Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, October 7, 2017

WHAT TO DO WITH CREMATED ASHES? 
Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 7, 2017 10 THE GOOD LIFE THE GOOD LIFE 
GETTING A HANDLE ON PRESCRIPTION 



MEDICATIONS 

Dear Savvy Senior,
I’m concerned that my 80-year-old mother is takingtoo many medications. She currently takes 10different drugs prescribed by three different doctors,
which I think is causing her some problems. Shealso struggles to keep up with all the drug costs. Anysuggestions? 

Concerned Daughter 

Dear Concerned, 
There’s no doubt that older Americans are takingmore prescription medications than ever before.
According to the Journal of the American MedicalAssociation, around 40 percent of seniors, age 65and older, take five or more medications. And the 
more drugs a person takes, the higher their risk formedication problems, and the more likely they areto take something they don’t need. 

Brown Bag ReviewTo help you get a better handle on the medicationsyour mom is taking, gather up all her pill bottles

– include all prescription drugs, over-the-countermedications, vitamins, minerals and herbal 
supplements – and put them in a bag and takethem to her primary doctor or pharmacist for athorough drug checkup. This “brown-bag review’will give you a chance to check for duplicate meds,
excessive doses, and dangerous interactions, andfor you to ask questions.
Medicare Part B covers free yearly medicationreviews with a doctor through their annualwellness visits, and many Medicare Part D planscover medication reviews with a pharmacist too.

You should also note that October 21, is “National 
Check Your Meds Day.” A number of pharmacies

– Albertsons, Costco, CVS, Sam’s Club, Target,
Walmart and many independents – have agreed tosupport the effort. Some may even have extra staffon hand to help you review your meds. Ask yourlocal pharmacy whether it is participating.
When you get your mom’s review, go overthe basics for each medication or supplement,
such as what it’s for, how long she should take it,
what it costs, and any side effects and potentialinteractions. Also ask if there are any meds she canstop taking, and find out if there are any nondrugoptions that might be safer, and whether she can 

switch to a lower dose. 

To help your mom avoid future medicationproblems, make sure her primary doctor is awareof all the medications, over-the-counter drugs andsupplements she takes. You should also keep an updated 
list of everything she takes and share it withevery doctor she sees. And, be sure that your momfills all her prescriptions at the same pharmacy andinforms her pharmacist of any over-the counter,
herbal or mail order prescriptions she’s taking sothat there is complete oversight of her medications. 

How To Save 
To help cut your mom’s medication costs, thereare a number of cost savings tips you can try.
For starters, find out if there are any genericalternatives to the drugs she currently takes.
Switching to generics saves anywhere between 20and 90 percent.

You should also ask your mom’s prescribingdoctors if any of the pills she takes could be cutin half. Pill splitting allows you to get two monthsworth of medicine for the price of one. And for thedrugs she takes long-term, ask for a three-monthprescription, which is usually cheaper than buyingmonth-to-month. 

Because drug prices can vary depending onwhere you buy them, another way to save is byshopping around (GoodRX.com will help youcompare drug prices at U.S. pharmacies), andfind out if your mom’s drug insurance plan offerscheaper deals through preferred pharmacies or amail-order service. 

And finally, if your mom’s income is limited, shecan probably get help through drug assistance 
programs offered through pharmaceuticalcompanies, government agencies and charitableorganizations. To find these types of programs useBenefitsCheckUp.org. 

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. 

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CHORAL COMPANY 
PRESENTS ALL SOULS’ EVE CONCERT OCTOBER 
28 AT ST. LUKE’S MONROVIA 


Monrovia, CA, October 4, 2017 — The San Gabriel 
Valley Choral Company will present All Souls’ Eve, aconcert honoring the souls of those dear to us whohave departed, on Saturday, October, 28, at 7:30

p.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church of Monrovia,
122 S. California Ave. 
The concert will include selections 
from Moz Requiem, Moerten Lauridsen’s Lux 
Aeterna and other works of remembrance old and 
new. 

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and 
students, and $5 for children under 12. They maybe ordered online at sgvccsingers.org or via checkpayable to SGVCC and mailed to SGVCC, POBox 2225, Monrovia CA 91017. 
About The San Gabriel Valley Choral Company 

The San Gabriel Valley Choral Company(SGVCC) was founded in 1995 to give localsingers the opportunity to “stretch their minds 
and vocal chords.” The ensemble includes singersfrom the San Gabriel Valley, the Inland Empireand other local communities. Its repertoire hasincluded music from the Renaissance period toworks of the late 20th century. Artistic DirectorDr. Alexandra Grabarchuk is a Ukrainian-born 
musicologist and conductor who also conducts 
and organizes the Contemporary Choral Collectiveof Los Angeles (C3LA) and is a mezzo-sopranosoloist. She teaches at Scripps College, ChaffeyCollege and Chapman University, and works as ascore reader for the Metropolitan Opera. 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS 


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ….October Birthdays 

Janda Ferris, Darlene Traxler, Margit Johnson, Sole Krieg, George Maurer, Dick 
Anderson, 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 

Hawaiian & Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday morning from 10a.m. to11a.m. Join instructor Barbara Dempsey as she leads you in the art of Hula. 

Bingo Time: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00p.m. Cards are only $0.25 each!
Everyone is welcome to join. May be canceled if less than five people. 
Free Blood Pressure Testing: 2nd Tuesdays of the month from 11a.m. to 12p.m. No appt. is necessary. 

Brain Games - *New Activity*: Join us on Thursday July 20th, at 10:30a.m. to 11:30a.m for
Scattergories. A creative thinking game by naming objects within a set of categories. Everyone is
welcome, no experience needed. Great way to strengthen your brain and make new friends. Activities
are facilitated by Senior Volunteers. 
Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, August 16th from 10:30a.m. to Noon. Attorney Lem Makupson
is available for legal consultation. Specializing in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates, and Injury.
Appointments are required by calling 626-355-7394. 


Senior Club: Meets every Saturday at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Brown Bag Lunch at 
11:30a.m. 
Chair Yoga: Mondays & Wednesdays from 11:00 to 11:45a.m. with Paul Hagen. 3rd Mondays of each
month, a variety of balance exercises are practiced.All ability levels are encouraged and welcomed! 


*A suggested donation of $5 at one of the classes is requested, but is not required. 
Case Management: Case Management Services are provided by the YWCA and offer assistance in
a variety of areas. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling the Hart Park House
Office at 626-355-7394. 


Birthday Celebrations: Every 2nd Thursday of the month at the Hart Park House, share some free
birthday cake provided by the Sierra Madre Civic Club. 


Game Day: Every Thursday starting at 12:00p.m. Come join this group of Seniors in their poker game.
Other games are offered to all. 


Free Strength Training Class: Fridays from 12:45p.m. to 1:30p.m. with Lisa Brandley. This energetic
class utilizes light weights for low impact resistance and training conditioning. All class materials are
provided. 


UPCOMING EXCURSIONS: 

SEPTEMBER EXCURSION 

RILEY'S at Los Rios Rancho in Oak Glen 

Date: Wednesday, September 27th

Time: 10:30a.m. to 5:00p.m.

Cost: $40.00 (including Lunch)
Enjoy the scenic beauty and breathe in the crisp, clean mountain air while enjoying your country meal at theoldest and largest ranch in Oak Glen. Lunch includes slow roasted Tri-Tip and BBQ chicken, potato salad,
biscuit with apple butter, and a slice of apple pie or crisp for dessert. Entertainment by Riley’s Mountaineerssinging some of your favorites from bygone times. After your lunch, enjoy a 20 minute tour of the historic1906 Packing House. The Farm Store will be open for shopping. Level of Walking: Low–Medium; Pleasecall us at the Hart Park House for reservations at (626) 355-7394. 

SENIOR CINEMA 


September 20th at 1:00p.m.

Fences (2016)

Troy Maxson (Denzel Washington) makes his living as a sanitation worker in the 1950’s. He dreamedof becoming a professional baseball player but was too old when the major leagues began admittingblack athletes. He creates further tension in his family when he squashes his son’s chance to meet aCollege Football Recruiter. Rated PG13; Run time 2h. 19m. 


INSURANCE RESOURCE TABLE 

If you have any questions on your health plans,
please come to the Insurance Resource Table at theHart Park House on Monday, September 11th from12:00p.m. - 1:00p.m. A licensed representativewill be available. As a Medicare beneficiary, youhave from October 15 to December 7, 2017, to 
review your coverage and make any changes for2018. New coverage for changes made during theopen enrollment begins January 1, 2018. 

LUNCH AND LEARN - Transit 101 Class 
Wednesday, September 27th 12:15p.m. – 1:00p.m.
at the Hart Park House If you haven’t used public 
transportation before or it’s been a long timesince you tried and you don’t know where to start,
THIS CLASS IS FOR YOU! No need to stress 
over mobility or other limitations - Feel confidentenough to go out on your own! Come join us forthis FREE Transit Training Class-Please call the Hart Park House at 626-355-7394. 
make a reservation-


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