Mountain Views News          Saturday, October 5, 2013

14

THE GOOD LIFE

 Mountain Views News Saturday, October 5, 2013 

HELP FOR SENIORS WHO ARE DROWNING IN CLUTTER

Dear Savvy Senior:

My 67-year-old mother’s house has become a cluttered mess. Since my father died a few years ago, her 
house is so disorganized and messy with stuff that it’s becoming a hazard. I think she has a hoarding 
problem. What can I do? Worried Daughter

Dear Worried:

Compulsive cluttering is a problem that effects up to five percent of Americans – many of whom are 
seniors – with problems ranging anywhere from mild messiness to hoarding so severe it may be related 
to a mental health disorder like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Here’s what you should 
know, along with some tips and resources that can help your mom.

Why People Hoard

The reasons most people hoard are because they 
have an extreme sentimental attachment to their 
possessions, or they believe they might need 
their items at a later date. Hoarding also may be 
a sign that an older person is depressed, or showing 
early symptoms of dementia.

Common problems for seniors who live in excessive 
clutter are tripping, falling and breaking a 
bone; overlooking bills and missing medications that are hidden in the clutter; and suffering from the 
environmental effects of mold, mildew and dust, and even living among insects and rodents.

What To Do

To get a handle on your mom’s problem, the Institute for Challenging Disorganization offers a free 
“Clutter Hoarding Scale” that you can download off their website at challengingdisorganization.org. 

If you find that your mom has only a mild cluttering problem, there are a number of things you can 
do to help. 

Start by having a talk with her, respectfully expressing your concern for her health and safety, and 
offering your assistance to help her declutter. 

If she takes you up on it, most professional organizers recommend decluttering in small steps. Take 
one room at a time or even a portion of a room at a time. This will help prevent your mom from getting 
overwhelmed. 

Before you start, designate three piles or boxes for your mom’s stuff – one pile is for items she wants 
to keep-and-put-away, another is the donate pile and the last is the throwaway pile.

You and your mom will need to determine which pile her things belong in as you work. If your mom 
struggles with sentimental items that she doesn’t use, like her husband’s old tools or mother’s china 
for example, suggest she keep only one item for memory sake and donate the rest to family members 
who will use them.

You will also need to help her set up a system for organizing the kept items and new possessions. 

Find Help

If you need some help with the decluttering and organizing, consider hiring a professional organizer 
who can come to your mom’s home to help you prioritize, organize and remove the clutter. The nonprofit 
group National Association of Professional Organizers has a directory on the website at napo.
net to help you locate an expert in your area. 

If she has a bigger, more serious hording problem (if her daily functioning is impaired, or if she is 
having financial difficulties, health problems, or other issues because of her hoarding) you’ll need to 
seek professional help. Antidepressants and/or talk therapy can help address control issues, anxiety, 
depression, and other feelings that may underline hoarding tendencies, and make it easier for her to 
confront her disorder. 

To learn more and find professional help see the OCD Foundation (ocfoundation.org/hoarding) 
which provides a hoarding center on their website that offers information, resources, treatments, 
self-help groups, and more. Also see hoardingcleanup.com, a site that has a national database of 
qualified resources including cleaning companies and therapists that can help.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.
org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

 By Pat Birdsall

FYI: GRANDPARENT SCAM MAKING THE ROUNDS AGAIN…

 

 My grandmother retired to Florida after working for Western Union for many, many years. A few 
years before she passed away at the age of 97 in 1997, a scammer called her and said the following, 
“Grandma?” She replied, “Chris?” That’s all that was needed for the scammer to proceed. It gave him 
a “legitimate” identity. The scammer, pretending to be my son told her that he was in jail and needed 
money ASAP. To this day, I don’t know if she was a victim but I do know that until her dying day, 
she thought my son had been arrested. The reason I’m bringing this up again is because the scam is 
back…Two seniors, members of the local Senior Club, relayed tales of similar telephone calls they 
both received very recently. This time, there is a twist; the scammers supplied the correct name of the 
grandchild! Both ladies think it’s information perhaps garnered from school records. The premise 
is same however; the “grandchild” has been arrested and needs a lot of money right now. Neither 
lady fell victim to the scam but the fact that is back with a vengeance makes one think it must be an 
extremely lucrative endeavor.

 Here are some things to remember: 

1) Don’t fill in any blanks for the scammer.

2) Do whatever is necessary to confirm the real relatives whereabouts. Call you’re your 
grandchild’s home, school or work.

3) Don’t send money unless you have verified that your relative is really in trouble. If a caller 
asks for your bank account number or urges you wire money for any reason, that’s a good 
indication of a scam. Cons prefer wire transfers because they are fast, there are transfer agents 
in most communities and funds can be picked up in multiple locations. (bothell-reporter.com)

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HELPFUL HINT: To make homemade flower arrangements look like they came from the 
florist, no need to spend money on floral foam or a floral frog. Just secure strips of transparent tape in 
a crisscross pattern at the mouth of the vase and place flowers in the grid. The tape holds the flowers 
in place, saving you time and money.

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FOR YOUR FUNNY BONE - On a business trip, my father approached the security 
check-point at the airport. The National Guard shift was rotating and a guard, in full uniform, was 
in line in front of him. As with everybody else, the soldier was ordered to go through the metal 
detector. Before doing so, he handed his M-16 rifle to security personnel along with other items such 
as handcuffs and a flashlight. Still the alarm sounded when he walked through. Further inspection 
revealed a Swiss army knife inside one of his pockets. “Sorry, sir,” security said to the soldier, “but 
this item is prohibited.” Taking the knife away, the airport worker then handed him back the M-16. 

 ~ ~ ~

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! … October Birthdays

Janda Ferris, Darlene Traxler, Margit Johnson, Sole Krieg, Ann Tyler, Pat Birdsall,

George Maurer, Dick Anderson, Barbara Cline, Eva Poet, Mary Jane Baker, Dixie Coutant, 
Cathleen Cremins, Lillias Eubanks, Alma Mays, Adie Marshall, Linda Boehm and Angela 
Stella. 

* To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. YEAR of birth 
not required

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Quote of the Week: “Autumn… the year’s last, loveliest smile.” William Cullen Bryant

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ACTIVITIES: Unless listed differently, all activities are at the Hart Park House 
(Senior Center) 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre

 

 YMCA San Gabriel Valley Intervale Senior Café: Monday-Friday at 12:00 Noon 

(Participants are urged to arrive no later than 11:45 A.M.) 

All seniors 60 and up can take part in the lunch program. There is a suggested donation of $2.00 for 
those 60 and over and $3.75 for non-senior guests. Daily

 reservations are necessary as space is limited. 

 Please call 24 hours in advance...626.355.0256

Free Balance Class: Every 3rd Monday for 11:00 am to 11:45 am with Shannon Vandevelde. A 
variety of balance exercises are practiced; all ability levels are encouraged and welcomed. 

Get fit, Have Fun with Zumba Gold

Zumba Gold is a low impact fitness class based on Latin and World Music. The upbeat music creates 
a fun atmosphere with easy to follow dance moves that will have you toning your body and improving 
your stamina and balance from your very first class. No dance experience is necessary and all fitness 
levels are welcome. Class is held Mondays from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.Next session begins in September. 
$30.00 class fee. For more information or to sign up call the Community Services Department 
at (626) 355-5278.

Free Blood Pressure Testing: Held Second Tuesday of the month from 11:00 am-12:00 pm: No 
appointment necessary.

 

Bingo: Every Tuesday afternoon from 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm Cards are only .25c each! 

Free Chair Yoga: New Hours: 11:00 to 11:45 Every Wednesday morning. Join Paul Hagen for this 
free class that focuses on senior yoga techniques. No reservation is necessary!

Free Legal Consultation: Pasadena attorney Geoffrey Chin volunteers on the 2nd Wednesday of 
the month. He focuses on estate planning, trusts, wills, probate, conservatorships and business law. 
*Appointments are a must! Please call: 626.355.7394 to make yours* Conflicting court schedules 
can occasionally cause cancellations.

LUNCH AND LEARN: SALT THERAPY

Wednesday, October 23rd- 12:00 to 1:00 pm Hart Park House Senior Center

Listen to Reiki Master Kristen, as she explains the benefits of Salt Therapy. Discover the all-natural, 
drug free treatments that are offered at The Salt Therapy Studio such as salt therapy, massage therapy 
and Reiki. These forms of treatment are helpful with many conditions that affect the body including: 
Arthritis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Muscle Tension, Stress, Sinusitis, Sore 
Throat, Colds, cough and congestion.

 If you would like to have lunch during the talk, please make a lunch reservation with the Senior 
Lunch Café at 626.355.0256 or bring your own.

Birthday Celebrations: The 2nd Thursday of the month the Senior Center celebrates the birthdays of 
our patrons at 12:30 pm. Please join us for free cake and ice cream and “celebration.” (The cakes are 
provided due to a generous donation from the Sierra Madre Civic Club.)

Game Day: Every Thursday at 1:00pm. Poker is usually the game of choice, or should I say chance? 
Board games and other card games are also available. Outside, on the patio, a beautiful, one-of-a-
kind chess table is anxious for players.

Free Strength Training Class: Every Friday from 1:00 pm -1:45 pm Conducted by long-time 
volunteer, Lisa Brandley. The class utilizes light weights for low-impact resistance training. Weights 
are provided by the Sierra Madre Senior Center. It’s a great way to stay in shape and to

 socialize with your peers. 

Senior Citizens Club: Every Saturday at the Hart Park House (Senior Center). Brown bag lunch at 
11:30am; Club meeting at Noon; Bingo 12:30- 3:30 pm. Only .25c per card.

UPCOMING EXCURSIONS:

NEXT EXCURSION:

JEOPARDY TAPING AT SONY STUDIOS - Sony Studios, Culver City, Ca.

Date: Wednesday, November 13, 2013 Time: 9:30 am to 3:30 pm

Meeting Location: Hart Park House Senior Center Cost: $15.00 (does not include lunch)

Join us as we head to the Sony Studios in Culver City for the taping of Jeopardy!, America’s favorite 
quiz show. The show is a winner of a 2012 Peabody award and 30 Emmy awards, including the 2012 
Emmy for Outstanding Game/Audience Participation. Participants will have the opportunity to see 
the tapping of three shows which takes approximately 2 hours. Following the tapings, at approximately 
1:15 pm, participants will lunch together at the Overland Café just down the street from the studio. It 
is recommended to bring $10-15 for lunch. Tickets are selling quickly so come in today and purchase 
yours. Last day to register is November 5th.

Level of walking: Minimal

Friday, December 13, 2013. “Because it’s Christmas” 

Show at Candlelight Pavilion (Claremont, Ca.) $67.00 (Lunch included) 10:00 am- 4:00 pm

*Registering for Excursions can be done in person at the Hart Park House Senior Center and the 
Community Recreation Center or online at www.cityofsierramadre.com Cash, checks, and credit 
cards are accepted. Make checks payable “City of Sierra Madre”. Payment must be made at the time of 
reservation. CALL (626) 355-7394

 

Senior Movie Program: 

FREE movies are chosen by the seniors themselves and shown on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the 
month (EXCEPT OCTOBER - see below) in Sierra Madre’s City Council Chambers, 232 W. Sierra 
Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. ~ Start time is 1:00pm ~ 

October 16th: Hotel Transylvania (2012)

Dracula, who operates a high-end monster resort away from the human world, goes into overprotective 
mode when a human boy discovers the resort and falls for the count’s teenage daughter. Rated PG, 
Start time: 1:00 pm (run time 91 minutes) 

October 30th: Young Frankenstein (1976)

After years of living down the family reputation, Dr. Frankenstein’s grandson inherits granddad’s 
castle and repeats experiments. Rated PG, Start time: 1:00 pm (run time 106 minutes)


KATIE Tse.....................This and That

“I JUST MET A GIRL NAMED MARIA....”

 

I laughed a lot during 
a company meeting 
last week. The words, 
“laughed” and “meeting” 
aren’t usually used in the same sentence, 
but this time Maria was there. Maria 
works at a different site, so I rarely 
get to talk with her. To my surprise, 
she mentioned that she saw one of my 
articles in the paper! 

 Not a lot of people know that I 
write. It’s like being mild-mannered 
Katherine Tse by day, and literary 
Katie by night. Also, if people knew I 
that I write, they might act differently 
around me for fear they’d show up in 
my next story! (Just kidding. I hardly 
ever write about co-workers, clients, 
and other innocent parties; and if I 
do, it’s always in a positive light.) I 
typically change people’s names in 
my articles, but I figured that, with so 
many Maria’s out there, why bother? 
It’s a joke in our department that 
you can’t throw a rock at work without 
hitting a Maria!

 A lot of other names are like that, too. 
During breaks in the meeting we talked 
about a time when everyone knew at 
least one “Jennifer,” “Jenny,” or “Jen,” 
and usually a “Jessica,” as well. Now it 
seems like a proliferation of “Aiden’s” 
and “Mia’s” are walking around. We 
figured that most baby name choices 
are based on current media, particularly 
TV shows. I was never a fan of “Sex 
& the City,” but I know enough about 
it to suspect that that’s where “Aiden” 
came from! From there, all you have to 
do is throw a “J” at the beginning to get 
the next most popular names “Jaiden” 
and “Jaydan.” One of my co-workers 
predicted “Adele” will be a popular 
name in the coming years, whereas 
“Miley” will not!

 We also noted how certain names 
imply certain physical characteristics. 
All “Heathers” must be blonde. For me, 
“Sandy” (but not “Sandra”) has always 
stuck out as a name for nice, somewhat 
shy women. No one at the meeting 
agreed with me on this. 

 My vision of “Sandy” came after 
watching the movie, “Rebecca.” Daphne 
Du Maurier’s novel of the same name is 

an all-time favorite of my Mom, so I feel 
as if I know the story inside and out. The 
main character is a gauche young woman 
who marries an older wealthy man. The 
man’s late wife, Rebecca, was beautiful 
and accomplished. Although the story 
takes place after her death, Rebecca 
seems to live on through the attitudes 
and actions of those who knew her. She 
is such a presence that the book is named 
for her, while the second wife’s name is 
never mentioned. Talking with my Mom 
about the story, referring to this woman 
as “the narrator” or “the second wife” 
became cumbersome. So, I sought a 
suitable name for her, and finally started 
referring to her as “Sandy.” “That’s not 
her name!” my Mom said. “Well,” I 
replied, “She seems like a ‘Sandy.’”

 Later in the meeting, Maria told us 
that recently one of her younger clients, 
upon seeing her ID badge, asked “You’re 
Maria?” “Yes,” she answered, “My first 
name’s Maria.” The boy gave her an 
incredulous look, as if she had told him 
that the cafeteria was serving frog legs 
and snails. “Well,” he continued, “You 
don’t look like a ‘Maria!’” Amused, she 
asked, “Well, what name do I look like?” 
Scoffing, he replied “Rebecca!” “And 
just what does a ‘Rebecca’ look like?” 
she responded. He rolled his eyes, “Not 
like a ‘Maria,’ that’s for sure!”

 We were all cracking up when Maria 
asked, “Do I look like a Rebecca?” 
“Yes,” I said, “You do! It’s a strong 
name!”


BIG BEAR OKTOBERFEST TRIP FOR OCTOBER 12TH IS 
CANCELLED