San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
Seminars for seniors ‘tell it like it is’ about important life decisions
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Five years ago, Jewell Buenavista had a revelation. Owning a home-care agency for years, she noticed many of her senior clients faced the same challenges, had the same questions and shared similar fears about aging. Why not create an environment to empower seniors and connect them with allies and experts who can help navigate decision-making? And so, the Let's Talk Seniors Lecture Series, a free, monthly educational seminar, was born.
Going on its fourth year, the Let's Talk Seniors Lecture Series discusses topics relevant to seniors needs and lifestyle decisions. What started as live events is now thriving in the digital space as webinars. “The series covers important considerations such as selling your home, decluttering, aging in place, and other complex issues facing today's mature homeowners,” Buenavista said.
The goal of Let's Talk Seniors program is to empower and educate seniors, but it is also a resource for those with aging parents.
“We bring in experts as panelists who tell it like it is and don't dance around hardto-hear issues. Our panelists are candid and are willing to share the good, the bad and the ugly issues of aging and how to prepare. The goal is to give people credible resources for both late-life relocations and aging in place. Either way, there is a lot to prepare for. Yet many seniors and family members have no idea what is available to them, how much it will cost, or the process for making all the pieces fit together,” Jewell said.
“Beyond helping with immediate needs, our intention is to give individuals and families direction and confidence, so they feel more empowered when the time comes to make a major life decision. We also have a lot of fun and have gotten to know the people who attend. They are like family,” Buenavista said. “This has not only happened to us, but also the attendees. They love to share their experiences and support each other as they go through their personal decision-making processes. There is a lot of kinship and support in the room every time.”
The next session, “Senior Living Options You Didn't Know You Had,” is scheduled from 10 to 11 a.m. March 11 and will discuss the benefits and services of different senior living options, as well as the costs. For more information and to make a reservation, go to letstalkseniorsls.us or call (800) 674- 2978, ext. 1.