Q: I am in the beginning stages of caregiving for an aging aunt. I am also employed full time.

At the present time I am not having difficulty with scheduling, but I can see that at some point that will change.

I have many questions and would find a support group helpful but have only found daytime groups.

Is there anything available in the evenings for those of us who still hold full-time jobs?

A: You are not alone as there are many doing caregiver duty while still holding jobs.

Statistics show that 80 percent of caregiving duties for the aging is done by family members, and of that number 60 percent of the those caregivers continue to hold part-time or full-time jobs.

While, as you mention, many of the support groups for caregivers are scheduled during the day there are some that are held in the evening hours and usually attended by caregivers in the same situation you find yourself. Because the group is mostly made up of those who are still employed, the type of questions you have would fit into the discussion very well.

Senior Concerns sponsors an evening support group for adult children caregivers. The group meets the first and third Tuesdays each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Senior Concerns Day Care Center, 401 Hodencamp Road in Thousand Oaks. This group will go dark for the month of August but will start up again in September.

For more information about joining this group, call 497-0189 and ask to speak to Maureen.

I'm sure you will find a support group most helpful. There is a world of information that can be gotten from those who have been in the same situation as you find yourself.

Q: A friend of mine told me about the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute that offers classes intended for mature learners who want to explore an array of topics.

He has attended a number of classes at CSU Channel Islands and has found the experience very rewarding.

Do you know if these classes are offered off campus?

A: Yes, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is offering several of its classes at locations off campus in Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and Ventura.

In August two classes will be offered at the Ventura Senior Center, 420 E. Santa Clara St. in Ventura.

Starting Aug. 20 Anthropology of Religion will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon.

Music and Modernism: Debussy to Charles Ives will be on the schedule from 1 to 3 p.m.

Isn't It Romantic: Music After Beethoven will be offered at CSUCI's extended education center, 501 Marin St. in Thousand Oaks starting Aug. 25 from 10 a.m. to noon.

For more information on classes offered at these two locations call the Osher Institute at 437-2748.

Simi Valley Senior Center will be the site of two classes. Classical Mythology will start Aug. 22 from 7 to 9 p.m. Nonviolence and Social Conflict: Impractical Dream or Social Necessity is scheduled to start Aug. 23 from 7 to 9 p.m.

For information about the classes at the Simi Center call 583-6363.

All classes run for eight weeks, and the class fee is $65. For questions about the Osher Institute go online at www.csuci.edu/exed/osher.htm.

Presentations

n Senior Safety — At Home, In the Car, and Out and About: from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Aug. 8 at the Westlake Village Civic Center, 31200 E. Oak Crest Drive, Westlake Village. For more information call the Senior Advocates' office at 495-6250.

n Walking Down Memory — a Look Back at the 20th Century: from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Aug. 29 at the Simi Valley Senior Center, 3900 Avenida Simi, Simi Valley.

For more information or to make reservations for the event call the Simi Center at 583-6363.

— Betty Berry is a senior advocate for Senior Concerns. The advocates are at the Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362; or call 495-6250. You are invited to submit questions on senior issues.