Stories from March, 2025
Stories from March, 2025
On January 30, the California Department of Aging (CDA) released a new report detailing 81 Master Plan for Aging (MPA) initiatives designed to build momentum and drive results for older Californians over the next two years. The MPA, California's 10-year blueprint for aging and disability services that has become a national model, continues to be a catalyst to empower older adults, Californians with disabilities, and caregivers, according to a new report on its progress....
The City of Visalia Parks and Recreation Department will host the 2025 Visalia Senior Games March 27-30. The games will include competitions in pickleball, track and field, swimming, table tennis, disc golf and archery. The competitions are scheduled over a four-day period this year, a change from last year's games, which were held on weekends from mid-March to late May. "This year, we've decided to bring the Senior Games back to a single weekend to create a more focused and...
The Kingsburg Senior Center has completed its kitchen remodeling project and is now offering meals cooked in-house by nutrition coordinators. The remodeling project was funded by a grant from the Kingsburg Healthcare District. In addition, a grant from the Hillblom Foundation will help purchase supplies to support the hot meal program. In a partnership with the Kingsburg Healthcare District, the center offers a free continental breakfast 8:30-10:30 a.m. weekdays. In addition,...
In response to the widespread devastation caused by the wildfires across the Los Angeles area, AARP Foundation has launched a disaster relief campaign to provide critical aid to those affected, especially older adults. To amplify the impact of public support, AARP will match contributions dollar for dollar — up to $500,000 — to help the people impacted rebuild their lives and communities. In January, destructive wildfires raged across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, leaving a trail of devastation and misery,...
Kings County Behavioral Health Department has two new programs aimed at enhancing mental health support. On December 31, it officially launched its 24-hours-a-day/7-days-a-week Behavioral Health Call Center and Mobile Crisis Response Program. This service is to help people in Kings County access county mental health and substance use disorder services, especially those experiencing psychiatric crises, or those in need of a compassionate listener. The center, which is staffed by trained call operators and behavioral health...
Women are more likely than men to experience mobility limitations that could benefit from the use of mobility aids but are much less likely to use them when needed, according to a new study from researchers at University College London (UCL) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Though the prevalence of disability continues to rise among the over-fifties, many people do not have access to the mobility aids – such as canes, walkers or wheelchairs – that...
Family HealthCare Network (FHCN) officially opened its new health center in Springville on January 10. Located at 31954 Country Club Dr., the new Springville center is accepting appointments and welcoming new and returning patients. The new state-of-the-art facility offers medical services, along with dental services. The new health center replaces FHCN's current Springville health center at 35800 Highway 190. The center's hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday...
Based on new brain mapping research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), scientists have discovered that not all cell types in the brain age in the same way. They found that some cells, such as a small group of hormone-controlling cells, may undergo more age-related changes in genetic activity than others. The results, published in Nature, support the idea that some cells are more sensitive to the aging process and aging brain disorders than others. "Aging is...
Visiting friends, attending parties and going to church may help keep your brain healthy, according to research conducted at Rush. The study, posted online in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, shows that frequent social activity may help to prevent or delay dementia in old age. "This study is a follow up on previous papers from our group showing that social activity is related to less cognitive decline in older adults," said Bryan James,...
For the 16th year, CSET is offering it's volunteer income tax assistance services (VITA), a free service to those with household incomes less than $67,000. With an army of about a dozen staff and 130 highly trained volunteers, the service generated more than $5 million in refunds for the 4,200 returns submitted last year. Volunteers, which must undergo 32 hours of training to become certified, provide services at locations throughout Tulare and Kings Counties, including at...
A federal grand jury has charged three people with defrauding elderly authors across the United States of almost $44 million by convincing the victims that publishers and filmmakers wanted to turn their books into blockbusters - but only if they paid some fees first. According to the indictment, Gemma Traya Austin of Chula Vista was the organizer and registered agent for PageTurner, Press and Media LLC ("PageTurner"), a Chula Vista company that claimed to be a book publishing...
The IRS has announced increased 2025 tax deductible limits for long-term care insurance. “Tax deductibility of tax-qualified long-term care insurance premiums remains one of the best-kept secrets in financial planning,” said Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI). “The 2025 deductible limits are significant and few people, especially small and mid-sized business owners, are aware that premiums paid for long-term care insurance may be tax deductible," he said. The 2025...
What makes for retiring well? For most Americans, it's living a little by affording experiences that bring joy (68%) and enjoying a high quality of life (49%), balanced by the security of reaching savings milestones (68%), according to new Empower research. Most agree satisfaction in retirement includes the ability to pay bills on time and in full (68%) and living debt-free (63%) - including owning a home outright (55%). Some 42% of people say it comes down to experiences,...
Historians tell us that the first horses were brought here by Christopher Columbus in 1493. Others have credited Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortes with introducing them to North America a few years later. Regardless of credit, horses took the continent by storm and they multiplied quickly. With their increased exposure came their rise in popularity which continues today. Horses are everywhere. Well known western artist Frederic Remington painted them on canvas, illustrator...
This year's Computer Electronics Show, held in Las Vegas January 7-10, featured the AgeTech Summit from AARP, where industry experts and advocates gathered to explore the transformative potential of technology for aging. With more than 500 companies across diverse industries and product categories, the collaborative annually plays a unique role in connecting innovators and solutions that are shaping the future of aging. AgeTech solutions have emerged across various sectors at...
The first day of spring is called the vernal equinox, and this year it occurs on March 20. April is usually the month of wildflower bloom and taking a viewing drive. In our gardens, too, we should see foliage growth and flowers. This is a month of garden activity and chances to be outside enjoying and working in our gardens. Planting Transplants of most summer vegetables can be planted now, along with seeds of squash, beans, corn, cucumber and melon. You can plant almost any...
Panama has claimed the top spot as the world's #1 retirement destination for 2025, according to the new International Living's Annual Global Retirement Index. The comprehensive guide highlights the best and most affordable places worldwide for retirees seeking adventure, comfort and value for money. The Index helps retirees identify destinations where their dollar stretches further, offering great value in real estate, living costs and quality of life. "Our goal is to empower...
Thanks to its scenic beaches, beautiful redwood forests, and walkable cities, California is a popular retirement spot for seniors. But the state isn't exactly known for its affordability - especially when it comes to housing. Can retirees on a fixed budget really avoid wasting money if they want to enjoy their golden years in the notoriously pricy Golden State? If you move to one of these more affordable California cities, the answer could be a resounding yes. Keep reading to...
Time and the tide wait for no man, as the saying goes. It's just as true as it was in the first notable reference in about 1395. Eventually, we all get old. And there comes a point in time where it's no longer advisable for us to drive. When that happens, what do you do with the car? And what do you do with the person's auto insurance policy? That's what a listener of the Clark Howard Podcast recently asked. Auto Insurance Changes? Our older relative stopped driving. Does he...
Tax scams are among the most stubborn cons out there. They reappear often, each time with a slightly different spin. Some of the most common scams include posing as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), trying to trick people into either paying up or sharing personal information. Common Tax Scams • Impersonation Scams: Often initiated by phone calls, one involves fake IRS tax demands with threats of arrest, while the other tricks victims into providing personal information under the false pretense of issuing tax refunds,...
On January 9, the Tulare Police Department received a call regarding a possible scam. The elderly male victim had already lost $130,000 and suspects were actively trying to get him to provide another $90,000. A family member found out and immediately contacted the Tulare Police Department. The suspects convinced the victim they were some type of "trading company" and offered the victim an opportunity to invest and make money. The victim was instructed to download a phone application officers believe to be fictitious. With...
Question: I wanted to research different senior communities in our area, and after I went to a referral website, I now have a lot of communities calling me. Why did this happen? Senior community referral companies gather information such as pricing, senior living details and amenities, on their website. They refer people who investigate information on their website to senior living communities. Once you give the referral company your information, they send your contact information to senior communities as a referral. Senior...
The 53rd Senior Day in the Park will be held at Mooney Grove Park in Visalia on Friday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sponsored by CSET, the event will once again feature vendor booths, games, lunch, and entertainment by Jeremy "Elvis" Pearce. The event is made possible through support provided by Kings/Tulare Area Agency on Aging, Tulare County Health and Human Services, and Family HealthCare Network. "For those seniors wanting to attend but having transportation challenges,...
The Rawhide Rustlers Program is back and offers members new benefits. With bingo and special rates on tickets for baseball fans 55 and older, the Rawhide plan to make the Rustlers Program the best it has ever been. "We've been taking precautions to fix our audio and make sure that every fan has a prime experience, and that they enjoy our ballpark," said Rawhide General Manager Mike Candela. With a ticket to every Wednesday game, Rawhide Rustlers not only have the chance to...
The Heart of Seniors expo, luncheon and fashion show was held at the Visalia Wyndham Hotel on February 13, and once again tickets and vendor spaces were sold out well in advance. This year's event attracted 360 attendees and included 50 vendor tables, each with information about services available to seniors in the South Valley. The program, which included a showcase of the latest in fashion for the mature woman, featured keynote speaker, comedian and Speaker Hall of Fame...
Hello all! In my short time as the Tulare County Veterans Service Officer, I have heard many misconceptions, misinterpretations, and, quite frankly, things that are simply not true. Whether it's from social media, your friend, or your sister-in-law's boyfriend's neighbor's postman, it's easy to believe information that sounds plausible, especially when researching the truth can be a chore. The fact is you must be diligent and do a little extra checking when it comes to your...
