Senior Notes

Programs offer help to Alzheimer's caregivers

The Alzheimer's Association of the Greater San Francisco Bay Area is planning the first South Bay offering of its annual spring series of educational events observing May as National Older Americans' Month. "Empowering the Alzheimer's Community" is geared toward Bay Area families, professionals, friends and loved ones dealing with Alzheimer's Disease and related disorders.

The first program is called "Practical Skills for Caregiving: Management of Late-Stage Alzheimer's." It takes place on May 13, from 9 a.m. to noon in the auditorium at Columbia Good Samaritan Hospital, 2425 Samaritan Drive at the San Jose/Los Gatos border. A registered gerontology nurse, an Alzheimer's Association social worker and a hospice spiritual care counselor will discuss the disease, verbal and non-verbal communication approaches, incontinence, skin care, nutrition and strategies for coping with the emotional stress of caregiving.

Although programs are free, preregistration is suggested to ensure adequate space, handouts and refreshments. For more information, call 800.660.1991, or visit www.alzsf.org on the Internet.

Senior Program plans an art tour of Stanford

The Senior Program of the Los Gatos-Saratoga Department of Community Education and Recreation invites all local senior citizens to participate in a June 2 day trip that includes several activities in the Stanford area. The day begins with docent-led tours of the Stanford art museum and its sculpture garden. Following nearly 10 years of renovations since it was damaged by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, the museum is now known as the Cantor Center for the Visual Arts and includes a larger collection of contemporary as well as indigenous art from the Americas and throughout the world. It also houses one of the largest collections of Rodin sculptures outside of Paris.

Afterwards, participants will take a short bus ride--or walk, weather permitting--to enjoy the architecture and ambiance of the Stanford Memorial Church. The excursion also includes a three-course lunch at the Olive Garden Italian restaurant. Cost is $50 for Senior Program members and $60 for nonmembers. To register, or for more information, call 408.354.8700.

Seniors can get their bone density tested

The Foundation for Osteoporosis Research and Education (FORE) invites all senior citizens in the Saratoga and Los Gatos area to take part in a bone density screening on May 23, from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at Longs at 12940 Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road in Saratoga. The test is a noninvasive, painless scan of the forearm that takes seven minutes and uses an extremely small amount of x-ray radiation. The bone-testing machine is called a pDEXA and is used on a rotating basis throughout Central and Northern California.

No appointments are necessary. Technicians perform the screenings on a first-come, first-served basis; because certain testing times are very popular, those being tested are advised to arrive early. The cost of the test is $30, with proceeds supporting the FORE's bone density testing program. Call 510.832.2663 for more information.

Hospital plans events for Arthritis Month

The Northern California chapter of the Arthritis Foundation invites local senior citizens--and anyone else suffering from a form of arthritis--to attend three free events planned in conjunction with Community Hospital of Los Gatos.

On May 18, from 10 a.m. to noon, the hospital's Arthritis Center Team gives a presentation titled "Arthritis Update 2000" at the hospital's Physical Performance Institute, 555 Knowles. On May 25, at the same time and place, the team presents Osteoporosis 2000 Update. On May 24, Dr. Richard Johnson gives a talk titled Cumulative Trauma at the hospital's Conference Room 1, at 815 Pollard Road. For further information about any of these programs, call 1.800.464.6240.

Tai chi class focus is on older adults

San Jose tai chi practitioner Linda Scheer offers a series of classes designed especially for older adults at Saratoga's Hakone Gardens, 21000 Big Basin Way. Adults of all ages are welcome, however.

Tai chi is a meditative, low-impact exercise that promotes strength, muscle tone, relaxation and health in the body and the mind. Scheer has an extensive background in tai chi as well as yoga, meditation and education.

Participants should wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Fee is $65 for an eight-week series that begins in May, or $10 per class on a drop-in basis. For class dates and times, call Scheer at 408.295.9439 or email her at linda@xs.com.

Saratoga Senior Center offers free educational financial workshop

The Saratoga Senior Center is offering a free educational financial workshop for seniors on May 23 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The workshop, "Ten Ways Seniors Screw Up Their Finances and How to Unscrew Them," will cover many topics including how to reduce taxes on Social Security benefits, how to increase income, how to spend money wisely, how to make sure savings are secure, and how to simplify finances in order to better enjoy the Golden Years.

There will be door prizes given out including gift certificates, and a complimentary light lunch buffet immediately after the seminar. There will be opportunities for questions and free consultations afterwards. For reservations call 408.868.1257 or 1.800.607.1555.

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