Blair Barker, Care Services director at our Caregivers Center, is all smiles with a resident at the Leisure Village Health Fair June 16, 2023.

Health Promotion Coordinator Mariana Gutierrez speaks to local residents about the District's programs, services and classes at the Camarillo Farmers Market.

An attendee of the Leisure Village Health Fair tells us how she stays active and healthy.

Marlynn Block tells us how she stays healthy and active.

At the Leisure Village Health Fair on June 16, 2023, we asked attendees how they stay active and healthy.

How do you stay active and healthy? This is what attendees of the Leisure Village Heath Fair responded.

Attendees at the Leisure Village Health Fair gave virtual reality a try.

Blair Barker, Care Services director at our Caregivers Center, answered questions about our programs, services and classes at the Leisure Village Health Fair June 16, 2023.

We promoted our classes, programs and activities at the Leisure Village Health Fair on June 16, 2023.

Blair Barker, Care Services director at our Caregivers Center, and Michelle Rogers, community outreach and education manager, promoted our classes, programs and services during the Leisure Village Health Fair on June 16, 2023.

Community Outreach and Education manager Michelle Rogers speaks to local residents about the District's programs, services and classes at the Camarillo Farmers Market.

Attendees at the Leisure Village Health Fair gave virtual reality a try.

Mariana Gutierrez, a health promotion coach, helps promote Loneliness Awareness Week as part of a social media campaign.

Resource specialist Johanna Fredrics, Caregiver Center Director Blair Barker and Maylene Blando, social services coordinator, at the Caregivers Center asked attendees of our storytelling event to dream up a 5-word story.

Blair Barker, Care Services director at our Caregivers Center, introduces speakers at our "Elder Legal Answers Your Questions On ..." event at the library.

Health Promotion Coordinator Mariana Gutierrez speaks to local residents about the District's programs, services and classes at the Camarillo Farmers Market.

Camarillo Health Care District's Michelle Rogers, Community Outreach and Education manager.

Caregiver Center of Ventura County, part of Camarillo Health Care District

A display of our materials at the Camarillo Public Library during our Elder Legal series.

Through the District's mobile VR program, "Roam Around the World," we'll bring VR to some 80 older adults at nursing and senior living facilities across Camarillo.

Health Promotion Coordinator Mariana Gutierrez speaks to an attendee at the 50 Plus Expo.

Health Promotion Coordinator Mariana Gutierrez staffed at table at the Pleasant Valley Recreation & Parks District's 50 Plus Expo on Sept. 23, 2023.

Health Promotion Coordinator Mariana Gutierrez speaks to attendees at the 50 Plus Expo.

Community Outreach and Education manager Michelle Rogers speaks to local residents about the District's programs, services and classes at the Camarillo Farmers Market.

Attendees at the 50 Plus Expo discovered more about the Camarillo Health Care District from our outreach efforts.

Attendees of the 50 Plus Expo gave virtual reality a try as we told them about our Adventures in VR programming.

Health Promotion Coordinator Mariana Gutierrez speaks to local residents about the District's programs, services and classes at the Camarillo Farmers Market.

Health Promotion Coordinator Mariana Gutierrez speaks to local residents about the District's programs, services and classes at the Camarillo Farmers Market.

Community Outreach and Education manager Michelle Rogers speaks to local residents about the District's programs, services and classes at the Camarillo Farmers Market.

A rainbow appeared the morning we set up our information at the Camarillo Farmers Market on Nov. 18, 2023.

Community Outreach and Education manager Michelle Rogers speaks to local residents about the District's programs, services and classes at the Camarillo Farmers Market.

District's 'Adventures in VR' classes featured on CityScene TV

In early 2023, Michelle Rogers, our community outreach and education manager, and Mariana Gutierrez, health promotion coordinator, were interviewed by a film crew hired by the City of Camarillo for CityScene TV, the city's YouTube channel. They talked about our "Adventures in VR" classes, from introductory "Nature Treks" and "Ocean Rift" to more advanced classes like "Wander," "Alcove" and "National Geographic Explore VR," and the benefits of virtual reality for individuals who are feeling isolated and alone or can no longer travel. Efforts to promote the District help us reach more people with our programs, services and classes as we raise awareness of what we can do and where we are located.

At the Camarillo Farmers Market, we asked, 'In 1 word, how do you maximize your health and wellness?'

Our health promotion coordinator, Mariana Gutierrez, and Community Outreach and Education manager Michelle Rogers set up a booth at the Camarillo Farmers Market on Oct. 1, 2022, and Nov. 18, 2023, to promote the District's efforts. They shared information about our classes, programs and services, and engaged people on the topic of health and wellness.

They asked, "In one word, How do you maximize your health and wellness?"

In the video, see what people said based on the word cloud that was created. The bigger the word, the more people who agreed with it or repeated the word.

They saw about 100 people between 8 a.m. and noon and were pleased with the turnout and how friendly everyone was as they talked to them.

At the 50 Plus Expo, we asked, 'In 1 word, how do you feel after 50?'

At the Pleasant Valley Recreation & Park District's 50 Plus Expo on Sept. 10, 2022, and Sept. 23, 2023, we asked people to tell us in one word how they feel after 50. Find out what they said.

Adventures in VR introduced at 2022 50 Plus Expo

With an audience of more than 200 turning out on Sept. 10, 2022, for the Pleasant Valley Recreation & Park District's 50 Plus Expo, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to roll out our "Adventures in VR" program. More than two dozen seniors put on one of our Quest 2 headsets, we put the controllers in their hands and they ventured off to Antarctica, went on an African safari, traveled to outers pace and snorkeled in an underwater safari park with whales, sharks, dolphins and other sea creatures.

This was just a tease of what's to come.

Beginning Oct. 10, you can travel virtually with the Camarillo Health Care District’s new virtual reality program, “Adventures in VR”. VR is an exciting technology that offers participants a full sense of “being there” through immersive headsets and software applications, and utilizes computer technology to create a simulated environment.

As fun as it is, virtual reality is also being widely used in some uncommon ways. For example, VR has proven to help improve quality of life and a sense of well-being by reducing loneliness, addressing depression, and reducing barriers to socialization through common experiences. According to the study “Impact of Virtual Reality Experience on Older Adults’ Well Being” published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Design and Management and MIT AgeLab, "VR is believed to be beneficial to older adults due to its immersive interaction capabilities.

"Participants who used the VR system reported being less socially isolated, being less likely to show signs of depression, experiencing positive affects more frequently, and feeling better about their overall well-being.”

If you’re wondering what VR is and have never experienced it, no worries. The program starts at the required Introductory Level. Introductory Level classes teach how to use the headset and hand controls and how to navigate the heads-up display. After one or two classes, participants may advance to the Intermediate Level, which includes travel adventures to more than a dozen destinations, plus cooking in a virtual kitchen making ancient recipes, and visiting and learning about different cultures.

Class participants will talk about their experiences in a group setting, write in their journals and we'll stamp their passports or provide stickers representing their travel experiences.
Sign up today for one of our individual, Introductory Level classes. Call 805-388-1952, ext. 100, to register.

Camarillo Health Care District hosts fall 2022 and 2023 'Living Well, Caring Well'

Sixty people turned out  for the "Living Well, Caring Well" event held at Camarillo Health Care District. Representatives from adult day centers, caregiver resources, financial resources, in-home care providers, neurology and public benefits joined the Alzheimer's Association, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program, elder legal services and others for the quarterly event presented by Dementia Friendly Ventura County.

This one-stop-shop is for people living with a dementia-related disease and their caregivers. It provides a two-hour window for people to speak with industry professionals in person, navigate local resources and learn about services designed for their needs.

To find out when the next three events will take place and where in Ventura County, email Lois.vcaaa@ventura.org or call 805-477-7300.

Thanks to Ventura County Area Agency on Aging for its support and participation.

Oxnard Family Circle's Katy Krul.

Comfort Keepers' Allyson Williams.

Camarillo Health Care District's Michelle Rogers, Community Outreach and Education manager.

Adult Protective Services' Sarah Belgard.

Caregiver Center of Ventura County, part of Camarillo Health Care District

In-Home Supportive Services, Edgar Herrera and Aurora Ortiz of the Human Services Agency.

Ventura County Credit Union's Edith Campa.

Adult Day Center, Camarillo Health Care District's Mary Ann Ratto

Long-Term Care Ombudsman's Allison Peck and Marites Bennett

The Alvarez Firm's Christopher Young and Mary Pipes

'Living Well, Caring Well' one-stop-shop 

Are you caring for someone with dementia or have a loved one, friend or neighbor who appears to be experiencing symptoms, and you're looking for resources so you can help?

If you've been longing for one place where you can gather information and talk to experts about dementia-related diseases and the care recommended, Camarillo Health Care District, located at 3639 E. as Posas Road, will host a pop-up event that you'll want to attend.

From 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, Dementia Friendly Ventura County will present "Living Well, Caring Well," a one-stop shop for people living with a dementia-related disease and their caregivers. Stop by any time during the two-hour event.

Speak to industry professionals in person, easily navigate local resources and learn about services designed especially for you, whether you have early-stage dementia, you're a caregiver or a family member.

Representatives from adult day centers, Adult Protective Services, the Alzheimer's Association, Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy, legal, neurology and public benefits programs, including Medi-Cal and Cal Fresh, will be on hand. In addition, you can speak to people about caregiver resources, in-home care and financial resources.

The "Living Well, Caring Well" one-stop shops will be offered quarterly throughout Ventura County. For more information, please email lois.vcaaa@ventura.org or call 805-477-7300.