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| Thought du Jour |
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Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art.
~ Garson Kanin |
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| Financial & Legal Wellbeing Workshop Series |
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DMCC is sponsoring a Financial and Legal Wellbeing Workshop Series offered by Parkinson's Disease Association of San Diego. This series of four workshops provides education and information services about key financial planning and legal matters. All workshops will be held on Wednesdays from 1 - 2:30 p.m. in the City Hall Annex, 235 11th St. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED AND SPACE IS LIMITED TO 15, SO SIGN UP EARLY!
February 4, 2009 - Lifestyle Issues - employment issues, caregiver support, resources and services, income tax issues and health care planning.
March 4, 2009 - Maximizing Savings & Investments - income and expense budgeting, tax advantaged savings and other investment strategies.
May 6, 2009 - Limiting Financial Risks - Medicare integration, health, property, disability, life and long term care insurance.
June 10, 2009 - Important Legal Decisions - Durable powers of attorney, living wills, estate planning and charitable giving. |
| Ongoing DMCC Services |
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Medicare question? A HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program) counselor is available at the DMCC office the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month from 9am to 12 noon. If you need help with your prescription drug plans, Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare supplement insurance, long term care insurance, or health claim appeals, call for a free appointment: 1-800-434-0222. Note: The second HICAP clinic in January will be held on Weds., January 21, due to the MLK holiday.
Rides to Medical Appointments: DMCC volunteers, using their own cars, drive City of Del Mar residents to medical appointments. Call a week in advance to reserve a ride. To become a volunteer driver, call the DMCC office.
Dial-A-Ride Taxi Vouchers for seniors over age 62 and residents with special needs who live in the City of Del Mar are available through DMCC. Call the office for details.
Care Management Consulation Services help older people and their families develop solutions to the challenges of aging such as future long-term care needs and arrangements for in-home care. Darcy Mulholland, MSW, is available to meet with you and make recommendations to help you live safely at home. Call DMCC to make an appointment. 858-792-7464.
Telephone Reassurance Program provides a daily check-up call to make sure that you answer your phone at a designated time. Unanswered calls trigger a follow-up response by DMCC personnel to make sure you are okay. To enroll in the program contact DMCC at 858-792-7565. |
| Where Were You in 1959? |
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 Submit an Old Photo
We would like photos circa 1959 for a special crafts project for the Valentine's Tea to help you "Remember When". All photos will be returned once scanned. Submission deadline is Thursday, January 22, 5 p.m. For details, contact Heather at 858-792-7565 or heather@dmcc.cc. |
| Save the Date! |
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 Saturday, March 21, 2009
11 a.m.
Del Mar Community Connections invites you and your loved ones to participate in The Jerry Finnell Lagoon to Lagoon Memorial 3 mile communitywide walk honoring Del Mar's 50th Anniversary and its great civic leaders. The starting point will be at Torrey Pines State Beach and will include a route along the beach ending at the San Dieguito Lagoon Boardwalk with refreshments. Form a team or come by yourself - you're sure to have fun! Watch our website for details! |
| Healthy Heart Expo |
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| Saturday, January 17
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The UCSD Medical Center Sulpisio Family Cardiovascular Center is holding a Healthy Heart Expo at the UC San Diego Faculty Club, Muir Lane, La Jolla. They will be offering free health care screenings for cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose, gift bags for the first 300 attendees, raffles, and food. There will also be motivational and educational lectures and lots of exhibit booths. For more information, call Kate Greathouse at 619-543-6031 or email kgreathouse@ucsd.edu. |
| Tune In to Elder Law Radio |
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 ElderLaw Radio features interviews with nationally recognized experts in planning and long-term care who explain the best strategies for the care of you or your family members. | |
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Dear Friends, Neighbors and Supporters,
The New Year is always a time for reflection and planning. Most often the short term planning is accomplished; however, it is the longer term planning that needs the most attention. Thinking about how we want to be living when are needs are greater can be perplexing. This is why we have started our neighborhood Senior Living Options discussion groups. We can help you to learn about what is available in your community for living with security and safety. Please call us if you would like to host a meeting at your house for you and your neighbors who are facing the same questions and concerns.
Another service that we have established is our care management consultation. We are working with Darcy Mulholland, a geriatric social worker with Eldercare Guides. We can arrange for Darcy to visit you at no cost in your home to discuss needs that may occur urgently or those that you are trying to foresee. Sometimes when an illness occurs, it challenges our resources and decision-making. Our routines may change and our needs require more supportive services or assistive equipment. Darcy can help you by evaluating your needs and finding the most appropriate resources that can be put into place quickly to keep you safe and comfortable at home. This consultation service is free and confidential and is one of our ongoing programs. Call Heather at 858-792-7565 to make a referral.
Please mark your calendars for our celebration of Del Mar's 50th Anniversary. We are remembering one of Del Mar's great civic participants, Jerry Finnell. On Saturday, March 21st at 11 am we will host the Jerry Finnell Lagoon to Lagoon Memorial Walk. Stroll with us for a three-mile walk along the beach to the San Dieguito River path. We will enjoy each other's camaraderie and some refreshments at the end.
Happy New Year and until next month,
Shirley King
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| RSVP Now!
Coffee & Conversations
Successful Aging with Jody de la Pena-Murphy |
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 Monday
January 12, 2009
10 - 11:30 a.m.
L'Auberge Del Mar
Mingle with friends and neighbors while learning over coffee and treats! Ms. de la Pena-Murphy is from the Sam & Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging, UCSD. Call 792-7565 or email heather@dmcc.cc to reserve a seat.
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| Singing Together |
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Lift your spirit in song and exercise those vocal chords! Make new friends!
Tuesday
January 13th
3 - 4:30 p.m.
Chisari Residence
1010 Crest
Del Mar
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Events & Activities |
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Unless noted otherwise, call DMCC at 858-792-7565 for more information on any of the following activities.
Mondays
Computer Tutoring for Seniors
9 -11:30 a.m.
Free! In Partnership with Casa di Amistad and the Solana Beach Senior Center, DMCC offers FREE computer tutoring plus use of Web Adapt technology for those with vision challenges. 120 Stevens Ave., SB, Computer Lab, Room 108.
Tai Chi by the Sea
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
February 2 - March 30 at Powerhouse Community Center. Register by phone 760-753-7073 ext 3418 or online at www.sdadulted.com. Fee: $48.
Warm Water Aerobics Class for Del Mar Seniors
12 Noon to 1 p.m.
Noonan Family Swim School, Jimmy Durante Blvd. Fee: $6/class or $30 for 6 classes. Register in class.
Tuesdays Senior Fitness Classes by San Dieguito Adult Ed -
Choice of three one-hour classes: 8, 9 and 10 a.m. T/Th (10 a.m. class is with chair)
New session starts February 3 - March 31. All classes at Del Mar Powerhouse. Register by phone 760-753-7073 ext 3418 or online at www.sdadulted.com. Fee: $15.
Singing Together
January 13, 3 - 4:30 p.m.
Free! Come and exercise your vocal chords and raise your spirit in song with friends! 1010 Crest Way, DM.
Wednesdays
Shuttle Bus Service to go Grocery Shopping
DMCC shuttle bus provides pick-up at City of Del Mar residents' homes and takes them alternately to either Henry's in Solana Beach or Trader Joe's in Encinitas. There is always a cheerful bus host on board to assist riders loading and unloading their purchases. Suggested donation: $5. Call 858-792-7565 24 hours in advance to arrange pick up.
Mah Jongg Games
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Free! No partner necessary. Upstairs in the Powerhouse Community Center. For more information, call June Strasberg 858-755-4680.
Bridge
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Free! No partner necessary. Downstairs in the Powerhouse Community Center. For more information, call DMCC office.
Thursdays
Senior Fitness Classes by San Dieguito Adult Ed Three one-hour classes: 8, 9 and 10 a.m. T/Th
(10 a.m. class is with chair)
See Tuesday description for details
Shuttle Bus Service to go Grocery Shopping
DMCC shuttle bus provides pick-up at City of Del Mar residents' homes and takes them to Vons on Mango and Ralph's Shopping Center in DM Highlands. There is always a cheerful bus host on board to assist riders loading and unloading their purchases. Suggested donation: $5. Call the DMCC office 24 hours in advance to arrange pick up.
9 - 11:30 a.m.
February 5 - March 26 at St. Peter's Library with Mai Lon Gittelsohn. Register by phone 760-753-7073, ext. 3418 or online at www.sdadulted.com. Fee: $15. (also offered Fridays - see below)
Knit and Stitch - January 8, (First Thursday of each month) 3 - 4:30 p.m.
Free! Bring your own project and share an idea. At the Del Mar City Library. For details, call Regina Horner at 858-755-1931.
Fridays
Life Story Writing
9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
February 6 - March 27 at St. Peter's Library with Mai Lon Gittelsohn. Register by phone 760-753-7073, ext. 3418 or online at www.sdadulted.com. Fee: $15.
Silver Age Yoga for Seniors
10 - 11 a.m.
Free! With chairs or on the floor. Chairs provided; bring your own yoga mat for floor work. Teacher trained and certified by Silver Age Yoga. At St. Peter's Parish Hall.
Senior Legal Services - January 30, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Free! For seniors 60 and older in the 92014 zip code area. Attorney provides advanced healthcare directive, power of attorney, wills, referrals and more. Must call DMCC office for an appointment and to confirm date. |
| Elder Abuse & Cognitive Decline |
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by Sandra Levy Ceren, Ph.D.
Recently I was consulted by Beth, worried about her elderly neighbor, Mary with whom she's been friends for over thirty years. Both women are widowed and have spent significant time together, but lately Mary has become forgetful and has missed several lunch dates.
When Mary forgets where she puts things, she runs next door to Beth and asks for help to find a misplaced object which is often found in odd places, i.e, a loaf of bread in the bathroom.
Beth and Mary have employed the same cleaning woman for ten years. Mary is certain that this woman is stealing from her, but Beth has always regarded their employee as beyond reproach.
Beth wants to inform Mary's children of the changes in their mother's behavior, but she doesn't have their phone numbers and has asked Mary for the information in case of an emergency, but Mary doesn't remember where she put their phone numbers. Beth is surprised that after so long a time, Mary doesn't know the numbers by heart.
A woman Beth has never seen before has started to visit Mary several times a week. She takes Mary out for an hour or two. When Beth asked Mary who this woman is, Mary said she is her new best friend. This woman has urged her to fire her lawyer and hire hers instead so that she can properly get her affairs in order. A stranger having financial control over Mary worries Beth. Beth advised Mary not to make any changes without first discussing it with her children.
Mary is fortunate to have a concerned neighbor such as Beth. With elder abuse on the rise, she has reason to be suspicious of this mysterious woman whom Mary claims as a new best friend, especially since this woman advised her to change her attorney at a time when Mary appears quite vulnerable and seems to have impaired judgment.
Her description of Mary's behavior justifies medical and neurological attention -- not only because of her forgetfulness, but because of her willingness to accept an unfamiliar person's involvement in her affairs. Add to this mix, Mary's new, possibly irrational fear that a long time trusted employee is stealing from her plus her changed attitude toward an old friend may suggest a diagnosis of dementia. However, this diagnosis must be substantiated by an appropriate complete medical and neurological evaluation.
Cognitive memory decline does not necessarily mean that everyone reporting this condition has or will develop dementia. Older people may take a little longer to remember some things that earlier had come to them more quickly, This is because through the years elders have stored more memory which takes a bit longer to access than the shorter memories of younger people.
If memory seems to decline significantly, medical and neurological evaluation is important. There may be a metabolic malfunction, or something that can be treated with good result.
In Beth's case, her concern for Mary justifies investigation. It may turn out that the mysterious new friend may be a social worker summoned by Mary's children, but it is better to find out for certain than to learn her friend has been fleeced by some unscrupulous person preying on vulnerable people.
I suggested to Beth that when she spot's Mary's new friend's car, to play sleuth and write down the car license number and report her suspicions to law enforcement. Anonymous calls about suspected elder abuse are taken seriously.
Elder abuse is on the rise. Elders are at the mercy of caretakers who may take advantage of their vulnerability. Caretakers have been known to steal money, checks, credit cards, jewelry, and the identity of their employers. Worse, there are too many cases in which elders have been subjected to extreme neglect, physical and emotional abuse sometimes resulting in death.
Anyone with a friend or family member who requires home health care should do an independent background check on potential employees. The internet is a good place to start your research.
Elders are often ashamed to report that they have been exploited. Other concerned citizens must alert authorities when elder abuse or neglect is suspected.
The San Diego District Attorney has a department specifically geared to handle suspected elder abuse.
Sandra Levy Ceren, Ph.D. is a long time Del Mar psychologist specializing in relationships. | Del Mar Community Connections is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Neighbors helping neighbors to create a web of safety, service and support. |
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