Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, March 28, 2020

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Mountain View News Saturday, March 28, 2020 

HOW TO PROTECT 
YOUR ELDERLY PARENTS 
FROM CORONAVIRUS

Dear Savvy Senior:

I’m concerned about my 80-year-old mother who’s 
at high risk for coronavirus. She lives on her own about 100 miles from me, and I’ve been keeping 
close tabs on her since this whole pandemic started. What tips can you offer long-distance family 
members? Concerned Daughter

Dear Concerned:

Because the elderly and people with chronic medical conditions are the most vulnerable to the new 
coronavirus, following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guideline of social 
distancing and staying home is critically important.

Here are some additional tips and recommendations from the CDC and public health specialists 
that can help keep your elderly mother safe and healthy while she’s hunkering down at home until 
the pandemic passes.

Know and follow the other CDC recommendations: Make sure you and your mom know and practice 
the CDC recommendations for older adults and those with compromised health conditions. 
Some of their guidelines – like washing your hands and avoid touching your face – you’re probably 
already familiar with, but there are many other recommendations and they’re constantly changing. 
For the complete list visit Coronavirus.gov – click on “Older Adults & Medical Conditions.”

Have supplies on hand: Start by contacting your mom’s healthcare provider to ask about obtaining 
extra necessary medications to have on hand for a prolonged period of time. If she cannot get extra 
medications, consider using mail-order for medications so she can avoid going into a pharmacy. 
Also be sure you have over-the-counter medicines and medical supplies to treat fever and other 
symptoms.

She should also have enough groceries and household items on hand so that she can stay at home 
for an extended period of time. If she needs to restock supplies, there’s online grocery delivery options 
like Amazon Fresh, Instacart, Peapod, Target and Walmart, and a growing number of stores 
including Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Dollar General and many other that are offering early 
dedicated shopping times to vulnerable seniors to reduce their risk of being exposed to the virus.

There are also home delivery meal programs that can help home-bound seniors – see MealsOnWheelsAmerica.
org to locate one in your mom’s area. Or, check out companies like Silver Cuisine 
(SilverCuisine.com) or Mom’s Meals (MomsMeals.com) that deliver nutritious pre-cooked meals to 
seniors that can be heated up in the microwave.

Use technology: For many seniors, social distancing can also lead to social isolation and loneliness, 
which is a common problem in the older population. If your mom has a computer, tablet or 
smartphone, she can stay connected to friends and relatives via videocalls through Skype, Zoom or 
FaceTime, which is a safe alternative.

If your mom isn’t familiar or comfortable with mainstream technology there are other solutions 
like the GrandPad (GrandPad.net), which is a simplified 4G tablet designed for seniors 75 and 
older that allows one-touch videocalls, email and much more.

And for peace of mind, there are also check-in services like Snug (SnugSafe.com) that send free 
daily check-ins to your mom’s phone to confirm she’s OK. And, will let you know if she doesn’t 
respond.

Skip nonessential doctor’s appointments: Most public health experts are also recommending that 
seniors at risk cancel nonessential doctor’s appointments. If your mom has a condition that she 
feels should not be put off, see if a telemedicine session, which is now covered by Medicare would 
be an option.

Talk to caregivers: If your mom uses a home health or home care service, that means a number of 
different aides may be coming through her door.

Be sure you talk to the agency she uses or her aides about hygiene. They should all be reminded 
to wash their hands or use hand gel sanitizer frequently. And any equipment they bring into your 
mom’s home should be wiped down with disinfectant.

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.


SENIOR HAPPENINGS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …March Birthdays*

Cathy Flammer, Clare Marquardt, Karen Blachly, Carla Duplex, Ella Guttman, 
Viky Tchatlian, Mary Cooper, Sun Liu, Helen Wallis, Joan Crow, Nancy Fox, 
Martha Cassara, Rita Johnson, Mercedes Campos, Dorothy Webster,Terri Elder, 
Carol Cerrina, Amy Putnam, Sally Contreras 

 * 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!


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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 

OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder


TIME ALONE IS TIME INVESTED 

During the past week, the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and Yours Truly have 
been spending quite a bit of time together. I cannot recall any time that we have spent 
this much time together.

The exception would be when we first got married. Even then, both of us worked during the day and 
were going to a Bible Institute at night. Occasionally our schedule collided, but rarely. Because we both 
had energy, we did not realize how much we were doing. Every day had its own blessing.

It was not long before the babies came knocking on our door, and we graciously invited them in. From 
then on, time alone was a thing of the past. It is amazing to me how much time a baby can take from you. 
But it was time well invested, I assure you.

As a 21-year-old father, I thought I had lots of energy. It was not until the babies started coming that I 
realized my energy was long ago spent. Why does God give babies so much energy? I think He does it 
on purpose.

Life can sometimes get so busy we forget the important things. My wife and I were thinking about this, 
this past week. If I live until August, my wife and celebrates our 49th wedding anniversary. How quickly 
time flies! My only problem is, will I have enough energy to celebrate it then?

Why is it that the older you get, the faster time goes, and the less energy you have to keep up?

By the time I get adjusted to Monday, it is already Friday. I always come up three days short and every 
week. I think when you get older, you should have a new time schedule that complements your energy, 
or lack thereof.

This week the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and I had some time to spend together. Every-thing 
seemed to shut down, and we had no appointments that we had to get to.

Usually, our conversations revolve around church work and what needs to be done and how we are going 
to do it.

My wife and I make a great team. She is a great planner, and I am a great listener; although, I do not 
always hear what I am listening to. But in the end, we work very nicely together.

Since nothing is going on, we had an excellent opportunity to spend time together talking about things 
not involving work. That is quite a rarity.

We were talking about things that happened years ago, things I had forgotten.

“Do you,” my wife said, “remember…”

Then she tells a story about something that happened decades ago. To be honest, I did not remem-ber 
several of the stories she was talking about. I smiled and shook my head because she is proba-bly right, 
and I probably have forgotten something.

If my wife remembers something, it must be true. At least, that is how I live my life. To contradict her 
story with my memory is a very losing proposition.

When I tell a story, she is always correcting me because I always get it wrong. Her corrections never 
come within the scope of my recollections. But that is the fun of working together.

This staying at home really does have some good benefits to it. I did not really figure it out until just the 
other day when we were having lunch together.

Many times our schedule is so busy that we have to grab a bite here and a bite there. Now that we are at 
home all day, there are some benefits.

I won't say that the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage is the best cook in town, she is, but I'm not going 
to say it. Saying something can get you into trouble, and trouble is the thing I try to stay away from. Some 
try to stay away from viruses, but I try to stay away from trouble.

I was doing some reading leading up to lunchtime, not thinking about lunch at all. Then the table was set 
and lunch was prepared. I had forgotten what a marvelous cook she was.

Do not let this get around, but the only thing I do not like about her cooking are the vegetables that she 
always cooks. I am not a fan of vegetables. There are some I can take with a grain of salt and some with 
a teaspoon of salt, but for the most part, I do not like vegetables.

Then there it was on my plate several homemade meatballs surrounded by a pile of homemade Mac & 
Cheese. The meatballs were exactly the way I like them, and what can I say about the Mac & Cheese?

Everything smelled so delicious and looked so wonderful, I almost forgot to pray for the meal.

When I finished my third serving, I leaned back in my chair and just smiled.

“You know, my dear,” I said with the biggest smile I have ever had, “we should eat at home more often. 
You simply outdid yourself today.”

I still do not like vegetables! However, vegetables may be the price of our good relationship.

I thought about what the apostle Paul said once, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye 
do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

The value of any relationship is determined by the amount I am willing to invest in it.

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 352-216-3025 or e-mail jamessnyder2@att.net. The 
church web site is www.whatafellowship.com.

FAMILY MATTERS By Marc Garlett


ARE YOU CLEAR ABOUT HOW YOUR PARENTS 
ESTATE PLAN WILL IMPACT YOU? 

Do your parents have an estate plan? Is it up to date? No matter 
how rich or poor you or your parents are, especially in the wake 
of the COVID-19 pandemic, you need to be asking these and 
several other questions. When your parents become incapacitated 
or die, their affairs will become your responsibility, and 
it will be impossible to ask them to clarify anything. So, if you 
do not know whether they have estate planning in place to help 
you best support them, read on. 

The Best-Case Scenario

In a best-case scenario, your parents have an updated estate 
plan, and they’ve walked you through it. They have provided 
an inventory of their assets that’s easy for you to find listing out everything they own and how it’s 
titled. Ideally, the plan also includes directions on how to handle their non-monetary assets, and a 
video, audio recording or written stories that pass on their values, insights and experience. On top 
of all that, it’s best if they’ve introduced you to the lawyer who set it all up, so you know who to turn 
to when the time comes.

Less-Than-Ideal Scenarios

If that’s not the case, you could have some holes to fill. If they’ve not done any planning at all, now 
is the time to encourage them to get it done and support them in any way you can. If they already 
have a completed plan, it’s likely that it has been sitting on their shelf or in a drawer for years, not 
updated, with no inventory of their assets and no way to capture and pass on their intangible assets. 
Even worse, their lawyer could have been using outdated systems that are no longer recognized, 
which can lead to trouble down the road.

It’s also possible that if they’ve never updated their estate plan, it no longer tracks with their current 
assets, and may even require complex actions that are no longer necessary upon their death. Worst 
of all, you may have no idea what your parents own or how to find their assets, and at their incapacity 
or death you’ll be left with a mess, even though your parents had good intentions and thought 
their planning was handled.

The Worst-Case Scenario

In a worst-case scenario (which we see more frequently than we’d like), your parents may have 
worked with someone who exerted undue influence over their decisions. This person may have led 
them to write something into their plan that they either didn’t really want to or wouldn’t otherwise 
have chosen if they understood all their options. 

Either way, it’s critical for you to know who your parents have worked with to create their estate 
plan, and how and why they made the choices they did. If you aren’t in the know, now is the time 
to find out. 

If your parents are already discussing these matters but have not yet included you, you can ask them 
to schedule a family meeting with their existing attorney. On your parents’ request, that attorney 
should look forward to walking you through your parents’ planning, the choices they made, and 
how you will be impacted in the event of their incapacity or death.

You want to develop a relationship with their estate planning attorney now. This advisor can be one 
of the most important supporters of you and your parents during your time of need. It’s a relationship 
you will want to establish before you need it, so you won’t be scrambling during a time of crisis.

Dedicated to empowering your family, building your wealth 
and defining your legacy,

A local attorney and father, Marc Garlett is on a mission to 
help parents protect what they love

most. His office is located at 55 Auburn Avenue, Sierra Madre, 
CA 91024. Schedule an

appointment to sit down and talk about ensuring a legacy of 
love and financial security for your

family by calling 626.355.4000 or visit www.CaliLaw.com for more information


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