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Village Santa Cruz County
Aging Better Together
The Village News
July 2024 | |
Celebrating Village Santa Cruz County's
7th Birthday
with a picnic in the park, good friends, and a rousing game of Trivia!
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Village Santa Cruz County is seeking volunteer help with Grant Writing
Do you have experience with grant-writing? If so, our Board is looking for your help. We are mainly supported by member dues but in order to continue offering a needs-based sliding scale fee, we need to raise a bit extra each year. If you could volunteer your experience (or know of someone), our organization would be greatly appreciative. Join our fundraising team! Please contact Mary Howe at villagescmhowe@gmail.com. Thank you.
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 by Dody Anderson
Your right to a safe discharge from hospital. Recently, a family member was in a hospital in southern California, after a severe stroke. The social worker told my 80-year-old sister they were planning on releasing our younger sister in a few days to their shared home. My younger sister still had an open wound from sepsis, could not swallow to take medication, and was on intravenous feeding. To say we did not believe Darlene was ready to be discharged is an understatement. I filed a grievance with the hospital and with the Calif. Dept. of Public Health.
What a staff member and an administrator shared is there is an appeal process to what you consider too early of a discharge. It will get you three more days in the hospital. Three days may be enough time for you to get stronger and to arrange for help at home. You want to use the legal term, unsafe discharge, in your appeal. This will indicate you are not prepared to be without the observation and assistance a hospital stay provides. And that there is a strong likelihood of being returned to the hospital.
The staff member who shared the info actually told me to please not share her identity! In the case of my sister, 3 more days in the hospital was not enough. Because of the grievance against the hospital, it gave us additional time beyond those three days.
You have to be your own advocate when it comes to your health. You have every right to appeal a discharge if you feel it may endanger your health and well-being. It is scary to file but ultimately, you are protecting yourself.
The Calif. Dept. of Health told me more people need to know of the appeal process. Please share this info with your friends.
from CA Health Care Advocates: Did you know that 1 in 5 hospital inpatients return to the hospital within 30 days of leaving? To make the transition from the hospital as smooth as possible for you or a loved one, learn about Medicare discharge planning requirements, appeal rights, and coverage of post-hospital care. Follow this link for 3 tips, plus additional action points to make sure you get the hospital care you require while in the hospital and are well prepared with a discharge and post-hospital care plan when you leave. Hospital Transitions ~ Do You Know Your Discharge Rights? California Health Advocates.
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Recommendations from the TV/Movie Discussion Group
The TV/Movie Discussion Group meets monthly online to share their favorites. All Village members are welcome to drop in anytime you'd like. These are the recommendations for July.
Hitman, a Richard Linklater film about a professional killer who breaks protocol to help a desperate woman trying to flee an abusive husband and then finds himself falling for her. On Netflix.
A Gentleman in Moscow, a TV series based on the 2016 novel by Amor Towles set against the backdrop of post-Revolutionary Russia. 8 episodes. On Paramount and Showtime.
Stolen, a Swedish film. A young woman from Sweden's indigenous Sami community tracks down a killer to settle a personal score. On Netflix.
Between Lands, a Spanish melodrama television series. To protect her sister and save her family from ruin, a selfless woman navigates an arranged marriage with a wealthy man who hides dark secrets. 10 episodes. On Netflix.
Let's Go Bowling!
One of our members is setting up a bowling date at Surf Bowl by the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Contact info@villagesantacruz.org if you are a Village member and you'd like to join in the fun. |
The Ending Ageism presentation and Q&A, given by geriatric nurse practitioner Janet Masters of Changing the Narrative, was an informative hour. Below is an expansion of some of her points, from the Changing the Narrative: Ending Ageism website.
Ageism in Healthcare:
The importance of Intergenerational Connections: Generations Over Dinner: a free global initiative to create meaningful multi-generational experiences and conversations. At the core of this initiative is this question: How many generations can you bring to the table? Can you find six generations to invite, five generations, four generations or even the significant touchstone of bringing three generations together. Everyone is invited to become a host to gather their friends, family and even strangers at both physical dinner parties and Zoom based gatherings.
At the suggestion of Janet, Village Santa Cruz County is starting a study group for the book, Breaking the Age Code: How Your Beliefs About Aging Determine How Long & Well You Live, by Dr. Becca Levy. Dr. Levy’s research over the years has established that how we think about aging affects our:
- Physical and mental health
- Cognitive abilities
- Likelihood of developing dementia
- Life span
- Other quality of life issues
Her findings have been replicated by researchers around the world. Any Village member who would like to join this study group, contact info@villagesantacruz.org.
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Watch Out for Election Scams!!
How to PROTECT Yourself
The following comes from AARP’s research. I have retyped key points so you can see it even if you’re not an AARP member.
- submitted by Jaquy G.
Be suspicious of Robocalls. Never Trust a robocall that directs you to donate. In recent months, scammers have released deepfake AI videos of famous people.
Some solicitations come from fake Political Action Committees (PACS) designed to reroute political contributions for personal gain. They can seem credible and often employ high-pressure emotional appeals.
- Don’t answer any political phone calls you don't recognize. Don’t rely on Caller ID: Scammers can impersonate a political campaign phone number.
- Don't click on any links in an email or text, even if it’s from somebody you recognize, or think is reputable. Someone could have taken over their account.
- To donate to candidates, go to their certified website.
for more on this go to the newsletter 'Articles' section.
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Tackling Healthcare Ageism in 15 Minutes
I recently attended a webinar, "Tackling Healthcare Ageism in 15 Minutes" hosted by the organization Changing the Narrative: Ending Ageism Together. In our current health care system, doctors are under pressure to see a certain number of patients every day – up to 45 in some systems! Our presenter, healthcare communication specialist Abby Ceccolini, was full of suggestions on how to make the most of your 15-minute doctor visit. She divided the visit into three sections:
Beginning: Where you get to explain the timeline and details of your symptoms. This is your time to be specific, concise, and give your patient presentation. Come prepared!
Middle: Your provider is starting to put the puzzle pieces together. Know your past medical history (they may ask!). Engage in honest dialogue; share your concerns and beliefs – don’t hold back. To make a care plan that best fits you, your doctor needs to know as much as possible.
End: Your provider won’t walk out of the room without sharing a plan of care for next steps. You have a right to fully understand and agree with those next steps. Say, “Can I repeat back to you my care plan to make sure I understand it?” This slows the process so that you do get each piece and can think of questions you might have. Write down the next steps and/or ask for a visit summary with instructions to be printed off for you before you leave. Learn More
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Become a Member of Village Santa Cruz County
|  | Coming UP in July
Members will receive Zoom information in weekly eBlasts.
If you are not yet a Village member but would like to join one of our events, to meet some Village members, please contact info@villagesantacruz.org
Monday, July 1, Guided Meditation, 4:00 - 4:15 PM, Join on Zoom.
Wednesday, July 3, Aptos Circle Chat, 1:00 – 2:30 PM, In person @ Aptos Methodist Church, 221 Thunderbird Drive, Aptos. Relax with a cup of coffee or tea and catch up on what's happening with your Circle friends. Curious about Village? Open to all. Non-members are welcome to join us.
Thursday, July 4, Happy Fourth of July!
Friday, July 5, Westside Circle Chat, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, In person @ the Abbey, 350 Mission Str. Relax with a cup of coffee or tea and catch up on what's happening with your Circle friends. Curious about Village? Open to all. Non-members are welcome to join us. In the event of rain we will lunch together at Walnut Cafe in downtown Santa Cruz, on their outdoor covered patio.
Monday, July 8, Westside "Days of Our Lives" Discussion, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM, In person, @ member's home on the Westside. Topic: Erickson's 8 stages of Development in Our Lives. Choose one stage and discuss how it fits (or not) with your own life experience.
Tuesday, July 9, Mid County Circle Chat, 1:30 - 2:30 PM, In person @ Staff of Life, 1266 Soquel Ave. Santa Cruz.
Wednesday, July 10, SLV Circle Chat, 10:30 – 11:30 AM, In person @ Valley Women's Conference Center at Highlands Park Community and Senior Center, 8500 Highway 9, Ben Lomond. Relax with a cup of coffee or tea and catch up on what's happening with your Circle friends. Curious about Village? Open to all. Non-members are welcome to join us.
Thursday, July 11, Bocce, 10:30 - 11:30 AM, In person @ Felt Str. Park, 1904 Felt Street, Santa Cruz. Come play Bocce with us! All members welcome. Bocce Ball is simple to learn, it's a lot of fun, and good exercise (not to mention the great company). Come try it out. Cancelled in the event of rain or wet court.
Thursday, July 11, Solo Agers, 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM , In person @ The Buttery, 702 Soquel Ave. Santa Cruz.
Thursday, July 11, Governing Board Meeting, 12:30 PM - 2:15 PM, Join on Zoom. All Village members are invited to attend our monthly planning meeting. Email info@villagesantacruz.org if you plan to attend, so that we can send you the agenda.
Friday, July 12, Westcliff Walks, 10:30 - 11:30 AM, In person. We will walk along Westcliff Dr. Meet in the parking lot of Shrine Coffee. 544 Westcliff Ave. And perhaps, like last time, we'll have coffee/tea and a nice chat at Shrine Coffee or Lighthouse Food Shack after the walk--depending on where we decide to go!
Monday, July 15, Memoir Writing, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM, In person @ Seabright Area. Because of the very personal nature of our writings, which we share, this group is currently closed to new members. Want to start a 2nd writing group? Contact info@villagesantacruz.org
Wednesday, July 17, Village Walks, 10:00 - 11:30 PM, In person @ Schwan Lagoon Trail. We will meet in the parking lot behind Simpkins Swim Center, 979 17th Ave. Santa Cruz. Text Karen that you are joining the walk so that we wait for you.
Wednesday, July 17, Aptos Circle Luncheon, 1:00 – 2:30 PM, In person, location TBA in an upcoming member weekend Eblast.
Thursday, July 18, Bocce, 10:30 - 11:30 AM, In person @ Felt Str. Park, 1904 Felt Street, Santa Cruz. Come play Bocce with us! All members welcome. Cancelled in the event of rain or wet court.
Thursday, July 18, Movie/TV Discussion Group, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Join on Zoom. Look at the recommendations above for suggestions on what to watch.
Monday, July 22, Rumminkub, 1:15 - 2:15 PM, In person, Location: Player's home in Mid-County. Rummikub is a fun board game for everyone, Join us in playing it. Contact info@villagesantacruz.org for more information.
Tuesday, July 23, Mid-County Luncheon, 12:30 - 1:30 PM, In person, @ Whale City Restaurant, 7941 Soquel Dr. Aptos.
Tuesday, July 23, Housing Group, 4:00 - 5:00 PM, Join on Zoom. We will discuss and explore continuing care and aging in place options, from living in our own homes to shared housing or communities.
Wednesday, July 24, SLV Circle Chat, 10:30 – 11:30 AM, In person @ Valley Women's Conference Center at Highlands Park Community and Senior Center, Ben Lomond. Relax with a cup of coffee or tea and catch up on what's happening with your Circle friends. Curious about Village? Open to all. Non-members are welcome to join us.
Wednesday, July 24, Keeping Current, 4:00 - 5:00 PM, Join on Zoom. As a Group explore ideas of Topics for Learning & Discussion.
Thursday, July 25, Bocce, 10:30 - 11:30 AM, In person @ Felt Str. Park, 1904 Felt Street, Santa Cruz. Come play Bocce with us! All members welcome. Cancelled in the event of rain or wet court.
Thursday, July 25, Movie at the Theater, Time: TBD, In person. Movie and details TBD when the movie list for this date comes out.
Friday, July 26, Grab & Go! Emergency Kit Distribution and Updating/Completing Our Personal Plans, 10:30 - 11:30 AM, In person, @ Santa Cruz Public Library Aptos Branch Community Room, 7695 Soquel Dr., Aptos. Open to all Village Members. Free Emergency Kits will be provided to those Village members who need them. Following the distribution there will be a discussion around individual disaster preparedness plans. Are your plans complete and updated? Is anything missing from them? How can we best help each other?
Tuesday, July 30, Governing Board Mini-Retreat, 1:00 - 3:00 PM, Join on Zoom. Topics for Discussion: Fundraising and Increasing the number of Board Members.
| In Our Community
World’s Shortest Parade, July 4. Aptos will celebrate 4th of July with T-shirts, a fantastic parade and a party in Aptos Village Park. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Soquel Drive and State Park Drive and ends at Parade Avenue and Soquel Drive. This year’s T-shirt showcases Winston and Nutmeg, the pets of the owners of Aptos Feed & Pet Supply, who have donated pet goodie bags to animal participants for over 25 years. The party in Aptos Village Park runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with activities for the whole family including games, food, beverages, craft vendors and dancing to the band “James Durbin and The Lost Boys” for a $5 donation.
July 4th, 12:00 - 3:00 PM. Scott's Valley Fourth of July Parade and Fly Over. The parade route begins at noon on Scotts Valley Drive between Civic Center Drive to El Pueblo Road. ADA parking and viewing will be available at 5007 Scotts Valley Drive. The Scotts Valley Police Department reminds participants that it will not host fireworks this year.
Free Tours of the Santa Cruz City Resource Recovery Facility. The city of Santa Cruz will offer free tours of its Resource Recovery Facility at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. through Aug. 23 at the facility, 605 Dimeo Lane, Santa Cruz. The 90-minute tours provide an opportunity to learn about the importance of prioritizing waste reduction. Attendees will also learn about the recycling process as well as the new food scraps processing and household hazardous waste programs. Registration is required and tours are limited to 20 people. Carpooling is encouraged, as parking is limited. To reserve your spot, visit Tour the Resource Recovery Facility | City of Santa Cruz For questions, email lomalley@santacruzca.gov.
Cabrillo Stage Musical, In the Heights, July 11 – August 4. In the Heights tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood – a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind. Find out more In The Heights (cabrillostage.com)
Shakespeare Santa Cruz's 2024 season kicks off in July! Featuring "As You Like It" and "Hamlet" as well as "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde and "The Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Articles, Videos, and Listening
More Americans are living longer. Here’s a place that helps people thrive. NPR Morning Addition, by Allison Aubrey, June 24, 2024 As Americans live longer, new spaces can help older people thrive: Shots - Health News: NPR
Boommates = Boomer Roommates. Sharon had Parkinson’s disease and was looking for someone to help take care of her house. Deb was retired and looking to “right-size” from a big condo downtown. See how these boommates found each other — and real friendship. Boommates = Boomer Roommates (youtube.com)
Star-Spangled Fascism, American Experience from PBS. Professor at George Washington Law School Mary Anne Franks and Professor at University of Southern California Steven J. Ross speak with historian Adriane Lentz-Smith about whether the First Amendment makes Americans more vulnerable to political extremism. Star-Spangled Fascism | American Experience | Official Site | PBS
Knee pain is no fun, but there are things we can do to lessen the pain and improve joint function. Learn 9 home remedies for knee pain in this article from AARP
Why change is so scary - And how to unlock its potential. Maya Shankar, TED, April 2023. Unexpected change like an accident, an illness or a relationship that suddenly ends is inevitable -- and disorienting. With a heartfelt and optimistic take on life's curveballs, cognitive scientist Maya Shankar shares how these challenging moments can inspire transformation, offering three questions to ask when facing uncertainty, so you can let go of rigidity and embrace change. TED
Confronting Haunting Regrets Can Free Up the Future. An expert offers tips on how to banish remorse and learn from our past mistakes. By Patricia Corrigan, June 2024. Next Avenue article
Is Consciousness Part of the Fabric of the Universe? By David Falk, Scientific American. A theory called panpsychism proposes that consciousness is a fundamental aspect of reality. Is Consciousness Part of the Fabric of the Universe? | Scientific American
Watch Out for These Election Scams: How to protect Yourself (from front page)
Be suspicious of Robocalls. Never Trust a robocall that directs you to donate.
In recent months, scammers have released deepfake AI videos of famous people including Tom Hanks, Dolly Parton and Elon Musk making fraudulent product endorsements. A supposed candidate may ask for a donation and tell you to push a number on your phone.
Don’t answer any phone calls you don't recognize. Scammers can impersonate a political campaign phone number through a tactic known as spoofing.
You may get EMAILS or TEXTS with donation links, and the same with bogus voter registration links…links can also be phishing scams
Some solicitations come from fake Political Action Committees (PACS). They can seem credible and often employ high-pressure emotional appeals!! To donate to candidates, go to their certified website.
Don’t click on survey links from unsolicited emails and texts. * A legitimate survey may ask how you plan to vote, your political affiliation and age or race, but don’t share your birthdate, name, address, email address, Social Security number or driver’s license number. * If someone offers a prize, do not participate!
Visit the Federal Election Commission’s website (Campaign Finance Date | FEC) and search to see if a PAC is registered. If it is not, then it is Not legal.
If you have been targeted by a scam PAC, contact your local FBI field office (Field Offices--FBI) and ask to speak to an election crimes coordinator. You will be helping save others!
For the full article go to Avoid These Common Election Season Scams (aarp.org) You may need to be an AARP member to access. | Village Santa Cruz County
1740 17th Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
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