Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, February 8, 2020

10

 Mountain Views News Saturday, February 8, 2020 


SENIOR HAPPENINGS

HOW TO DETECT PARKINSON’S 
DISEASE

Dear Savvy Senior:

What are the early warning signs of Parkinson’s disease? 
I was just diagnosed with it after noticing hand 
tremors for nearly a year, but looking back, I’m wondering 
if I missed any other early warning signs. Tremoring Tom

 

Dear Tom,

The Holy Grail in any progressive disease is to find it early enough to start effective treatment before 
irreversible damage has occurred. But recognizing the early warning signs of Parkinson’s disease 
is challenging because they’re usually subtle and can be easily overlooked, dismissed or even 
misdiagnosed.

 

Parkinson’s disease, which afflicts around 1 million Americans, is a degenerative disorder that occurs 
when the brain’s dopamine-producing neurons die or become impaired. This happens in the part 
of the brain that controls movement, which can cause tremors (or shaking), stiffness, and difficulty 
with walking, balance, and coordination. 

 

The symptoms usually begin gradually and get worse over time, and the progression of symptoms is 
often different from one person to another. Some people with Parkinson’s become severely disabled, 
while others may experience only minor motor disruptions. 

 

While the cause of Parkinson’s disease is unknow, scientists believe genetics and environmental factors 
(exposure to certain toxins) play a key role. Most people with Parkinson’s first develop the disease 
around age 60 or older, and men are more likely to develop it than are women.

 

Early Warning Signs 

Parkinson’s disease is difficult to diagnose because there’s no definitive test to confirm it. Doctors, 
usually neurologists, will do an examination and evaluate a combination of warning signs, but symptoms 
can vary greatly by patient which often leads to confusion and misdiagnosis. That said, here are 
some of the key signs and symptoms everyone should know.

 

Trouble sleeping: Thrashing around in bed or acting out dreams – kicking or punching – when 
asleep. This is a REM sleep behavior disorder and one of the strongest and earliest pre-diagnostic 
symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. 

 

Loss of smell: Not being able to smell certain foods very well like bananas, dill pickles or licorice. This 
too is one of the earliest symptoms.

 

Constipation: Problems with digestion and bowel movements are a big problem for people with Parkinson’s, 
and an early sign that can occur up to 20 years before this disease is diagnosed.

 

Changes in handwriting: Writing may become harder to do, and your handwriting may appear much 
smaller than it has in the past.

 

Tremors: Slight shaking or tremor in your finger, thumb, hand or chin. The tremor usually happens 
at rest, and when you move the extremity it may disappear. This is the most common and recognizable 
outward sign of Parkinson’s disease, but by the time tremors start, the brain has already lost 
more than half of its dopamine-producing cells.

 

Slowed movement: Over time, Parkinson’s disease can slow movements, making simple tasks difficult 
and time-consuming. Your steps may become shorter when you walk. It may be difficult to get 
out of a chair. You may drag your feet as you try to walk.

 

Speech changes: Speaking softly, quickly, slurring or hesitating before talking. Your speech may be 
more of a monotone rather than with the usual inflections.

 

Loss of automatic movements: Decreased ability to perform unconscious movements, like blinking, 
smiling or swinging your arms when you walk.

 

Impaired posture and balance: Stooping, leaning or slouching when you stand, and/or balance problems 
can all be a sign of Parkinson’s.

 

Treatments

Currently, there is no known cure for Parkinson’s disease, but there are a variety of medications that 
can provide relief from the symptoms. In some later cases, surgery may be advised. Other treatments 
include lifestyle modifications, like getting more rest and exercise. 

 

For more information, visit the Parkinson’s Foundation at Parkinson.org.

 

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! …February Birthdays*

Beatrice DaRe, Cathrine Adde, Hilda Pittman, Anne-Marie Stockdale, Susan 
Henderson, Allie Attay, Ursula El-Tawansy, Gladys Moser, Sylvia Lorhan, Ana 
Ptanski, Winifred Swanson , Janet Gillespie, Marian DeMars, Vickie Vernon, 
Mary Beth Knox, Sharon Lefler. 

 * To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 
626.355.2737. YEAR of birth not required


HART PARK HOUSE MONTHLY PROGRAMS: 

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 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 
Join the class with Instructor Barbara Dempsey as she leads you in the art of Hula!

Bingo Time: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00 p.m. Cards are only $0.25 each! Everyone is welcome to play! Activity may 
be canceled if there are less than five people.

Free Blood Pressure Testing: 2nd Tuesdays Monthly from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. No appointment is necessary.

Brain Games: Every third Thursday of the month at 12:45-1:45pm Join us for Scattergories, a creative thinking game by 
naming objects within a set of categories; or Jenga, a block-building challenge that keeps you stacking and bal-ancing 
your tower. Everyone is welcome, and no experience is needed. A great way to strengthen your mind and make new 
friends... Games are facilitated by Senior Volunteers. 

Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, February 12th from 10:30 a.m. - Noon. Attorney Lem Makupson is available for 
legal consultation. Specializing in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates and Injury. Please call the Hart Park House for an 
appointment, 626-355-5278 ext. 704.

Senior Club: Meets Saturdays, Weekly at Hart Park House Brown Bag Lunch, great company and bingo at 11:30 a.m.

Chair Yoga: Mondays & Wednesdays 11:00 - 11:45 a.m. with Paul Hagen. Classes include Yoga and balance exercises. 
All ability levels are encouraged and welcomed!

Birthday Celebration: Every 2nd Thursday Monthly at the Hart Park House. Share free birthday cake and ice cream 
kindly provided by the Senior Community Commission!

Game Day: Every Thursday Monthly 12:00 Noon come into the Hart Park House and join a lively poker game with 
friends!

Free Strength Training Class: Fridays 12:45 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. with Lisa Brandley Light weights, low impact resistance 
training and body conditioning. Class equipment provided.

Gentle Yoga for Active Seniors: Every Monday & Wednesday from 8:15 - 9:45 a.m. with Andrea Walsh at the Hart Park 
House. Classes include complete floor relaxation, standing and floor postures, balancing, and featuring extended 
meditations on the fourth Wednesdays of the month! Call (626)-355-5278 for more information.


MEALS - ON - WHEELS PROGRAM

The Home Delivered Meals Program provides healthy meals to homebound Seniors 60 and above. 
Seven frozen meals, milk, bread and fruit are included and delivered once a week. $3 Donation per 
meal is suggested but remains completely anonymous and voluntary. Clients must be eligible and we 
invite you to contact YWCA Intervale Senior Services at 626-214-9467. SUBJECT TO CHANGE 
WITHOUT NOTICE SUGGESTED DONATION $3.00 1% LOW FAT MILK INCLUDED


SENIOR CINEMA 1st & 3rd Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m.

February 5th “Moonstruck” PG; 1 
hr. 42 min.

Loretta Castorini, a bookkeeper 
from Brooklyn, New York, finds 
herself in a difficult situation when 
she falls for the brother of the man 
that she has agreed to marry

 

February 19th “Hope Floats” 
PG-13; 1 hr. 54 min

Birdee Calvert choose between 
her morals and her heart after 
her husband divorces her and a 
charming young man, who her 
daughter disapproves of, comes 
back into her life.


AUTRY MUSEUM (LOS ANGELES)—LOS ANGELES

*Date: Thursday, February 20th *Time: 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. *Cost: $20 per 
person

Don't miss a visit to this historic museum and the once in a lifetime exhibit Master 
of the American West Art Exhibition and Sale. See paintings and sculptures by 
more than 60 nationally recognized, contemporary Western artists. A one hour 
docent-led tour of the exhibit will be given upon arrival.

* Lunch will be on your own at the Crossroads West Café at the Autry;

* Participants should bring money for lunch & souvenirs;

* Level of Walking: Medium;

* Bus departs from the Hart Park House Senior Center at 9:00am and returns at 2:30 p.m.

 Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure. 

Sierra Madre Resident Registration starts Monday, January 27, 2020 through Tuesday, February 4, 
2020. Non-Resident Registration starts online or in-person on Wednesday, February 5, 2020.


DECREASE INFLAMMATION SEMINAR 

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH

Dr. Ray Pevey of Arcadia Chiropractic Center will provide extensive insight into the topic of 
nutrition to decrease inflammation. High levels of inflammation in the body can lead to many 
serious medical conditions. Some of which but not limited to are diabetes, dementia, arthritis, 
digestive disorders, heart disease, stroke and many more. Learn how to control inflammation 
through chiropractic, diet and exercise and enjoy a healthy lifestyle in today’s world. 

This seminar meets February 10, from 12:15 p.m.-1:00 pm. If you would like to have lunch please 
make reservation 24 hours in advance by calling the lunch service phone line at 355-0256.


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder

DID I JUST CALL MYSELF? 

I am old enough to remember those days when 
there was nothing like cell phones. Oh, those quiet, 
golden silent days. At the time, I did not realize 
just how wonderful that time was.

Every time you needed to make a phone call, you 
had to go to where a phone was. Those were the 
days of the telephone booth. Remember those? 
That's were Clark Kent turned into Superman. 
We don’t have Superman today because there are 
no telephone booths.

I well remember the day I bought my first cell 
phone. I hesitated because I enjoyed my quiet 
time. However, the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage 
was enthusiastic about getting cell phones. 
That way, she could call me whenever she wanted.

I thought that was rather nice, and we went out 
and bought our first pair of cell phones. But it 
took me a little bit of time to learn how to operate 
this new technology. Unfortunately, at the 
time, I had no grandchildren who could walk me 
through this process.

All went well for the first couple of years. Then, a 
new phenomenon developed. My cell phone was 
ringing all the time. Most of the time, from some 
silly old telemarketer trying to sell me some-thing 
I didn’t need and certainly didn’t want.

How they got my number, I have no idea. As far 
as I am concerned, it is all a scam.

Then a certain idea hit me. If these people were 
calling and wasting my time, why not use it to 
waste their time?

It did not take me long to have a little bit of fun 
out of these people calling me.

If it was a recorded message, I hung up right away. 
After all, you cannot talk to a recorded mes-sage.

But, if it was a real person, then my table had been 
set. I found delightful ways of frustrating them 
and wasting their time. After all, isn’t that their 
business?

For example, they always ask, “How are you 
doing?”

That seems like a very simple and innocent question. 
I know, and so do you, they have no interest 
in finding out how I am. They are setting me up 
for sales talk.

I then had an idea. I know it is not often I have 
an idea, but when I do, boy, is it an idea. When 
they asked me how I am, I tell them in all the monotonous 
detail I can think of at the time. I go 
on and on how bad my day is and how terrible 
life feels. Then there is that familiar "click," and 
they've hung up on me.

After all, they asked how I was doing, and I was 
simply responding to their question.

Another ruse I use is when they ask me how I 
am, I say, "I'm terrible." To which they respond by 
saying, "That's nice…" and go on with their sales 
pitch.

I am not multilingual, but I 
can speak gibberish better than 
anybody I know. At least, that’s 
what my wife tells me. So, if I 
have this talent, why not use it?

The first time I used this gibberish 
language, the person on the other end said, 
"Speak English, please." To which I continued 
with my gibberish. They repeat their request, and 
I continue with my gibberish. Finally, there comes 
that familiar sound I look forward to, "Click."

My wife is very annoyed when she receives any of 
these telemarketing calls. She demands her number 
taken off the list and right now!

I take a different view. Like they used to say, if 
life gives you lemons, then make lemonade. So, 
I make telemarketing lemonade as often as I can.

I must confess I have enjoyed some of these telemarketing 
calls.

One call was for pain in my body. Someone sent 
in my name, reporting that I had pain in my body, 
and they had a medicine that could help me with 
all my pain.

“Where do you have pain in your body?”

“Well,” I said as seriously as possible, “I have this 
terrific pain in my neck.”

This information excited the telemarketer, and he 
wanted to know how I got this pain and where it 
came from. To which I said, "My pain in the neck 
comes from people like you calling me every day."

“Click.”

I look forward to those calls.

Then, the other day I got a strange call on my cell 
phone. I looked to see who was calling, and to my 
surprise, it was me. It was my name and phone 
number that showed up on my cell phone screen. 
I was calling myself.

I cannot tell you how anxious I was to talk to 
myself. I was going to give myself a piece of my 
mind. Of course, it would be good to talk to myself 
about certain things.

So, I answered the phone. “Hello, Pastor Snyder, 
how in the world are you?”

To my great disappointment, it was not me calling 
me. Rather, it was some telemarketer wanting to 
know how much my electric bill was each month.

I remember what David said, and he did not have 
a cell phone. "Because he hath inclined his ear 
unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as 
I live” (Psalm 116:2).

I do not need a cell phone to call God because I 
have put my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and I 
now am connected with God.

Dr. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God 
Fellowship, 1471 Pine Road, Ocala, FL 34472. He 
lives with his wife in Silver Springs Shores. Call 
him at 352-687-4240 or e-mail jamessnyder2@
att.net. The church web site is www.whatafellowship.
com.


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