Mountain Views News          Saturday, April 12, 2014

Mountain Views News Saturday, April 12, 2014 
11THE GOOD LIFE Mountain Views News Saturday, April 12, 2014 
11THE GOOD LIFE 
MEDICAL ALERT DEVICES THAT CAN HELP KEEP 
SENIORS SAFE 

Dear Savvy Senior:
I’m interested in getting my mother, who lives alone, a medical alert device with a wearable SOS 
button that she can push in case she falls or needs help. What kinds of devices can you recommend 
and how much do they cost? Searching 
Daughter 

Dear Searching:

 There’s a wide variety of medical alert systems 
on the market today that can help keep elderly 
seniors safe, while living in their own home. 
Here’s a breakdown of some different styles and 
prices to help you choose. 



Monitored Alerts

 The most popular medical alert systems available today are the ones that will connect your 
mom to a 24-hour emergency monitoring service when she needs help. These units come with 
waterproof “SOS” buttons – typically in the form of a necklace pendent or bracelet – and a base 
station that connects to her home phone line. 

 At the press of a button, your mom could call and talk to a trained operator through the system’s 
base station receiver which works like a powerful speaker phone. The operator will find 
out what’s wrong, and will notify family members, a neighbor, friend or emergency services as 
needed.

 If you’re interested in this type of alert, there are literally dozens of services to choose from. 
One of the most widely used is the Philips Lifeline Medical Alert Service (lifelinesys.com, 800380-
3111) which costs $35 per month, plus an $82 start-up fee. Phillips also offers a new Auto 
Alert option (for $48 per month) that has fall detection sensors in the SOS button that can 
automatically summon help without your mom ever having to press a button. 

 Some other major players in the industry that are a little less expensive (under $30 per month) 
include: LifeFone (lifefone.com, 877-849-8942), LifeStation (lifestation.com, 877-478-3390), 
Bay Alarm Medical (bayalarmmedical.com, 877-722-9633), Alert1 (alert-1.com, 888-9193692), 
LifeGuardian (lifeguardianmedicalalarms.com, 800-378-2957) and MedicalAlert (medicalalert.
com, 800-800-2537).

 One other unique product worth consideration is the MediPendant (getmedipendant.com, 
888-216-0039) which runs under $35 a month. This system allows your mom to speak and 
listen to the operator directly through the SOS pendant, versus the base station speaker phone, 
which often makes for easier communication. 

No-Fee Alerts 

If you’re looking for a cheaper option, consider a no-fee medical alert device that doesn’t have 
professional monitoring services. These products, which also come with an “SOS” button and 
a home base station, are pre-programmed to dial personal contacts (relatives, friends, caregivers 
or 911) if the SOS button is pushed. Most devices store about four phone numbers, and the 
system dials each number, one-by-one until a connection is made. 

 If you like this style, the Freedom Alert made by LogicMark (logicmark.com, 800-519-2419) 
is a good product that allows you to speak through the pendent. The purchase price: $300, with 
no ongoing monthly fees. Also check out Telemergency (telemergencysystems.com, 888-5587420), 
which offers a variety on no-fee medical alert devices that cost under $190. 

Mobile Alerts

 If your mom is interested in a device that works outside the home too, there are several mobile 
products that will let her call for help anywhere. These pendent-style devices, which fit in the 
palm of your hand, work like little cell phones with GPS tracking capabilities. 

 To call for help, your mom would simply push one button, and an operator from the device’s 
emergency monitoring service would be on the line to assist her. And because of the GPS technology 
they would know her exact location, which is critical in emergency situations. 

 Top products to check out in this category include the new 5Star Urgent Response sold by 
GreatCall (greatcall.com, 800-733-6632) for $50 plus a $35 activation fee and $15 monthly 
service fees, and MobileHelp (mobilehelpnow.com, 800-800-1710) which runs between $37 
and $42 per month.

 You also need to know that Medicare and most other insurance plans don’t cover medical 
alert systems, although in some states Medicaid will if your mom receives Medicaid-funded 
homecare services. 

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. 

I’M STILL SO GLAD I’M NOT YOUNG ANYMORE! 

This article originally appeared in the Mountain Views New several years ago. 
But after reading a Yahoo story regarding the difficulty “plus-size” girls have finding 
prom dresses, I was reminded of how glad that I’m not young anymore!

 Youth is a wonderful thing. The young are mostly healthy, beautiful, and, in 

middle and upper class America, blissfully unacquainted with the harsh realities of 
financial self-reliance and a diminishing metabolism. Youth involves rites of passage. Kids learn to 
drive. Girls get training bras; boys’ voices go through a crackling journey to manly tones. Everyone 
needs to use deodorant, contrary to the belief that “some people don’t sweat.” And usually somewhere 
in there is a “formal dance.”

 
Stopped in traffic by the Arboretum one spring day, I noticed 
a fashion shoot taking place on a grassy knoll. Five women, 
in thigh-high halter-top dresses, posed as the photographer 
fired off rapid shots. After they were finished, the group 
headed toward some young men in suits and tuxedos. As the 
women awkwardly stepped into a stretch Hummer it dawned 
on me. “Holy rhinestones, Batman!” That’s not a fashion a 
shoot –that’s someone’s prom! 

 It goes without saying that proms have changed over the 
years. My mom enjoys telling how she fooled her date (a 
well known prankster) by opening the front door in a very 
dated, dumpy dark turquoise taffeta dress and her Stouffer’s 
waitress shoes (think the Queen Mum). She and her dad got 
a big laugh after he snapped a picture of the boy’s horrified 
face. She then changed in to her real dress. Yes, things are 
different these days... 

 I have a few regrets about my youth. I wish I had put more 
effort into my second language courses (although I doubt it 
would’ve helped), and I suppose it might’ve been good to attempt a sport. But one thing I sure don’t 
regret is not going to the prom! I know that sounds bitter and antisocial, but even more than 10 years 
later I can still say I don’t think I missed a thing!

 
In the same vein as class elections, proms seemed to be another means of social exclusion. Every 
detail of the night involved decisions about who was “in” and who was “out.” Who’s house do we meet 
up at? Who’s riding in the [fill in the ostentatious vehicle of choice]? Who’s sitting at our table? There’s 
only room for eight, so that eliminates [fill in the least-liked classmate]. It gave me a nervous ulcer 
just listening to it. To drive home the point that prom was overrated, my boyfriend-less friends all 
complained about their dates’ behavior the next day at school. Heck, even some of the girls who had 
boyfriends complained! 

 Of course, another reason I nixed the prom was because I’m cheap. I just couldn’t rationalize the 
cost of the tickets, dress, etc. Even as an unemployed teenager, I had some concept of the value of 
money. On top of everything else, prom tends to bring out the worst in people –administrators as well 
as students. There’s always a few Yahoo headlines about some poor kid getting kicked out of prom for 
a dumb reason. Back when I first submitted this article, a boy in the Midwest asked his crush to the 
prom by writing “Will you go to the prom with me?” on a large poster. And she said “Yes!” Aww! But 
there was trouble in paradise when the villainous principal banned the boy from the prom because his 
placement of the sign was against school rules. In response to the national outcry against her decision, 
the principal finally reneged and allowed the young lovers to attend the prom. It would be one thing 
if this were an isolated incident, but it seems that every year there’s some news story about power-
crazed administrators concocting frivolous reasons for excluding students from the prom. One girl 
was denied admission because she came without a date. It’s bad enough if you can’t get a date, let alone 
the school broadcasting it! Like Maurice Chevalier crooned, “I’m SO glad I’m not young anymore!” 

We’d like to hear from you! 
What’s on YOUR Mind? 
Contact us at: editor@mtnviewsnews.com or www.facebook. 
com/mountainviewsnews ANDTwitter: @mtnviewsnews
SENIOR HAPPENINGS 


By Pat Birdsall (reprint) 

FYI - TIPS FOR SENIORS TO STAY SAFER ONLINE 

Never trust a link sent to you by someone you don’t know. By clicking the link you may be taken to a site that 
may look like your bank or credit card company, but isn’t. One thing a criminal can’t fake is the actual Web 
site address of a company or bank. Instead of clicking a link in an e-mail, search for the Web address using a 
search engine to find the real one. Use that to ask the company about the message you received, or call using 
the number listed on your statements. Mark the real site as a favorite in your browser so that one click brings 
you there safely every time.

Never trust an e-mail that asks for your personal or account information (called a phishing scam). These usually 
seem convincing (the shabby ones have spelling errors, but the high quality scams look impeccable). No bank 
or reputable company is going to send you an e-mail asking you to correct your information, validate your 
identity, re-enter your password, and so on.
The smarter scams often contain text warning you against fraud. They do this because many people believe 
that an e-mail that warns them to be careful must be legitimate. That is not always true. This also extends to 
sites that claim they have protections in place for your privacy and security. Anybody can make these claims, 
but only certain sites protect you.

Never respond – or even open an e-mail with a deal that is too good to be true unless it is from a company that 
you know well and expect to get these kinds of offers from them. Scammers want you to react without taking time 
to think things through, so their e-mails frequently sound urgent, such as:

 …“if we don’t hear by tomorrow your account will be closed” (and you’ll notice that the date of “tomorrow” 
never is listed). 
…”this offer won’t last, order now to ensure”… 

Never believe that someone you don’t know is going to give you money. Do not believe a person from another 
country who just needs you to “help transfer funds” and they need your bank account number to do so. Such 
scammers promise to give you a huge amount of money for helping them out. The result is an empty bank 
account. 

If you never entered a lottery, you did not win the lottery. Such scams ask you to provide your information 
and bank account number so they can transfer your prize money. Don’t. The result is an empty bank account.

 Don’t believe a really rich, famous person just wants to help you out… and that the celebrity also mysteriously 
needs your address, phone number, bank account information to do so. The result is an empty bank account.
Guard your information well. It is better to be rude than to be ripped off, so demand validation, verification, 
and authentication before giving your information to anyone. If you still feel uneasy, say no or check further. 

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



HELPFUL HINT: K IS FOR ... KETCHUP Keeps silver jewellery sparkling. 

Soak it in a small bowl of ketchup for a few minutes. If it has a tooled or detailed surface, 

use an old toothbrush to work ketchup into the crevices. To avoid damaging the silver, 

don’t leave the ketchup on longer than necessary. Rinse and dry 

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


FOR YOUR FUNNY BONE 

An elderly man was having hearing problems and went to see a specialist. The doctor fitted him with 
some hearing aids that brought his hearing back to full strength. After a few weeks the man came 
back to make sure the new equipment was working properly, which it was. The hearing specialist 
said, “It all seems perfect. Your family should be delighted you can hear everything now.” 
“Oh no,” the man responded. “I haven’t told any of them. I just sit quietly, listening carefully. I’ve 
changed my will four times.”

 ~ ~ ~ 


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! … April Birthdays… 

Howard Ruben, Mary Harley, Bette White, Dorothy White, Doris Behrens, Freda Bernard,

Beth Copti, Terri Cummings, Marilyn Diaz, Virginia Elliott, Elma Flores, Julia Gottesman, 

Betty Jo Gregg, Barbara Lampman, Betty Mackie, Elizabeth Rassmusen, Maria Reyes, 
Marian DeMars, Anne Schryver, Chrisine Bachwansky, Colleen McKernan, Sandy Swanson, 

Hank Landsberg, Ken Anhalt, Shannon Vandevelde 

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

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


Quote of the Week: April hath put a spirit of youth in everything. ~WilliamShakespeare 

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


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: Monday, January 27th 11:00 to 11:45 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! 

Chair Yoga Update: This class has become so popular that Instructor Paul Hagen has agreed tooffer another class. Starting Monday, April 7th chair yoga will meet twice a week on Mondays and 
Wednesdays from 11:00 to 11:45 am, except on the third Monday of the month when the balance 
class is held. Due to the demand for this class and Paul Hagen’s time a suggested donation of $5 at 
one of the classes is requested, but is not required. If you have any questions please feel free to stop 
by or give us a call 626.355.7394 

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 

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. 

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. 

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. 

LUNCH & LEARN: DMV Senior Ombudsman Program


Wednesday, April 23rd • 12:00 to 1:00 pm

The DMV has established the Senior Driver Ombudsman program for the expressed 

purposes of helping all drivers maintain their driving independence for as long as they 

can safely do so.

A representative from the program will be present to (1) address the specific concerns 
of senior drivers and provide DMV resources (2) assist as a liaison to ensure senior drivers are 
treated fairly and consistently when faced with changes in physical, visual, and/or mental abilities; 
and (3) provide information and support to seniors and loved ones when safety becomes a concern.
Mark your calendars and don’t miss this great presentation with valuable information. If you would 
like to have lunch during the talk please call the Senior Lunch Café at 626.355.0256 or bring your 
own. 

SEASONAL FUN AT THE SENIOR CENTER 

On Thursday, April 17th join us for fun spring activities including dyeing and decorating hard 
boiled eggs and creating tissue paper flower bouquets. All materials provided. The activity will take 
place from 10:30am to Noon. If you have any questions please feel free to stop by or give us a call 
at 626.355.7394. 

UPCOMING EXCURSIONS: 

Palm Springs Follies (Palm Springs, CA) Date: Friday, April 11, 2014 

Time: 8:30am to 6:00pm Meeting Location: Hart Park House Senior Center

 Cost: $60.00 (does not include lunch)
Spend the day in Palm Springs shopping, having lunch and visiting the famous Palm Springs Follies, 
a worldfamous, Broadway-caliber celebration of the music, dance, and comedy of the 40s, 50s, and 
60s with a cast old enough to have lived it! Upon arrival in Palm Springs participants can shop and 
lunch at nearby stores and restaurants all within walking distance of the theater. The performance 
begins at 1:30 pm and is approximately 2 ½ hours. Participants are asked to bring additional money 
for shopping and lunch. This will be the LAST Palm Springs Follies ever so sign up soon! Sold Out, 
but feel free to call to be on the waiting list. Level of Walking: Low to Moderate 

Senior Cinema: 1st & 3rd Wednesday *Change in Venue*
Shown at the Hart Park House Senior Center 


April 2nd: Gravity (2013)

A medical engineer and an astronaut work together to survive after an accident leaves them adrift inorbit. Rated PG-13, Start time: 1:00 pm (run time 91 minutes) Featuring: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, 
and Ed Harris 

April 16th: Iron Lady (2013)

An elderly Margaret Thatcher talks to the imagined presence of her recently deceased husband as she struggles 
to come to terms with his death while scenes from her past life, from girlhood to British prime minister, 
intervene. Rated PG-13, Start time: 1:00 pm (run time 105 minutes) Featuring: Meryl Streep, Jim Broadbent, 
and Richard E. Grant