Mountain Views News          Saturday, August 6, 2016

Mountain Views-News Saturday, August 6, 2016 9THE GOOD LIFE THE GOOD LIFE 
HOW TO FIND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 


FOR ELDERLY PARENTS 


Dear Savvy Senior,
Where can I go to locate financial assistanceprograms for seniors? I have been helping supportmy 70-year-old mother the past couple years andreally can’t afford to do it any longer.
Feeling Overwhelmed 

Dear Overwhelmed, 
There are actually a wide variety of financial 
assistance programs and government benefits thatcan help seniors in need. But what’s available toyour mom will depend on her income level andwhere she lives. 

To find out what types of assistance your mom 
may be eligible for, just go to BenefitsCheckUp.
org, a free, confidential Web tool designed for 
adults 55 and older and their families. It will 
help you locate federal, state and private benefits 
programs that can assist with paying for food, 
medications, utilities, health care, housing and 
other needs. This site – created by the National 
Council on Aging – contains more than 2,000 
programs across the country. 

To identify benefits, you’ll first need to fillout an online questionnaire that asks a series ofquestions like your mom’s date of birth, her ZIPcode, expenses, income, assets, veteran status, themedications she takes and a few other factors. It 
takes about 15 minutes. 

Once completed, you’ll get a report detailingall the programs and services she may qualifyfor, along with detailed information on how toapply.

Some programs can be applied for online, somehave downloadable application forms that you canprint and mail, fax or email in, and some requirethat you contact the program’s administrative 
office directly (they provide the necessary contactinformation).

If you don’t have Internet access, you can also gethelp in-person at any of the 47 Benefit EnrollmentCenters located throughout the U.S. Call 888-2686706 
or visit NCOA.org/centerforbenefits/becs tolocate a center in your area. Some centers also offerassistance over the phone. 

Types of BenefitsDepending on your mom’s income level and whereshe lives, here are some benefits that she may beeligible for: 

WELCOME TO SENILITY! 


“You know you’re old when --” How often have we 
received gift cards and forwarded emails with thistag line? The cartoon old woman with lavender 
hair saying something sassy is a familiar sight onT-shirts, mugs, mouse pads, and return addresslabels. We’ve all read stories of elderly peoplewho’ve sent money to grandchildren, supposedlystranded in faraway lands, only to realize later thatthey were duped by hackers in Uzbekistan.


Food assistance: Programs like the SupplementalNutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can help payfor groceries. The average monthly SNAP benefit iscurrently around $127 per person. Other programsthat may be available include the Emergency FoodAssistance Program, Commodity SupplementalFood Program, and the Senior Farmers’ MarketNutrition Program.

Healthcare: Medicaid and Medicare SavingsPrograms can help or completely pay for out-ofpocket 
health care costs. And, there are specialMedicaid waiver programs that provide in-homecare and assistance. 

Prescription drugs: There are hundreds of 
programs offered through pharmaceuticalcompanies, government agencies and charitableorganizations that help lower or eliminate 
prescription drug costs, including the federalLow Income Subsidy known as “Extra Help” thatpays premiums, deductibles and prescriptioncopayments for Medicare Part D beneficiaries.

Utility assistance: There’s the Low Income HomeEnergy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), as well aslocal utility companies and charitable organizationsthat provide assistance in lowering home heatingand cooling costs.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI): 
Administered by the Social SecurityAdministration, SSI provides monthly payments tovery low-income seniors, age 65 and older, as wellas to those who are blind and disabled. SSI pays upto $733 per month for a single person and up to$1,100 for couples.

In addition to these programs, there arenumerous other benefits they can help you locatesuch as HUD housing, home weatherization 
assistance, tax relief, veteran’s benefits, senior 
transportation, respite care, free legal assistance,
job training and employment and debt counseling.

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. 

mom denied agreeing to the spurious duct work.
“Well, you just better ask the people living at yourhome if they ordered anything!” Mom was readyto answer, “I am the people living at my home!”
but by then my dad motioned for the phone.

“Hello, who is this?” he asked. Dad has a great 
phone voice, very calming. But no amount of 
charm would work with this woman. Mom could 
hear her yelling at Dad for a while before he simply

But I’m happy and 

hung up the phone.

grateful to God that

The whole experience

my parents don’t fit any

turned into something

of these stereotypes. I 

to laugh about, but it

often refer to them as 

begs the question “How

“model retired people.”

many people get tricked

They’re healthier, 

like this?” 

happier, and busier than

This is just another 

they ever were when I

reason why, in these 

was growing up. Which 

times of desperation 

is why what happened

and uncertainty,

to them recently is so

it’s best to eat right,

amusing.

exercise, and, most 

My mom just turned

importantly, trust in 

65. We’re sure that 
Jesus for your salvation.

somewhere there’s a list 

What a tragedy it is to

of all the Baby Boomers’

work so hard to build 

birthdays available 

a good life on earth, 

to every crook who 

but neglect the welfare

wants to take a crack at 

of your eternal soul. I 

fleecing them. The scam 

think it was C.S. Lewis 

started when my mom

who said something to

answered the phone

the effect of, “Aim for 

early one morning. “Hi, 

the world, and you’ll 

is this [Jane Doe] at 123

get nothing. But aim 

Sierra Madre Blvd?” the 
woman on the other end asked. “Yes,” my mom 
said. “I’m with [Scammer’s] Air Duct cleaningservice, and I’m just calling to confirm yourappointment today at 10:00.” “Uh, no. We didn’t 
order any air duct service here,” my mom replied.
“Yes, you did! I have it here that you ordered a fullinspection and cleaning service to be done today!”
The woman was starting to get angry. Again my 

for heaven, and you’ll 
get the world thrown in.” We need to get ourpriorities and perspective straight. This earth is 
not our home, but while we’re here, let’s humblyuse the intelligence God has given us. There are 
many famous sayings that, although they are notScripture, still have a lot of truth. So I’ll leave youwith this nugget of wisdom: “In God we trust. All 
others pay cash.” 

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, 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 but you must be over 60. 


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


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. 

Tech Talk: Will resume in the fall. 

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 11:00am - 12:00pm. No appt. 
necessary. 

Brain Games: Thursday, August 18, 10:30 - 11:30am. Improve your memory and strengthen your 
brain. Activities facilitated by senior volunteers. 

Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, August 17 from 10:30am - 12:00pm. Attorney Lem 
Makupson is available for legal consultation. He specializes in family law, wills, trusts, estates, 
and injury. Appointments are required by calling 626-355-7394. 

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

Balance Class: Monday, August 15, 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 - 11:45am. A suggested donation of $5 at one of 
the classes is requested, but is not required. 

Case Management: Meets the second 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 12:45 - 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. 

LUNCH AND LEARN - Wednesday, August 24, 2016 12:15 - 12:45pm 

The Grossman Burn Center and the Grossman Burn Foundation is offering a short 

presentation on burn prevention for seniors. Older adults are at particularly high 

risk of scalds, burn injury and accidental fires. Changes in vision, comprehension 

and mobility that accompany aging put seniors at higher risk. If you are interested in 

having lunch with the Senior Café during the presentation please call 626-355-0256 to make a 

reservation. 


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


SENIOR CINEMA August 17 at 1:00pm 

Big Eyes (2014) 

In the late 1950s and early 60s, artist Walter Keane achieves unbelievable fame 
and success with portraits of saucer-eyed waifs. However, no one realizes that 
his wife, Margaret , is the real painter behind the brush. It isn’t until the Keanes’ 
marriage comes to an end and a lawsuit follows that the truth finally comes to 
light. (Runtime 1h 46m) 

Senior Excursion: Queen Mary (Long Beach) 
Date: 
Time: 
Meeting location: 
Cost: 
Level of walking: 
Thursday, August 25, 2016 
9:00am – 4:00pm 
Hart Park House 
$55 (includes lunch) 
High 

Limted space available! You’ve heard the stories, the myths and legends, now get the straight scoopon the Queen Mary. The Glory Days Tour is full of interesting anecdotes, fun facts and compellingtrue stories. Participants will enjoy lunch at the Promenade Café. Entrée choices are: Queen Burger,
grilled chicken ciabatta sandwich, Queen Mary Club Sandwich, and Caesar salad with chicken.
Dessert and beverage are also included. Please call the Hart Park House to make you meal selection. 

Participants should bring money for souvenirs. For more information call the Hart Park House at626-355-7394. 


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