By Betty Berry, Tuesday, February 16, 2010  Q: I recently made a purchase and paid for it with a check. When I received my bank statement, it showed that check to be an electronic check conversion. Can you explain?

A: What you experienced was a process where your check was used as a source of information — but the check itself was not considered as the method of payment. That information was then used to make a one-time electronic payment from your account.

When you provide your check, you must be given notice that the information from your check will be used to make an electronic payment from your account.

This notification likely is provided by a sign posted at the cash register. In a few instances it may be given in a written notice that you could be asked to sign.

You may also encounter an electronic check conversion when you mail a check to pay a bill. The billing statement from the company includes information telling you that your check will be used to make an electronic payment...

By Betty Berry, Monday, February 8, 2010  Q: I have a friend who is really in debt because of her credit cards. I’ve tried to talk to her about the problem, but my words seem to fall on deaf ears. I think if she read about credit card debt in your column, she might realize the trouble she is in. Will you help?

A: You have brought up a very serious problem that is being experienced by many, including seniors.

I’m sure most of us have known of those who have used their credit cards to extremes.

Having a credit card can certainly be a convenience and, in the case of an emergency, a blessing. But having a card can also be a trap resulting in overspending.

When we use a credit card, we have a responsibility to ourselves to use it with restraint and to the credit card company to have the ability to pay the bill.

We should remember that using a credit card is nothing more than obtaining a short-term loan. So before zipping out our credit card to make a purchase, we should ask ourselves...

By Betty Berry, Monday, February 1, 2010   Q: I am a senior who has just become computer literate. I am enjoying my newfound hobby of visiting the Internet and have viewed a number of Web sites offering health information. How can I determine if the information provided is reliable?

A: First, let me congratulate you on becoming computer literate. It is the way of the future, and seniors should take every opportunity available to keep up with technology.

Seniors who don't learn how to use a computer will find themselves isolated from current methods of communication and ways of doing business.

According to the Center for Medicare Education, an estimated 100 million-plus Americans sought healthcare information on the Internet in the past year. That number is expected to rise as more Web sites are established and the number of Americans increases.

However, since the Internet allows anyone to set up a Web site, you will find unreliable and biased information along with reliable and unbiased...

By Betty Berry, Monday, January 25, 2010  Q: Each year in January, I promise myself to live a healthier life, and this year is no different. But I need some stimulation to get me going. Is there any event on the calendar to give me a push?

A: You and many others start the new year out with this promise to yourselves, and it is not a bad idea. Yes, there are several events on the calendar that would possibly give you that extra push you think you need.

Senior Concerns' next presentation in its Solving the Aging Puzzle series for 2009-10 is "Health and Fitness Tips for Longevity." It is scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at Senior Concerns Day Care Center, 401 Hodencamp Road, Thousand Oaks.

Dr. Douglas Markham, wellness adviser and national health and fitness authority, will be the facilitator. He will speak about achieving "Generation C" — making it to 100 and living independently.

The presentation will include information on how healthy eating and exercise can help prevent, reduce...

By: Betty Berry, Monday, January 18, 2010  Q: My friend and I are trying to get our legal papers in order and are having a disagreement on what paper or papers take precedence over others. She said that a will is the final word while I was always told that other ways of leaving money such as naming a beneficiary would be the form that would be followed.

Can you shed some light?

A: First, congratulations to both of you for putting your legal papers in order. It is so important to have these issues set in print so your assets, when you are gone, go to the person or persons you want to have them.

It is also very important to know which legal form takes precedence; if you don’t, you may end up leaving a particular asset or assets to an unintended person or persons.

To make sure I understood some of the methods of leaving assets, I spent some time with an expert in the field and found the following:

Beneficiaries you designate on life insurance policies, investment accounts such as...

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, January 12, 2010 Q: I received a letter from Social Security informing me that I have been overpaid and must repay Social Security. I don’t understand how this could have happened and don’t think I have been overpaid. I don’t know how to respond to this problem. Can you help?

A: Overpayment can occur in either Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and may be caused by a number of situations.

There could have been a miscalculation in determining the benefit amount or a duplicate check issued. In other cases, resources, income or earnings may be higher than the allowable limits or the beneficiary’s living arrangements may have changed....

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, January 5, 2010  Q: Each year there are changes in Medicare deductibles and co-insurance. As these changes are announced, I read or hear about them in bits and pieces. Could you recap these changes for 2010 so that I have them all in one place?

A: I would be glad to. The following changes became effective Jan. 1:

- This year there was no cost-of-living increase; therefore, your Social Security checks will remain at the same amount they were last year.

- In 2010, the monthly premium for Medicare Part B (medical coverage) will again be based on your adjusted gross income. This will be determined via your 2008 income tax return. The basic monthly premium that is deducted from your Social Security check for those single individuals earning $85,000 or less and for married couples earning $170,000 or less will remain at $96.40....

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, December 29, 2009  Q: With the busy holiday season almost behind us and a new year approaching, I am wondering if there are any seminars or workshops scheduled in January.

A: For a number of years, January has not had a lot of activity in the seminar-workshop area. However, from where I sit it looks like 2010 will be different.

I can tell you about four events scheduled for the first half of January. Each addresses a subject of interest to a particular group of people, so I am sure you will find at least one of them of interest to you.

Senior Concerns and Coast Caregiver Resource Center, a program of Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital, are co-sponsoring a seminar, “Coping Strategies for Family Caregivers.” It is scheduled for Jan. 12, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., at Senior Concerns Day Care Center, at 401 Hodencamp Road in Thousand Oaks.....

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, December 22, 2009  Q: A while back, my neighbor attended a seminar providing information about how to study for the DMV written test. I now find that for the first time in many years I will be required to take the written test in order to renew my driver’s license.

I sure could use a little help in preparing. Do you know if that seminar will be given again and, if so, where and when?

A: Many seniors are as surprised as you are to receive a notice that a test is required in order to renew their driver’s license.....

By Betty Berry, Wednesday, December 9, 2009  Q: I am a caregiver for a family member and currently doing OK, but I know in the future I will need to seek placement. What should I look for in selecting a facility?

A: You are to be commended for looking into placement well in advance of when you are actually going to need this type of care.

Since you didn’t mention what type of care your family member may need, let me start with some simple explanations describing the types of facilities you might be considering.

A residential-care facility for the elderly, also referred to as a board-and-care or an assisted-living facility, is a home for those who can no longer live safely on their own but do not require any type of skilled nursing care. To accommodate patients with special needs, many of these facilities have obtained special waivers that allow them to provide dementia and end-of-life care....