Mountain Views News          Saturday, December 28, 2013

11

THE GOOD LIFE

 Mountain Views News Saturday, December 28, 2013 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

AGE-FRIENDLY TELEPHONES 
HELP SENIORS STAY IN 
TOUCH 

Dear Savvy Senior:

Can you recommend some good age-friendly 
home telephones for elderly seniors? My 82-year-
old mother has a difficult time hearing over the 
phone, and her vision and memory isn’t so great 
either. Shopping Son

Dear Shopping:

There are literally dozens of different types and 
styles of age-friendly phones on the market today 
that can help seniors with a variety of challenges 
like hearing loss, low vision, memory problems 
and limited mobility. 

How to Choose

To help you select a good age-friendly phone for 
your mom, you need to take into account her specific 
needs and wants because there are lots of options 
to choose from. 

For example, for seniors with hearing loss there 
are “amplified telephones,” both corded and 
cordless, that provide various levels of amplification 
usually ranging from 25 decibels (dB) up 
to around 55 dB, with some offering tone adjustments 
for high frequency hearing loss. Most 
amplified phones are also hearing aid compatible 
and come with extra loud ringers and bright ring 
flashers to indicate incoming calls. 

Most amplified phones also come with big buttons 
and a lighted keypad that make them easier 
to see and easier to operate for seniors with hand 
tremors or dexterity problems. Some phones even 
offer “talk back” buttons that speak the number as 
you dial, and announce the number of incoming 
calls, which is great for people with low-vision.

If remembering is a problem, you may want you 
consider a “photo phone” for your mom that lets 
you insert pictures of family members or friends 
over preprogrammed buttons, so she can simply 
press the picture of the person she wants to call 
and they’re automatically dialed. 

“Emergency alert phones” are another option to 
consider, especially for elderly seniors who live 
alone. These phones come with a neck pendant 
or wristband (SOS button) that your mom would 
wear, so if she falls down and can’t get up, she can 
press it and the phone’s preprogrammed emergency 
numbers will automatically be dialed. 

If mobility is an issue, there are “speaker phones” 
you can purchase that will let your mom activate 
the phone with her voice. And since telemarketing 
fraud is so common among the elderly, many 
age-friendly phones have built in caller IDs so 
she can identify who’s calling before she picks up. 
Some phones even offer outgoing speech amplification 
for seniors with weak, difficult-to-hear 
speaking voices. 

Where to Shop

While there are many companies that make and 
sell age-friendly telephones, the leading suppliers 
in the industry are Clarity (clarityproducts.com), 
ClearSounds (clearsounds.com), Serene Innovations 
(sereneinnovations.com), Geemarc (geemarc.
com) and VTech (vtechphones.com). To 
find these and other models, visit their respective 
websites, or try assistive hearing sites like harriscomm.
com, teltex.com and soundbytes.com. 
Prices typically range from $30 up to around 
$300.

Free Phones

Another option you should check into is state-
funded specialized telecommunications equipment 
programs, which are available in 47 states. 
If your mom’s state has a program, you may be 
able to get her an amplified telephone for free. 
Check with her local telephone company or visit 
tedpa.org to find out what her state offers.

Captioned Phones

If your mom has severe hearing loss, another 
option you should know about is captioned telephones 
that have a built-in display window that 
would let your mom listen to the caller, as well 
as read written, word-for-word captions of everything 
the caller is saying. 

Options available include: CapTel (captel.com) 
sold through Weitbrecht Communications, Inc. 
for $75, however many states have programs 
that offer them for free to residents in need; the 
popular new Clarity Ensemble that sells for $75 
through clarityproducts.com; and the $75 CaptionCall 
at captioncall.com. 

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. 

 By Pat Birdsall

FYI: EXERCISE BOOSTS MEMORY IN ADULTS OVER 50

 Just an hour of exercise three times a week can improve memory and brain health in as little as 6 
weeks according to a small new study at the University of Texas at Dallas. They divided sedentary 
adults from age 57 to 75 into an exercise group and a control group. The exercise group rode on 
a stationary bike or walked on a treadmill for 1 hour, 3 times a week, for 12 weeks. Researchers 
measured memory, resting brain blood flow and fitness levels at the beginning of the study, after 6 
weeks and after 12 weeks. Within 6 weeks they found that the exercise group had more blood flow to 
the areas of the brain crucial to memory and attention- even when resting, within 12 weeks. 

Previous research as shown that exercise has led to improvements in mental function in 6 months. 
This study is the first that show gains in a much shorter period.

You might wonder why I chose this topic…I’ll let you know in 6 weeks. 

 AARP BLOG 

HELPFUL HINT: When cooling the layers of a cake, place bread slices on top to keep the 
cake layers soft and moist while the bread becomes hard as a rock.

......................................................................................

FOR YOUR FUNNY BONE - A SHORT HISTORY OF MEDICINE:

Patient: “I have an earache.”

Physician: 2000 B.C.- Here, eat this root.

 1000 A.D. – This root is heathen, say this prayer.

 1850 A.D. –This prayer is superstition, drink this potion.

 1940 A.D. –That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill.

 1985 A.D. –That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic.

 2000 A.D. -That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root.

~ ~ ~

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! … December Birthdays

Pat Karamitros, Joan Hufnagel, Marie Pedersen, Mary Alice Cervera, Carol Horejsi, Shirley 
Anhalt , Mignon Grijalva, Helen Reese, Levon Yapoujian, Toni Buckner, Bonnie Garner, 
Lottie Bugl, Pat McGuire, Sheila Wohler, Nan Murphy, Eleanor Hensel, Sylvia Curl, Elizabeth 
Levie, Gayle Licher and Cindy Barran.

* 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: He who breaks a resolution is a weakling; He who makes one is a fool.

~ F.M. Knowles

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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. 

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 Lem Makupson 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.

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:

Los Angeles Times & Printing Plant (Los Angeles, CA.)

Date: Friday, January 10, 2014

Time: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Meeting Location: Hart Park House/Senior Center

Cost: $15.00 (does not include lunch)

With a daily circulation of more than one million readers, the Los Angeles Times is by far the most 
popular newspaper in the Southland. The publication’s headquarters, built in 1935, is situated on 
the outskirts of Downtown. The one-hour tour is an educational trip through the entire publication 
process as well as a history of this storied American newspaper. Following the Headquarters tour, 
the bus will take a short drive to the printing plant. During this 45-minute tour watch robots assist 
in the preparation of final copies of the paper for distribution. After the tours lunch will be enjoyed 
at a downtown restaurant. It is recommended that you bring $10 to $15 for lunch. Last day to 
register is Friday, January 3rd. Level of walking: Moderate

Save the Dates: Thursday, February 27, 2014

Feline Conservation Center (Rosamond, Ca.)Time: 9:00am to 4:00 pm

Cost: $15.00 (does not include lunch)

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Whale Watching (Long Beach, Ca.) Time: 10:00am to 3:30 pm

Cost: $31.00 (does not include lunch)

*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.


RICH Johnson 

NEW YEAR TRADITIONS

 Of course, the advent of the New Year always heralds the often failed attempt 
at making resolutions. Lose weight, stop smoking, 

 I have discovered some resolutions in the ether referred to as the internet. 
However, before we discuss resolutions, let’s look at strange traditions. 
Realbuzz.com offers up rather strange traditions.

 If you are in Ecuador and feel like banishing ill fortune, set fire to a scarecrow at midnight on New 
Year’s Eve. While you’re at it burn photographs of things that represent last year.

 People in Denmark have a way of venting their frustration on New Year’s Eve. Unused plates are 
saved up during the year and then hurled at the front doors of friend and family in what is described 
as a strangely vandalistic display of affection. I wonder if they do that up in Solvang, a mostly Danish 
populated town up the California Coast.

 Well I’ve never been to Spain. But if I’m ever there at midnight on New Year’s Eve I am going to do 
this. When the clock strikes 12 midnight, Spaniards start stuffing their faces with 12 grapes, one for 
every ring of the bell on the clock. If you succeed you are guaranteed good luck for the coming year.

 Stay out of Peru this time of year. If you are there you might get caught up in the Takanakuy 
Festival. Sounds pleasant enough. But what Takanakuy entails in facing off in a ring for a round of 
bare-knuckle brawling. It is overseen by local police. Get this: It’s all in “good” fun and represents a 
fresh start for the new year.

 Japan has a Buddhist tradition that takes place at midnight. When the clock strikes 12 the bell 
doesn’t ring 12 times. It rings 108 times. This is believed to banish all human sins. I think the ringing 
bells might be the same sound the Takanakuy festival participants experience in Peru. Also, in true 
eastern mysticism, it is good luck to be smiling or laughing as you go into the new year.

 If you want your fortune to be focused in a particular direction, go to South America. Do you 
want to find love? Dress in red underwear on New Year’s. Riches require you to wear yellow jockeys 
or boxers. And if peace is your only goal, show up in white knickers. That will do the trick nicely.

 The folks at RealBuzz also had some unusual New Year’s resolutions. They include:

• Get your photo taken in five interesting places (geographically that is)
• Learn a decent party trick
• Make a new friend a month
• Learn something you never learned as a child
• Try a new food each week; each month (let’s not go overboard)
• Do something nice for others every day (go overboard)


 

 I will give you an example of the last resolution in action. I was recently in line at a Krispy Kreme. 
What was I doing there? Hmmm. I actually only wanted a drink. A young couple were in front of me 
and very graciously invited me to go ahead of them. Later, as I was heading out I passed the couple 
seated near a window enjoying their doughnuts and drinks. Reminded of their good nature I pulled 
out a $20 bill, put it on their table, and said they were so… gracious to me in the line that the next box 
of doughnuts they bought was on me. I know I made their day. Yay! I also know that type of giving is 
contagious. It grows and grows. I think someday when we are in heaven we will be given a glimpse of 
how far reaching simple little acts of generosity expand geometrically. See you in 2014!


HOW TO BUY LIKE A SELLER

If you're in the market to buy a home, take a counter-intuitive tip and imagine the day you'll be selling 
it. That's right - whether you're a first time buyer, or relocating, this home probably won't be your last, 
so look for features that will pay off when the day comes to move again.

North, south, east or west, the biggest amenity the next buyer will look for is central air conditioning. 
In the Deep South, over 90% of buyers rank central air as critically important, and three-quarters of 
buyers everywhere else put it high on the list.

Another often-overlooked feature is storage. Over half of buyers desire a two-car garage and a walk-
in closet for the master bedroom. Ample closets and storage space just can't be stressed enough.

If at all possible, avoid costly upgrades and offer incentive down the road by purchasing an energy 
efficient home with newer windows, pervasive insulation, and Energy Star appliances. If the home is 
already wired for cable, satellite, and high-speed Internet, so much the better.

Finally, it’s still all about location, location, location. It's the one thing you can't change about the 
home you buy, so look for good schools (even if you don't have children) and proximity to shopping 
and recreation. Just ask your agent about the most popular features in your area and take heed!