Mountain Views News          Saturday, December 27, 2014

12

THE GOOD LIFE

Mountain Views-News Saturday, December 27, 2014

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! � December Birthdays

Pat Karamitros, Joan Hufnagel, Mary Alice Cervera, Carol Horejsi, Shirley Anhalt , Mignon 
Grijalva, Helen Reese, Levon Yapoujian, Toni Buckner, Lottie Bugl, Pat McGuire, Sheila 
Wohler, Nan Murphy, Eleanor Hensel, Sylvia Curl, Elizabeth Levie, Gayle Licher, Cindy Barran, 
and Melissa Stute. * 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 Caf�: 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

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

HOW TO KEEP TABS ON AN ELDERLY PARENT 
WHEN YOU CAN�T BE THERE


Dear Savvy Senior,

Can you recommend any caregiving devices or 
technology products that help families keep an eye on 
an elderly parent that lives alone? Over the holidays, my 
sister and I noticed that my dad�s health has slipped, so 
we would like to find something that helps us keep closer 
tabs on him when we�re not around.

Concerned Son

Dear Concerned,

 There are many different assistive technology 
products available today that can help families keep 
an eye on an elderly loved one when they can�t be 
there. Depending on your dad�s needs and how much 
you�re willing to spend, here are some good options to 
consider.

Personal Emergency Response Systems

 If you�re primarily worried about your dad falling 
and needing help, one of the most commonly used 
and affordable products for seniors living alone is a 
personal emergency response system (PERS) � also 
known as a medical alert device.

 For about a dollar or two a day, these systems 
provide a wearable pendent button � typically in the 
form of a necklace pendent or wristband � and a base 
station that connects to the home phone line.

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

 Some PERS today even offer motion-sensitive 
pendants that can detect a fall and automatically call 
for help. And some offer GPS mobile-alert pendants 
that work anywhere. Some top companies that offer 
all levels of services include Philips Lifeline (lifelinesys.
com, 800-380-3111), Medical Alert (medicalalert.com, 
800-800-2537) and MobileHelp (mobilehelpnow.com, 
800-992-0616).

Sensor Monitoring 

 If you want to keep closer tabs on your dad than 
what a PERS offers, consider a sensor monitoring 
system. These systems use small wireless sensors (not 
cameras) placed in key areas of your dad�s home that 
can detect changes in his activity patterns, and will 
notify you via text message or email if something out 
of the ordinary is happening. For instance, if he went to 
the bathroom and didn�t leave, it could indicate a fall or 
other emergency.

 You can also check up on his patterns anytime you 
want through the system�s website. And for additional 
protection, most services also offer PERS call buttons 
that can be placed around the house, or worn.

 Some good companies that offer these services are 
GrandCare Systems (grandcare.com, 262-338-6147), 
which charges $300 for their activity sensors, plus a 
$50 monthly service fee. And BeClose (beclose.com, 
866-574-1784), which runs $399 for three sensors, and 
a $69 monthly service fee if paid a year in advance.

 If you�re interested in a more budget-friendly option, 
consider Lively (mylively.com, 888-757-0711), which 
costs only $50 with a $35 monthly service fee. Lively 
uses small motion sensors that you attach to movable 
objects like a pillbox, refrigerator door, front door, etc. 
These sensors will track your dad�s movement/activity 
and let you know of any abnormalities in his routines. 
For example, if he didn�t pick up his pillbox to get his 
medicine, or he didn�t open the front door to go out and 
retrieve his morning newspaper, you would be notified 
and can check on him. Lively also offers a PERS �safety 
watch� in case he falls or needs to call for help. 

 Another affordable option to check out is Evermind 
(evermind.us, 855-677-7625), which lets you keep an 
eye on your dad by monitoring his frequently used 
electrical appliances through small plug-in sensors. 
So, for example, if your dad doesn�t turn on the coffee 
maker in the morning, or if he�s not watching his 
favorite television program before bedtime, you would 
be notified. Evermind costs $199 for the three sensors, 
plus a $29 monthly service fee.

 

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.


Los Angeles Central Library (Los Angeles)

Date: Friday, January 23, 2015 Time: 9:30am to 3:30pm

Meeting Location: Hart Park House Senior Center - Cost: $5.00 (does not include lunch)

A visit to the Los Angeles Public Library�s state of the art Central Library located in Downtown. 
A docent led tour will introduce you to the art and architecture of the Goodhue Building with 
its distinctive sphinxes and rooftop pyramid followed by a walk through the high-tech Bradley

Wing, designed by famed architect Norman Pfeiffer, where participants will gaze at the 8-story 
atrium and whimsical chandeliers. Finish the tour learning about the library�s comprehensive 
book, magazine, audio and videotape collections as well as its extensive network of formational 
databases. Lunch will be on your own at Grand Central Market where you can enjoy tasty treats 
or a leisurely meal from a variety of local vendors. Participants should bring money for lunch 
and souvenirs. Last day to register is Monday, January 12th. Level of walking: Medium to High

SIERRA MADRE HART PARK HOUSE SENIOR CENTER

222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Sierra Madre, CA 91024 626-355-7394

www.cityofsierramadre.com

HOURS OF OPERATION

Monday through Thursday

11:00am-2:30pm

(closed on Fridays)

Hart Park House Office closed from

December 24 - January 2 for the holidays

Lunch Program open during regular days

except December 24 & 25 and January 1st


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

GOOD NEWS!

It seems like yesterday that we 
were celebrating the start of 
2014, but it�s gone by like a flash 
and New Years is upon us once 
again. I considered resubmitting 
the New Years article I wrote last 
year titled, �Something Better.� In 
it I wrote about how the good news of the Gospel 
overcomes the inherent melancholy associated with 
New Years. I realized, however, that good news 
doesn�t mean much unless you�re aware of the bad 
news with which to contrast it. A lot of people aren�t 
interested in knowing God personally because 
they�re happy, life is good, and they don�t see the 
need for a relationship with God. But the bad news 
is that there are two inconvenient truths we must 
each face, whether or not we are ready for them. 
The first is death, and the second is hell. 

 People don�t like to talk about hell. The people 
who don�t believe in hell don�t want to talk about it 
because they believe hell doesn�t exist, so why should 
they discuss it? The people who do believe in hell 
don�t want to talk about it either, because many of 
them (myself included) don�t like 
making their unbelieving family 
and friends uncomfortable. The 
degree of discomfort is directly 
proportional to the closeness of 
the relationship. For example, 
I know many brilliant, kind, 
morally upright people who are 
currently headed for eternal 
damnation. Imagine telling 
your friends and colleagues �I 
defer to your judgment on every 
question except that which is 
most important --how you will 
spend eternity. On that one you�re 
wrong.� However, if I truly love 
the person I must warn them, no 
matter how uncomfortable the 
conversation may be. The stakes 
are too high to ignore. 

 The inconvenient truth is that 
the moment of death is not the 
time to discover if your ideas 
about the afterlife are correct. It 
is not the time to find out if your 
good deeds are hefty enough to 
outweigh the bad. At that point 
it will be too late to change your 
vote on where you will spend 
eternity. The most important 
decision you make is how you 
will respond to Jesus. Neutrality 
is not an option. Don�t get caught 
up in philosophical questions 
about how God is going to deal 
with people who never heard the 
Gospel. God has ways beyond 
our understanding of revealing 
Himself to all people, and He will 
not demand more than what He 
has made available to them. You 
won�t be answering for them on 
Judgment Day, but you will be 
answering for yourself. 

 So make the decision today 
to take hold of the salvation that 
Jesus is offering you. All ways do 
not lead to heaven. If salvation 
had been possible any other way 
would God have sent His one 
and only Son to die for us? When 
Pastor Dick Anderson came to 
Sierra Madre Congregational 
Church in 1968 his first sermon 
was titled �Jesus is a Gentleman.� 
He stands at the door of your 
heart knocking. His greatest 
desire is that you would allow 
him to scoop you out of the 
gaping mouth of hell into His 
loving embrace. That is the Good News! But He 
will not force Himself upon you. Jesus has already 
completed all that is necessary to save you from 
eternal torment and secure your place with Him in 
heaven. But you must open the door. Don�t delay 
another moment --this moment is a gift, and the 
next is not guaranteed. Today is the day of salvation!

 If you choose to accept Jesus as your savior you 
can pray this prayer and He will come into your 
heart and give you peace with God --today and 
forever!

 �Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I 
ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my 
sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins 
and invite You to come into my heart and life. I 
want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. 
In Your Name. Amen.� 

HAPPY 2015 TO ALL OF YOU!

Katie

TIPS TO PREVENT SLIPS AND FALLS IN YOUR 
BATHROOM

(StatePoint) Roughly 234,000 injuries occur in the bathroom annually, according to the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention. And while children and adults over 70 are most at risk, more than half 
of all injuries involve people between ages 25 and 64.

A few safety prevention measures can make your bathroom safer:

� Grab bars: Gripping things like shower doors or towel bars can lead to injury. Reduce your risk of 
failing in the tub or shower by installing a grab bar.

� Seats: For those with balance concerns, a seat, chair or bench in the shower can be a good idea, as 
shower floors can become particularly slick. Also, remember to use a shower mat.

� Toilet safety: Elevated toilet seats can help those with mobility issues ease onto the seat. Safety bars are 
another smart addition.

If aesthetics are a priority, check out manufacturers who put a premium on design, and whose products 
meet American with Disability Act safety requirements. For example, Moen Home Care offers 
safety fixtures in varying styles and finishes like chrome, brushed nickel and old world bronze. More 
information can be found at www.Moen.com/homecare.

With a few additions to your bathrooms, you can make them serene, stylish and safe.