Mission: The Camarillo Council on Aging (CCOA) is an advisory body formed by the Camarillo City Council. The mission of the CCOA, in collaboration with the Camarillo City Council, is to promote participation, independence and quality of life through advocacy, information and activities that support optimum senior health and quality aging. 

SENIOR NEWS

A newsletter for Camarillo Seniors

July 2024

The CCOA meetings are open to anyone interested in senior issues. The CCOA seeks and values your input. 

Meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 3:00 p.m. at Camarillo City Hall. Please check the City's website using the link below for details on the upcoming agenda. 



Upcoming Meeting Dates:

• July 16
• August 20
• September 17
• October 15

CityofCamarillo.org/meetinginfo



You may contact the CCOA by calling City Hall at (805) 388-5397 or

camarillocouncilonaging@gmail.com. 

Visit the City's webpage for Seniors to find more information on the CCOA and the Senior Resource Guide, which provides information regarding agencies, organizations, and businesses providing senior services.

Summer - an opportunity to reconnect with nature and enjoy the sun’s embrace.

The CCOA continues to work toward the goal to work collaboratively with governmental and community-based organizations in order to provide seniors with information to increase knowledge and awareness of activities and available resources in Ventura County.

CCOA Board - Leisure Village Presentation

CCOA Chair Joanne Kennedy, along with CCOA Board members Sandra Melton and Kathy Tamashiro, attended Mayor Tony Trembley's Meet and Greet at Leisure Village. Joanne provided a presentation on the CCOA's function as an Advisory Council and their senior community support activities.

The CCOA Members would be happy to meet and greet residents in other senior centers and resident programs. To arrange for a presentation, please contact us at camarillocouncilonaging@gmail.com

Empowering Seniors: Explore New Horizons! - Library and Senior Center Collaboration

In June, a Camarillo Librarian visited the Senior Center, showcasing the Camarillo Library’s services and cutting-edge technology resources to approximately 40-50 seniors.

Elianna Vargas, the Pleasant Valley Recreation Supervisor, discussed plans for for a satellite library and IT technology assistance at the Senior Center.

Providing Safety Awareness

In April, the CCOA organized a presentation on Safety Issues for Camarillo Seniors at the Library. Senior Deputy John Meeker addressed concerns such as pedestrian safety, enforcement of speed limits, e-bike regulations, retail theft reduction, and noise complaints.

This presentation was in response to survey results indicating concerns about crime and safety. The event was well-received by a number of attendees.

Fall CCOA Shred Event - Save the Date

The CCOA is planning a Fall Community Shred Event on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at the PVRPD Community Center located at 1605 Burnley Street.

The proceeds will be used by the CCOA to fulfill the mission to provide information and activities that support optimum senior health and quality aging. More information will be available on the City's webpage for Seniors closer to the event date.

Summer Reading Challenge

Drop-in for Camarillo Public Library’s Summer Reading Senior Sign-up! Library staff will help set up Summer Reading accounts, walk through the login process, and show seniors how to log their reading minutes. Completing the Summer Reading Challenge will give participants the chance to win a variety of prizes.

Event date and time:

Monday, July 8, 2024 from 2pm to 4pm in the Community Room

For more details, contact the Library at (805) 388-5811.

OLLI Classes at the Senior Center

The PVRPD Senior Center shared some exciting news about their new fall partnership with the Cal State Channel Islands Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). The OLLI program brings the excitement and stimulation of college learning to adults, aged 50 or older, who wish to extend their learning experiences.

There are two captivating courses that will be held at the Senior Center:

July 11th - Inspired and Retired

August 15th - Recreation at Any Age 

For more details, reach out to the Senior Center at 805-482-1996

The Fifty and Better Program at California Lutheran University is offering a FABulous Summer Lecture Series from June 3-August 28. Join them for independent and two-part lectures on a variety of topics, including artificial intelligence and music, the art of Marc Chagall, searching for intelligent life in the universe, the history and resonance of the song “Over the Rainbow,” and many more.

All lectures can be attended virtually and are recorded. Select lectures can be attended in-person in Thousand Oaks or Oxnard. To purchase the recording of a lecture that has already taken place, email fab@callutheran.edu. Visit their website to learn more about the summer lectures and to register

Senior Scam Awareness Seminar

Join Assemblymember Steve Bennett and Senator Monique Limón, along with the California Department of Financial Protection & Innovation, Department of Insurance, Department of Consumer Affairs, Ventura County Area Agency on Aging and other local partners, for a Senior Scam Awareness Seminar!

Come learn about valuable information on how to detect scams and protect yourself from fraud as we will be hearing from a panel of experts about the latest scams. 

Monday, July 8, 2024 - 10-11:45 a.m.

Ventura County Office of Education (Camarillo Room)

5100 Adolfo Rd., Camarillo

Public Safety Power Shutoff

Are you prepared for a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), or other utility outage? 

The threat of wildfires in California is real and growing. One critical tool SCE uses to prevent wildfires is the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), in which they may temporarily shut off power to your neighborhood during dangerous weather conditions to prevent the electric system from becoming a source of ignition. These safety shutoffs are a measure of last resort for keeping the community safe.

SCE offers resources and support to serve the diverse needs of their customers during Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) outages. This includes PSPS Outage Alerts, Medical Baseline Allowance program, Community Assistance Programs and Referrals, and Disability Disaster Access & Resouces Programs.

Kidney Donation- Gift of Life

Submission by CCOA member Dave Bora

In my early 20s, I had the privilege of donating a kidney to save my brother's life. Decades later, in my mid-60s, I found myself on the receiving end, benefiting from someone else's generosity. This personal experience has taught me the profound impact of organ donation.

The Need for Kidney Donations Kidney disease is the fastest-growing non-communicable disease in the US. It is a silent killer as many don't realize they have it until the final stages of organ failure. Kidneys are vital organs, and while we can live with one, we cannot survive without both. Sadly, over 90,000 people are on the national waitlist for a kidney transplant. The need for donor kidneys is rising at 8% per year, yet their availability has not grown to match. Dialysis, which many rely on while waiting for an organ donation, cannot fully replicate kidney functions. This leads to the death of about 33 people daily.

Why Become a Donor? Becoming an organ donor allows ordinary people to become extraordinary by gifting a new, healthy kidney to someone in need, granting them a renewed chance to not only survive but to thrive. Thanks to organ donors, about 27,000 organs are transplanted every year in the United States, with one-fourth coming from living donors. There are two ways you can become a kidney donor: living and deceased.

Living Donations Living donation involves a living person choosing to donate one of their two healthy kidneys to someone with kidney disease. There has been tremendous progress in kidney transplantation techniques and post-transplant outcomes. Educating yourself on the process can help eliminate any fears or misconceptions about becoming a living donor. Potential donors undergo thorough medical and psychological screening to ensure their suitability and to inform them of any potential physical, emotional, and financial risks.

Deceased Donations Deceased donation begins with a decision to help save people with end-stage organ disease by donating your organs when you die. Once you make this choice, you should:

• Mark your choice on your driver's license. The next time you renew your California Driver’s License or identification card, indicate you want to become an organ donor upon your death.
• Tell your family. Make sure your family knows you want to be an organ donor.

The Impact of Kidney Donation Kidney donation is a remarkable act of generosity and compassion that holds the power to transform lives. By raising awareness about kidney disease prevention and actively supporting organ donation initiatives, we can greatly reduce organ failures and deaths.

Organ donation has a ripple effect that touches the lives of families, friends, and entire communities. By considering kidney donation, you can make a profound difference and potentially save a life.

Health Benefits of Biking

A substantial body of evidence supports the health benefits of cycling, everything from strengthening the immune system to boosting the likelihood of living longer. Now, a new study finds people who are in the habit of riding a bike are significantly less likely to have osteoarthritis and experience pain in their knees by age 65, compared to people who don't bike.

The study, which was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health, and published in the American College of Sports Medicine's flagship peer-reviewed journal, included about 2,600 men and women, with an average age of 64 years old. As part of the study, researchers took X-ray images to evaluate signs of arthritis in their knee joints. "Bicyclers were 21% less likely to have X-ray evidence and symptoms of osteoarthritis compared to those who did not have a history of bicycling," explains study author Dr. Grace Lo of Baylor College of Medicine.

"Cycling is very low impact," says musculoskeletal researcher Matt Harkey, an assistant professor at Michigan State University and a co-author of the study. Cycling also helps to build strength in the muscles around the knee which can help protect the joint. In addition, the rhythmic motion of pedaling on a bicycle can move synovial fluid, the viscous, egg white-like liquid in joints that helps reduce friction and absorb shock. However, it's important for cyclists to understand the risk of overuse injuries as well as the importance of technique and getting a proper fitting bike. Each year, thousands of bicyclists are injured in motor vehicle crashes, and older adults are at higher risk of serious injury. Research shows it's safer to bike on trails or paths separated from traffic.

Do you need assistance with food?

The survey conducted by CCOA indicated there is a concern about finding resources for food. Read on to find out more about the Food Share program with a link to their website and a link to a list of Local Food Pantries hosted by local churches, PVRPD and the CSUCI University.

Since 1978, Food Share has been feeding the hungry in Ventura County. Staff and volunteers distribute nearly 19 million pounds of food, providing 16 million meals annually to people in Ventura County through its hunger programs and 190 pantry and program partners.

Food Share’s Senior Food Box program works to improve the health of low-income seniors by providing monthly, nutritious, shelf-stable food packages to income-eligible seniors aged 60 and over. Currently, Food Share has close to 40 Senior Food Box distribution sites throughout Ventura County that cater to the needs of seniors living on a fixed income.

Summer Activities

Looking for something to do this summer? There are several events happening in the City:



• June-August Summer Concert Series - pvrpd.org/summer-concert-series
• June- July Throwback Thursdays Food Truck camarilloranchfoundation.com
• July 4th Fourth of July Fireworks Show - cityofcamarillo.org/fireworks
• July 10-14 Heritage Days - camarillooldtown.org/heritage-days

Camarillo Health Care District (CHCD) offers a variety of educational opportunities to meet the needs of the community. Some of the programs offered are:

Doctor Presentations:

(Held at CHDC, 3639 E. Las Posas Road, Camarillo; Call to register (805) 388-1952)

The Aging Ear, Nose and Throat - July 23, 12-1:30 pm

Dr. Saranya Reghunathan, a board-certified ENT specialist in Camarillo, will speak about common issues with the aging ears, nose and throat, and updated minimally invasive safe treatment options for those who have been suffering. Some of these conditions include chronic runny nose, ringing in the ears and ear blockage and pressure, nasal congestion, chronic cough, trouble swallowing and hoarseness.

The Aging Spine – Arthritis and Spinal Stenosis - July 26, 1-2:30 p.m.

Dr. Justin Millard, a board-certified spine surgeon at Community Memorial Healthcare, will present “The Aging Spine – Part 3.” In his practice, he focuses on minimally invasive spine surgery and motion preservation spine surgery. Register in advance for this free presentation. Seating is limited.

Learn about:

Medicare Basics: Understanding Parts and Paths of Medicare - July 12, 1-2:30 pm

Attend a free, informational presentation by the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP), part of the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging. This presentation is designed for retired seniors and those preparing to retire. Registration is not required. Call 805-477-7300 for info.

Digital Bridge Program

Schedule a Digital Bridge appointment for one-on-one, step-by-step assistance, either in-person or over the phone, to help you in the use of various computer, communication devices and applications so that you can participate in virtual health services, medical portals, banking services, Zoom, Facetime and other virtual services. There is no charge. It’s offered by Camarillo Health Care District. Call 805-388-1952 to schedule a free appointment.

The Senior Center at the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District is dedicated to providing a wide array of special events, recreation, and leisure programs, as well as social services for adults living in the Camarillo area. Here are some upcoming events/programs:

Star Spangled Dance - On Friday, July 12 from 5 -7 pm, there will be a dance to live music being held at the Community Center Auditorium. The event is free and no registration required. Refreshments will be available.

Yoga Class - Local adults over 50 are welcome to attend free drop-in Yoga classes held at the Senior Center. Gentle Flow yoga enhances flexibility, strength, and joint health, while also diminishing stress and fostering tranquility and self-assurance. There's no need to register; simply come when you can. Please bring your yoga mat, water, and a towel or blanket for the exercises, and dress comfortably.

• Monday: 9am-10am, 10am-11am
• Tuesday: 9am-10am, 10am-11am
• Wednesday: 9am-10am
• Thursday: 9am-10am
• Friday: 9am-10am, 2pm-3pm

Going on Vacation and worried about the security of your house?

For more than 25 years, the Camarillo Police Department and Camarillo Citizen Patrol (CCP) volunteer program has provided residential vacation house checks to the community. House checks are normally limited to thirty days but may be extended on a case-by-case basis. Residents can complete and submit a Request Form or call the Camarillo Police Station at 805 388-5100.

If an unlocked/open door, broken or open window, or any other signs of entry are discovered, the CCP members will immediately withdraw from the premises to a safe observation position, notify Sheriff's Dispatch of the circumstances and request deputy assistance. They will keep the house under surveillance until the deputies arrive and take over to search and “clear” the premises. CCP will also contact the homeowner and/or emergency contact to advise them of the incident. Due to the obvious risks and dangers that may be involved, CCP members will not conduct house checks after dark.

Holiday Hours impacting the Library Cooling Center hours:

July 3rd - Library closes at 5 p.m. / July 4th - Library Closed

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