QUESTION:  I need to place a family member in a care facility.  Do you have any suggestions on how I should start my search?   ANSWER:  Finding the appropriate facility takes time and effort.  But spending this time early in the process makes the transition to a care facility much easier for the entire family. [...]

  QUESTION:  Each year I have my income taxes done by volunteers at my senior center.  I have two questions.  Are these services being offered again this year and who is eligible for these services?   ANSWER:  Yes, tax preparation services will be offered again this year.  I have information about these services for Thousand [...]

  I am sure we are all tired of hearing that we must exercise more.  Well exercise can be fun and one way to do that is by dancing.  Could you tell your readers about the Thousand Oaks Dance Club – they could have fun while they exercise.   ANSWER:  I would be glad to [...]

  QUESTION:  I am looking for a Driver Safety Program for seniors.  Do you have information on such a program and where and when it is given?   ANSWER:  I think you are looking for AARP’s Driver Safety Program.  This is an eight hour classroom refresher class for drivers aged 50 and older.   This [...]

  QUESTION:  Last year I attended a health and wellness event at the Goebel Center.  Do you know if that event is being offered again and if so when?   ANSWER:  Yes.  The Conejo Senior Volunteer Program’s (CSVP) 4th Annual Wellness Fest is scheduled for Wednesday January 17 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at [...]

QUESTION:  I am attempting to help several older members of my family with their health care coverage and trying to understand various concepts such as Medicare fee-for-service, original Medicare, health maintenance organization plans, Senior Advantage plans, and Medicare Part A, Part B, Part C and Part D. Can you help? ANSWER: This is an excellent [...]

QUESTION: If I remember correctly, it is about this time of year that Medicare has its annual open enrollment. Can you provide the dates? ANSWER:  Medicare annual open enrollment will start Oct. 15 and run through Dec. 7. During this period, you can change the coverage you have from Medicare-fee-for-service (also known as Original Medicare) [...]

QUESTION: I have a family member who has just been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and I am looking for a support group in the City of Ventura. Can you provide any information? ANSWER: Yes. I just recently learned of a Parkinson’s disease support group that meets in Ventura every month. The Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support [...]

QUESTION: I recently retired and would like to spend some of my free time volunteering. I am interested in doing something that would benefit my community. Could you give me any leads? ANSWER: I commend you for thinking of volunteering your time. Many activities and events we enjoy are possible only because of volunteers. There [...]

QUESTION: A family member has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and while not needed at this particular time, I am beginning to think about hospice services. When looking into this type of care, what should I consider when selecting a hospice provider? ANSWER: Most Americans know very little about hospice care. They aren’t aware [...]