Mountain Views News     Logo: MVNews     Saturday, August 1, 2015

MVNews this week:  Page 11

Mountain Views News Saturday, August 1, 2015 
11THE GOOD LIFE Mountain Views News Saturday, August 1, 2015 
11THE GOOD LIFE 
MEDICARE OPTIONS FOR RETIREES WHO TRAVEL 



Dear Savvy Senior,
What are the best Medicare coverage options for 
retirees who travel a lot? 
Almost 65 


Dear Almost, 
The best Medicare options for retirees who travel 
extensively depends on your destination. 


Let’s start with a quick review of the different 
coverage choices Medicare offers beneficiaries 
today.

One option is Original Medicare, which has 
been around since 1966, and covers (Part A) 
hospital services and (Part B) doctor’s visits and 
other medical services. 

If you choose Original Medicare, you may 
also want to get a Medicare (Part D) prescription 
drug plan (if you don’t already have coverage) 
to cover your medication costs, and a Medicare 
supplemental (Medigap) policy to help pay for 
things that aren’t covered by Medicare like 
copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. 

Or, you could get Medicare Advantage (Part C) 
plan, which is sold through private insurance 
companies, that covers everything Original 
Medicare covers, plus many plans also offer 
prescription drug coverage and extra services like 
vision, hearing and dental care all in one plan. 

To help you evaluate your options, the National 
Council on Aging offers an online tool at 
MyMedicareMatters.org, and your State Heath 
Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides 
free Medicare counseling – call 800-677-1116 for 
contact information. 

You can also shop and compare Medicare 
health and drug plans and Medigap policies at 
Medicare.gov/find-a-plan, or call 800-633-4227.

Also note that whatever Medicare plans you 
choose to enroll in, if you find that they are not 
meeting your needs or your needs change, you 
can always switch to a different plan during the 
open enrollment period, which is between Oct. 15 
and Dec. 7. 

U.S. Travel 
If you and your husband are planning to travel 
domestically, Original Medicare provides 
coverage everywhere in the U.S. and its territories 
(this includes all 50 states, the District of Columbia, 
Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the 
Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa) 
as long as the doctor or hospital accepts Medicare.
But, if you have a Medicare Advantage plan, 

KATIE Tse..........This and That 
IF YOU GIVE A CAT A STEROID... 



It was summer, 1982. Regan was 
President, the longest baseball 
game at Wrigley Field lasted 22 
innings, and the lowest August 
temperature in Cleveland was 
a cool 38°F. But such was not 

the case in southern California. Rather than 
being remembered for this trivia, the summer of 
1982 was remembered as a 

your coverage may be restricted. This is because 
most Medicare Advantage plans (which are 
usually HMOs or PPOs) require you to use 
doctors, hospitals and pharmacies that are in the 
plan’s network within a service area or geographic 
region. So if you’re traveling outside that area, you 
may need to pay a higher fee, or your services may 
not be covered at all. 

Before enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan, 
check the benefit details carefully to see what 
costs and rules apply when traveling outside your 
service area. 

Traveling AbroadIf you’re planning to travel abroad, Original 
Medicare does not provide coverage outside the 

U.S. including cruising, except in rare cases, and 
Medicare drug plans will not cover prescription 
drugs purchased outside the U.S. either. 
But, there are some Medigap policies that do 
provide limited coverage abroad. Medigap C, D, 
F, G, M, and N plans will pay for 80 percent of 
medically necessary emergency care outside the 
U.S., but only for the first 60 days of the trip, 
and you have to meet an annual $250 deductible 
first. There’s also a lifetime maximum benefit of 
$50,000, so you’d need to cover any costs above 
that amount. 

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, your 
coverage outside the U.S. will depend on the plan. 
Some plans offer emergency care coverage while 
others don’t. You’ll need to check your plan for 
details. 

If you want additional emergency medical 
coverage when traveling abroad, some good 
shopping sites are squaremouth.com and 
insuremytrip.com, which compare policies from 
major travel-insurance companies. Prices vary 
considerably, ranging from under $100 to several 
hundred dollars depending on your age, what 
they cover and how long you’ll be away. 

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. 

floor-to-ceiling window that looked out over the 
quiet street she lived on. If Boots happened to see 
another cat outside he hurled himself against the 
window, practically frothing at the mouth. But, 
not being able to fight off his ”competitor,” Boots 
lashed out at the closest living thing, which was 
typically Gran’s leg.

 It was around this time that Boots also developed 

small bony protrusions 

particularly bad flea season. 

on his forehead, like little 
However, the fleas didn’t 

horns. Gran tried to keep 
bother me. I was six months 

his anger at bay, but it was 
away from being born, so I 

not always possible. I was 
was well insulated.

about four by this time, and 
My grandma had gone 

Gran would often watch me 
to visit family in Michigan, 

while Mom was at work. 
and left my mom in charge 

It was on one of these 
of watching Boots, her cat. 

days that Boots went into 
Being pregnant and having 

another violent fit, and sank 
other distractions, Mom 

his fangs deep into Gran’s 
did not immediately realize 

ankle. With Gran down, I 
that Gran’s house had 

was left in his pathway. But 
become infested with fleas! 

seconds before he lunged at 
They had taken up residence 

me, Gran dove between us 
in the shag carpet (this was 

and quickly pulled me into 
early 80’s, remember). One 

the safety of a closet.
day when she went to feed 

When Mom arrived 
Boots, Mom found him 

that afternoon, she found 
languishing on the carpet, 

”what looked like a crime 
his blood-drained body 

scene!” The white carpet 
nearly dry to the bone. 

was streaked with bloody 
(Think Terry Thomas 

footprints leading toward 
in ”The Abominable Dr. 

the front door. She heard a 
Phibes.” You must see this 

muffled sound coming from 
dark comedy classic if you 

the closet, ”Mary! We’re 
haven’t already!)

in here!” By now Boots’ 
She and Dad took 

bloodlust had ended, and 
quick action and brought 

he was placidly munching 
Boots to a vet in Arcadia. 

Kibbles & Bits.
He prescribed steroid 

 The life and times of 
treatments that were 

Boots ended a few years 
administered in a series 

later when my mom and 
of shots. Boots gradually 

dad found him stiff behind 
recovered, and by the time 

the loveseat. We never 
Gran returned from her trip 

learned what, exactly, 
with a small kitten named 

caused his mania. Did 
Squeaky, he had regained 

his near brush with death 
his pre-drained plumpness.

push him over the edge? 
But unbeknownst to 

Had he been injected with 
everyone, ”The Madness of some potent cocktail of 
Boots” had begun.hormones? Whatever was to blame, the lesson of 

 Squeaky was, as the name implies, a small, timid the story is to be very careful if you give a cat a 
female cat. Boots took an instant overprotective steroid... 
attitude toward her, and was often subject to fits 
of jealous rage. Gran’s living room had a large 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS 



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, 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. 
.................................................................. 


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 

TECH TALK: TECH TALK WILL RESUME IN SEPTEMBER WHEN OUR STUDENT 
VOLUNTEERS ARE BACK IN SCHOOL. 

HAWAIIAN AND POLYNESIAN DANCE CLASS: Every Tuesday morning from 10am to 11am. 
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. 

FREE BLOOD PRESSURE TESTING: 2nd Tuesday of the month from 11am to 12pm. No appt. 
is necessary. 

FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION: Wednesday, August 19th from 10:30am to Noon. Attorney Lem 
Makupson is available for legal consultation. He specializes in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates, 
and Injury. Appointment are required by calling 626-355-7394. 

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

BRAIN GAMES - NEW DATE AND TIME! 

Thursday, August 20th, 10:30am - 11:30am (Third Thursday of Each Month) Improve your memory 
and strengthen your brain with fun, hands-on activities. Each month brings new games and contests 
to facilitate brain stimulation. Bring your friends as you engage in friendly competition for prizes. 
Activities facilitated by Swati Puri, New Wave Home Care of Pasadena. For more information 
contact the Hart Park House office at 626-355-7394. 

CASE MANAGEMENT: Meets the 2nd Thursday of the month. Case Management services are 
provided by the YWCA and provide assistance in a variety of areas. Appointments are required and 
can be scheduled by calling the HPH Office at 626-355-7394. 

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS: Every second Thursday of the month at the Hart Park House. The 
free birthday cake is provided by the Sierra Madre Civic Club. 

GAME DAY: Every Thursday starting at 12:00pm. (Please note the time change.) 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. 

SENIOR CLUB: Every Saturday at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Brown bag lunch at 11:30am. 
Club meeting at noon. Bingo 12:30-3:30pm. Annual Membership is only $10.00. 

LUNCH & LEARN PRESENTATION 

Thursday, August 20th, 2015 beginning at 12:00pm 
Learn about French painter, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. His immersion in the colorful and theatrical 
life of Paris in the late 19th century yielded a collection of exciting, elegant and provocative images 
of the modern and sometimes decadent life of those times. Tanya Mazzolini from The Kensington 
will give a talk on the painter while demonstrating a project in his style of art. If you would like to 
have lunch during the talk, please make a lunch reservation with the Senior Lunch Café at 626-3550256 
or you may bring your own. 


UPCOMING EXCURSIONS: 

THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS 
CALIFORNIA SCIENCE CENTER (LOS ANGELES)


Date: August 12, 2015 Time: 9:30am to 5:00pm 

Meeting Location: Hart Park House Senior Center Cost: $28.00 (Does not include lunch) 
Description: The California Science Center in cooperation with the 
Israel Antiquities Authority is Proud to present the largest Dead Sea 
Scrolls exhibition ever mounted outside of Israel, featuring over 600 
ancient artifact on display. We will also see Jerusalem in the IMAX 
Theater. Through breathtaking aerial footage, eye-opening personal 
stories and remarkable historical perspective, Jerusalem takes views 
inside the heart of the ancient city in ways never seen before. Lunch 
will be on your own. There is Trimana-Grill, or Market and Coffee Bar 
at the Science Center for you to enjoy a meal or light snack during your 
visit. Participants should bring money for lunch and souvenirs. Last day 
to register is Wednesday, August 5th. Level of Walking: High 


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 $11 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 Dept. 

COCONUT DEMONSTRATION BY JONATHAN KELLEY 

Jonathan Kelley, an anesthesiologist by training, is an actor, chef, and pianist with a culinary 
interest in cooking with coconuts, plus creating hats and baskets from coconut palm fronds 
and crafting bowls from the coconut shells. Please join us on Thursday, August 13, 10:30 am, 
Jonathan will speak at the Hart Park House about coconuts: where they come from, how to 
select one, extract the water, open the shell, remove the meat, how you can incorporate the 
coconut into your diet, how you can make use of the shell, nutritional information and how 
coconuts can change your life. You’ll be able to sample a delicious coconut lime soup, as well 
as a Puerto Rican style coconut flan. 


SENIOR CINEMA AT THE HART PARK HOUSE SENIOR CENTER 


August 5th - Whiplash (2014) -Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller) is anambitious young jazz drummer, single-minded in pursuit of rising to the top of hiselite east coast music conservatory. Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), an instructorknown for his terrifying teaching methods, discovers Andrew and transfers theaspiring drummer into the top jazz ensemble, forever changing the young man’slife But Andrew’s passion to achieve perfection quicklyspirals into obsession, as his ruthless teacher pusheshim to the brink of his ability and his sanity. Winner of3 Academy Awards, Start time: 1:00pm (run time 107minutes) 

August 19th – Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) - An American romantic 
comedy starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard, based on Trumancapote’s novel, this is the story of a young woman in New York City whomeets a young man when he moves into her apartment building. He is withan older woman who is very wealthy, but he wants to be a writer. She isworking as an expensive escort and searching for a rich, older man to marry.
This movie won two Academy Awards. Start time: 1:00pm (run time 115minutes) 


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