Born to Age Fall 2021

Fall 2021

A Directory of Services for Older Adults

Peninsula Edition

From the Editor …

Welcome to the Fall 2021 edition of Born to Age Peninsula.

We are excited to share all the wonderful resources available in our community with our readers. We look forward to hearing any feedback you might have for our Born to Age editorial team.

The Peninsula Directory for Older Adults P.O. Box 5402, San Mateo, CA 94402 (650) 504-8549, Fax (650) 358-9254

Annamar

ie Bu

onocore Editor/P I recently heard a colleague say that great privilege comes ublisher with aging, and I agree that this has never been truer. While aging comes with its challenges, it also comes with respect, learned wisdom, and many options from reverse mortgages to unique home remodels.

As we gear up for the holidays, we are pleased to offer many great options by and through our advertisers. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their support of this community publication.

Whether you are hoping to stay organized as you downsize or are thinking about getting your jewelry appraised for future generations of your family, you are sure to find helpful information in this issue. I would like to thank all of our writers and invite others in the community to write articles for us. We would be glad to hear from you.

I wish you a great fall and harvest season and, as always, feel free to write to us.

Sincerely,

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Publisher ...............Annamarie Buonocore Managing Editor ...........Vickie Buonocore Designer/Editor ..... Third Avenue Graphics Columnists ........ Jennifer Hancox, Susan Tamaoki, Annamarie Buonocore Advertising Sales ....... Ricardo Fernandez Adviser ..................... Nicholas A. Veronico Business matters, advertising and editorial concerns should be addressed to Born to Age, P.O. Box 5402, San Mateo, Calif. 94402 or by calling (650) 504-8549, fax (650) 358-9254.

Born to Age Peninsula is not responsible for any action taken by any person as a result of reading any part of any issue.

The pieces are written for information, entertainment and suggestion – not recommendation.

The pursuit of making healthcare decisions or any action reflected by this magazine is the responsibility of the individual and not of this magazine, its staff or contributors. Opinions expressed are those of the individual author and not necessarily those of Born to Age. The publisher reserves the right to edit and rewrite, as necessary, all copy submitted for publication.

All editorial and advertising matter in this edition is copyrighted. Reproduction in any way is strictly prohibited without written permission of the publisher. ©2021 Born to Age - Peninsula

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On the Cover: Photo courtesy of Hecker Fiduciary.

The hands are symbolic of the firm’s advocacy of the LGBT community and its support of the many issues affecting this alternative life style for seniors. The photo also represents all services offered to aid our older generation.

Adult Protective Services …………… 12 Alzheimer’s Information Referral & Education Activities …………………………………… 3 Assisted Living – Board & Care Advance Directive for Health Care Assisted Living – Communities Affordable Housing Resources Attorneys …………………………………… 5 Assisted Living — Complaints Care/Management Planning Assisted Living: Alzheimer’s/Dementia/ Certified Senior Advisers/ Memory Care ……………… 12 & 14 Placement Caregiver Resources & Support …… 14 Congregate Meals ………………………… 6 Caregivers for Hire (Contact each location for menu terms, Caregiver Training Services hours of operation, and information Chiropractic Care about their programs) Chore Services Conservators/Trustees Dentures & Dental Care Assistance Consumer Advocacy Dinner Delivery Program Counseling Services Disaster Assistance Driving Courses & Driving Concerns Elder Abuse Advocacy Education Elder Advocacy Emergency Preparedness Estate & Financial Planning Services …… 7 Family Caregiver Support Services Fall Prevention Friendly Visitors Food Pantry Guide Dogs/Service Animals Home Energy Assistance Health & Medical Supplies Home Improvement/Repair Hearing Aids …………………… 14 & 16 Home Rehabilitation Loan Program Home Health Care Services ………… 16 Home Sharing ……………………………… 8 Home-Delivered/Congregate Home Counseling Meal Locations Independent Living In-Home Supportive Services Information & Assistance Medical Equipment Legal Services Medical Transportation Long-Term Care Insurance Counseling Membership Services Long-Term Care/Medical Planning Mental Health Market Days Real Estate Nursing Home Complaints/Litigation Reverse Mortgage Nursing Homes Senior Centers Palliative Care Senior Government Pharmacies Wellness/Spas Physical Therapists Placement Services ………… 16 & 17 Quality of Life Recycled Health & Medical Supplies.. 17 Respite Care Out-Of-Home Adult Day Health Care ………………… 12 Shopping/Errand Services

Planning

Support Groups ……………………… 17 Telephone Reassurance Transportation & Escort Services Veterans Services Visually Impaired Services Wheelchair Transportation Wound Care

Final Wishes Body & Organ Donation ……………… 19 Burial Cremation & Funeral Services Grief Support Groups Hospice Palliative Care Trust/Probate Administration A NOTE TO OUR READERS …

We welcome articles from our advertisers and readers. Do you have a service or information to offer seniors or their families? All submissions will be considered, based on relevancy and space availability.

Efforts are made to ensure that all entries are current at the time of printing. Please call the activity/ group you’re interested in for further information, as details listed may have changed due to the COVID situation.

Submit articles and direct other responses or questions concerning information contained in this directory, including any corrections or updated information, to: Born to Age Peninsula 650-358-9908 annamarie@borntoage.com

TO RESERVE YOUR AD SPACE FOR OUR NEXT 2022 ISSUE …

Contact: Annamarie Buonocore 650-504-8549 annamarie@borntoage.com 2

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A New Place to Belong

Planning Index activities City of San Mateo Parks and Recreation cityofsanmateo.org/parks-andrecreation 650-522-7400 Pacific Blvd.

San Mateo, CA 94403 Daly City Department of Parks and Rec dalycity.org/ /Recreation 650-991-8001 La e Merced Blvd.

Daly City CA Foster City Village fostercityvillage.clube press.com 650-378-8541 fcvillage gmail.com E. Hillsdale Blvd.

Foster City, CA 94404 Hiller Aviation Museum hiller.org 650-654-0200 S y ay Rd. San Carlos CA Los Altos History Museum losaltoshistory.org 650-948-9427 S. San Antonio Rd. Los Altos CA Millbrae Department of Parks and Rec ci.millbrae.ca.us/departmentsservices/recreation 650-259-2360 Magnolia Ave. Millbrae CA Oakland Aviation Museum oa landaviationmuseum.org 510-638-7100 Earhart Rd. Oa land CA Redwood City Department of Parks and Recreation redwoodcity.org/departments/ parks-recreation-andcommunity-services 650-780-7311 Roosevelt Ave. Red ood City CA

San Mateo County Historical Association historysmc.org 650-299-0104 Broad ay Red ood City CA San Mateo Elks Lodge sanmateoel s .org 650-345-4886 229 W 20th Ave. San Mateo, CA 94403

advance directive for health care California Medical Association Call: To order a kit!

San Mateo County Ombudsman ossmc.org 650-780-5707 Nevada St. Red ood City CA

affordable housing resources Casa De Redwood Lo -Income Senior Housing 650-369-4819 eterans Blvd.

Red ood City CA Housing Authority of the County of San Mateo housing.smcgov.org 650-802-3300 Harbor Blvd. A Belmont CA Lesley Terrace lesleyseniorcommunities.org 650-593-1818 Carlmont Dr. Belmont CA Peninsula Del Rey As about Senior Apartments srgseniorliving.com 650-741-1537 165 Pierce St. Daly City CA Continued on page 4

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Realtor Karen Clarke-Hoffmann (see ad on back cover) enjoys helping seniors move towards downsizing because she has a natural attraction to the senior community.

She treasures the knowledge they’ve accumulated over a lifetime and loves to hear their wisdom-filled stories.

Because of her connection and compassion for the senior community, Karen has dedicated herself to helping The Silent Generation age gracefully and retired Baby Boomers enjoy their years within housing options tailored to suit their unique needs.

As with all her clients, Karen’s goal is to help seniors find a home where they feel at ease and have a sense of belonging.

Downsizing can be the biggest challenge seniors face, and some may feel overwhelmed by the entire real estate process. Saying “goodbye” to the bulk of their possessions and vacating the home they’ve lived in for years can get emotional.

There’s no “one size fits all” in downsizing. Each client’s experience is individual. For some people, the downsizing process is much easier than for others. Listening to clients’ needs is key, as well as being willing to adjust the plan when needed without losing focus of the end goal.

There are as many reasons as solutions that explain why “one size does NOT fit all” when it’s time to downsize.

The process doesn’t necessarily mean moving from too much house into a smaller footprint. Downsizing could also be needed for financial, health or social reasons.

Karen has worked with clients who have moved into a similar-sized home in a senior community just so they can enjoy the benefits these communities have to offer.

Some of her clients have had time to plan their down-

Karen with her client Janny sizing, know exactly where they are moving, and might have already bought their new property. When they seek Karen’s services, all they might need her to do is list their current property.

Those clients just starting the process may need her help in finding their next home — sometimes a move to a new area. In this case, there are various options to weigh, such as does it make financial sense to sell first or purchase first?

For this decision, Karen encourages her clients to talk to a financial advisor/planner to ensure they make the best financial decision.

When selling and buying in parallel, it’s sometimes necessary to negotiate terms for a client to remain in the home for a certain amount of time while looking for a new one.

If a client is moving out of the area and is not 100-percent sure about the new location, Karen suggests renting first in the new area to determine if it’s suitable.

There are many additional resources and services available to help seniors downsize and relocate. She claims to have a tool belt full of the resources needed to make transitions easy and smooth!

Her resources include local nonprofits that find loving homes for her clients’ usable furniture and household donations, supportive decluttering experts, and professional senior move specialists.

Karen is with her clients every step of the way! From consultation to closing.

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Senior Needs are Top Priority at CarePatrol Sue Gibson, a trained certified senior advisor at CarePatrol, helps families find assisted living, memory care, board & care, and independent living facilities for their loved ones.

She doesn’t just recommend a facility based on reputation but also checks the state records for care and violation reports to ensure she is offering safe options. She tours accommodations with the families to ask and answer questions.

She then follows up within 30 days after a move to ensure her client is pleased with the choice and is being cared for as planned.

CarePatrol follows a threestep process to ensure your loved ones receive the care they need in a safe and appropriate senior living community.

1. Discovery Preserving dignity To match your loved one with a community that best fits his or her emotional and physical needs, we need to ask some personal questions. But rest assured, we’re known for being carefrontational not confrontational.

2. Explore Care Options Guiding clients through every step Based on our site evaluations and Care Discovery session, we will present you

with the top three community matches. Then we will take you on a personal tour of each so you can see the accommodations and speak to the owner/administrator directly.

3. Care Decision Expert advice you can rely on It’s hard to imagine how care needs will change over the next months or years.

We’ll help you understand what you can expect so you can feel comfortable knowing the home chosen can meet those needs.

CarePatrol is a FREE placement service — Sue is compensated by the 200+ homes and communities in her network. She has helped more than 600 families in the past seven years.

Although she personally covers San Mateo County, there are more than 150 CSAs in her network. She also can help clients via this network nationwide with just one phone call or via email.

According to Diane P: “Sue is amazing! She guided us through the process of finding a memory care facility for my mom with empathy, care and efficiency. It was clear she had done the hard work for us. We were able to place my mom within 36 hours. I highly recommend Sue.”

Planning Index cont’d… attorneys Cookman Law Ellen Cookman, Esq. cookmanlaw.com 650-690-2571 2100 Geng Rd., Ste. 210 Palo Alto, CA 94303 Dolan Law Firm PC dolanla firm.com 415-619-5204 Mar et St. San rancisco CA Law Offices of Albert K. Martin 650-342-6315 N San Mateo Dr. San Mateo, CA 94401 Lee & Haraguchi, APC Eri a M. Haraguchi Es .

Estate and Trust Planning leeharaguchi.com 650-918-7865 611 Gateway Blvd., Ste. 120 So. San rancisco CA Loew Law Group loe la group.com 650-397-8700 Borel Pl. Ste. San Mateo, CA 94402 San Mateo County Bar Association smcba.org 650-369-4149 Bradford St. Red ood City CA Rodnunsky & Associates Don Sweet, Esq. Estate Planning and Legal Services rodnuns yla .com 650-285-5400 Alameda de las Pulgas San Mateo, CA 94403

care management planning Bay Area GCM bayareagcm.net 650-654-1510 Seaport Ct. Ste. Red ood City CA Clark Care Associates clar careassociates.com 650-879-9030 Sharon Par Dr. Ste. Menlo Par CA Faenzi Associates faenziassociates.com 650-401-6350 N San Mateo Dr. San Mateo, CA 94401 Maxwell Senior Care Services ma ellseniorcare.com 650-373-2145 Borel Pl. San Mateo, CA 94402

Certified Senior Advisors/ Placement CarePatrol San Mateo County Sue Gibson CSA sanmateo.carepatrol.com 415-656-6869 sgibson carepatrol.com Dmitri’s Placement Services tndplacements.com 415-816-5183 Senior Care Authority Peninsula Annamarie Buonocore CSA seniorcare-sanmateo.com 650-504-8549 S. Claremont St. San Mateo, CA 94402 abuonocore seniorcareauthority.com

Trusted Law Corporation Pamela Bobo s i Es .

Estate Planning Attorney trustedlc.com 650-504-1995 Mariners Island Blvd. Ste. San Mateo, CA 94404 4

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Day Trips that Bring History to Life The Los Altos Museum

BY ANNAMARIE BUONOCORE At Born to Age, we enjoy finding activities for day trips that tell a story. Visiting museums offers a unique experience and a walk back in time.

Every town on the Peninsula has a story to tell, and each one has a history that is entirely unique. The Los Altos Museum, located in a small community just south of Palo Alto, is a perfect example.

We are thrilled to present an interview with Museum Director Elisabeth Ward. Perhaps the interview will inspire a trip to this charming museum.

BTA: Tell me about the history of the museum. How long have you been in Los Altos?

EW: We celebrated our 40th anniversary in 2017. In 1977, the historical committee of Los Altos decided to take a home they had been given and turn it into a museum. The

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The Smith House has a wrap-around porch sometimes used for mounting exhibits. museum actually opened to the public in 1978.

In the late 1990s, volunteers raised funds to build a larger museum to display our exhibits. The Smith House, now decorated as a Depression Era farmhouse, is available for tours.

The wrap-around porch is sometimes used to mount exhibitions — or simply for enjoying the views of the grounds and orchard.

BTA: Where in Los Altos is the museum?

EW: As things were changing and the town was being

formed, the owner sold off much of his land and orchards to the City of Los Altos. The city inherited the house when he passed away.

City leaders decided that turning what they called the J. Gilbert Smith House into museum was the right thing to do to honor his gift.

BTA: What kind of materials do you exhibit?

EW: We have our own collection of 16,000 entries in our database. Some of that is photography or artifacts. We also have paintings and a lot of different artistic materials.

We change exhibits all the time, and sometimes we use our own materials or we borrow items from neighboring communities like History San Jose. We also invite volunteers to come in and help us with our exhibits.

Continued on page 18

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Planning Index cont’d … congregate meals

Contact each location for menu items, hours of operation, and information about programs.

Redwood City Fair Oaks Adult Activities Center Middlefield Rd. 650-780-7525

Belmont Twin Pines Senior and Community Center 20 Twin Pines Lane 650-595-7441

Redwood City Veterans Memorial Senior Center 1455 Madison Ave. 650-780-7259

Daly City Doelger Senior Center 101 Lake Merced Blvd.

650-991-8012 Lincoln Park Community Center 901 Brunswick St. 650-991-8018 East Palo Alto East Palo Alto Senior Center 560 Bell St. 650-329-5900 Foster City Foster City Recreation Program 650 Shell Blvd.

650-286-2585 Half Moon Bay Senior Coastsiders 925 Main St. 650-726-9056 Menlo Park Peninsula Volunteers, Inc. Little House 800 Middle Ave. 650-326-2025 Menlo Park Senior Center 110 Terminal Ave. 650-330-2280 Paci ca Pacifica Senior Services 540 Crespi Dr., Hwy. 1 650-738-7350

San Bruno San Bruno Senior Center 1555 Crystal Springs Rd. 650-616-7150 San Carlos San Carlos Adult Community Center 601 Chestnut St. 650-802-4384 San Mateo City of San Mateo Senior Center 2645 Alameda de las Pulgas 650-522-7490 City of San Mateo Martin Luther King Center 725 Monte Diablo 650-522-7490 Self Help for the Elderly 50 East 5th Ave. 650-342-0822 South San Francisco Magnolia Senior Center 601 Grand Ave. 650-829-3820

conservators/ trustees San Mateo Public Guardian/ Conservatorship Program smchealth.org/services-agingand-adult

800-675-8437 225 37th Ave. San Mateo, CA 94403

consumer advocacy Better Business Bureau of San Mateo County goldengate.bbb.org 866-411-2221 Born to Age Peninsula borntoage.com 650-504-8549 annamarie@borntoage.com California Department of Consumer A airs dca.ca.gov 800-952-5210 San Mateo County Consumer and Family A airs Smchealth.org/contact/o ceconsumer-and-family-affairs 800-388-5189

counseling services Caminar for Mental Health Support services for individuals with mental health disorders caminar.org 650-372-4080 Christian Counseling Centers San Mateo christiancounselingcenters.org 650-570-7273 Family Caregiver Alliance caregiver.org 800-445-8106 HICAP Self-help for the elderly hicap.org 800-434-0222

driving courses & concerns AAA Mwg.aaa.com 650-216-3100 510 Veterans Blvd.

Redwood City, CA 94063 6

AARP Smart Driver Course/ AARP Driver Safey aarp.org/auto/driver-safety 888-687-2277 Beyond Driving with Dignity Annamarie Buonocore 650-504-8549

education San Mateo Adult Education sanmateoadulted.org 650-558-2100 789 E Poplar Ave. San Mateo, CA 94401 Community Education communityed.smccd.edu 650-574-6149 1700 W. Hillsdale Blvd. Bldg. 1 Room 207 San Mateo, CA 94402 AARP Classes learn.aarp.org Project Read Redwood City Library projectreadredwoodcity.org Middlefield Rd. Redwood City, CA 94063 Bay Area Caregiver Resource Center caregiver.org 800-445-8106 info@caregiver.org

emergency preparedness American Red Cross San Mateo Area Redcross.org 650-259-1750 1710 Trousdale Dr. Burlingame, CA 94010 San Mateo County Regional Operations Center publicworks.smcgov.org 650-363-4000 501 Winslow St. Redwood City, CA 94063

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Compass Concierge Services

Planning Index cont’d … estate & financial planning Edward Jones Sven Geff en Financial Advisor edwardjones.com/us-en/ financial-advisor/svengeff en 650-355-1365 1005 Terra Nova Blvd., Ste. 2a Pacifica CA Hecker Fiduciary Iris Hec er hec erfiduciary.com 1511 Woodside Rd. Red ood City CA Lassahn Fiduciary Tirzah Lassahn Pioneer Ct. San Mateo CA Pettinelli Financial Partners Jonathan Nicolas Pettinellifp.com 555 Veterans Blvd., Ste. 100 Red ood City CA Waddell & Reed, Inc. Barbara L. Sabol Rosasco Financial Advisor waddell.com fa Borel Pl. Ste. San Mateo CA

fall prevention Bay Grab Bar Bill: HomeExcept App-based emergency alert system homeexcept.com Annamarie: Philips Lifeline San Mateo County philips.lifeline.com Life-alert system that notifies authorities in case of a fall or other emergency Annamarie: -

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food pantry Food Distribution Center San Mateo County No. Peninsula Food Pantry fooddc.org 31 Bepler St. Daly City CA Samaritan House of San Mateo County samaritanhousesanmateo.org Pacific Blvd.

San Mateo CA Second Harvest Food Bank of Silicon Valley shfb.org 1051 Bing St. San Carlos CA

home energy assistance Peninsula Clean Energy Save big on energy costs peninsulacleanenergy.com info peninsulacleanengergy.com

If you’ve ever bought or sold a house, you’re probably familiar with the term “curb appeal.” Compass Concierge extends that impression to the entire house, inside and out.

Taking advantage of these services, such as making repairs, installing new flooring, painting inside or out, and staging interior decor, can make your house more appealing to buyers. It’s a hassle-free process for the seller that can help sell your home faster and even generate a higher price.

How it Works You and your agent work together to decide which services can increase your home’s value the most and set an estimated budget for the work.

When you’re ready to start, your Compass agent will be by your side as you engage vendors and commission work.

Once the transformation is complete, your home will go on the market.

Concierge services are not free. You do pay for any work and supplies, but usually out of the sales price of the house.

Payment will be due when one of the following happens: your home sells, you terminate your listing agreement with Compass, or 12 months after your Concierge start date.

The entire process is designed for speed, so that your home can be placed on the market as quickly as possible.

Advantages • You’ll never have to worry about upfront costs or interest.

• Your Compass agent will be there to advise you along the way.

• Home improvement services offered include more than 100 vendors.

Steve Droz offers comprehensive, firsthand knowledge of Peninsula cities and specializes in applying his market expertise to every real estate transaction.

home improvement/ repair Rebuilding Together Peninsula rebuildingtogetherpeninsula.org aynyne St. Red ood City CA Department of Housing -

home rehabilitation loan program Daly City: Redwood City: So. San Francisco: -

-

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Steven Droz

Real Estate Professional DRE# 01252359 650-255-3651 facebook.com/Steve.Droz.Realtor/ Increase yourvalue home’swith market Increase your home’s market value with Compass Concierge Compass Concierge improvement services. improvement services.

No upfront costs.

No upfront costs.

No interest charged.

No interest charged.

Ever.

Ever.

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Planning Index cont’d …

HOME SHARING HIP Housing hiphousing.org 650-348-6660 800 S Claremont St., #210 San Mateo, CA 94402 WellNest Information on building accessory dwelling units or finding one for rent wearewellnest.com

home counseling Housing Leadership Council San Mateo County hlsmc.org 650-242-1764 2905 S El Camino Real San Mateo, CA 94403

independent living Brookdale Redwood City brookdale.com 650-366-3900 485 Woodside Rd. Redwood City, CA 94061 Peninsula Del Rey (See listing under Affordable Housing Resources) 650-741-1537 The Villa at San Mateo thevillaatsanmateo.com 650-212-4400 4000 S El Camino Real San Mateo, CA 94403

information & assistance Aging & Independence Services cidsanmateo.org

650-645-1780 2001 Winward Way, Ste. 103 San Mateo, CA 94404 SMC Connected Care smchealth.org/connectedcare 650-573-2601 hieoptions@smcgov.org

legal services Aging and Adult Protective Services 800-675-8437 Bay Area Legal Aid baylegal.org 888-382-3406 1735 Telegraph Ave. Oakland, CA 94612 California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform CAHNR 800-474-1116 Harrison St. San Francisco, CA 94107 Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County legalaidsmc.org 650-558-0915 330 Twin Dolphin Dr., Ste. 123 Redwood City, CA 94065

long-term care insurance counseling San Mateo County HICAP O ce Cahealthadvocates.org 650-627-9350 1710 S. Amphlett Blvd., Ste. 100 San Mateo, CA 94402

long-term care/ medical planning Law Office of Sally Bergman 650-242-9800 S Norfol St. San Mateo, CA 94403

Laura Biché Retirement Mortgages laura@biche.com 650-922-0824

Sensible Senior Planning Tzivya Green sensibleseniorplanning.com 855-975-2664

Fare Reverse (Richard Wood) richard.wood@FAReverse.com 650-750-5032

market days Palo Alto Farmers’ Market Saturdays 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

601-699 Gilman St. Palo Alto CA San Carlos Farmers’ Market Sundays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

1001 Varian St. San Carlos, CA 94070

Skincare • Massages • Hair & Nail Care 8

Reverse Only (Judy Schwartz) judy@reverseonly.com 650-591-4430 RFS Lends athy Affeltranger affeltranger rfslends.com 650-299-9477

senior centers

San Mateo Farmers’ Market Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

College of San Mateo Hillsdale Blvd.

San Mateo, CA 94402

Avenidas 650-289-5400 450 Bryant St. Palo Alto CA Doelger Senior Center 650-991-8012 101 Lake Merced Blvd.

Daly City, 94015

25th Ave. Farmers’ Market Tuesday afternoons 194 W 25th Ave. San Mateo, CA 94403

Redwood City Senior Center 650-780-7270 1455 Madison Ave. Redwood City, CA 94061

real estate Four Bridges Real Estate Group at Compass John Esplana fourbridgesre.com 650-315-5968 Ester N. Kozaczuk Luxury Real Estate Specialist esterkozaczuk.com 650-302-5594 BRE #01922520 Keller-Williams Silicon Valley (Dmitriy Kruglyak) 650-329-0397

415-769-4184

reverse mortgage

Mike Roza Compass Realtors mikeroza.com 650-888-1778 mike@mikeroza.com

San Mateo Senior Center 650-522-7490 Alameda de las Pulgas San Mateo, CA 94403

senior government San Mateo County Commission on Aging Anna Sawamura 650-713-8610 Senior Citizens Commission (City of San Mateo) Call Par s & Rec: -

Wellness/Spas Skin Body Zen skinbodyzen.com info@skinbodyzen.com 415-769-4184 277 San Francisco Ave., #A Brisbane, CA 94005 BORN

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Your Family Jewelry Legacy …

Appelblom Jewelry Company

BY JENNIFER HANCOX Appelblom’s, located in downtown San Mateo, is a full-service jewelry store. It not only sells beautiful jewelry but also provides jewelry-related services, such as repairs, appraisals and evaluations.

Recently, a lot of elderly customers and their family members have posed questions about their pieces. Our best advice for them is to plan ahead.

Document Special Items Talk with relatives about their jewelry items. As we get older, we sometimes forget the stories behind the pieces.

Was it a gift for a birthday or anniversary? Is it an inherited piece from Grandma?

Was it her engagement ring?

Which Grandma (by name)?

Research any other favorite pieces. When did they give it to you and when did they receive it originally?

Write this information down on a card and keep it with the item. The background story of an item is helpful when passing it along to someone else. The history stays with the item!

How about jewelry that is too big/small or broken and not worn? Do you still want to keep track of those pieces?

Yes. Every item can be valuable when counted as part of the estate. Broken items can be repaired easily and for less than you might think.

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Check for Hidden Items What about items that are not favorites – less used and stored in a “secret” spot?

Where are they kept? Many people have hidden their jewelry in a “safe place” because they don’t have a safe or safety deposit box at the bank.

Some of our customers recount unusual places where they found their parent’s jewelry — in the pocket of a dress in the closet, wrapped in tissue and stored in an old shirt box, inside empty makeup boxes in the bathrooms, inside a teacup in the china cabinet — all places where they can unknowingly be thrown away or accidentally donated to a charity.

Find out where the jewelry is kept and move it to a sturdy safe or safety deposit box.

This is especially important for those with memory issues or who are moving out of the house and into an assisted-living community.

If this has already happened and you oversee the cleaning and closing down of the house, our advice is to check every pocket, box, drawer, etc. When searching for the jewelry, try to locate the matching appraisal or purchase receipt. These are helpful to the jeweler, appraiser and insurance company.

Appraisals An appraisal documents each item by weight, measure-

Experts you can trust to appraise your family’s keepsakes. ment and sometimes a photo.

It includes the intrinsic value for replacement if an item is lost, stolen or damaged.

We often keep the original appraisal for an item (like an engagement ring) when we first purchase and insure it.

However, as the years go by, we fail to update the original appraisal according to current standards.

A general rule is to get your items appraised every five years. Why? The value changes with time, insurance laws, and methods used by appraisers. New appraisals often provide photos from different angles, describe the color/ clarity of diamonds, and use updated standards for grading other gemstones not available in the past.

Insurance Check with your insurance provider. Is your jewelry covered under your regular homeowners insurance? Do they need an individual appraisal for each item? What is the minimum dollar amount for jewelry to have it as a “rider” or to be “scheduled” on your insurance policy?

Some of the insurance companies Appelblom deals with have a base of $2,000-$5,000 for jewelry items.

What about items that don’t meet that dollar amount?

Perhaps having a jewelry evaluation document for your other items would come in handy. This is a document in list form with descriptions and approximate replacement values.

For example, if you have many gold chains, earrings, etc., that are a few hundred dollars each and thus do not need an individual appraisal but add up to several thousand dollars, this is a good option for you. Ten gold chains worth $400 each can really add up! This type of list with photos is good for insurance, as well as tracking items and for estate planning.

Preparing this type of “inventory” of a family’s jewels can be a fun project if done in small doses!

A chat about this ring or those earrings and a little research will help in the long run. Talk to your family members and find the jewelry and documents. Update them with the help of your local trusted jeweler.

You’ll have peace of mind knowing this task has been taken care of ahead of time.

Jennifer Hancox is general manager of Appelblom.

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Hecker Fiduciary has been in business for quite some time, and they can’t tell you enough how many times they have been asked, “What is a fiduciary?” Even, according to Webster’s definition, it’s still unclear.

Webster’s defines a fiduciary (fi-du-ci-ar-y ) as “(1) (adjective) relating to or of the nature of a legal trust (i.e., the holding of something in trust for another); (2) (noun) a person who holds assets in trust for a beneficiary.”

So, here is the explanation, according to Iris Hecker, principal owner.

“We all have a family

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member or know of someone who is aging with medical and financial needs that need to be met,” said Hecker. “It’s hard for me to say this, but in this day and age, we are so busy with managing our own lives that caring for the needs of an aging person can send us over the edge. What can you do?”

You do have options, and discussing your needs with a fiduciary may be the first step to secure your future.

If you do not have a relative or friend to name as your executor, you may appoint a fiduciary to act in that role, which may include the responsibility for

the general well-being of yourself or another. Duties often involve managing finances, assets and health care. Money managers, financial advisors, bankers, insurance agents, accountants, executors, board members, and corporate officers all have fiduciary responsibilities.

Fiduciaries are certified and licensed professionals who have the expertise to act on your behalf. They go beyond preparing your will, which would normally give an executor these responsibilities, to hands-on management of your affairs, before and after your death.

A fiduciary is a person

or organization responsible for putting your interests ahead of its own, with a duty to preserve good faith and trust. Fiduciaries are bound, both legally and ethically, to act in good faith, with honesty, loyalty and candor, in the best interests of the estate’s beneficiaries.

Managing lives is what Hecker Fiduciary does best.

Its agents are certified and licensed to prepare durable powers of attorney and health care directives, as well as provide successor trustee services, such as the sale of your home, and even tax preparation services.

See Hecker Fiduciary’s ad on the inside front cover.

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Understanding Reverse Mortgages A reverse mortgage is just a mortgage, except the buyer controls how it’s repaid!

Laura Biché, a reverse mortgage specialist, prefers the term “Retirement Mortgage” because it is designed to unlock the dormant equity seniors have locked up in their home and can use the funds to improve the quality of their retirement years.

Like a forward mortgage — a term for a traditional mortgage that is rarely used, except in comparison to a reverse mortgage, the bank does not own your home.

Both mortgage types are essentially loans that use your home as collateral. You are simply borrowing money secured by its value.

A reverse mortgage may be used to purchase a new home or refinance an existing one.

Purchase of a new home requires a higher down payment than a forward — usually, proceeds from the sale of a previous home. Laura calls this purchase “right sizing.”

The main difference between a forward and reverse mortgage is that you get to choose the repayment terms you want. The choices include: • Pay principle and interest each month — as with a forward mortgage, or • Pay interest only each month to keep a constant loan balance, or • Make no payments and accrue interest that’s added to the loan balance.

Payments may be made but are never required. Also, you may change your mind about your payment choice at any time.

The key is that you – not the lender – decides how to repay the loan. There is no 15or 30-year time frame as with a forward mortgage.

A reverse mortgage may include a line of credit that has the same flexible repayBORN

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ment terms as the mortgage.

In simple terms, you may make payments if you choose, but again, payments are not required.

Another advantage of a reverse mortgage is that the amount available on the line of credit increases over time, even if the value of your home goes down.

Remember that a reverse mortgage is still a loan, and the institution covering your loan will eventually need to be repaid in full.

Payment will be due when one of the following Maturity Events occurs: • The home is sold • Title to the property is conveyed to someone else • The last surviving borrower or eligible non-borrowing spouse passes away • The home is unoccupied for more than a year • Property taxes, insurance and other property charges are not paid • Failure to maintain the house and property The mortgage balance may be paid from the proceeds of a sale or a refinance. If the value of the home is less than the outstanding balance of the mortgage, a reverse mortgage has a safety net.

The borrower or named heirs will never owe more than 95 percent of the appraised value of the property at the time of sale.

Refinancing a forward mortgage to access accrued equity or opening a standard line of credit generally leads to higher monthly payments at a time when your income may be decreasing. Qualifying for either also may be difficult due to decreased income.

A reverse mortgage is a powerful financial tool that allows seniors to remain in their homes with access to the equity they’ve earned for other expenses.

Truths and Myths behind a Reverse Mortgage A reverse mortgage offers seniors some tangible benefits that are not myths. First, this well-structured loan relieves them of worry over keeping up mortgage payments on a reduced income. Second, it gives them the option to increase their cash flow and decide how they want or need to use those extra funds.

Certain requirements must be met, however, to qualify for a reverse mortgage: • Home owners must be at least 60 years old • At least one of the owners must occupy the home • Owners must show enough income to pay property taxes, homeowners insurance, and other monthly obligations • The home must be maintained in reasonable condition DISPELLING THE MYTHS The Bank Can Take Away My Home Because a monthly payment is not required, a reverse mortgage remains in effect as long as the borrower abides by the qualification requirements. The only way the property can be foreclosed on is if the borrower fails to pay taxes or insurance.

The Home Must Be Debt Free One of the most important terms of a reverse mortgage is that it pays off any prior existing mortgage. In other words, it replaces any traditional mortgage on the property.

What if I Owe More Than My House Is Worth?

As a borrower, you never owe more than the value of the property, even if the loan balance is larger than the value.

If the selling price of the property doesn’t cover the full sale value of the property, neither borrower nor the estate is liable for the remainder of the loan.

Reverse Mortgages Done Thoughtfully

Reverse Mortgages Done Thoughtfully

Many seniors have used reverse mortgage loan proceeds to travel, pay-off credit card bills, help their children, cover long-term disability expenses or just live more comfortably.

More than 50 years ago, reverse mortgage loans were created to allow seniors to remain in their homes and enjoy access to some of their saved equity. Over the years, there have been many improvements made to the structure of these loans, which are insured by the Federal Housing Administration.

Reverse mortgage loan products available to homeowners today capture the spirit of the original loans, but have added the flexibility and transparency to help safeguard the financial security of borrowers.

Call us today at (650) 922-0824 for a free quote.

LAURA BICHE

Reverse Mortgage Specialist

650.922.0824 laura@biche.com NMLS 305746, DRE 01193217 MLS 329189, DRE 01498198

WWW.BICHE.COM 11

Quality of Life Index … adult day care Coastside Adult Day Health Center coastsideadultdayhealth.org 650-726-5067 925 Main St. Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 cadhc@coastside.net Mills Peninsula Senior Focus sutterhealth.org/mills/services/ senior-geriatric 650-696-3660 1501 Trousdale Dr. Burlingame, CA 94010 Rosener House Adult Day Care Penvol.org 650-322-0126 500 Arbor Rd. Menlo Park, CA 94025

adult protective services Aging and Adult Services Call 800-675-8437 to speak to a trained staff member San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office 650-363-4000

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alzheimer’s information referral & education Alzheimer’s Association alz.org/norcal 408-372-9900 2990 N 1st St., #101 San Jose, CA 95131 Alzheimer’s Foundation Hotline 866-232-8484

assisted living board & care

Flying Cloud Care Home 650-349-2943 197 Flying Cloud Isle Foster City, CA 94404 Nobis Care Home 650-589-4338 505 Palm Ave. So. San Francisco, CA 94080

assisted living communities Atria Daly City 650-878-5111 501 King Dr. Daly City, CA 94015

East West Board & Care 650-438-5584 1749 Maryland St. Redwood City, CA 94061

Atria San Mateo 650-378-3000 2883 S Norfolk St. San Mateo, CA 94403

Encina Care Home 650-364-1657 354 Encina Ave. Redwood City, CA 94061

Brookdale Redwood City 650-366-3900 485 Woodside Rd. Redwood City, CA 94061

Heritage House 650-520-9475 efferson Ct. San Mateo, CA 94401

Sunrise Palo Alto 650-326-1108 2701 El Camino Real Palo Alto, CA 94306

assisted living complaints Ombudsman Services of San Mateo County, Inc. 650-780-5707 711 Nevada St. Redwood City, CA 94061 San Mateo County Human Services 650-599-3811 Middlefield Rd. Redwood City, CA 94063

assisted living alzheimer’s/ dementia/ memory care Kensington Place 650-363-9200 2800 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 Meadow Gardens 650-322-4100 800 Roble Ave. Menlo Park, CA 94025 Continued on page 14

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Financial Focus …

A look at the “New Retirement” What can you expect from life after you retire? You might be surprised by the things that current retirees are saying about their lifestyles, priorities, relationships and hopes for the future.

Their information might come in handy as you consider your own retirement.

First of all, retirement today is far different – and potentially far more rewarding – than was the case a generation or so ago. Of course, people are living longer now, but the new retirement environment isn’t just about longevity – it’s also about using one’s time in a meaningful way, deepening connections with family, and contributing to communities.

All these opportunities fit into a framework of four key “pillars”: health, family, purpose and finance, described in

a study by Edward Jones and Age Wave called “Four Pillars of the New Retirement: What a Difference a Year Makes.”

The study also looks at how attitudes and opinions have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study revealed that 76 percent of Americans credit the pandemic for making them refocus on what’s most important in life — their optimal well-being in their retirement years. An overwhelming majority of retirees agrees that all four pillars are essential to this well-being.

The Four Pillars Study • Good physical/mental health – Health care and long-term care costs are the greatest financial worries in retirement.

A financial advisor can recommend ways to address these expenses, but you can

Sven Geffken

Financial Advisor

also take familiar steps, such as getting regular exercise and following a well-balanced diet, to maintain and improve your health.

• Having family and friends who care – Retirees say the top contributor to their identity in retirement is their relationships with loved ones.

Clearly, it’s important to keep up your relationships with family and friends, before and after you’re retired.

• Having a sense of purpose in life – Those with a higher sense of purpose have better overall health, greater cognitive functioning, higher life satisfaction, increased mobility/functioning, and longer lifespans (per research from the International Journal of Aging and Human Development).

By volunteering and getting involved in community activities, you’ll not only be helping

others but yourself as well.

• Being financially secure – During the pandemic, retirees fared better than other demographic groups because they had stronger financial safety nets, including Social Security, Medicare and a high degree of home ownership.

Still, just 56 percent of men and 40 percent of women are confident about their retirement savings. You can prepare for retirement by contributing as much as you can now to your investment accounts.

After you retire, don’t take too much from these accounts too soon to avoid the risk of outliving your money.

By following the Four Pillars approach to retirement, you may find being a retiree greatly fulfilling.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by local financial advisors.

edwardjones.com

Member SIPC

IRT-1848G-A

1005 Terra Nova Blvd Suite 2a Pacifica, CA 94044 650-355-1365

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Quality of Life Index cont’d … assisted living alzheimer’s/ dementia/ memory care Cont’d Palm Villas 650-369-3197 1931 Woodside Rd. Redwood City, CA 94061 Silver Oaks Memory Care 650-322-2022 16 Colman Pl. Menlo Park, CA 94025

caregiver resources & support Area Agency on Aging 650-713-8610

caregivers for hire Care Indeed careindeed.com 650-627-7901 102 S El Camino Real San Mateo, CA 94401 Home Helpers homehelpershomecare.com 650-532-3122 Home Instead homeinstead.com 650-314-9660 Live Well at Home Livewellathome.com 650-291-0009 1875 Trousdale Dr. Burlingame, CA 94010

Synergy Home Care Synergyhomecare.com 650-703-6087 1710 S Amphlett Blvd., #128 San Mateo, CA 94402

caregiver training services Center for Caregiver Training Caregiving101.org 415-563-9286 1320 Divisadero St. San Francisco, CA 94115

chiropractic care Dr. Michael Luu Infinity Spine Center goinfinityspine.com 415-758-2970 950 Ralston Ave. Belmont, CA 94002 Dr. Scott Nissenbaum drniss.com 650-226-8348 o ce drniss.com 1100 Laurel St., Ste. D San Carlos, CA 94070 Dr. Meg Spicer Spicerchiro.com 650-513-0797 161 W 25th Ave., Ste. 104 San Mateo, CA 94403

chore services Seniors at Home San Mateo Seniorsathome.org 650-931-1860 2001 Winward Way San Mateo, CA 94404

dentures & dental Care Assistance Smile Dental Specialists smiledentalspecialists.com 650-377-0159 216 De Anza Blvd.

San Mateo, CA 94402 NewEnamel Keith Harband, Founder & President eith Ne Enamel.com c: 925.286.6465 Ne Enamel.com 1025 Alameda De Las Pulgas, Ste. #232 Belmont, CA 94002

dinner delivery program Free delivery for seniors at risk 800-675-8437

disaster assistance American Red Cross 650-259-1750 1710 Trousdale Dr. Burlingame, CA 94010

elder abuse advocacy Ombudsman Services of San Mateo County, Inc. 650-780-5707 Nevada St. Redwood City, CA 94061 San Mateo County Human Services 650-599-3811 Middlefield Rd. Redwood City, CA 94063

elder advocacy Ombudsman Services of San Mateo County, Inc. 650-780-5707 Nevada St. Redwood City, CA 94061

family caregiver support services 14

Area Agency on Aging 650-713-8610

friendly visitors Visiting Angels visitingangels.com 650-344-2178 1126 Broadway, #7 Burlingame, CA 04010

guide dogs/ service animals Service Dog Tutor servicedogtutor.com 650-593-9622 servicedogtutor gmail.com

health & medical supplies Bay City Medical Supplies baycitymedicalsupplies.com 650-347-6606 1465-A Chapin Ave. Burlingame, CA 94010 Bay City Medical Supplies baycitymedicalsupplies.com 650-367-6900 1040 Brewster Ave. Redwood City, CA 94062 Bowman Medical Supply bowman-medical-supplybusiness.site 650-654-5525 285 Old County Rd., #4 San Carlos, CA 94070 Health By Heidi agoodvitamin.com 650-572-7100 1212 W Hillsdale Blvd., #G San Mateo, CA 94403

hearing aids California Hearing Center calhearing.com 650-342-9449 N San Mateo Dr. San Mateo, CA 94401 Eartone Hearing Aid Center eartonehearingaids.com 650-627-6114 2907 S El Camino Real San Mateo, CA 94403 Continued on page 16 BORN

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Aging in Place? Start with the Clutter

BY SUSAN TAMAOKI According to AARP, about 90 percent of older adults want to stay in their homes as long as they can, and almost 50 percent of adults over 60 have been in their homes for 20 or more years.

The good news is that, with a few home modifications plus the right level of help, most older adults can safely age in place at home.

The earlier you plan where you want to call home the better. Planning ahead gives you time to make decisions calmly and look for ways to cut costs.

It’s not wise to wait until you face a crisis that forces you to modify your home quickly or else find a new place to live.

A home safety check should be part of your plan to age in place. Your home should be safe and easy to navigate, even with a cane, walker or wheelchair. Falls can be prevented by removing throw rugs, picking up stuff left on the floor, moving furniture so it doesn’t block your path, replacing loose carpeting, adding grab bars, improving lighting, and so on.

Getting rid of the clutter should also be part of your plan, but it’s also the hardest.

Here are some approaches that may help you get started.

Make Your Home Spark Joy Marie Kondo’s KonMari Method™ is an easy solution for anyone who is sick and tired of coming home to a house that is cluttered, dusty or unorganized. Her method asks you to take a fresh look at your possessions objectively. Keep items that spark joy in you and discard the rest.

This might seem to be a monumental task, depending upon the size of your house, but she offers a systematic approach to make it easier. She suggests you start by sorting your possessions by category, not room by room.

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The first category is clothing, then books, papers, komono (anything that doesn’t fit in the other categories), and finally, sentimental items.

After tossing, giving away, or selling the things that are no longer wanted or needed, the final step is to reorganize what is left so that there is a place for everything and everything in its place.

The end result is a well-organized, peaceful home that is not only a joy to come home to but is easier to keep clean.

Consider Death Cleaning Check out the English translation of The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson, which she claims she wrote when she was between 80 and 100.

Don’t be put off by the title.

This book is actually a fun and easy read.

“Death Cleaning” is a direct translation of a Swedish word, döstädning. Although Death Cleaning can involve some actual housecleaning, it’s more about putting one’s affairs in order for either before or after a death.

In Magnusson’s case, she started her personal Death Cleaning after she became a widow. She was in good health, but maintaining her home and doing yard work were becoming more of a burden. She wanted to spend the rest of her days living as comfortably and as stress-free as possible.

She had painful memories of clearing out her mother’s house after she passed, and she did not want her children to be burdened with the same task. She wanted to leave only happy memories behind.

She decided to sell her home in the country and move to an apartment in the city.

She picked a location that was within walking distance of shops, pharmacies, theaters and restaurants so she would not need to depend on others for transportation to go out.

Magnusson told her family and friends about her intention to give away, donate or toss what wouldn’t fit in her new apartment and lifestyle.

If someone didn’t want an item she offered, it was OK to say no so she could offer it to someone else.

She started her Death Cleaning by clearing out the attic, basement and other storage areas. Then she sorted her clothes.

Next, she worked room by room, carefully choosing the items she wanted to keep for her new apartment. She saved sentimental items for last. As she worked, she made a point of disposing of potentially embarrassing items. “Save your favorite dildo, but throw away the other 15!” she wrote.

Her book is not just an instruction manual for downsizing. It’s more about how it affects you from start to finish.

In the end, it felt good to let go of the clutter. It especially felt good to know that her treasures were in the hands of those who would care for them as she did.

Feng Shui and Living Your Best Life According to the principles of Feng Shui, luck is constantly changing, from good to bad and then back to good again.

Adjusting how energy flows through a room, house, building or even a garden can influence one’s overall health, safety, prosperity, career, love life and happiness.

A Feng Shui master may consult a compass or spend hours analyzing a client’s Chinese astrological sign to determine the optimal furnishings for a home. You don’t, however, have to be a Feng Shui master to create a home that is warm, welcoming and healthy.

Basically, for good Feng Shui, a home should be clean, organized, well-lit and free of clutter.

According to Grand Master of Feng Shui Lillian Too, you can improve your home’s Feng Shui by getting rid of broken or damaged items, dying plants, things you never use, expired medications and make-up, outdated foods, and especially anything that triggers bad memories.

Having too many things in a room can impede the flow of energy, allowing stagnant, negative energy to accumulate (along with dust, mold and pests).

Once the house is cleared of clutter, then you can start rearranging furniture, painting the walls, and adding more mirrors and plants.

According to Master Too, getting rid of the clutter will not only refresh your home’s energy, it will also refresh your own.

Susan Tamaoki is a former senior placement agent. She is developing a training and writing blog for aging adults and caregivers. Visit her blog at susanTblog.com.

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Quality of Life Index cont’d … hearing aids cont’d Miracle-Ear Hearing Aid Center Miracle-ear.com 650-999-8974 1230 El Camino Real, Ste. A San Bruno, CA 94066

home health care services Companion Care Services companioncareservices.net 650-993-2345 1455 El Camino Real Belmont, CA 94002 Firstlight Home Care firstlighthomecare.com 1622 San Carlos Ave. San Carlos, CA 94070 Health Professionals, Inc. healthproinc.net 650-997-3200 7216 Mission St. Daly City, CA 94014

home-delivered/ congregate meal locations See Congregate Meals under Planning Inde

in-home support services San Mateo County In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) 800-675-8437 FirstLight Home Care of the Peninsula Jim Carteris, Owner/GM firstlighthomecare.com 650-534-9907 124 El Camino Real San Carlos, CA 94070

medical equipment

See Health & Medical Supplies Sutter Safe at Home Personal alert systems and hospital beds

Mills-Peninsula Medical Center 650-696-4823, Option 2

medical transportation Assisted Medical Transportation 650-350-1037 17 Vista Ave. San Mateo, CA 94403 Serra Medical Transportation, Serramedicaltransportation.com 650-340-9999 Old Bayshore H y.

Burlingame CA

membership services Foster City Village fostercityvillage.clube press. com 650-378-8541 E. Hillsdale Blvd.

Foster City, CA 94404

mental health Caminar for Mental Health caminar.org 650-372-4080 2600 S El Camino Real, Ste. 200 San Mateo, CA 94403

Recently acquired by LPL Holdings, Inc. Barbara Sabol Rosasco

Financial Advisor 1777 Borel Place Suite 1000 San Mateo, CA 94402 (650) 389-1030 bsabolrosasco@wradvisors.com 16

palliative care Mission Hospice & Home Care missionhospice.org 650-554-1000 Bovet Rd. Ste. San Mateo, CA 94402 Sutter Care at Home San Mateo Hospice sutterhealth.org 650-685-2830 S Amphlett Blvd.

San Mateo, CA 94402 Vitas Healthcare vitas.com 650-350-1835 Clearvie ay San Mateo, CA 94402

pharmacies Ted’s Village Pharmacy stores.healthmart.com 650-349-1373 th Ave. San Mateo, CA 94403

physical therapists

nursing home compaints/ litigation

Rehab Go Rehabgotherapies.com San Mateo County Lori u 650-224-6886

nursing homes

Synergy Home Care Synergyhomecare.com 650-703-6087 S Amphlett Blvd.

San Mateo, CA 94402

See Assisted Living Complaints

Waddell & Reed has served the financial needs of families, individuals & businesses for more than 80 years.

efferson Ave. Red ood City CA

Brookside Skilled Nursing broo sidenursing.com 650-349-2161 2620 Flores St. San Mateo, CA 94403 Carlmont Gardens Skilled Nursing carlmontgardens.com 650-591-9601 2140 Carlmont Dr. Belmont, CA 94002 Devonshire Oaks Nursing Center devonshireoa snc.com 650-366-9503

placement services CarePatrol San Mateo County Sue Gibson CSA sanmateo.carepatrol.com 415-656-6869 sgibson carepatrol.com

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Don’t Forget to “Keep Moving”

BY SALLY GERSBACH You’ve probably invested in your financial future but don’t forget to invest in yourself.

Being inactive at any age can be detrimental to your over-all well-being.

Keeping active can help you stay physically and mentally healthy. So the best investment in yourself is to “keep moving.”

There’s strong evidence that people who are active have a lower risk of certain diseases and remain mentally alert longer than those who are sedentary.

A couple of reasons support this theory. Any form of exercise increases blood circulation, and because the exertion makes you breath deeper, your blood oxygen level also increases.

If you haven’t been active, your first step would be to ask your physician’s advice and approval before beginning any

exercise regimen. Depending upon your physical health, there may be some activities you should avoid.

Start slowly and gradually build up your activity level.

Trying too hard to work above your level of comfort can do more harm than good.

If you’ve remained active, some of your routine may have been interrupted by the closing of venues the past year. Starting back, you may notice some new limitations in your strength.

As we age, we naturally lose muscle mass and flexibility, which can be exacerbated by even a short period of inactivity. Just work back slowly to regain as much strength as possible. Don’t feel frustrated; just feel proud of yourself for what you can do.

The current generation has become very active, and even our seniors are taking up some form of exercise.

Thoughts of any physical activity probably make you think of treadmills and stationary bikes, but equipment is not always necessary. Physical activity includes anything from walking and gardening to a recreational sport, such as golf.

Even senior medical policies are beginning to offer free gym memberships to their members, such as SilverSneakers, Silver and Fit, and Renew Active. Check with your insurance to find which program is offered. Some offer online classes to take anytime.

When you sign up, you’re given a membership number to present to your local gym.

Remember: It’s FREE! Though gyms have some pretty daunting equipment, they also offer a variety of classes of all levels of difficulty. Some aerobic-type classes are low-intensity and designed for the “older generation.”

Also, consider trying Yoga for its breathing and stretching benefits. If you’re new to this discipline, begin with a “Restorative” class.

Joining a class not only helps you physically but mentally, as well, because you’ll be exercising and interacting with other people your age.

Being with others, even once a week, can boost your morale and ward off depression.

As well as regular physical activity, try to reduce the amount of time you spend sitting down during the day. For example, instead of watching TV or reading all afternoon, take a walk.

What you do will depend on your own circumstances, but it’s a good idea to do activities you enjoy. Research shows it’s never too late to adopt and reap the health benefits from a more active lifestyle.

Sally, a “senior,” takes weekly ballet and yoga classes.

transportation & escort Services

visually impaired services

Absolute Senior Solutions abseniorsolutions.com 408-610-9997 4125 Blackford Ave., Ste. 140 San Mateo, CA 95117

Vista Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired vistacenter.org 650-858-0202 2500 El Camino Real, Ste. 100 Palo Alto, CA 94306

Quality of Life Index cont’d … placement services cont’d Dmitri’s Placement Services tndplacements.com 415-816-5183 Senior Care Authority Peninsula Annamarie Buonocore, CSA seniorcare-sanmateo.com 650-504-8549 1040 S. Claremont St. San Mateo, CA 94402 abuonocore@ seniorcareauthority.com

recycled health & medical supplies ReCARES homecares.org 63 Dorland St. San Francisco, CA 94110

respite care out-of-home (See Assisted Living Communities)

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shopping/errand services (See sutterhealth.org/services)

My House Cleaning & Errand Services 650-918-0354 24 E 25th Ave., #2 San Mateo, CA 94401

support groups Alzheimer’s support groups alz.org Cancer support groups cancer.org 650-508-8186 Women’s Caregivers Group 650-445-0748

telephone reassurance Eskaton Telephone Reassurance Program eskaton.org/post/telephonereassurance 866-375-2866

Get Around San Mateo 2645 Alameda de las Pulgas San Mateo, CA 94403 Get Up & Go Senior Transportation 650-378-2750 800 Foster City Blvd.

Foster City, CA 94404

veterans services San Mateo County Veterans Services Offices has.smcgov.org 650-802-6598

wheelchair transportation (See Medical Transportation)

wound care SMC – Advanced Wound Care Center 650-991-6780 1500 Southgate Ave., #115 Daly City, CA 94015 Stanford Advanced Wound Care Center 650-721-8800 450 Broadway Redwood City, CA 94063

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Los Altos Museum cont’d.

There are many different ways that we exhibit material.

We do art, history and science exhibits. Some exhibits are all about community and contemporary events. The material depends on the subject of the exhibit.

BTA: What would you like for the public to know about the museum or about the community of Los Altos?

EW: So much of what is important to our residents and what we are about as a museum is how much the landscape of our community has changed over the last 50 years.

The most fundamental change came in the ’50s with the disappearance of the orchards. Many people miss that and are old enough to remember picking apricots and driving down country roads. Anyone who has grown up in this area remembers how nice the orchards smelled in summer.

Part of our mission is to remember the past and give people a chance to share their memories. But the museum is more contemporary than that.

I think the outdoor exhibit really represents our history and the olden days, but our inside changing exhibits can be more artistic and contemporary. We are not just talking about one idea or one topic.

We also have a volunteer-run gift shop, which is a great place to talk to our docents and front staff. The museum is free, so we just love it when people walk in through the front door to say “hello” and share their interests.

BTA: What makes the museum senior friendly?

EW: The museum is convenient for seniors in many ways. One of the main benefits is that we are all on one floor.

It is a great place to visit for a walk back in time.

We also offer many volunteer opportunities that work well for active seniors. We really want to create relationships with residents of all ages.

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We have in our mission statement that we like to foster the creative energy of our volunteers. This is not the type of volunteer opportunity where you show up and are told what to do. We want to hear people’s stories and ideas.

We are adaptable and depend on the skill set of our volunteers. Volunteers can contribute whatever skills they have, and we are very collaborative. Getting involved here can be a really fun opportunity for active seniors.

BTA: Have you changed your hours due to COVID? EW: For a while, we were somewhat limited and only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Now, we are back to our normal schedule and open Thursday through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. We hope our hours accommodate people who have flexible schedules.

BTA: With COVID, have you had to limit the number of people you let in the museum at one time?

EW: For the safety of our visitors, we were limited to eight people at a time in the gallery. Then the county increased that number to 21.

Unless a group has booked in advance, it is very rare that there would be more than 10 people in the museum at the same time.

BTA: Do you ever charge admission?

EW: No, admission is free.

BTA: What is your role at the museum?

EW: I am the executive director, so my job is mainly to set the tone for the organization. That is where it is important for me to be community-driven and communityoriented. I want to be friendly and accessible.

We want to be as open to as many different segments of the community as possible. I approve budgets, hire staff, and do the fundraising. We are a small staff, so we all have to do a little bit of everything.

This overhead of the complex includes the Smith House (on the left), a beautiful brick courtyard with a flower garden, an outdoor agricultural exhibition, and a three-story museum exhibition building.

BTA: What do you like most about your job?

EW: We just created a new mission statement that talks about being the premier local institution of intercultural and intergenerational connections.

To me, there is nothing better than having a fifth grader talking to somebody in their 80s about the same subject.

They’re both learning and both getting excited about the subject. We team up our teen docents with our retiree docents.

We build intergenerational connections in our programming. We have school tours that are led by retired teachers, and we cross those generational divides.

BTA: I understand that social issues are very important to you. Are you working on anything related to those issues as of now?

EW: In 2020, we celebrated the hundredth anniversary of the women’s right to vote. It was an unfortunate year to mount an exhibit, but we tried.

We have an exhibit right now about climate change. We are redoing our permanent exhibition to reflect diversity in our area. We are working on art and literature exhibits that punctuate friendliness, but they also reflect challenging established narratives. Museums are great places to present

differing points of view. We try to encourage dialogue.

BTA: What are your plans and goals for the future?

EW: We are excited to be redoing our permanent exhibition, which is a big change for us. We are calling it “Crossroads of History.” There have been some choices in history that have favored certain groups over others, and we plan to highlight that in our new permanent exhibit.

We also plan to revamp our school program. We now offer more activities online, and we like to keep that relevant and fresh.

BTA: I understand you operate solely on donations. How can the public support you?

EW: We have a membership program and accept donations online and via mail. We have fundraising events, and we apply for grants.

Membership is the best way to support us because members receive all the announcements.

We love donations in honor of someone who has been in the area a long time.

We have a broad membership base, and our members come from communities all around Los Altos.

All donations of any amount are very much appreciated.

For more information, visit losaltoshistory.org.

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Born to Age Peninsula

19

Caregivers: Take Care of Yourselves, too Caring for your aging loved ones can be very stressful, and most caregivers experience caregiver burnout from time to time. It’s important that you find simple ways to alleviate some of the stress that builds up — especially over the long term.

You can’t take care of someone else without taking care of yourself first. Here are four simple things you can do to make caregiving a little easier.

Medication Management You may be responsible for ensuring that all necessary medications are taken on time. A 30-day pill organizer is helpful for seniors with a condition such as arthritis that makes pill bottles difficult to open. Other pill organizers help you keep track of more complicated doses.

For seniors who only need a gentle reminder to take their medications, experiment with tools that allow you to take a more hands-off approach.

Most smartphones and tablets have apps that allow you to set recurring reminders with a message. A simple “Did you take your medicine with breakfast?” notice every day at 9 a.m. is a great help for independent seniors. No smartphone? Perhaps a daily phone call will suffice.

Find Someone to Listen Because being a caregiver can be incredibly stressful, there are times when you may feel isolated and lonely.

Many seniors who need extra assistance lash out when they feel they are losing their independence. This attitude from a loved one is especially frustrating for caregivers who are just trying to do their best. If you’re feeling angry, lonely, frustrated, tired and all-around burnt out, you are not alone!

You need to be able to vent about these problems to someone. Support groups for caregivers can be found in most

cities. You might also find solace in confiding in a friend.

Just make sure that your frustrations don’t get back to the person you’re caring for, which could really damage your relationship.

Precooking and Freezing Meals As people age, their appetites shrink. Many caregivers struggle with finding time to prepare food for loved ones that’s both tasty and nutritious. There are steps you can take in advance to make it easier to prepare meals and snacks.

Simply cook a double or triple-sized batch of the meals they love! Use smaller containers to divide the prepared food into individual portions.

Refrigerate a few containers to be heated up at mealtimes and freeze any that won’t be eaten in the next few days.

You can also use small storage containers or plastic bags to portion out easy-to-eat

snacks like fresh fruit, trail mix, or crackers with cheese.

Take Some Time to Relax Most importantly: don’t let “Caregiver” become your whole identity. Caring for your aging loved one can be overwhelming and take up the majority of your time. It’s important that you also have time for yourself to relax and focus on your own needs.

This may mean that you find a friend or family member to step in as caregiver on occasion. Look for community activities that your loved one could attend without you.

During this alone time, do your best to put their needs on the back burner, so you can concentrate on your own.

It’s not easy to care for an aging senior. Take every opportunity you can to simplify your duties and take care of yourself.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by local financial advisors.

WHO WE ARE We are an ensemble of actors and theatre makers brought together in our commitment to fight for representation, inclusion, social justice, and empowerment. We represent our diverse Broadway by the Bay community and celebrate what makes each of us unique and alike, from our identities, beliefs, and heritage.

We believe that…

REPRESENTATION matters–on and off the stage–especially for BIPOC and our underrepresented groups to be seen, be heard, and be appreciated.

INCLUSION is how we work together, honor and strengthen one another, and evolve as a society / make progress as a society.

SOCIAL JUSTICE means we stand united and play an active role in fighting injustice in any form anywhere it exists, including in our own community.

EMPOWERMENT allows each of us to bring forward our true gifts and talents, and enables us to continue learning and growing individually and collectively.

There’s a lot of work to be done and we are ready and inspired.

Together—and only together—we will RISE.

https://bbbay.org • info@broadwaybythebay.org • 1-650-579-5565 20

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