Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, October 22, 2016

THE GOOD LIFE

9

Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 22, 2016

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

FORGETFULNESS: WHAT’S NORMAL, WHAT’S NOT?


Dear Savvy Senior,

At age 76, my husband has become forgetful lately and 
is worried he may have Alzheimer’s. What resources can 
you recommend to help us get a grip on this?

Concerned Wife

Dear Concerned,

Many seniors worry about memory lapses as they get 
older fearing it may be the first signs of Alzheimer’s 
disease or some other type of dementia. To get some 
insight on the seriousness of your husband’s problem, 
here are some resources you can turn to for help. 

Warning Signs

 As we grow older, some memory difficulties – such 
as forgetting names or misplacing items from time 
to time – are associated with normal aging. But the 
symptoms of dementia are much more than simple 
memory lapses. 

 While symptoms can vary greatly, people with 
dementia may have problems with short-term 
memory, keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying 
bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering 
appointments or traveling out of the neighborhood. 

To help you and your husband recognize the difference 
between typical age-related memory loss and a more 
serious problem, the Alzheimer’s Association provides 
a list of 10 warning signs that you can assess at 10signs.
org. 

 They also provide information including the signs 
and symptoms on the other conditions that can 
cause dementia like vascular dementia, Lewy body 
dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s 
disease, Huntington’s disease, chronic traumatic 
encephalopathy and others – see ALZ.org/dementia.

Memory Screening

 Another good place to help you get a handle on 
your husband’s memory problems is through the 
National Memory Screening Program, which offers 
free memory screenings throughout National Memory 
Screening Month in November. 

 Sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of 
America, this free service provides a confidential, face-
to-face memory screening that takes about 10 minutes 
to complete and consists of questions and/or tasks to 
evaluate his memory status. 

 Screenings are given by doctors, nurse practitioners, 
psychologists, social workers or other healthcare 
professionals in thousands of sites across the country. 
It’s also important to know that this screening is not 
a diagnosis. Instead, its goal is to detect problems 
and refer individuals with these problems for further 
evaluation.

 To find a screening site in your area visit 
NationalMemoryScreening.org or call 866-232-8484. 
It’s best to check for a screening location at the end of 
October, because new sites are constantly being added.

See a Doctor

 If you can’t find a screening site in your area, make 
an appointment with his primary care doctor to get 
a cognitive checkup. This is covered 100 percent by 
Medicare as part of their annual wellness visit. If his 
doctor suspects any problems, he may give him the 
Memory Impairment Screen, the General Practitioner 
Assessment of Cognition, or the Mini Cog. Each test 
can be given in less then five minutes.

 Depending on his score, his doctor may order follow-
up tests or simply keep it on file so he can see if there 
are any changes down the road. Or, he may then refer 
him to a geriatrician or neurologist who specializes in 
diagnosing and treating memory loss or Alzheimer’s 
disease. 

 Keep in mind that even if your husband is 
experiencing some memory problems, it doesn’t 
necessarily mean he has dementia. Many memory 
problems are brought on by other factors like stress, 
depression, thyroid disease, side effects of medications, 
sleep disorders, vitamin deficiencies and other medical 
conditions. And by treating these conditions he can 
reduce or eliminate the problem.

 

 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.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ….October Birthdays

Janda Ferris, Darlene Traxler, Margit Johnson, Sole Krieg, George Maurer, Dick 
Anderson, Barbara Cline, Eva Poet, Mary Jane Baker, Dixie Coutant, Cathleen 
Cremins, Alma Mays, Adie Marshall, Darlene Crook, Susan Gallagher, Maggie Ellis, 
Gloria Giersbach, Elva Johnson, Ellen O’Leary, Jenny Piangenti, Gail Ann Skiles, 
Anita Thompson, Linda Boehm and Angela Stella. 

*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 1:00 pm. 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 - 12:00 pm. No appt. necessary. 

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 12:00 pm. (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 - 1:30 pm 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

Thurday, October 27th, 11:00am - 1:30pm

Medicare Annual Election Period is here. If you have any questions on your health plans, please 
come to the Medicare Resource Table at the Hart Park House on October 27th from 11:00 a.m. 
to 1:30 p.m. A licensed representative will be available to answer questions as well as gather 
information. No appointment necessary.

SENIOR EXCURSION - 

NOVEMBER EXCURSION

GRABER OLIVE HOUSE (ONTARIO)

Date: Wednesday, November 9th, 2016 
Time: 9:45am - 2:30pm 
Meeting Location: Hart Park House 
Cost: $10.00 (Does not include lunch)

Description: Founded in 1894, the historic Graber Olive House 
is located in a pleasant residential area north of Ontario’s 
Business District. Here in quiet and serene surroundings, 
visitors are welcomed and delighted to discover a bit of early California. Participants will take a guided 
tour of the facility and may browse leisurely in the gift shop which feature Graber Olives, fine goods, 
and gifts. Lunch will be on your own at Molly’s Souper. Please bring money for lunch and souvenirs if 
desired. Level of walking: Medium. Please call the Hart Park House 626-355-7394.


MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO SONGS OF WORLD WAR II

Arcadia Senior Services will be presenting a lecture 
that includes a special salute to the veterans of all 
wars, “Sentimental Journey, the Songs of World 
War II”. This patriotic musical program will be 
on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at 1:15pm. The 
lecture will take place at the Arcadia Community 
Center, 365 Campus Drive, Arcadia. Larry 
Maurer, musical historian from Timeless Melodies 
Foundation for Education will be the guest 
speaker. The program will highlight songs during 
World War II. Larry will review ballads, novelty 
tunes and sentimental songs including: This is the 
Army, Praise the Lord (and Pass the Ammunition), 
White Christmas and more. Tickets are $3 and can 
be purchased at the Arcadia Community Center. 
This event is for individuals age 50 and over. For 
additional information please call Arcadia Senior 
Services 626.574.5130.

About the City of Arcadia

Nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel 
Mountains, Arcadia is an 11.38 square mile 
community with a population of just over 56,000. 
Located approximately 20 miles east of downtown 
Los Angeles, Arcadia is known for combining small-
town charm with the conveniences and amenities 
of a mid-size city. Arcadia is a full-service charter 
city governed by a five-member City Council, 
elected at large. Recognized for exceptional 
education and recreation opportunities and 
beautiful neighborhoods, Arcadia is also defined 
as the “Community of Homes” and has twice been 
designated the “Best City in California in which to 
Raise Kids” by Business Week Magazine.


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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