By Betty Berry Wednesday, March 25, 2009   Q: I just received an e-mail from a friend that explained how a bystander could detect the possibility that someone was having a stroke and by doing so could perhaps save a life. I thought perhaps it might be a good item for your column.

A: Thank you for sharing. I too received an e-mail explaining how to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. I will be glad to share what that e-mail said as it encouraged all who received it to spread the word.

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster as the stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms. Doctors have said that a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions represented by the first three letters of the word STROKE.

S for smile: Ask the individual to SMILE; if he or she has difficulty or it is a crooked smile, it could be a sign of a stroke.

T for talk:...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, March 11, 2009   Q: A family member has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and while hospice services are not needed at this particular time, I am beginning to think about them. What should I consider when selecting a hospice provider?

A: I commend you on preparing for future needs.

It is something most of us fail to do and then when faced with the actual problem must act in haste, sometimes requiring us to make ill-informed decisions.

Most Americans know very little about hospice care.

They aren’t aware that it provides pain relief for the terminally ill, that it is an option for end-of-life care and that Medicare covers most of the cost.

Hospice care differs from other forms of healthcare in a number of ways.

Hospice offers palliative rather than curative treatment. It treats the person, not the disease.

It emphasizes quality of life rather than length of life and it considers the entire family, not just the patient.

When...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, March 4, 2009   Q: My dad will be coming to live with me in my home. He has some problems with mobility, and I want to make the house as free from potential falls as possible. Do you have any suggestions on what I can do?

A: One of the added benefits of making your home safe for your dad is it will also be safer for you and the rest of your family, as anyone can take a tumble if areas are not well lit and free of clutter.

The suggested safety measures will be helpful for all.

- Bathrooms account for many falls. Adding grab bars in the shower, tub and toilet areas will make getting around in this room much safer.

A word of caution about installation of grab bars: They must be attached directly into the studs in order to provide the strength needed when grabbed.

If you don’t know how to do the installation, I strongly suggest you have it done by a professional, as it is well worth the money.

Incorrectly installed grab bars are more dangerous...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, February 25, 2009   Q: I am a fairly recent widow and at a bit of a loss when it comes to issues concerning finances. I know I should be reviewing the legal papers we had prepared and do some planning, but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any suggestions?

A: When it comes to legal issues and making important decisions, I believe that many people, men and women, feel at a bit of a loss.

To ease into this complex subject, I would like to suggest you mark your calendar for the next “Solving the Aging Puzzle” seminar being offered by Senior Concerns.

The “Estate Planning — Don’t Leave Your Family in the Dark” presentation is scheduled for March 10, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Senior Concerns Adult Day Center, at 401 Hodencamp Road in Thousand Oaks.

This most informative presentation will be facilitated by Cheri L. Kurman, attorney at law. She is certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a certified specialist in estate planning,...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, February 18, 2009    Q: Every day I seem to have a mailbox full of invitations to free seminars on living trusts and financial planning. I’m not really sure I need to be concerned with such topics, but if I do, would these seminars provide me with the information I need?

A: This is not only an excellent question but also a very timely one, since many people are now concerned about how, where and when to invest their money.

It also is one I would like more seniors to ask before they sign up for one of these “free” presentations.

Will attending such a seminar provide you with the information and services you need? The answer is maybe yes — but more likely no.

These community seminars address the issue of estate planning or financial planning in a general manner, and the right strategies needed for an individual to make proper decisions depend on that individual’s unique circumstances.

What might be the right action for your neighbor will most likely...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, February 11, 2009   Q: In the past I have had my taxes done at my local senior center. Will they be doing them again this year?

A: Yes, preparation of income tax returns is being provided again this year. Services started Feb. 1 and will run through April 15 and are for those 60 and over and for those under 60 whose income is $45,000 or less.

As in the past, taxpayers whose returns include Schedule E (rental income) or Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business ) are not eligible.

Participants should be prepared to present a picture ID, their Social Security card and a copy of their 2007 federal and state income tax returns. They should have with them all 2008 documents (W-2s and 1099s) showing income from wages, Social Security, interest, dividends, investments, self-employment and pensions.

Some senior centers are requiring appointments while others are running on a first come, first served basis.

To check the days and hours, call your local senior...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, February 4, 2009   Q: My parents are very private about their finances and personal records. Until now this hasn’t been a problem, but they are beginning to need my assistance and I don’t have the information I need to help them get the care and services they require. Do you have any suggestions about what would be useful for me to ask them to provide?

A: Your situation is not uncommon. We all are guilty to some degree about lack of planning for future situations.

Planning for the future should include among other things getting our financial and personal records in order and at least letting a family member or close friend know where the records are kept should an emergency arise.

While each person’s situation is unique and requires different action, there is specific information and basic documents that should be available.

The following suggestions may help to organize personal and financial records not only for your parents but perhaps also for yourself.

...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, January 28, 2009  Q: I am planning to bring my mother here to Thousand Oaks and beginning to look at various types of housing and frankly I am most confused. Is there any one place I can go to get this information?

A: Housing is a very complex subject. It is more than a place to live. Consideration must be given to cost as well as whether the person seeking housing can live independently or if some type of assistance is needed.

There are several organizations that work with housing needs, but each is geared to a particular type of housing.

To get a good bird’s-eye view, I think you might want to mark your calendar for the next Solving the Aging Puzzle seminar offered by Senior Concerns.

The presentation Housing — Knowing Your Options is scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at Senior Concerns Adult Day Center, 401 Hodencamp Road, Thousand Oaks.

This will be a panel presentation with Doug Tapking, executive director of the Area Housing Authority,...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, January 21, 2009 

Q: My friends and I have been discussing long-term-care insurance and have differing views as to whether we should or should not purchase such coverage. We don’t feel informed enough about other options or the selections needed to be made to purchase a policy. Can you provide some basic information?

A: The decision to purchase long-term-care insurance is very important and one that shouldn’t be made in a hurry. There is no right or wrong answer. Each person’s situation is different and your comfort level is part of that decision-making process.

Before you shop for long-term-care insurance, you should investigate not only different insurance companies but also learn about what long-term care encompasses. Check to see what services are available, what type of facilities are available, what type of facilities provide such care and the cost of that care.

To pay long-term-care costs you have four choices: You can “self-insure” by paying for all...

By Betty Berry Wednesday, January 14, 2009   Q: My husband was considered disabled by his employer yet when he applied for Social Security disability he was turned down. Can you provide an explanation?

A: It is not unusual for a person to be turned down when first applying for Social Security disability. Perhaps Social Security just needs some additional information. I always suggest appealing the decision. You have 60 days from the time you receive the letter.

Not all disability programs are alike, and eligibility for various programs depends on that program’s definition of “disability.” Some programs will pay for partial disability or short-term disability. Social Security does not.

Social Security has a very strict definition for disability. Under Social Security disability is based on the inability to work. Applicants will be considered disabled if they cannot perform the work they did before the illnesses or accidents that caused the disabilities and if Social Security determines...