CELEBRATE SUMMER 2016 WAS A GREAT SUCCESS! H.E.L.P.’s 2016 20th Anniversary Celebrate Summer fundraiser gala, themed “Roaring 20’s Great Gatsby Ball”, was a great success, thanks to all our wonderful supporters, donors, and sponsors. The attendees celebrated with a fun reception and silent auction with lively 20’s music provided by DJ Tony Aguilar. Bidding was brisk. […]
Author Archives
H.E.L.P. Supporters enjoy “Autumn Sunset” Fall Fundraiser
H.E.L.P. hosted its very successful Fall 2014 Fundraiser, Autumn Sunset, at the beautiful oceanfront home of Lisa and Chuck Noski on a balmy October evening. The proceeds from the wine-tasting event, with light supper, will benefit programs and services for seniors and their families. The event was chaired by H.E.L.P. Board Treasurer, Laura Kauls, CPA., […]
H.E.L.P. honors Hicks, Seamans and a surprised guest
From Mary Scott of the Palos Verdes Peninsula News – When De De Hicks became president and CEO of the Volunteer Center, it had an operating budget of $137,000. Today, 27 years later, it has a $2 million budget and serves many low-income school children in the South Bay through programs like Food for […]
A Special Thanks To Those Who Provided Our Lovely Floral Arrangements
Black Tie Valet of Beverly Hills Deep Roots Flowers By Don International Flowers Lilis Flowers Masseys House of Flowers Plant Gallery & Florist Ralphs Fresh Fare-Rancho Palos Verdes Rancho Palos Verdes Flowers Shelly Johnston StemsMalaga Cove Stephanie Unguez Trader Joes-Rancho Palos Verdes Torrance Flower Shop Vons Market-Torrance Black Tie Valet of Beverly Hills Deep Roots […]
A Royal Affaire: H.E.L.P. turns British for its 2012 summer fundraising event
From Mary Scott of the Palos Verdes Peninsula News – It was a gathering fit for the Queen of England although she was unable attend H.E.L.P.s Celebrate Summer event last Friday. She did send a photograph, however, signed, Love, Liz, for H.E.L.P.s royal sponsor, Ralph Scriba. A number of guests all royalty in […]
One Elegant Evening
H.E.L.P.s fifteenth anniversary celebration, One Elegant Evening: 15 Years in the Making, on July 8th, 2011, was a huge success. Nearly 200 supporters attended the annual Celebrate Summer fundraiser at Trump National Golf Club, which was chaired by Sharon Ryan. The evening began with a cocktail reception held on the veranda overlooking the beautiful Pacific […]
H.E.L.P. celebrates anniversary by kicking off capital campaign (Memories from 2011 Gala)
From Mary Scott of the Palos Verdes Peninsula News – Founded 15 years ago by Ed and Pat Long, Healthcare and Elder Law Programs has become an invaluable resource for senior citizens and their families and caregivers in the South Bay and Peninsula area. H.E.L.P.s mission has been to empower seniors, Britt Huff, the new […]
About Town: H.E.L.P. gets some unexpected help at 15th anniversary dinner
From Meredith Grenier of the Daily Breeze – The stars appeared to be in full alignment during a recent benefit for Healthcare and Elder Law Programs (H.E.L.P.), at the elegant Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes. The nonprofit was celebrating its 15th anniversary with a dinner and live and silent auctions, chaired by […]
To another 15 years and more!
From the news editorial staff at the Palos Verdes Peninsula News – Issues surrounding finances, health care, asset protection, long-term care and estate planning become more complicated as we get older. The rules change on us and markets crash and soar, making it difficult to stay on top of these matters. What should be a […]
Terms of Use
This site gives general information, not specific advice on individual matters. The information given is based on law and programs in effect in California at the date of the article or page. Persons wanting individualized advice on matters discussed should contact a capable advisor experienced in those matters. No attorney-client relationship is created by using […]
Order Confirmation
Success! We have received your order for H.E.L.P. publication(s). Please allow 10 working days for receipt of your order. Look for a large white envelope, with the blue H.E.L.P. logo. Success! We have received your order for H.E.L.P. publication(s). Please allow 10 working days for receipt of your order. Look for a large white envelope, […]
Your Wishes on Funeral and Burial
When family members or close friends die, those experiencing the greatest sense of loss are often the ones who must make funeral and burial arrangements. If decedents not only planned ahead, but also communicated their final wishes to those who care, resulting tasks may be accomplished more efficiently, and the emotional burden lessened. To download […]
New Website Design
Welcome to the new face of H.E.L.P. on the web! We have made a number of improvements to integrate tools and information into our new website. Take a look around; you will find our new menu bar at the top of the page, along with a search bar to help you quickly find the information […]
California Statutory Will
As a public service, we are now providing for free viewing and print-out the California Statutory Will form. Use of this form is not appropriate for every person or every situation. For more information about wills, consult with an experienced and capable attorney. The will form is extracted from California Probate Code Section 6240. To […]
Home Care Toolkit
Many individuals prefer to receive the care they need at home, rather than in a board and care, assisted living or skilled nursing facility. To assist older adults, their families and others planning for or dealing with home care, we’ve created a twenty-page guide called the “Home Care Toolkit.” Written in plain language, the Toolkit […]
Estate Administration Overview
So, you’ve been named as executor, personal representative or trustee under the will or trust of a family member or friend. And now that family member or friend has died. It’s time for you to “administer the estate.” Our Estate Administration Overview summarizes for you the basic steps that need to be taken. Free PDF […]
Web Training
Training on how to use the website and CMS. H.E.L.P. Conference Room 1404 Cravens AvenueTorrance, CA 90501 Training on how to use the website and CMS. H.E.L.P. Conference Room 1404 Cravens AvenueTorrance, CA 90501
Financial Information
Annual Reports 2018 Report 2017 Report 2016 Report 2015 Report 2014 Report 2013 Report 2012 Report 2011 Report 2010 Report 2009 Report 2008 Report 2007 Report 2006 Report 2005 Report 2004 Report
Privacy, Referrals and this Website
Our Privacy Policy We sell no information that we collect from you. Never. To nobody. Referral and Non-Endorsement Policies H.E.L.P. provides referrals to help older adults obtain care, social and other services. H.E.L.P. does not refer any person to any private attorney or private law office; all legal service referrals are to legal aid and […]
Board of Directors
H.E.L.P. is governed by its Board of Directors. H.E.L.P.’s officers are a Chair of the Board, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. The officers are chosen and serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. Sharon Ryan Chair Travel agent who owns An Uncommon Journey in Malaga Cove. Active in many community-based organizations, including leadership […]
Sorting Things Out as a Surviving Spouse
Heres a fairly common picture: During 50+ years of marriage, a husband (well call him George) handles all the banking and investments. George dies. Barbara, his surviving spouse, must now handle unfamiliar financial matters. This is especially difficult in the midst of the grief and other impacts of losing her spouse. Barbara needs to know […]
In-Home Supportive Services
The In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program provides help to individuals who are unable to remain safely at home without assistance. The IHSS program pays for a wide variety of services, including housecleaning, shopping, meal preparation, laundry, personal care and paramedical services. Who Is Eligible for IHSS? IHSS pays for services to California residents who live […]
Elder Care Needs Inventory
Have an elder family member or friend who isn’t eating (or eating cereal three meals a day)? Or whose refrigerator is empty? Or who seems to be mixing up their medications? Or whose apartment is a mess? Or who isn’t keeping themselves clean? Perhaps your family member or friend would benefit for having help […]
Staying in Charge of Your Healthcare Decisions
A Power of Attorney for Health Care (PAHC) is a legal document that allows you to stay in charge of your care by selecting and naming who will make decisions for you if you become incapacitated. Care decisions include matters like: Selecting and removing health care providers and institutions, Consenting to or refusing diagnostic tests, […]
Information for Professionals
Helping Your Clients or Patients Deal with Decisions About Medical Care Many professionals (attorneys, care managers, social workers, doctors, nurses, etc.) help their clients or patients plan ahead to deal with decisions about medical care. Often this involves preparation of a Power of Attorney for Health Care(“PAHC”) by the client or patient (as principal under […]
Aging Preparedness
What about planning for aging? To plan for aging, most people have a financial plan on how they will pay their bills. Thats an important start. In addition, each older adult should also put together what we call an Aging Preparedness Kit. Were not talking about batteries or candles. Were talking about tools that can […]
Important Areas Of Planning
H.E.L.P.’s goal is to help older adults live better, longer. We assist Older Adults (and their friends and families) in planning for the future. Important areas of planning that we provide information and advice on include the following: Planning for a potential period of incapacity, and the impact of incapacity on making health care decisions […]
Organize Your Important Information
Two questions for you: If you became ill and couldn’t handle you financial affairs, would someone else have the information needed to help you? When you die, will someone else know where to find your important documents, instructions and assets? Of course, for your benefit and to help other people help you, the answer to […]
Conservatorship Basics
What happens to someone who doesnt have a power of attorney for health care (PAHC) or durable power of attorney for financial matters (DPAFM), but who can no longer adequately take care of his or her personal care or finances? Depending on the persons needs and assets, a conservatorship may need to be established. In […]
Identity Theft: Devious and Present Danger
How to Prevent It; How to Deal With It Identity theft is the crime that keeps on taking often for years. When someone steals your car, you can be pretty much back to normal in a few weeks. But if someone takes your identity, it may take months or even years to correct your […]
Is That Contractor on the Level?
With the home real estate market in such turmoil in California, many homeowners, especially seniors, are considering staying in their homes and making home improvements and repairs. This can make the homeowner vulnerable to unscrupulous scammers and contractors in search of a quick buck. How can you protect yourself? Be aware, anyone performing home improvement […]
Better Snoopy Than Sorry
Heres the situation: You havent seen your elderly neighbor lately, but people youve never seen before are coming and going from her home. You dont want to be snoopy, but you are concerned. What should you do? Your neighbor may be just fine (with family and friends visiting and keeping her busy). Or she may […]
Think Twice (or More) Before Giving Away Your Home
Many people, as they grow older, consider giving away their homes during their lifetimes. We call this a “lifetime transfer” and contrast it with a transfer to heirs that becomes effective at death. When thinking about a lifetime transfer of their homes, people often consider things like avoiding probate, having someone else take responsibility for […]
I Cant Remember Names Do I Have Alzheimers?
With the medical community’s increasing understanding of the brain, it is now believed to be normal for aging to be accompanied by: mild memory loss concerning recent events; mild difficulty recalling names; misplacing objects; and slowed thinking (taking longer to find the answers to questions). Dementia is Not Normal Aging When memory loss progresses over […]
Hiring Home Care: Things to Know
Many older adults prefer to receive the care they need in the familiarity and comfort of their own homes. How can an older adult obtain that care? If you are helping an elder family member or friend obtain care, how can you increase the likelihood of a good at-home care experience? Solid information and planning […]
Getting it Your Way: Hospice at Home
Whether we want to or not, each of us will die someday. Many of us, because well have been dealing with a life-threatening illness, will know that “the end” is coming. If you knew that you had a terminal illness, how would you want to spend your remaining time? How would you want to live […]
Help for the Exhausted Caregiver
You want your elder family member to be able to live at home. You don’t want to have to move him or her to assisted living, board and care, or a nursing home. On the other hand, sometimes you need a break from care giving. You need to give yourself some care to tend to […]
Does Mom or Dad Need Care at Home?
Does Mom or Dad Need Care at Home? Chris is concerned about Terri, his mom. Terri seems to have been eating cereal for all her meals and whose refrigerator is nearly empty. And Terri seems to be mixing up her medications. Marcia is worried about Sal, her dad. Sal’s apartment is a mess, […]
Losing Communication Skills
Medical problems (strokes and other causes of damage to the brain) can shut down a persons ability to speak and write. If a family member or friend has lost the ability to speak and write, whats to be done? Consider the position of this daughter (well call her Nancy) whose mother has had a stroke: […]
Care for Veterans
Care Settings Yes, the VA (the formal name is the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) has programs to assist veterans with nursing home care. There are three distinct care settings where the VA provides help. Nursing Home Care Units (NHCUs). NHCUs are nursing facilities located within a VA Medical Center or on the grounds of […]
Vision Problems That Accompany Aging
One thing we can be sure of, our eyes and vision will change as we age. Starting at about age forty, for example, we all experience presbyopia. Presbyopia is the reduced ability of the lens to focus, and is due to lost flexibility in the lens. One symptom of this normal (although frustrating) change is […]