Mountain Views News, Pasadena Edition [Sierra Madre] Saturday, January 20, 2018

WHAT TO DO WITH CREMATED ASHES? 
Mountain Views-News Saturday, January 20, 2018 10 THE GOOD LIFE THE GOOD LIFE 
YOUR AD COULD BE HERE! 
Call Patricia @ 626-818-2698 Today! 
and have in hand his DNR document. Without one, author of The Savvy Seniors book. 
WHAT TO DO WHEN A LOVED ONE DIES 


Dear Savvy Senior,
This may seem like a strange question, but can you tell
me what steps need to be taken after a loved one dies?
My 80-year-old father has a terminal illness, and I
would like to find out what I will need to do when he 
passes. 


Only Daughter 


Dear Only,

I'm sorry about your father s situation but this is agreat question many families inquire about when aloved one s death becomes imminent. Here s a rundown 
of some things you can do now, and after hisdeath, that can help keep a sad event from becomingeven more painful. 

Before Death Occurs 

There are several tasks you can do now while yourfather is still living, that will make things a lot easierand less hectic for you after he dies.
For starters, find out where your dad keeps all hisimportant papers like his will (also make sure it supdated), birth certificate, marriage and divorcecertificates, Social Security information, life-
insurance policies, military discharge papers, financialdocuments, and keys to a safe deposit box or homesafe. 

Also, if your dad doesn t have an advanced directive,
help him make one (see CaringInfo.org for freestate-specific forms and instructions). An advanceddirective includes a living will that specifies his endof-
life medical treatments, and appoints a healthcare 
proxy to make medical decisions if he becomesincapacitated.

In addition, you may also want to get a do-notresuscitate 
(DNR) order, which will tell health careprofessionals not to perform CPR when your dad sheart or breathing stops. Your dad s doctor can helpyou with this.

You should also pre-arrange his funeral and burialor cremation. 

Immediately After Death

Once your father dies, you ll need to get a legalpronouncement of death. If no doctor is present,
you ll need to contact someone to do this. So, if yourdad dies at home under hospice care, call the hospicenurse, who can declare his death and help facilitate thetransport of the body.

If he dies at home without hospice care, call 911,

paramedics will generally start emergency proceduresand, except where permitted to pronounce death,
take the person to an emergency room for a doctor tomake the declaration. 

If no autopsy is needed, you will need to call thefuneral home, mortuary or crematorium to pick upthe body. If your dad is an organ or tissue donor,
contact the funeral home or the county coroner 
immediately. 

Within a Few Days

If funeral plans were not pre-arranged, you'll needto make arrangements and prepare an obituary.
If your dad was in the military or belonged to afraternal or religious group, you should contact thoseorganizations too, because they may have burialbenefits or conduct funeral services. 

Up to 10 Days After Death

To wind down your dad's financial affairs, you ll needto get multiple copies of his death certificate. These aretypically provided by the funeral home.

If you're the executor of your dad's estate, take hiswill to the appropriate county or city office to have itaccepted for probate. And open a bank account foryour dad s estate to pay bills, including taxes, funeral 
costs, etc. 

You also need to contact your dad's estate attorney ifhe has one; tax preparer to see if estate or final incometaxes should be filed; financial advisor for information 
on financial holdings; life insurance agent to get claimforms; his bank to locate and close accounts; and 
Social Security (800-772-1213) and other agencies thatprovided benefits to stop payments and, if applicable,
ask about survivor benefits. You should also cancel his 
credit cards and, if relevant, stop household serviceslike utilities, mail, etc. 

For more information on the duties of an executor, 
a great resource is The Executor's Guide: Settling ALoved One's Estate or Trusts available at Nolo.com for 
$32. 

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org.
Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and

SENIOR HAPPENINGS 


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …January Birthdays*

 Gerald Day, Mary Tassop, Judy Webb-Martin, John Johnson, Mary Bickel, Marlene 
Enmark, Shirley Wolf, Ross Kellock, Ruth Wolter, Sue Watanabe, Sandy Thistlewaite, 
Bobbi Rahmanian, Fran Syverson, Shirley Wolff, Judy Zaretzka and Becky Evans. 

* 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 

Hawaiian & Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday morning from 10a.m. to 
11a.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. Activity 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 November 16th, 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, and no experience is needed. What a great way to strengthen your brain and make new friends.
Activities are facilitated by Senior Volunteers. 


Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, November 15th from 10:30a.m. to Noon. Attorney Lem Makupson isavailable for legal consultation. Specializing in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates, and Injury. Appointmentsare 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 11:00a.m. to 11:45a.m. with Paul Hagen. Classes 


include yoga and balance exercises. All ability levels are encouraged and welcomed!* A voluntary
donation of $5.00 per week is suggested but not required. 


Birthday Celebrations: Every 2nd Thursday monthly at the Hart Park House, share some free birthday cakeprovided 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, low impact resistance and training conditioning. Class equipment is provided. 



UPCOMING EXCURSIONS: 

Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum

Date: Friday, January 19, 2018Time: 9:30a.m. – 3:30p.m. 

Meeting Location: Hart Park House Senior Center 

Cost: $20 (Does not include lunch)
Enjoy the all new library and museum featuring nearly 70 major exhibits,600 photographs, 8,000square feet of wall murals and more than 300 artifacts. Through the two and a half hour tour, visitorsexperience history through the eyes of Richard Nixon, and discover the influential accomplishmentsthat continue to shape our country’s future. Lunch is on your own at a nearby restaurant. Level of 
Walking: Medium.
Registration for Sierra Madre Residents starts now through January 5th. Non-resident registrationstarts online January 6th; or in person on Monday, January 8, 2018. Due to scheduled street closures,
please allow time for parking which will be behind City Hall and below Mariposa. Bus will be parkedand located on Mariposa. 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS 


Explore DNA and Genealogy

Thursday, January 25th 2:00p.m. – 3:30p.m. at the Hart Park House 

Explore a bit about DNA for yourself by joining this initial workshop for the Adult STEAM Programand promises all participants fun with Science! This session is geared towards beginners – no sciencebackground required. Sign-up by calling the Library to reserve your spot: 626-355-7186. 

Seasonal Crafts 

Thursday, January 25th 12:30 – 1:30p.m. at the Hart Park House 
Join us in making Valentine Day wreaths with ribbons, tulles, and decorations. It will make a great accent 
for your home. All materials provided. Please call the Hart Park House for reservations 626-355-7394. 

Valentine’s Day Crafts with Instructor Kt Boyce
Monday, February 5th 12:30 – 1:30p.m. 


Come share your poems or hear beautiful love stories in history. Kt will also demonstrate card-makingwith collages, drawings, stencils and calligraphy. Materials and supplies will be provided, but rememberspaces are limited! 

Call for reservations at 626-355-7394. 

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