the Wall Street Journal, the White House is promoting these actions to better prepare the workforce for retirement.

The executive order has tasked the Labor Department to consider permitting small businesses to join together in offering combined 401(k) plans, as detailed by POLITICO. Currently, the Labor Department does not allow unrelated small businesses to offer joint open multiple employer 401(k) plans. The executive order is requesting the Labor Department to search for ways to decrease administrative and paperwork requirements that might be prohibitive to small businesses offering savings plans.

These open multiple employer plans would supposedly help more small businesses to offer their employees savings plans because of the decreased expenses incurred if the plans are jointly administered by several businesses. As reported by POLITICO, Preston Rutledge, assistant secretary of the Employee Benefits Security Administration at the Labor Department, said “Basically, we will be trying to find policy ideas that will help make joining a 410(k) plan a more attractive proposition for small employers.”

Currently, holders of tax-deferred retirement accounts are required to begin minimum withdrawals from the accounts beginning the year they turn 70 1/2. These RMDs are predetermined amounts in a table set by the IRS according to age and must be taken on an annual basis. The purpose of the withdrawals is for the government to start collecting the taxes owed on these accounts, which have enjoyed tax-free status until then.

According to CNBC, the reviews would be of the life expectancy tables from the IRS for the purpose of updating the tables, which may allow retirees to withdraw lower RMDs from their tax-deferred retirement accounts. These tables were last updated in 2002, and the average life expectancy has risen since then from under 77 to 78 1/2, as derived from data compiled from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and noted by CNBC.

This would be helpful to retirees because the tax hit of these withdrawals can be spread out more over a longer period of time. Taking large withdrawals can significantly increase income levels, which translates to a higher tax bracket for many. These smaller distributions can also help those who have inherited tax-deferred accounts and are taking distributions.

If the rules for open multiple employer plans are relaxed, small business owners could join with other, dissimilar small business and implement savings plans for their employees. That could help these business owners attract more skilled employees because of the retirement savings plans added to their employee benefit packages.

Are you thinking about an Independent Living lifestyle outside of your own home? One where you no longer need to cook, take care of the water heater, leaky roof, or overgrown yard? Or perhaps you are just looking for a retirement living environment that provides more social interaction, and the opportunity to develop new friendships.

On Thursday March 7, from 12 noon to 2pm, Cypress Place Independent Living in Ventura will be offering a free Lunch & Learn presentation to discuss the Independent Living lifestyle.

Come discover what retirement living is all about – and when to know it is the right time to move. Experience a Cypress Place Senior Living chef prepared healthy buffet. Enjoy exploring the options available to active seniors not ready for assisted living, but ready to enjoy an enhanced, vibrant lifestyle outside of their own home.

Lunch is free, but space is limited, so please call 805-650-8000 to rsvp.

Cypress Place Independent Living is at 1220 Cypress Point Lane, Ventura. To learn more about Cypress Place Senior Living of Ventura, visit their web site at www.cypressplaceseniorliving.com.

Exercise is safe for almost everyone. In fact, studies show that people with arthritis, high blood pressure, or heart disease benefit from regular exercise and physical activity. In some cases, exercise actually can improve some of these conditions.

Your heart keeps your body running. As you grow older, some changes in the heart and blood vessels are normal, but others are caused by disease.

Choices you might make every day can contribute to heart disease.

To keep your heart healthy, be more physically active. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on most or all days of the week. It doesn’t have to be done all at once-10-minute periods will do.

If you smoke, quit. It’s never too late to get some benefit from quitting smoking.

Follow a heart-healthy diet. Choose low-fat foods and those that are low in salt. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and foods high in fiber.

Keep a healthy weight. Your healthcare provider can check your weight and height to learn your BMI (body mass index). A BMI of 25 or higher means you are at risk for heart disease, as well as diabetes and other health conditions.

You can take small steps to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes by reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, moving more, and making smart food choices. If you already have diabetes, exercise and physical activity can help manage the disease and help you stay healthy longer. Even if it just means that you go and walk the dog for 10 minutes, every little helps. The weather shouldn’t put you off either which means you might want to purchase the best waterproof shoes so you can go out in all weather.

Put away the remote control-get up to change the TV channel. Stretch during commercial breaks.

Walk around when you talk on the phone.

Take more steps by parking the car farther away from stores, movie theaters, or your office.

Learn more about preventing and managing diabetes from the National Diabetes Education Program.

Exercise is safe for almost everyone. For people with arthritis, exercise can reduce joint pain and stiffness; the most common symptoms of this condition. Alongside this, regular physiotherapy sessions, from somewhere like the Activa Clinics in your area, can also assist with arthritis-related problems, as well as being able to massage any aches and pains that you may be experiencing from your increased exercise. Did you know that exercise can also help with losing weight, which reduces stress on the joints?

Flexibility exercises can help keep joints moving, relieve stiffness, and give you more freedom of movement for everyday activities. Examples of flexibility exercises include upper- and lower-body stretching, yoga, and tai chi.

Strengthening exercises will help you maintain or add to your muscle strength. Strong muscles support and protect joints. Weight-bearing exercises, such as weight lifting, fall into this category. You can use bottles of water or soup cans if you don’t have weights.

Endurance exercises make the heart and arteries healthier and may lessen swelling in some joints. Try low-impact options such as swimming and biking.

If you have a chronic condition, before beginning any exercise program, talk with your health care provider about the best activities for you to try.

You may need to avoid some types of activity when joints are swollen or inflamed. If you have pain in a specific joint area, for example, you may need to focus on another area for a day or two. With constant joint inflammation, sufferers can feel at a loss on how to best help themselves, exercise is a great one to take up, but it can also be combined with alternative treatments that are also natural for the body. Medical marijuana has taken great strides over the years in proving to be a positive pain reliever for those in need, dispensaries like imperial mo have been a staple in providing that relief to registered users and will continue to do so as demand rises.

Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones to the point where they break easily-most often in the hip, spine, and wrist. Osteoporosis is more common in women, but men also have this disease.

The good news is there are things you can do at any age to prevent weakened bones, such as including regular weight-bearing exercise in your life, eating foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, stopping smoking, and limiting how much alcohol you drink.

Your bones and muscles will be stronger if you are physically active. Weight-bearing exercises, done three to four times a week, are best for preventing osteoporosis. Walking, jogging, playing tennis, and dancing are examples of weight-bearing exercises. Try some strengthening and balance exercises too. They may help you avoid falls, which could cause a broken bone.