Workshop Gives Tips for Helping Seniors

More than 60 members of the San Fernando Valley’s Chinese community attended a workshop to learn new ways to address the needs of their elderly parents.

The workshop, which focused on ways to promote longevity, prosperity and happiness among the elderly, was sponsored by the Evergreen Senior Center, a group that meets each Thursday at the Chinese Christian Alliance Church in Northridge. The center provides physical and social activities for its roughly 40 elderly members.

Dr. Jack Yu began the workshop Thursday night by discussing ways for families to make their homes safer for their elderly parents, focusing on ways to prevent accidental falls.

“Falls by older people seem to increase with age,” Yu said. “And once you fall, you fear you’ll fall again so you decrease your activity and lose your strength, which can lead to a loss of independence.”

To address the problem, Yu offered a list of suggestions such as checking furniture throughout the house to make sure it’s stable, replacing throw rugs that are easy to trip on, checking a home’s lighting and ensuring that there are handrails on both sides of a staircase. Yu also reminded the group of ways to prevent disease, including regular exercise and a diet high in fiber.

Bill Kwan, an attorney and certified public accountant, explained how to make a will and set up a living trust or durable power of attorney.

The Rev. David Clotfelter also discussed ways to help the elderly and their adult children live fulfilling lives together by emphasizing forgiveness, acceptance and learning to love one another.

“It can be good to be caring for our parents,” Clotfelter said.

Los Angeles Police Officer Ron Gould, of the West Valley Division, also told the group about his division’s Gray Squad, an information and assistance program for seniors to help them avoid falling victim to crime.

For more information on the center, call Violet Hom at (818) 360-6581.