Senior Advocate: Several seminars to cover changes in Medicare for next year

By Betty Berry, Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010 Q: If I remember correctly, this time of year there are usually numerous seminars addressing changes to Medicare for the coming year. Do you know if there are any scheduled?

A: You have a good memory. Yes, I do know and will be glad to share those dates with you.

On Nov. 3, the Thousand Oaks Council on Aging at its regularly scheduled meeting will present Medicare Changes for 2011. The Senior Concerns advocate will discuss changes to Medicare fee-for-service coverage and Senior Advantage plans.

The meeting, p.m., is open to the public and will be in the Board Room at the Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions. This is a golden opportunity for seniors who are already enrolled in Medicare and for soon-to-be seniors to learn the ins and outs of seniors’ healthcare coverage.

It would be nice to see a large turnout at this meeting. For information, call 449-2743. Hope to see you there.

Four other meetings are scheduled in the east county during the first two weeks of November:

1:30-3 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Simi Valley Senior Center, 3900 Avenida Simi, Simi Valley. Call 583-6363 for information and reservations.

p.m. Nov. 8 at the Moorpark Active Senior Center, 799 Moorpark Ave., Moorpark. For information and reservations, call 517-6261.

1:30-3 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Westlake Village Civic Center, 31200 E. Oak Crest Drive, Westlake Village. For information, call the advocates’ office at 495-6250.

1:30-3:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. For information and reservations, call 381-2744.

Every senior and soon-to-be senior should plan to attend at least one of these presentations to make sure they know what changes will occur in 2011. Each seminar will be facilitated by the Senior Concerns advocate.

Q: My dad is coming to live with me, and I am sure there are things I can do to make my home safer for him. Do you know where I can go to find this information?

A: You might want to circle Nov. 9 on your calendar.

The second presentation in Senior Concerns “Solving the Aging Puzzle” series will address the exact question you are asking.

Titled Home Mods and Handy Dandy Gadgets, the presentation will look at simple things you can do to make your home safer not only for your dad but also for the entire family.

Holly Spiegal from Moving Seniors Forward will discuss projects you can do yourself to provide a safer environment. A safe, uncluttered environment makes access to all areas of your home easier, and can create space that prevents a fall. We all know how damaging a fall can be.

The presentation will be 7-8:30 p.m. at the Senior Concerns Day Care Center, 401 Hodencamp Road, Thousand Oaks. Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling Senior Concerns at 497-0189. If you forget to make reservations, walk-ins are always welcome.

If you need respite care for a special needs senior so that you can attend the seminar, you can make arrangements for that care at the center when you make your reservation. Reservations for respite care are required.

Happenings

Will You Pass Your Next Driving Test? seminar: 1:30-3:30 p.m. Nov. 5, Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. For reservations, call 381-2744.

— Betty Berry is a senior advocate for Senior Concerns. The advocates are at the Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362; call 495-6250 or e-mail betty@seniorconcerns.org (please include your telephone number). You are invited to submit questions on senior issues.