Blog

Oh No, Not Again – Power Out – Who Does it Affect and How

Published: November 12, 2019

As I write this, it hasn’t rained appreciably for months. The fires of last week around California are being contained and there is no wind. Most of all we have power back on. I would suspect that many of us are holding our breath that the dominant utility company will not decide to withhold the… Read More

End of Life Wishes: How to Start a Difficult Conversation

Published: October 4, 2019

This summer, I had a family member pass away unexpectedly at only 40 years old. Not only was our family shocked, saddened, and forever changed, but it also started disagreements throughout the family; to include heated discussions on the best way to remember our loved one. What was important to our loved one in life… Read More

Bridging the Generation Gap

Published: September 9, 2019

As parents, we feel the pressure of when to allow our children to have cell phones and if/when they can have access to social media. Having 2 girls, let me tell you….the struggle is real and I eventually caved under the pressure. So, now that some of our children have these tools how can they… Read More

Fall Prevention: What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?

Published: August 10, 2019

Mrs. Hill lives in her own home and is fiercely independent. She is very active and enjoys attending bunco with her ladies group every week. However, last week on her way to the car, Mrs. Hill tripped over an extension cord in the garage and subsequently fell. She was transported to the emergency room with… Read More

Alcohol and the Older Adult

Published: July 10, 2019

Alcohol has quite the history and not all of it is filled with kittens and puppy dog tails. In the 1920s, Congress submitted the 18th Amendment, which banned the manufacture, transportation and sale of intoxicating liquors, for state ratification. Many citizens hated alcohol due to car accidents, addiction, using too much wheat, a decrease in… Read More

Are Opioids in Your Future? Another Side of Heath Care

Published: June 10, 2019

If you are considering a hip or knee replacement (or other major medical surgery), it’s quite probable that an opioid will be prescribed for pain. According to David L. Albright, Hill Crest Foundation endowed Chair in Mental Health, opioids bind the body’s natural opioid receptors to the reward center in the human brain, diminishing pain… Read More

Grief versus Depression: When to Seek Professional Advice

Published: May 10, 2019

Mr. Smith has been feeling really down recently. It is not without cause. He recently lost his wife to a long battle with cancer and is in the process of downsizing his home to move into a smaller, more manageable apartment. On top of that, his children have approached him with concerns about driving so… Read More

Emergency Preparedness – Let’s Strike up the Conversation!

Published: April 8, 2019

 —Frankie Sherwood, CSUS Gerontology Intern with Elder Options Last December, my grandmother was evacuated from her assisted living facility during the Rye Fire in Saugus, CA. Residents and staff were forced to spend a total of 12 days away from the senior living community. Staff and volunteers from the community worked to safely evacuate a… Read More

Health Insurance – Medicare for More?

Published: March 14, 2019

With the spirited debates around some of the aspects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) concerning health insurance coverage, it made me think about Medicare, health insurance for adults over the age of 65. Discussions around a more inclusive Medicare are popping up politically as the nation still tries to objectively understand healthcare, who has… Read More

The Evolution Into Downsizing

Published: February 19, 2019

My career is to advocate, find resources, referrals, and support individuals whose life has suddenly changed due to dynamics of aging. Lately, the time has come to realize that the next journey of life is to morph into a world of changes. This ah ha moment came to me when I had a recent dental… Read More