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

October 2023

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 3pm at Camarillo City Hall, except in August and December. Please check the City's website using the link below for details on the upcoming agenda. 

Upcoming Meeting Dates:

• October 17
• November 21
• December - NO MEETING
• January 16

Meeting Agendas



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

Fall is in the air as we enter the month of October. The days are cooler—and the evenings are shorter.  The holiday season is just around the corner.

Read on to find out how the CCOA has been continuing to work towards the goal to work collaboratively with county and community-based organizations in order to provide seniors with information to increase knowledge and awareness of activities and available resources in Ventura County.

A fallen leaf is nothing more than a summer’s wave goodbye.

~ Unknown

JOIN US...

Vacancy on the Council on Aging Board

The Camarillo Council on Aging’s Executive Board consists of 7 members. The Board meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 3:00 p.m. The purpose of the Board is to identify the needs of senior citizens, encourage older citizens to participate in the community of Camarillo, and act as an intermediary between senior citizens and the City Council. The CCOA Board is an active board that participates in an annual shred event to raise funds for senior programs, participates in several senior fairs, organizes senior presentation/workshops, and provides information to the senior community through publications (Senior Resource Guide and Senior News). The board seeks applicants who have an interest in and enthusiasm for improving the well-being of seniors in our community and have the availability to become actively involved in the activities and leadership of the Board. Applicants must be residents of the City. Terms are for two years. The term for this unexpired vacancy will expire in June 2024. The application deadline is Friday, October 13, 2023. For questions about the recruitment process for this opening, please contact the City Clerk's Department at 805-388-5353.

The CCOA and the Library are continuing their collaboration to bring presentations on various topics of interest to the Senior Community. The presentations are held at the Camarillo Library's Community Room located at 4101 Las Posas.

In September there was a Workshop reviewing the services provided by the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging.

The next workshops will be (no registration required):

The Psychology of Aging

Speaker - Nancy Loman, Ph.D., Dept of Psychology, CSUCI

October 30, 2023 - 12:00 pm

------------------------------------------

All About Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)

Speaker - James Fowler, Senior Planner

City of Camarillo

November 15, 2023 - 12:00 pm

Shredding Event in October

Attending the Shredding Event?

Save time and fill out the Release of Liability Form and bring it with you.

Located in the landscape of Ventura County, California. The City of Camarillo is a beacon of community and care, exemplified by its Camarillo Health Care District, bustling Senior Center, and Camarillo Library. These institutions stand as pillars of support and enrichment for the city’s senior population.

The Camarillo Health Care District stands as a testament to the city’s commitment to wellness. It offers a multitude of services aimed at safeguarding the health and independence of seniors. The district’s emphasis on health education empowers seniors with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their well-being.



The district received an award for their virtual reality program. Virtual reality and the district’s Senior Support Line are tools that help to reduce social isolation and depression. Blair Barker, Care Services Director, states that each month they speak to over 80 unduplicated clients and have more than 350 calls a month (this includes both incoming and outgoing calls.)

The Camarillo Senior Center thrives as a lively haven for the city’s seniors. Through an array of thoughtfully curated activities and programs, the Senior Center fosters a vibrant social atmosphere. Seniors can partake in diverse recreational pursuits, from bridge groups to yoga classes. Mitchell Beinfast, Recreation Specialist, reported the Star-Spangled Dance in July had 125 participants and seniors are invited to the Frankenstein Ball on October 27.

Beyond the lively activities & education, both the Camarillo Health Care District and the Senior Center ensure that seniors’ practical needs are met with meals and food drives.

The Camarillo Library provides various programs targeted for seniors. With just a few clicks, from the library’s website, seniors can use “Get Set Up” ** Get Set Up is one example of the library’s digital services. One can also download books to a personal computer or smart phone from Libby. In 2023, thanks to the efforts of Librarian Wendy Nasr and Jay Evans, the library and the City’s Council on Aging partnered together to offer senior resources and implement senior education events on the library’s calendar of events. 



A harmonious synergy exists between all these agencies.

Happy Halloween

It's late and we are sleepy,

The air is cold and still.

Our jack-o-lantern grins at us

Upon the window sill.

We're stuffed with cake and candy

And we've had a lot of fun,

But now it's time to go to bed

And dream of all we've done.

We'll dream of ghosts and goblins

And of witches that we've seen,

And we'll dream of trick-or-treating

On this happy Halloween.

“How Hovding’s Innovation Keeps Heads Safe: The Future of Bicycle Safety”

The Swedish Hovding bicycle helmet offers a groundbreaking solution to protect against head injuries. Unlike traditional helmets, Hovding combines advanced technology, design, and comfort to provide cyclists with a unique safeguard.

At first glance, Hovding appears as a scarf or collar, discreetly disguising its true purpose. However, concealed within this stylish accessory lies an intricate system of sensors, algorithms, and airbags that work in tandem to shield cyclists’ heads from potential harm. These sensors continuously monitor the cyclist’s movements and can detect unusual patterns indicative of an impending accident.

In the event of a collision or fall, Hovding springs into action. It deploys an airbag that envelops the cyclist’s head, akin to a protective cocoon, within milliseconds. This airbag is carefully designed to cushion impact forces and reduce the risk of head injuries, effectively functioning as a personalized, wearable helmet. One of Hovdings’s remarkable advantages lies in its ability to adapt to various cycling scenarios. Whether cruising through city streets, navigating off-road terrain, or pedaling along scenic routes, Hovding remains vigilant, ready to activate whenever danger arises. Its smart technology not only offers superior head protection but also minimizes discomfort associated with traditional helmets, making it an appealing choice for cyclists of all ages. The innovation behind Hovding holds the potential to redefine the cycling experience and prioritizes head protection.

In summary, the Swedish Hovding bicycle helmet emerges as a trailblazing solution to address head injuries in cycling. With its sensor-driven technology and rapid-deploying airbag, Hovding exemplifies the potential of innovation to transform safety gear. 

A woman told her friend, “I feel like my body has gotten totally out of shape, so I got my doctor’s permission to join a fitness club and start exercising.”

She said, “So, I decided to take an aerobics class for seniors. I bent, twisted, gyrated, jumped up and down, and perspired for an hour. But by the time I got my leotards on, the class was already over.”

************************************************

You know you’re getting older when you have a party and the neighbors don’t realize it.

Fall Vaccinations

As fall approaches, pharmacies and doctor’s offices around the country will soon be displaying their signs reminding everyone to get their flu shot. Due to older adults’ immune systems weaking over time, the CDC recommends several vaccinations which includes the Flu Vaccine and updated Covid-19 Vaccine. Based on age and other factors, the new RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) Vaccine could also be recommended. The CDC recommends you talk to your doctor to see which vaccines are right for you.

Livingston Memorial - Palliative Care

For more than 75 years, Livingston has cared for those in the community who need a little extra help to heal at home, are experiencing a serious or end-of-life illness, or suffered the loss of a loved one. They have helped hundreds of patients and family members by providing excellent home healthcare and care for those living with, and impacted by life-limiting illnesses. Learn more by watching a webinar via the link below.

Did You Know About These Resources

Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Emergency Aid

Provides emergency housing payments (rent or mortgage) and utility payments to prevent homelessness.

St. Mary Magdalen - 805-987-7757 Ask for St. Vincent de Paul Society

Blessed Padre Serra - 805-504-4753 (help line)

For those experiencing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness, please contact the Project Hope team at 805-654-9511 or the 2-1-1 Directory.

Catholic Charities - Older Adult Services & Intervention System OASIS

The OASIS program provides critical help to support independent living for senior citizens. Among other services, OASIS provides transportation to grocery stores, medical appointments, and much more.

Main Office 

25 Las Posas Rd

Camarillo, CA 93011

805-987-2083

Hrs.: Mon-Thurs: 9:00am-3:30pm

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California - Emergency

Assistance Program

LSS Ventura County offers drop-in services for homeless and low-income individuals, providing access to food, showers, and laundry facilities. They also offer rental and housing assistance in addition to intensive case management services. Their outreach partnership with the Ventura County Sheriff’s department allows them to meet those in need where they are and provide solution-based options for short and long-term recovery.

80 E. Hillcrest Drive #101

Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

805-497-6207

Turning Point Foundation - Our Place Save Haven (OPSH)

Permanent Supported Housing provides housing for people with mental health, most of whom have experienced homelessness and have regained their independent living skills. These permanent housing programs are designed to assist residents in maintaining community living skills and integration while achieving lasting residential stability. Housing includes Villa Calleguas managed by Turning Point in Camarillo. Not everyone with a severe mental illness is independent enough to thrive in permanent supportive housing. Some still need help with meals, laundry, and medications. That’s where Residential Care Housing comes to their aid with Senior (59+) Residential Care Housing Oak Place in Camarillo for people that have struggled with mental health for a lifetime.

PO Box 24397

575 E. Thompson Blvd.

Ventura CA 93002

805-652-0000

*All these resources have received grants from the City of Camarillo

October is the busiest time of the year. It’s the best time to plant almost all permanent additions to the landscape. Flowers to add to the garden for cool-season color include calendula, cineraria, cyclamen, delphinium, pansy & primrose. Feed fuchsias and continue to treat blue hydrangeas with aluminum sulfate.

The City of Camarillo website has information on different drought tolerant landscaping options to help transform your gardens. Find out more at the link below.

• A Fun Fact: 75% of Americans live within 5 miles of a Dollar General store.

• With Autumn, our thoughts turn to the skies: Plan now for the 2024 solar eclipse. April 8, 2024.

Camarillo Health Care District (CHCD) is one of the many great resources in the city.

CHCD offers a variety of educational opportunities to meet the needs of the community. Some examples include:



• Adventures in VR offer immersive experiences - Winner of the Innovative Program of the Year Award.
• Fall Prevention Program lineup includes: SMARTfit, BALANCEfit, POWERfit, Beginners Walking Group, Bingocize, Matter of Balance and TaiChi for Arthritis.

Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District has many activities for Seniors. Here are two such events:

Book Club - The Book Club meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, 5:30 - 6:30 pm at the Senior Center. The selected book for October is "The Barbarian Nurseries" by Hector Tobar.

Senior Social - Every 2nd Thursday of the month, 5:30-6:30 pm at the Senior Center. The next one will be on October 12. The Senior Social is a social hour for seniors to get to know one another. Light snacks, refreshments, and live entertainment will be provided.

Frankenstein Ball - Friday, October 27, 2023, 4:00-6:00pm at the Community Center. Enjoy this festive dance and wear a Halloween costume as you dance to live music, enjoy refreshments, and meet new friends.

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA), an agency of the County of Ventura, is charged with the responsibility to promote the development and implementation of a comprehensive coordinated system of care that enables older individuals, children and adults with disabilities, and their caregivers to live in a community-based setting. 

The Camarillo City Council appoints two Camarillo residents to the VCAAA Advisory Council. The Council is a community-based body of advocates for persons aged 60 and over with a mission to involve the community in creating and sustaining programs that impact senior living and family caregivers. The Camarillo representatives report on the Council's activities to the CCOA Board at their monthly meeting. Recent information included:

Hospital Navigation Programs  

When patients are sent home from the hospital with their spouse or a loved one, this person doesn’t even consider themselves to be a caregiver. They are often in the dark about how to navigate patients’ chronic illnesses, find resources, or to stay in touch with the doctor. For Ventura County, these issues resonate, and the need to support family caregivers has been identified as a ‘critical health need’ in our county.” The goal of Caregiver Navigator programs are to support and integrate family caregivers as part of the health care team.  In Ventura County three hospitals are responding to this Caregiver burden/need. The Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF), has funded Caregiver Navigators at three local hospitals: Community Memorial Health Systems (CMHS) in Ventura; St. John’s Hospital in Oxnard; and, Adventist Health, Simi Valley. 

Benefits Enrollment Center

VCAAA was awarded a grant from the National Council on Aging for this program which provides a one-stop shop to help low-income seniors throughout Ventura find and apply for public benefits programs to help them pay for prescription drugs, medical care, food, and utilities. Call ahead to schedule an appointment at (805) 477-7300.

Got Used Batteries?

Here's where you can recycle them:

• Camarillo City Hall, 601 Carmen Dr
• Camarillo Police Department, 3701 Las Poas Rd
• Camarillo Library, 4101 Las Posas Rd

Was this email forwarded to you?

Sign up below to receive SENIOR NEWS! in your inbox.