Mountain Views News          Saturday, August 30, 2014

10

THE GOOD LIFE

Mountain Views-News Saturday, August 30, 2014 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS


HOW TO RECOGNIZE 
AND HANDLE SENIOR 
GAMBLING PROBLEMS

Dear Savvy Senior:

How can you know when someone has a gambling 
problem? Since my father passed away a couple years ago, my 76-year-old mother spends a lot of time at 
an Indian casino near her house playing slot machines. Troubled Son

Dear Troubled:

It’s a great question. Problem gambling among seniors is definitely on the rise. Seniors have time and 
money on their hands, and the influx of casinos across the country have made access to gambling 
much more convenient. Here’s what you should know, along with some tips and resources that can 
help your mom if she does indeed have a problem.

Problem Gambling 

For most older adults, gambling is simply a fun recreational activity, but for those who become 
addicted to it, it can be a devastating disease that can financially wipe them out. 

There are a number of reasons why seniors can be vulnerable to gambling problems. For starters, 
seniors are often catered to by casinos with free bus transportation, free or discounted meals, special 
rewards and other prizes as a way to entice them.

In addition, many seniors use gambling as a way to distract or escape feelings of loneliness, depression, 
sadness, or even a chronic health condition. Some may have financial problems they are seeking to 
overcome. And some may have cognitive impairment that interferes with their ability to make sound 
decisions.

Adding to the problem is that many seniors may not understand addiction, making them less likely 
to identify a gambling problem. Or they may be confused or embarrassed that they can’t control their 
urges to gamble and reluctant to seek help because they think that at their age, they should know 
better. And even if they recognize that they have a problem, they may not know that help is available 
or where to get it.

You should also know that while there are many gambling options for people to get hooked on today, 
casino slot machines are far and away the most popular among seniors. Slot machines are much more 
addictive then the old machines of yesteryear with spinning lemons, cherries and melons. Many of 
today’s slot machines offer intense sensory stimulation with large video screens, music and vibrating, 
ergonomic chairs. 

Find Help

How can you know if your mom has a gambling problem? Gamblers Anonymous offers a 20 question 
online test at gamblersanonymous.org that your mom can take to help determine if she has a problem. 
In the meantime, here are some questions you can ask to help evaluate her situation.

• Is she preoccupied with gambling, constantly talking about it, or planning to gamble versus 
doing her normal activities?
• Is she gambling more and more money to get the same level of excitement? 
• Is she using her retirement funds or other savings to gamble, or is she pawning or selling 
personal items to get money to gamble with? 
• Has she lost control to the point that she can’t she set a limit of time and money to spend in 
the casino, and stick to it? 
• Does she become uncomfortable, angry or lie when you ask her about her gambling activities?


If your mom answers yes to any of these questions, she may have a problem. To find help contact the 
National Council on Problem Gambling (ncpgambling.org), a non-profit organization that operates 
a 24-hour national hotline at 800-522-4700. They can direct you to resources in your area, including 
counselors who have been trained through the National Certified Gambler Counseling Program.

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.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! … August Birthdays*

Bill Nelson, Karlene Englert, Juanita Fernandez, Jeanette Francis, Joseph Kiss, John Luke, 
Jacquie Pergola, Maury Whitaker, Pat Miranda, Phyllis Chapman, Jerry Burnett, Margaret 
Aroyan, Phyllis Burg, Beverly Clifton, Rosemary Morabito, Susan Poulsen, Dorothy 
Quentmeyer, Genevieve Stubbs, Miep Tulleners, Joy Barry, Ellie Baudino, Marcia Bent, 
Daryls Brechwald, Joan Spears, Ruth Torres, Jane Zamanzadeh and Harry Enmark.

 *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: I distrust camels, and anyone else who can go a week without a drink.

 Joe E. Lewis

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

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, from 11:00 to 11:45 am with Shannon. All ability levels are 
encouraged and welcomed.

Hawaiian and Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday morning from 10:00am to 11:00am. Join 
instructor Barbara Dempsey as she instructs you in the art of hula.

Bingo: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00pm. Cards are only $0.25 each! Everyone is welcome to 
join. May be canceled if less than 5 people. Canceled on August 5th and 12th.

Free Blood Pressure Testing: Held 2nd Tuesday of the month from 11:00am to 12:00pm. No 
appointment is necessary.

Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, August 27th from 10:00am to Noon. Attorney Lem 
Makupson is available for legal consultation. He specializes in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates, 
and Injury. For an appointment call 626-355-7394.

Chair Yoga: Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00 to 11:45 am, except on the third Monday of the 
month when the balance class is held. A suggested donation of $5 at one of the classes is requested, 
but is not required.

Birthday Celebrations: Every second Thursday of the month the Hart Park House Senior Center 
celebrates birthdays of our patrons. The free birthday cake is provided by the Sierra Madre Civic 
Club.

Game Day: Every Thursday starting at 12:45pm. A regular group of seniors play poker. Other 
games available for use.

Free Strength Training Class: Every Friday from 12:45pm to 1:30pm with Lisa Brandley. The class 
utilizes light weights for low impact resistance training. All materials for the class are provided.

 

UPCOMING EXCURSIONS

Gondola Getaway (Long Beach, CA) 

Date: Friday, September 19, 2014 

Time: 9:15am to 3:15pm Meeting Location: Hart Park House Senior Center Cost: $30.00 (does not 
include lunch) The Gondola Getaway brings old world charm and a thousand year old tradition 
to Long Beach. Authentic Venetian gondolas gently cruise the enchanting canals and waterways of 
Naples Island near the resort area of Belmont Shores in Long Beach. Join us for an hourlong cruise 
followed by lunch at one of the charming restaurants in Belmont Shores. Participants are asked to 
bring $20 for lunch. Level of Walking: Low

Excursion Refund Policy: Notification of the cancellation must be made at least 3 business days 
before the excursion. A refund will only be issued 1) for a medical excuse or 2) if the Department 
is able to fill the patrons spot from a waiting list. This refund will be issued in the form of a credit 
which will be applied to the patron’s account with the City, less a $10 cancellation fee. The credit 
will remain on your account for one year from the date issued and the credit may be used for any 
program or service offered by the Community Services Department.

1st & 3rd WEDNESDAY Shown at the Hart Park House Senior Center 

SEPTEMBER 3RD: THE BOOK THIEF (2013)

To escape the horrors of World War II Germany, a young girl steals books 
to read and visits with the Jewish refugee hiding in her house. Rated PG-
13, Start time: 1:00 pm (run time 131 minutes) Featuring: Sophie Nélisse, 
Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson

SEPTEMBER 17TH: MANDELA-LONG WALK TO FREEDOM (2013) 

A chronicle of Nelson Mandela’s life journey from his childhood in a rural village through

to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa. Rated PG-13, 
Start time: 1:00 pm (run time 141 minutes) Featuring: Idris Elba, Naomie Harris, Terry Pheto


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

SENIOR 

CINEMA

CRUEL IRONY

Things are rough all over, but 
you already knew that. It used 
to be lucky to have a lawyer or 
a doctor in your family. Now 
graduating law students are lucky if they find a job! 
One of my coworkers was telling me about her son’s 
recent experiences in his quest to secure his place in 
the world of law.

 After a long, diligent search 
and numerous interviews, 
Ryan finally found a job at a 
law firm in Merced. Nothing 
against Merced, but compared 
to Chino Hills, where Ryan 
grew up, it’s no exciting 
metropolis. However, Merced 
does have some benefits, from 
a legal point of view, in that 
it maintains a steady rate of 
blue-collar crime. While 
far from the glamorous 
courtroom dramas, such as 
“Damages,” Ryan was ecstatic 
to have a job! At last his first 
“real” case landed on his desk. 
He was to be the prosecutor 
for the DA’s office against 
some individual who had 
been caught with an ounce or 
two of an illegal substance. The usual punishment 
for such crimes is a hefty fine and several months 
in prison.

 Being the supportive parents they are, Ryan’s 
mom and dad made a special trip to witness their 
son’s first case. For them, traveling is no small feat. 
His father battles chronic lung infections, often 
resulting in hospitalizations. At the time of the 
trial, he was wheeling an oxygen tank with tubes 
running into his nostrils. Ryan’s mother also suffers 
from health problems. A cancer survivor, she wears 
a medical sleeve to keep the circulation in her arm 
moving.

 On the day of the trial, the defendant was clean-
shaven and dressed in a crisp suit that hid his 
tattoos. He had also removed about a brick’s weight 
of metal from his many piercings. Ryan presented 
a sound, rational argument for the suspect’s 
incarceration. The defending attorney rebutted 
with some unimaginative 
statements about his client’s 
sad background that sought to 
rationalize his descent into a 
life of crime.

 The judge adjourned to his 
chamber for consideration 
and then, to Ryan’s dismay, 
pronounced the defendant 
innocent! The ruling was a 
blow to Ryan’s confidence, 
and his parents did their best 
to assure him that the judge 
must’ve had some partiality 
toward the defendant. The 
next week back at the office, 
Ryan asked one of his bosses 
what had been wrong with 
his performance in the 
courtroom.

 “Don’t worry about it,” 
his boss said nonchalantly. “The cards were stacked 
against you from the moment the kid’s folks walked 
in the room.”

 “What are you talking about?” Ryan asked.

 His boss patted him on the shoulder. “Didn’t 
you see the guy’s mom and dad sitting behind him? 
That man with his oxygen tank almost had me in 
tears!”

 Moral of the story: If you bring visitors to court, 
make sure they know which side belongs to the 
prosecutor and which to the defendant.

TECH TALK: TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE

Mondays, September 8th and 22nd

2:00 to 3:00 PM

Tech-savvy youth from Sierra Madre Middle School will provide assistance with the operation 
of cell phones, tablets, and computers. Participants should bring the device with which they 
need assistance; two computers are available at the Senior Center for general instruction. The 
class is free of charge, but registration is required. To register, or for questions regarding the 
program call 626.355.7394.


Free Senior Days

Aquarium of the Pacific

Friday, September 5, 2014 • 9am to 2pm

Free admission to everyone age 50+

Address is 100 Aquarium Way, parking $8 with

Aquarium validation.

SENIOR HEALTH SCREENINGS 

(Previously Wellness in the Park)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH 

• 9:00AM-12:00PM • 

HART PARK HOUSE

Hosted by the Senior Community Commission and City of Sierra Madre Community 
Services Department, this event provides a variety of free to low cost health screenings and 
services for seniors age 55 and older. 

The event takes place on Saturday, September 20th from 9am to 12pm at the Hart Park

House Senior Center located in Memorial Park, 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.

The following health screenings or services will be provided:

• Blood Pressure - Methodist Hospital

• Body Mass Index - Methodist Hospital

• Hearing - Hear Center

• Memory - Family Peace Inc.

• Balance - On the Move Physical Therapy

• Acupuncture - Yoon Min Acupuncture & Herbs

• Chair Massage - The Salt Studio

• Flu shots - Walgreens Pharmacy

*Primary insurance needs to be Medicare, otherwise $25.00

Don’t miss the opportunity to receive these free or low cost services. Screenings

are drop in and appointments do not need to be made. 

Held in conjunction with the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast in Memorial park. For more 
information about this event please contact the Senior Center at 626.355.7394.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com