Mountain Views News          Saturday, July 16, 2016

Mountain Views-News Saturday, July 16, 2016 7THE GOOD LIFE THE GOOD LIFE 
HOW TO CHOOSE AN ADULT DAY CARE SERVICE 



YOUR AD COULD BE HERE!
Call Patricia at 
626-818-2698 Today!
Dear Savvy Senior,
Can you offer any tips on finding and choosing a
good adult day care service for an elderly parent?
My 82-year-old mother, who is moving in with me,
has Alzheimer’s and needs attention during the day
while I’m at work. 
Looking for Help 


Dear Looking,
Adult day care services can be a great option for
caregivers who work, or for those who just need
a break during the day. Here’s what you should
know, along with some tips to help you find and
choose one. 


Adult Day Services
The business of adult day care services has grown
rapidly in recent years. According to the National
Adult Day Services Association, there are around
5,700 programs operating in the United States
today.


As the name implies, adult day care provides carefor elderly seniors who cannot care for themselvesat home. While services will vary from center tocenter, they typically provide personal care, mealsand snacks, various activities and social interaction 
in a safe supportive environment. Additionally,
many centers also provide health services suchas medication management, various therapies,
exercise and transportation to and from the facility.

Adult day care centers generally operateprograms during normal business hours five days aweek. However, some centers may offer services inthe evenings and on weekends, too.

Costs for care will vary as well, usually between$25 to more than $100 per day (the national averageis $65/day), depending on where you live.

Unfortunately, in most cases original Medicare(Part A and B) does not pay for adult day care,
but some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans,
and many long-term care insurance policies do.
But, most seniors or their families pay for careout-of-pocket.

If your mom is lower income and can’t afford this,
many states offer Medicaid waiver programs, andsome have PACE programs that provide financialassistance. Contact your state Medicaid office (seeMedicaid.gov) for more information. The VA evenprovides adult day care to eligible veterans enrolledin their Medical Benefits Package. See VA.gov/ 

geriatrics to learn more. 

How to Choose 
Your first step in shopping for an adult day center isto determine the kinds of services your mother andyou need. After you do that, here are some tips tohelp you locate and choose a good provider.

Start by contacting your Area Agency on Aging(call 800-677-1116 to get your local number) toget referrals to adult day service programs in yourarea. You can also search online at the National 
Adult Day Services Association (NADSA) websiteat NADSA.org/locator, or check your phone bookyellow pages under “Adult Day Care” or “SeniorsServices.” 

Once you have a list of a few centers, call themto find out their eligibility criteria, if they offer thetypes of services your mother needs, if they areaccepting new clients, their hours of operation,
if they’re licensed and/or registered with a stateagency (this is not required in all states) and whatthey charge.

After you identify a few good centers, go in fora visit. Find out about the staffing ratio (at leastone staff member for every six participants isrecommended) and what kind of training theyhave. While you’re there, notice the cleanness andsmell of the facility. Is it homey and inviting? Doesthe staff seem friendly and knowledgeable? Alsobe sure to taste the food, and consider making anunannounced visit. 

To help you rate your visit, the NADSA offers ahelpful checklist of questions to ask at NADSA.org

– click on “Choosing a Center.”
Then, after your visit, be sure to check theirreferences. Get names and phone numbers of atleast two or three families who have used the center 
you are considering and call them.

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 Todayshow and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. 

FOOD AND DRINK 
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK 


This one might be tough to explain, but 
in my quest to keep you, my loyal reader, 
educated we will discuss organic and 
natural wines. Last week I visited the 
new Urban Plates Restaurant on South 
Lake Avenue in Pasadena. The lunch 
crowd was dense and there was quite the 
buzz about the new addition to the local 
restaurant scene. 

Much like Chipotle or your work 


cafeteria, you wait in line, but the 
comparisons end there. My task was to try the food, 
but also see what kind of wines matched up with 
their “protein-focused” menu. I sampled their free-
range chicken, California line-caught albacore, 
and a turkey meatloaf that my grandmother would 
have been proud of. Other entrees on my list for 
my next visit are sautéed brussel sprouts and 
organic potatoes. Organic potatoes? I can’t tell the 
difference between organic, natural, or farm-totable, 
but we live in a new generation of “foodies” 
and reading the labels in the grocery store seems to 
be the norm, not the exception.

While menu boasts many healthy choices like 
beet salad with goat cheese, you can live it up with 
an order of pork ribs and macaroni and cheese. 
Both of these go great with Stone Pale Ale or 
the pride of San Diego Mission Blonde Ale. All 
entrees are in the $10 to $16 range and come with 
char grilled focaccia bread. The wine list, though 
small, offers a wine-by-the-glass program that I 
really appreciate. I counted 11 wines by the glass 
and have been told once management gets requests 
for additional wines they will 
expand. A few notables include 
Santa Barbara’s Seaglass unoaked 
chardonnay at $7.50, which will go 
great with aforementioned chickenor the albacore. For pork ribs, it’s 
got to be the Predator Cabernet 
($9) – it’s sustainable, with ecofriendly 
production. Sauvignonblancs are quite popular, and 
the Bonerra from Mendocino is 
certified organic. All and all they 
have great food and a nice wine 
list! 

So what exactly is “organic 
wine”? Urban Plates carries a few 
that are and a few that are not. I 

love the fact that you can get a great glass of wine 
with your lunch or dinner for $7 and up. Here is 
my best explanation: the term ”organic” has the 
same meaning as when applied to other products of 
our everyday consumption such as organic poultry 
or produce, and conveys the concept of natural 
growing practices. Organic winemakers use only 
natural fertilizers and never use pesticides. It is 
simply a pure and natural method of wine growing 
and wine making! Simple, right? I find there is 
no taste difference. It might cost you a few more 
pennies, but give it a shot!! All winemakers are 
farmers and their intent is to keep all of their wines/
farms goods as close to natural as possible. 
Side note: Each morning I stop at my local grocery 
store for a bottle of Kombucha - Urban Plates has 
it on tap! 

Urban Plates 269 S. Lake Avenue, Pasadena; Lunch 
and Dinner 
Listen to Dining with Dills Sunday 5 PM KLAA AM 
830 www.peterdills.com 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS 



HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ….July Birthdays 

Nina Bartolai, Mary Lou Caldwell, Louise Neiby, Eunice Banis, Betty Hansen, 
Christine Durfort, Shahrzad Azrani, Jeanne Borgedahl, Janet Cox, Dorothy 
Montgomery, Bess Pancoska, Janet Swanson, Linda Thunes, Barbara Watson, Pat 
Alcorn, Karma Bell, Alice Clark, Dorothy Jerneycic, and Betty Dos Remedios. 
* To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. YEAR of birth 

not required but you must be over 60. 
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ACTIVITIES: Unless listed differently, all activities are at the 
Hart Park House (Senior Center) 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre

 YWCA San Gabriel Valley - Intervale Senior Cafe 

Seniors 60 years of age and up can participate in the YWCA Intervale daily lunch program held 
at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Meals are served Monday through Friday at 12:00 pm 
and participants are encouraged to arrive by 11:45 am. Meals are a suggested donation of $3.00 
for seniors 60 and over or $5.00 for non-senior guests. Daily reservations are necessary, space is 
limited. Please reserve your lunch by calling 626-355-0256. 

Hawaiian and Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday morning from 10:00 - 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 cancelled if less than 5 people. 

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

Brain Games: Thursday, June 16, 10:30 - 11:30am. Improve your memory and strengthen your 
brain. Activities facilitated by senior volunteers. 

Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, June 15th 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. 

Sing-A-Long: Music brings joy to the soul. Come join us Thursday, June 9, 10:30 - 11:30am. No 
music skills needed! This month: “Silly Folk Songs”. 

Balance Class: Monday, June 20, 11:00 - 11:45am with Paul Hagen. A variety of balance exercises 
are practiced; all ability levels are encouraged and welcomed. 

Chair Yoga: Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00 to 11:45 am. A suggested donation of $5 at one 
of the classes is requested, but is not required. 

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 and Learn - Thursday, June 23 - 12:30 - 1:00pm 

 Did you know 1 out of 5 people 65 or older is eligible for a SilverSneakers membership! This 
active adult wellness program is offered through many Medicare plans. Increase your energy 
and your overall well-being is possible with SilverSneakers. A representative from Healthways 
SilverSneakers will give a brief presentation about this wonderful benefit and find out if your 
health plan offers the SilverSneakers Fitness program. If you are interested in having lunch with 
the Senior Lunch Café before the presentation please call 626-355-0256 to make a reservation. 

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



UPCOMING EXCURSIONS: 

LAKE ARROWHEAD QUEEN 

Date: Wednesday, July 20Time: 9:00am – 4:00pmMeeting Location: Hart Park HouseCost: $17.00 (Does not include lunch) 

Description: Ride in style in the enclosed Lake 
Arrowhead Queen paddlewheel boat. Experience the beauty and excitement of a narrated tour 
of Lake Arrowhead aboard the elegant Arrowhead Queen. The splendor and serenity of Lake 
Arrowhead’s lush forest, sparkling water and blue skies glide by, as you sit back and enjoy close-up 
of exquisite lakefront homes and learn about the fascinating history of the lake. Lunch is on your 
own around Lake Arrowhead Village. Participants should bring money for lunch and souvenirs. 
Level of walking: Medium. 
Please call the Hart Park House 626-355-7394. 

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SENIOR CINEMA • 1st & 3rd Wednesday Shown at the Hart Park House Senior Center 


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