Future Foundation to discuss senior planning

Reaping the rewards of retirement will be the focus of the Conejo/Las Virgenes Future Foundation's third annual "Senior Congress" scheduled this month.

The half-day consortium "Roadmapping Your Future- Plan While You Can!" will be presented Wed., Jan. 31, at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in Westlake Village, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"We all know that to have an enjoyable vacation road trip we must carefully plan and map the journey," said Fran Brough, executive director of the foundation. The goal of living a long, enjoyable, productive- and sustainable- life is dependent on long-range planning on many "quality of life" fronts, she said.

The road map will be discussed by a panel of experts. Mitchel Karasov, an elder law attorney, will present information on legal planning. Financial considerations will be outlined by John Nielsen, a certified financial planner, and lifestyle choices will be presented by gerontologist Carolyn Kopp.

An especially difficult transition for many seniors is giving up the car keys and losing the independence that goes with driving. The topic will be discussed by Roy Myers, a transportation analyst for the city of Thousand Oaks.

Family considerations will be addressed by Beverly Halpern, a family communications specialist.

"Completing the Journey" will be discussed by hospice specialist Debi Onken.

The senior congress has been organized under the direction of foundation trustee June Glasmeier, a California senior legislative representative from Ventura County, and Margaret Fieweger, emerita associate vice president/undergraduate studies at California State University, Northridge, Brough said.

The congress is one of a series of forums sponsored by the Future Foundation. The foundation's ongoing programs apply to various segments of the community. The 34-year-old nonprofit Conejo/Las Virgenes Future Foundation is an apolitical "think tank," according to Brough. The organization studies and reports on a variety of issues of concern to residents of the Conejo Valley, holds its annual Youth Congress for high school students and a variety of forums that attempt to glimpse the future of life in the Conejo Valley.

Support for the senior congress is provided by Rotary Club of Newbury Park, Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks, Silverado Senior Living, AlmaVia of Camarillo, Atria Hillcrest, Atria Las Posas, Castle Hill Retirement Village, SCAN Health Plan of Ventura County, Southland Regional Association of Realtors and University Village.

Seating is limited so advance reservations must be obtained by calling the foundation at (818) 8801054. Admission to the congress is free.

- Stephanie Bertholdo