by Patty Jenkins

Remember how disappointed you felt when the bell rang signaling recess was over? Being active was fun back then and we couldn’t get enough of running, jumping, playing on swing sets and playing all kinds of ball games! So maybe it is time to make “exercise” fun again, especially if you are experiencing “motivation issues” to exercise or have “mobility challenges” like Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological challenges.

Come find out how to get excited about exercise (recess) again! The Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group is pleased to welcome Lisa Oliver, Manager of Title Boxing Club in Newbury Park and Amber Stevens, Associate Executive Director of the Ventura Family YMCA as our special guests on Wednesday, July 11.

Lisa Oliver is the Director of their Rock Steady Boxing program. Lisa’s lifelong obsession with the sport of Boxing and commitment to health and fitness led to her dream job in 2013. In March 2014 Lisa and Yvette Israel, both Rock Steady Certified Coaches, helped create and now direct this nationally acclaimed Rock Steady Boxing program created in 2006 in Indiana and tailored specifically for people with Parkinson’s Disease. These non-contact boxing classes help Parkinson’s Disease sufferers fight back, take control of their lives, and have hope for the future by improving their balance, agility, endurance, mental focus, hand-eye coordination and overall strength .

Amber Stevens is the Associate Executive Director at the Ventura Family YMCA which has been serving the Ventura community since 1887. In her 17 years at the organization, she has an extensive background in aquatics and programming. Amber will share all things YMCA when she visits us at our meeting on July 11th. Are you interested in decreasing pain, improving mobility, flexibility and balance? The Y has something for everyone.

The Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group welcomes the public, our members and their care-partners, and new friends who find themselves navigating the challenges of ageing, Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological conditions. Please feel free to join us Wednesday, July 11th from 1PM to 3PM at the Lexington Assisted Living, 5440 Ralston Street in Ventura. We are an independent and volunteer-organized group, not affiliated with or a part of any other organization or group. For more information, call me at 805-766-6070.

Thanks to the generosity of the Lexington Assisted Living, our meetings are held monthly. There is a drop-off/loading and unloading driveway in the front of the Lexington Assisted entrance. Extra parking is graciously available across the street in the Baptist Church parking lot. Reservations are not required. Attendees are invited to check in at the front desk for directions to the 3rd floor and sign-in at the meeting so we can keep in touch with you if you would like us to do so.

Social Security Column
by Jacqueline Zaragoza Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Sierra West Area

Chances are good that you use the internet or a cell phone app every day. Social Security has you covered. We’ve created online tools to make the lives of millions of people easier. We’ve put together a top ten list of easy-to-use resources for you.

Want access to our latest news, retirement planning tips, and helpful information? Social Security Matters is our blog at blog.socialsecurity.gov. There, you can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube, where you can watch our popular videos.

Our online calculators, such as the Retirement Estimator, the Life Expectancy Calculator, and the Early or Late Retirement Calculator, can be found at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/calculators.

Apply for Social Security benefits online. This is the fastest, most convenient way to apply for retirement, spouses, disability, or Medicare benefits without visiting a local office or calling to speak to a representative; we can be found online at www.socialsecurity.gov/benefits.

Lost or missing your Social Security card? Find out how to get a new, replacement, or corrected card at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber. In fact, you may be able to quickly request a replacement card online with a my Social Security account, if you meet certain qualifications, at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

Verify your annual earnings and review estimates of your future Social Security benefits when you access your Social Security Statement, one of the many services available with a my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

Do you have to pay taxes on Social Security benefits? How do you apply for Social Security retirement benefits? What is your full retirement age? Discover the answers to your Social Security related questions at our Frequently Asked Questions page at www.socialsecurity.gov/faq.

Do you own a business? You might want to check out these 5 Top Factors Impacting Online Security here to give you a better idea of what you should be looking for. The Business Services Online Suite of Services allows organizations, businesses, individuals, employers, attorneys, non-attorneys representing Social Security claimants, and third-parties to exchange information with Social Security securely over the internet. Find it at www.socialsecurity.gov/bso/services.htm.

Have you dreamed of moving abroad? Learn how Social Security makes international payments and how you can do business with us from around the world at www.socialsecurity.gov/foreign.

Are you a veteran? Are you at mid-career? Maybe you’re new to the workforce. Find out how we fulfill your needs through life’s journey on our People Like Me page at www.socialsecurity.gov/people.

If you like to read and prefer to know all the details, our publications webpage is a library of helpful information. Access it at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

We make things simple, easy to use, and beneficial. And we’re always here to help you secure today and tomorrow, www.socialsecurity.gov.

by the National Institute on Aging

Cognitive health—the ability to clearly think, learn, and remember—is an important component of brain health.

Motor function—how well you make and control movements

Emotional function—how well you interpret and respond to emotions

Sensory function—how well you feel and respond to sensations of touch, including pressure, pain, and temperature

Manage chronic health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, and high cholesterol.

Consult with your healthcare provider about the medicines you take and possible side effects on memory, sleep, and brain function.

Reduce risk for brain injuries due to falls and other accidents.

Limit use of alcohol (some medicines can be dangerous when mixed with alcohol).

Quit smoking, if you smoke. As easy as this sounds, it’s much more difficult to actually stop. To help you control your nicotine addiction, you may want to look into vapes. They are believed to be healthier than cigarettes, and also come in a range of vape juice flavors to encourage more people to stop smoking.

Get enough sleep, generally 7-8 hours each night is the recommendation.

Eat Healthy Foods.

A healthy diet can help reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease or diabetes. It may also help keep your brain healthy.

Look for the best pterostilbene supplements you can take as they help improve cognitive, memory and motor function.

In general, a healthy diet consists of fruits and vegetables; whole grains; lean meats, fish, and poultry; and low-fat or non-fat dairy products. You should also limit solid fats, sugar, and salt. Be sure to control portion sizes and drink enough water and other fluids.

Be Physically Active

Being physically active—through regular exercise, household chores, or other activities—has many benefits. It can help you:

Studies link ongoing physical activity with benefits for the brain, too. In one study, exercise stimulated the human brain’s ability to maintain old network connections and make new ones that are vital to cognitive health. Other studies have shown that exercise increased the size of a brain structure important to memory and learning, improving spatial memory.

Federal guidelines recommend that all adults get at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week. Aim to move about 30 minutes on most days. Walking is a good start.

For more information, see Go4Life®, NIA’s exercise and physical activity campaign for older adults.

Being intellectually engaged may benefit the brain. People who engage in meaningful activities, like volunteering or hobbies, say they feel happier and healthier. Learning new skills may improve your thinking ability, too.

Lots of activities can keep your mind active. For example, read books and magazines. Play games. Take or teach a class. Learn a new skill or hobby. Work or volunteer. These types of mentally stimulating activities have not been proven to prevent serious cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease, but they can be fun!

Scientists think that such activities may protect the brain by establishing “cognitive reserve.” They may help the brain become more adaptable in some mental functions, so it can compensate for age–related brain changes and health conditions that affect the brain.

Be wary of claims that playing certain computer and online games can improve your memory and other types of thinking. Evidence to back up such claims is evolving. NIA and others are supporting research to determine if different types of cognitive training have lasting effects.

Connecting with other people through social activities and community programs can keep your brain active and help you feel less isolated and more engaged with the world around you. Participating in social activities may lower the risk for some health problems and improve well-being.

So, visit with family and friends. Join programs through your Area Agency on Aging, senior center, or other community organizations.

We don’t know for sure yet if any of these actions can prevent or delay Alzheimer’s disease and age–related cognitive decline. But some of them have been associated with reduced risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.

The event is free and open to the public. A complimentary barbecue lunch will be provided, courtesy of the community.

Fallen soldier display and Huey Army Medevac helicopter provided the backdrop for last year’s Salute Our Veteran’s event at Cypress. This year’s event will take place on June 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m, at the senior community.

Cypress Place Senior Living 1200/1220 Cypress Point Lane

by the National Council On Aging

Older Americans are told they can rely on the Medicare Plan Finder tool to compare and choose the plan that best meets their needs. However, a new report co-authored by the National Council on Aging and the Clear Choices Campaign finds that the Plan Finder tool is not delivering on that promise.

The site is overwhelming, information is poorly presented, and the user design is potentially misleading—all of which confuses beneficiaries and can contribute to many making poor plan selections. Two of the biggest shortcomings are out-of-pocket cost information is difficult to understand and provider directories are difficult to navigate.

On a scorecard of the 12 features needed to support online enrollment choices, Medicare Plan Finder received A’s in only 2 categories – anonymous browsing and language accessibility – while it received 7 failing grades.

With 10,000 Boomers aging into Medicare every day, several improvements can and should be made to the basic features of the Medicare Plan Finder that would mirror technology advancements commonly found in the private sector and even on some of the Affordable Care Act public health exchange websites.

The key findings of the report are:

• Out-of-pocket cost information is difficult to understand.
• Provider and Pharmacy directories are difficult to navigate.
• Plan comparisons do not permit inclusion of Medigap policies.
• The website layout and display are confusing.
• Language is not user-friendly.
• Navigation and functionality are complex and inconsistent.
• Human support is not available.
• Information on quality Star Ratings is confusing.
• Plan information is not customized well.
• Information is not consistently accurate.

The report includes 11 key and 25 detailed recommendations that NCOA and Clear Choices believe will improve the Medicare Plan Finder and ensure that every beneficiary has access to the information they need to make the best Medicare decision for their situation.

by Jackie Zaragoza Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Sierra West Area

You made the choice and now you are happily retired. You filed online for your social security benefits. They arrive each month in the correct amount exactly as expected. But, did you ever wonder if your Social Security check could increase?

Once you begin receiving benefits, there are three common ways benefit checks can increase: a cost of living adjustment (COLA); additional work; or an adjustment at full retirement age if you received reduced benefits and exceeded the earnings limit.

The COLA is the most commonly known increase for Social Security payments. We annually announce a COLA, and there’s usually an increase in the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit amount people receive each month. By law, federal benefit rates increase when the cost of living rises, as measured by the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index (CPI-W). More than 66 million Americans saw a 2.0 percent increase in their Social Security and SSI benefits in 2018. For more information on the 2018 COLA, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/cola.

Social Security uses your highest thirty-five years of earnings to figure your benefit amount when you sign up for benefits. If you work after you begin receiving benefits, your additional earnings may increase your payment. If you had fewer than 35 years of earnings when we figured your benefit, you will replace a zero earnings year with new earnings. If you had 35 years or more, we will check to see if your new year of earnings is higher than the lowest of the 35 years (after considering indexing). We check additional earnings each year you work while receiving Social Security. If an increase is due, we send a notice and pay a one-time check for the increase and your continuing payment will be higher.

Maybe you chose to receive reduced Social Security retirement benefits while continuing to work. You made the choice to take benefits early, but at a reduced rate. If you exceeded the allowable earnings limit and had some of your benefits withheld, we will adjust your benefit once you reach full retirement age. We will refigure your payment to credit you for any months you did not receive payments. Your monthly benefit will increase based on the crediting months you receive. You can find additional information about working and your benefit at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/EN-05-10077.pdf.

Retirement just got more interesting since you learned about potential increases to monthly payments. Social Security has been securing your today and tomorrow for more than 80 years with information and tools to help you achieve a successful retirement.

Senior News Line
by Matilda Charles

Summer doesn’t officially start until June 20, but there are locations in the country where the temperature is reaching 100 degrees. Much of the Sunbelt already is seeing highs in the 90s. All of those numbers are going to rise in the coming weeks. It’s the time of year for seniors to beware the heat. Here are some tips:

Consider sun-blocking drapes for windows on the south and west side of the house. Keep them closed during the heat of the day.

Join afternoon activities at the library and senior center. That way you’ll be in air conditioning when the heat is at its worst. If you can get to the mall, go there. Sit in the food court and read a book(or the Ventura Breeze), or walk some laps for exercise.

Plan your errands for early or late in the day.

Call your doctor’s office and ask about your water intake. Be sure to tell them all of your medications; some drugs can make it too easy to become dehydrated, especially if you take diuretics. Remember that sugary drinks don’t count as liquid intake.

If you go out, use a wide-brim woven hat. Check the weather and keep an eye on the heat index. Wear loose cotton clothing.

Remember: We seniors don’t always know when we’re getting overheated. Heat exhaustion or heatstroke can creep up on us because our circulatory system doesn’t work like it used to. Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion: weakness, headaches, dizziness and muscle cramps. The more serious heatstroke can follow only 10-15 minutes later.

(c) 2018 King Features Synd., Inc.

by Sheli Ellsworth

Like so many Ventureans, Dr. James Woodburn II fled the Thomas fire. He evacuated in the middle of the night after receiving panicked phones calls from his daughter and daughter-in-law. He left with the clothes on his back while his home of 45 years was destroyed. “I knew I was in trouble when my auto insurance company wanted a police report for the loss of my car. They even asked if I could turn it in for salvage.” The home had collapsed onto the garage. There was nothing to turn over.

Woodburn moved to Ventura in 1972 and started a private practice. “I can’t think of a nicer place to live,” says Woodburn. “The medical community here is good. Very good.”

Woodburn says his father, who was also a doctor, was his greatest mentor. “He died of a coronary while he was on a house call at the age of 76.” Two of Woodburn’s sons and one of his grand-daughters also practice medicine. The family has 105 years of combined service at Community Memorial Hospital. Dr. Woodburn continued to assist his sons in surgery while he was homeless. Why? “Because after my family, medicine is my first love.”

“My daughter-in-law’s mother lives in the Ventura Townhouses. She knew of a double unit that was being remodeled. I jumped on it, but I still couldn’t move in until the work was finished.” In the meantime, Woodburn got pneumonia and was in the hospital’s ICU for three weeks. What sort of patient was he? “I was the worst kind! Being sick was worse than WWII.” He finally recovered and moved in to the renovated townhouse the end of February and says the facility’s gym is a good follow-up to the two puzzles he does every day. “I have been working out since 1986 and I do the New York and the LA Times crossword puzzles every day.”

Woodburn stays busy. He goes into his office at least two days a week, still assists in surgery and keeps in close communication with his nine grandchildren. “I always say that my favorite one is the one I’m with.” What has kept Woodburn going? “I grew up in the Midwest. We had different values. I’m a curmudgeon.” Woodburn says he thinks that people retire too early. “You have to have something to get up for every day.” Dr. Woodburn is 91 years young.

by Lori Harasta

Five years ago, Teresa Valko participated in the first Alzheimer’s Association’s “The Longest Day” by walking from dawn to dusk. Sixteen hours and 36 miles later, she unlaced her shoes, examined her blistered feet, and said, “There’s got to be a better way.”

Valko is not just passionate about ending Alzheimer’s disease, a monstrous malady that has claimed way too many of her own family members. She also loves to knit. “A day without knitting would be like….what am I talking about? I have no idea what a day without knitting is like!”

Her two passions merged last year when she joined with Anacapa Yarn Shop Owner Lois Perry to form the “Yarn Ballz to End Alz” knitting team. On Summer Solstice, the doors opened at sunrise and closed at sunset. In the hours between, 80 fiber enthusiasts participated in the “knit-along”, assembling squares out of donated yarn into Afghans.

he blankets were later donated to memory care facilities throughout Ventura County. The team’s first-time haul of $17,500.00 wasn’t accomplished just by knitting. Non-knitters were also part of the fundraising team, donating money, refreshments, and raffle prizes.

Perry was thrilled at the success of the event. “We owe it all to those people who worked so hard to make it happen. We just put out the call and they rallied. It was a lot of fun, and heartwarming to have the support of so many.”

According to Valko, “Death from Alzheimer’s disease increased 123% between 2000 and 2015. It is the only cause of death in the top ten for which there is no cure, no prevention, and no treatment.
“The Longest Day symbolizes the challenging journey of those living with the disease and their caregivers. For them, every day seems like the longest day.”
The goal is to raise funds and awareness to advance Alzheimer’s Association care, support, and research programs.

This year, Valko will unite knitters nationwide. She will fly across the country to support a team in Baltimore, Maryland. From there, she will go to Austin, Texas where a team will participate at a well-known yarn store called Hill Country Weavers. Nationally-known knitter Ann Budd in Colorado will have a knitting team. Budd lost her mother to Alzheimer’s. Currently there are 17 teams across the nation. The journey will be covered via Instagram – @wcbelle and Twitter – @WCBelle68 all day June 20th and 21st.

On June 21 (or thereabouts), people across the country will participate in The Longest Day with team names such as “Bordeaux for Brains”, “Blistered Soles” “AZL PALZ” and “Doodling to end Dementia”. The activity possibilities are endless. Since Summer Solstice falls on a Thursday this year, it should be noted that celebrating on Saturday is perfectly fine.

According to Valko, “It is an opportunity for participants to do what they love to honor those affected by Alzheimer’s.”

If you are interested in joining and/or supporting the “Yarn Ballz to End Alz” team, please go online to http://act.alz.org/site/TR/LongestDay2018/TheLongestDay?px=4610412&pg=personal&fr_id=10935. For activity ideas, and to form a team, go to www.alz.org/thelongestday.

What will you do on The Longest Day to end Alzheimer’s?