Q. I know that I should have an advance directive for healthcare, but I just haven't gotten around to doing it, and I still have a few questions about the process. Is there a seminar or presentation on the horizon about this subject?

A. You are absolutely right about needing an advance directive for healthcare. It is one of the most important estate planning documents we need.

To answer your question about a coming seminar — yes, there is one scheduled this month that I think might be of interest to you.

Senior Concerns Alzheimer's Day Care Resource Center's "Solving the Aging Puzzle" series will present "Written Wishes — What Do You Want?"

The presentation is scheduled for 7 to 8:30 p.m. March 11 at Senior Concerns Adult Day Center, 401 Hodencamp Road, Thousand Oaks.

Facilitator for the presentation will be Alan C. Mintz, M.D., FACS. Mintz is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a member of the Southern California Vascular Surgery Society and is affiliated with Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center.

Mintz will address the subject of advance directives and what happens if you do not have one. He will also discuss when an advance directive becomes effective, whether the doctor will follow those wishes and what happens if your family disagrees with your wishes.

End-of-life issues will also be discussed and, as always, there will be time for questions from the audience.

Reservations for this presentation can be made by calling Terry at 497-0189 and should be made by March 10.

If you are caring for a special needs senior and need respite care to attend the presentation, let Terry know when you make your reservation.

Senior Concerns seminars are free, and if you should forget to make a reservation, walk-in attendees are always welcome.

The Solving the Aging Puzzle Series for 2007-08 will conclude in April with "Final Wishes."

Also in March, the Senior Advocates Series — Senior Issues — is offering two seminars:

n On March 12 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Westlake Village Civic Center, 31200 E. Oak Crest Drive, the advocate will address the question, "Will You Pass Your Next Driving Test?" For information or directions, call 495-6250.

n On March 19 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Simi Valley Senior Center, 3900 Avenida Simi, the advocate will present "Who's Responsibility Is It — If Not Yours Who?" For information or to make a reservation, call the Simi center at 583-6363.

Q. Some time ago, a friend who lives in the eastern part of the county attended a panel presentation that provided a number of options to be considered when senior members of the family need assistance. Do you know if that type of presentation will be offered in the western part of the county?

A. Your question is very timely as that presentation, "Solutions for Senior Care," is scheduled March 12 at the SCAN Senior Resource Center in Ventura at 1001 Partridge Drive, Suite 200. The presentation will be from 6 to 8 p.m.

Members of the panel are local professionals from different areas of the senior healthcare field.

The goal of the presentation is to provide information about local resources available to seniors and their caregivers in Ventura County.

Topics will include care in the home, free resources in the area, transportation, care facilities, financial planning and much more.

There is no charge to attend this presentation, and a light supper will be provided.

For information or to make your reservation, call 658-0365. Seating is limited.

— 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.