Mountain Views News          Saturday, November 8, 2014

10

THE GOOD LIFE

Mountain Views-News Saturday, November 8, 2014 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

HOW SENIORS CAN QUIT SMOKING WITH THE HELP OF 
MEDICARE AND OTHER 
TOOLS

Dear Savvy Senior:

Can Medicare help me quit smoking? I just 
turned 65, and would like to quit but need some 
help. Coughing Connie

Dear Connie:

Yes, Medicare actually covers up to eight face-to-face counseling sessions a year to help beneficiaries 
quit smoking. And, if you have a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, certain smoking-
cessation medications are covered too. Here are some other tips that can help you kick the habit.

Never Too Late

Of the 46 million Americans who smoke, about 5.5 million are Medicare beneficiaries. According 
to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 50 percent of smokers, age 65 and 
older, indicate they would like to completely quit, but because of the nicotine, which is considered 
to be more addictive than heroin, it’s very difficult to do.

 

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable illness, responsible for an estimated one-fifth of 
deaths in the United States each year.

But research shows that quitting, even after age 65, greatly reduces your risk of heart disease, stroke, 
cancer, osteoporosis and many other diseases. It also helps you breathe easier, smell and taste food 
better, not to mention saves you quite a bit of money. A $5 pack-a-day smoker, for example, saves 
about $150 after one month without cigarettes, and more than $1,800 after one year.

How to Quit

The first step you need to take is to set a “quit date,” but give yourself a few weeks to get ready. 
During that time you may want to start by reducing the number or the strength of cigarettes you 
smoke to begin weaning yourself. Also check out over-the-counter nicotine replacement products 
– patches, gum and lozenges – to help curb your cravings. And just prior to your quit day get rid of 
all cigarettes and ashtrays in your home, car, and place of work, and try to clean up and even spray 
air freshener. The smell of smoke can be a powerful trigger.

Get Help

Studies have shown that you have a much better chance of quitting if you have help. So tell your 
friends, family, and coworkers of your plan to quit. Others knowing can be a helpful reminder and 
motivator.

Then get some counseling. Don’t go it alone. Start by contacting your doctor about smoking 
cessation counseling covered by Medicare, and find out about the prescription antismoking drugs 
that can help reduce your nicotine craving.

You can also get free one-on-one telephone counseling and referrals to local smoking cessation 
programs through your state quit line at 800-QUIT-NOW, or call the National Cancer Institute 
free smoking quit line at 877-44U-QUIT.

It’s also important to identify and write down the times and situations you’re most likely to smoke 
and make a list of things you can do to replace it or distract yourself. Some helpful suggestions 
when the smoking urge arises are to call a friend or one of the free quit lines, keep your mouth 
occupied with some sugar-free gum, sunflower seeds, carrots, fruit or hard candy, go for a walk, 
read a magazine, listen to music or take a hot bath. The intense urge to smoke lasts about three to 
five minutes, so do what you can to wait it out. It’s also wise to avoid drinking alcohol and steer 
clear of other smokers while you’re trying to quit. Both can trigger powerful urges to smoke. 

For more tips on how to quit, including managing your cravings, withdrawal symptoms and what 
to do if you relapse, visit smokefree.gov and nihseniorhealth.gov/quittingsmoking. If you’re a 
smartphone user, there are also a number of apps that can help like LIVESTRONG MyQuit Coach, 
Cessation Nation and Quit It Lite.

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.


HELPFUL HINT: Get a picture of all of your prescription bottles and keep it in your phone’s 
photo album. 

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

FOR YOUR FUNNY BONE - A 45 year old woman had a heart attack and was 
taken to the hospital. While on the operating table she had a near death experience. Seeing God, she 
asked, “Is my time up?” God said, “No, you have another 43 years 2 months and 8 days to live.” Upon 
recovery, the woman decided to stay in the hospital and have a face-lift, liposuction, breast implants 
and a tummy tuck. She even had someone come in and change her hair color and brighten her teeth! 
Since she had so much time to live, she figured she might as well make the most of it. After her last 
operation, she was released from the hospital. While crossing the street on her way home, she was 
killed by an ambulance. Arriving in front of God, she demanded, “I thought you said I had another 
43 years? Why didn’t you pull me out of the path of the ambulance?” God replied, “I didn’t recognize 
you.”

 ~ ~ ~

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! … November Birthdays

Flo Mankin, Alberta Curran, Carmela Frontino, Kathy Wood, Lena Zate, Joe Pergola, Janice 
Kacer, Valerie Howard, “Mike” Ruggles, Joan Ruggles, Lois Stueck, Jean Wood, Shirley 
Yergeau, Kathi Jefferson, Pat Krok, Irene Nakagawa, Anna Ross, Mary Steinberg and Sue 
Quinn.

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

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

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

Autry Museum & Route 66 Exhibit (Los Angeles)

 Date: Friday, November 14, 2014 Time: 9:30am-3:00pm

Meeting Location: Hart Park House Senior Center Cost: $10.00 (does not include lunch)

Don’t miss a visit to this historic museum and the once in a lifetime exhibit Route 66: The Road and

the Romance. The exhibit features more than 250 historical artifacts such as the oldest existing 
Route 66 shield alongside vintage gas pumps and neon art, John Steinbeck’s original handwritten 
manuscript for The Grapes of Wrath and Jack Kerouac’s typewriter scroll of On the Road, and a 
1960’s Chevrolet Corvette.

A one hour guided tour of the exhibit will be given followed by lunch on your own at the Autry 
Cafe and/or independent exploring of the vast collections of art and artifacts. The charter bus 
departs from the Hart Park House Senior Center at 9:30am and will return to Sierra Madre at 
3:00pm. Participants should bring money for lunch and souvenirs. Last day to register is Thursday, 
November 6th. Level of Walking: Medium


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

GOD IS IN THE DETAILS

Have you ever wondered if 
anyone knows, or cares, about 
the work you do? Maybe you 
feel as if your occupation is 
insignificant in the grand 
scheme of things. Or maybe you don’t even 
get “paid” for your work staying home to raise 
children or caring for an ailing loved one. Our 
work can seem especially tedious if we complete 
the same task, day after day, while the movers 
and shakers ascend their corporate ladders in 
leaps and bounds. Not seeing tangible evidence 
of our efforts can also be discouraging. When 
we feel like this, it’s comforting to remember that 
our toiling is very important to someone who is 
truly “high up” --God!

 I was reminded of this while reading the third 
chapter of the book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah is 
one of those books with repetitive lists that seem 
to have little or no application for our lives as 
believers in the present day. In this particular 
chapter, Nehemiah records the different people 
who helped rebuild the wall surrounding 
Jerusalem after the Jews returned from the 
Babylonian captivity. He notes that “Shallun 
the son of Col-Hozeh, leader of the district of 
Mispah, repaired the Fountain Gate” (3:15). A 
few verses later we learn that “The Levites, under 
Rehum the son of Bani, made repairs” (3:17). 
You get the picture, not exciting stuff.

 However, tucked away among the many 
people who helped in rebuilding, Nehemiah 
records for us that “Baruch the son of Zabai 
carefully repaired the other section” (3:20). 
Name after name, structure after structure, 
suddenly interrupted with a comment about a 
particular worker doing his repairs carefully! 
I’m no authority on Biblical studies, but this 
special note about the care Baruch put into his 
repairs encouraged me. 

 Even when everyone else might not notice 
the effort we put into our job, nothing escapes 
God’s attention. This is comforting, but also 
convicting. The same God who notices and 
cares about our best efforts in completing small 
tasks also sees when we cut corners or rationalize 
putting forth less than our best at work. As 
Christians, we must not only strive to witness for 
Jesus by doing our best wherever He has placed 
us, but we must also remember that He sees 
past our outward performance into the motives 
behind our actions, whether they are pure or self 
serving. 

 But what a blessing it is to know that we don’t 
have to rely on our fickle work ethics, we have the 
empowerment of His Holy Spirit to accomplish 
the “good works He prepared beforehand, that 
we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). 
Whether those good works are as a CEO or a 
housewife, they are equally important in God’s 
eyes. Good thoughts to remember as we get up 
for work on Monday!

SENIOR CINEMA - 1st, 3rd & 5th Wednesdays - At the Hart Park House Senior Center 

October 29th – To Kill a Mocking Bird (1962)

Atticus Finch, a lawyer in the Depression-era South, defends a black man against an undeserved 
rape charge, and his kids against prejudice. Not Rated. Start time: 1:00 pm (run time 129 minutes) 
Featuring: Frank Overton, Robert Duvall, Gregory Peck


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