Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, December 26, 2020

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Mountain View News Saturday, December 26, 2020 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

WHAT CAREGIVERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT MEDICARE

Dear Savvy Senior:

I am the caregiver for my 81-year-old mother, who recently fell 
and broke her hip, and have a lot of questions about how original 
Medicare works and what it covers. Where can I get some 
help understanding this program? Overwhelmed Caregiver 



Dear Caregiver:

Excellent question! Having a working knowledge of Medicare 
can help you take full advantage of the coverage and services it provides to ensure your mom re-ceives the best 
care possible. Here’s what you should know.



Medicare Assistance

A good starting point to get familiar with Medicare is the official “Medicare & You” handbook that overviews 
the program. It’s mailed to all beneficiaries every fall and provides an up-to-date description of all services and 
benefits. You can also see it online at Medicare.gov/medicare-and-you.



If you have a particular question, you can call and visit with a Medicare customer service representative at 800-
633-4227. Medicare also works closely with State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP) to provide free
health insurance counseling. To find a SHIP counselor in your area visit ShiptaCenter.org or call 877-839-2675.



Caregivers also find Medicare’s secure website – MyMedicare.gov – especially useful. After setting up a personal 
account for your mom, you can view the de-tails of her coverage, track recent health care claims and keep up to 
date on the preventive services she qualifies for.



Compare Tools

Medicare can also help you locate the right health care providers for your moth-er. At Medicare.gov/care-compare 
you can find and compare doctors, hospitals, home health agencies, dialysis facilities, inpatient rehab facilities, 
long-term care hospitals and nursing homes in your mom’s area.



What Medicare Covers

Medicare can reduce many out-of-pocket medical expenses your mom incurs, but it doesn’t cover everything. 
Understanding what Medicare does and doesn’t cover can save you time and spare you frustration when navigating 
the caregiv-ing maze. Here are some key points for caregivers:



Besides basic hospital and physician services (which includes telehealth ser-vices) and optional prescription 
drug benefits, Medicare covers home health care too. To qualify, your mom must be homebound, under a physician’s 
care and in need of part-time skilled nursing care or rehabilitative services like physi-cal therapy.



Medicare also helps pay for oxygen, catheters and other medical supplies that a doctor prescribes for home use. 
The same is true for medically necessary equipment like oxygen machines, wheelchairs and walkers.



In addition, Medicare covers skilled care in a nursing home for limited periods – up to 100 days – following 
hospital stays. But it doesn’t cover long-term stays. Patients who need custodial care (room and board) must pay 
out of pocket un-less they’re eligible for Medicaid or have private long-term care insurance.



Medicare pays for hospice care too, for someone with a terminal illness whose doctor expects to live six months 
or less. The hospice benefit also includes brief periods of respite care at a hospice facility, hospital or nursing 
home to give the patient’s caregivers an occasional rest.



Besides long-term nursing home stays, original Medicare typically doesn’t cover regular dental care or dentures, 
regular eye exams or eyeglasses, and hearing exams and hearing aids. Likewise, it won’t pay for nonemergency 
ambulance trips unless a doctor certifies they’re medically necessary.



To find out what Medicare covers, visit Medicare.gov/coverage and type in the test, item or service you have 
questions about, or download the Medicare “What’s covered” app in either the App Store or Google Play.



Financial Assistance

If your mom lives on a limited income, you should check whether she qualifies for help with prescription drug 
costs or with other Medicare-related premiums, deductibles and copayments.



For help with drug costs, visit SSA.gov/prescriptionhelp or contact Social Security at 800-772-1213 and ask 
about the “Extra Help Program.” For help with other Medicare costs, go to Medicare.gov or call 800-633-4227 
and ask about the “Medicare Savings Programs.”



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! …December Birthdays*

Maria Decker, Nancy Dorn, Prudence Levine Pat Karamitros, Joan Hufnagel, 
Mary Alice Cervera, Carol Horejsi, Shirley Anhalt, Helen Reese, Levon Yapoujian, 
Toni Buckner, Lottie Bugl, Pat McGuire, Sheila Wohler, Nan Murphy, Eleanor 
Hensel, Sylvia Curl, Elizabeth Levie, Gayle Licher, Cindy Barran, and Melissa 
Stute, Prudence Levin, Sheila Woehler. * To add your name to this distinguished 
list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. YEAR of birth not required


SENIOR ACTIVITIES IN SIERRA MADRE

CHAIR YOGA Every Monday and Wednesday, 10-10:45 am Chair yoga with Paul is coming back! Class will 
begin on Monday, August 10th and will be held in the Covered Pavilion in Memorial Park in front of the Senior 
Center. Please join us for some gentle stretching, yoga, balance exercise and overall relaxa-tion. Class size is limited 
so please call 264-8923 to reserve your spot. 

HAWAIIAN AND POLYNESIAN DANCE CLASS Every Friday, 10-10:45 am Class will also meet in the Cov-
ered Pavilion in Memorial Park in front of the Senior Center. Join the class with instructor Barbara as she leads 
you through the art of Hula. Please call 264-8923 with any questions. 

Classes will maintain a distance of 6 ft between participants. ALL participants must be wearing masks for the 
duration of the class. All equipment used will be sanitized after each use before it is stored. Each participant is 
responsible for providing their own water, masks and needed equipment or sup-plies for each class. Please call the 
Community Services Department at 355-5278 with any questions or concerns.

OCTOBER CRAFT

Wednesday, October 21, 11:00 am. Please join me as we try our hands at making Wooden Owl Orna-ments. This 
will be a new type of program as we create our masterpieces via Zoom to ensure all of our safety. I will have all the 
supplies individually packaged and ready for pickup on Monday, October 19th pickup will be between 10:00 am-
2:00 pm. I will have enough supplies for 10 participants. Reservations are required so please call 355-5278 x 704 
to secure your spot. Please note that this is an ONLINE class that will be held via Zoom. We will not be meeting 
in the Hart Park House Senior Center.

IDEAS

 Do you have any ideas for programming? Is there a class or club you would like to see in our Senior Community? 
Please call or email Lawren Heinz with ideas or questions. 626-355-5278 x 704 lheinz@cityofsierramadre.com

 City staff are monitoring email communication daily, and although employees are minimizing direct engagement 
and interfacing less with the community, please note that voice messages, emails, and social media responses are 
being addressed in the most efficient and timely manner. If at any time additional information is needed, please 
contact City Hall Administrative Services at (626) 355-7135, Monday-Thursday from 7:30a – 5:30p, as they are 
taking messages and e-mailing the appropriate per-son. For messages that may trickle in otherwise, please note 
our team is remotely checking voicemail daily at the Community Services Department, (626) 355-5278 x702.

SIERRA MADRE SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS PLAN

The City of Sierra Madre is following these procedures to provide current communication in light of COVID-19 
and keep the Senior Community and families informed of essential information and resources. City staff are 
monitoring email communication daily, and although employees are minimizing direct engagement and practicing 
social distancing in the community, please note that voice messages, emails, and social media responses are 
being addressed in the most efficient and timely manner.

If at any moment additional information is needed, please contact City Hall Administrative Services at (626) 355-
7135, Monday-Thursday from 7:30a – 5:30p, as they are taking messages and e-mailing the appropriate person.

 For messages that may trickle in otherwise, please note our team is remotely checking voicemail daily at the 
Community Services Department, (626) 355-5278 x702.

 Community Services Department will continue email communication with Senior residents and aging community 
members.

 If you know of family members or neighbors who may benefit from accessing information electronically, and 
to receive the department’s Seniors Newsletter via email but may not otherwise have been included on an email 
group list, please send your request with email address to the following team members: Lawren Heinz Lheinz@
cityofsierramadre.com and Clarissa Lowe Clowe@cityofsierramadre.com.

 City Social Media will continue via Facebook as well as Instagram, and information sharing will include updates 
as details becomes available.

Mater Dolorosa - Sierra Madre Meal Pick-Up Program provides seal-packaged frozen meals, 5-per person 
every Thursday, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. at Hart Park House Senior Center 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Donations 
are accepted. Call (626) 355-5278; x702 or 704. YWCA Intervale Meal Program - Effective 
Wednesday, April 1, 2020

YWCA has transitioned their distribution of take home meals at the Sierra Madre Hart Park House 
Senior Center to a home-delivery meal program. Participants previously reserved for meal pick-up 
as of Wednesday, 3/25/20 were informed that they would begin to have their meals delivered to their 
homes, beginning Wednesday, April 1, 2020 until further notice.

626-355-5700245 W Sierra Madre Blvd,
Sierra Madre, CAEven though you need help 
each day, we agree thatyou’re still in chargeLimited senior living suites are available.
Reserve yours today!
RCFELicense198601953 
any seniors fear that moving out of their home into an assisted living 
residence means forfeiting control of their lives. At e Kensington, 
nothing could be further from the truth. We believe it is our role to 
support our residents, not to assume complete decision-making authority. Of course, 
as specialists in caring for older adults, we monitor routines, behavior and mood 
every day. If we see changes that concern us, then we talk with residents and their 
families immediately. Together, we all decide about making adjustments to care and 
services to preserve comfort, wellness and morale.
We regard ourselves as our residents’ champion, not their boss. 
Call or visit soon to learn about our collaborative approach to assisted living.
M
OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder


ANOTHER 

CHRISTMAS TREE 
IN THE BAG

It's hard to believe, but another 
Christmas has come and gone. It comes so slow 
but leaves so fast. I guess I'll never understand 
that. This Christmas was probably the most unusual 
that I have ever experienced.

When I was young, I remember those first 
Christmases; they were so slow in getting here. 
I think for the week leading up to Christmas, 
every day gained at least 10 new hours. By the 
time Christmas Eve arrived, I was so worn out 
waiting that I didn't know what to do.

I can't remember my first Christmas because 
I was only five months old at the time. I have 
a hard time remembering those early Christmases, 
but I'm sure they were times of fun and 
merri-ment. There were no cell phones at that 
time and so I have no selfies to show.

The day after Christmas, the Gracious Mistress 
of the Parsonage and I were sitting around the 
Christmas tree drinking our morning cup of 
coffee. Looking at the tree brought back a lot 
of memories for both of us. My memories are 
vaguer than hers, but after all, it's the memory 
the counts.

At our stage in life, we are at what's called the 
empty nest stage, and the house is so quiet. Re-
flecting on this, I couldn't help but remember 
some of those Christmases were so loud and so 
much energy, I didn't think that Christmas Day 
would ever get over.

Leading up to Christmas in our house was quite interesting. 
The Gracious Mistress of the Par-sonage puts 
everything together, and she has a plan for everything.

I remember one year trying to help her, and I just got 
in her way. Not only that, but I dropped a couple of 
Christmas tree ornaments, and they broke. To this 
day, I've never made up for that one.

As we were sitting around the Christmas tree, I remembered 
a Christmas when I was rather young. This 
would have been hundreds of years ago, I'm sure. That 
Christmas, my father got me a Daisy Red Ryder BB 
gun for my present. Those were the days when such a 
thing as that happened.

I was never so happy with a Christmas present in all 
my life. I can’t be sure how many boxes of BBs I went 
through that first month of having it. Nothing was 
more exciting to me than going out-side and shooting 
my BB gun at anything and everything.

I certainly long for those good old days when you 
could be a man no matter how old or young you were. 
A BB gun was a great asset at that time.

I must confess that I had my BB gun confiscated during 
the first couple of days after Christmas. For some 
reason, I'm still not sure about it today, I was not supposed 
to shoot any windows in the house. I think, if I 
remember correctly, there were three windows I shot 
during that episode.

Not only did I have my BB gun confiscated, but there 
was a Christmas spanking that went along with that. I 
can almost feel the spanking today.

When I got my BB gun for Christmas, nobody told 
me that there were certain things I wasn't supposed to 
shoot. It wasn't my fault that I shot a window. It was 
my parent's fault for not telling me not to shoot a window. 
However, they were not interested in why I shot 
the window, only that I shot the window.

In a couple of weeks, I did get it back and was very 
careful what I shot from that moment on. I remember 
I had a great time with it. I only wished I had that BB 
gun now. I often wondered what happened to that BB 
gun.

I chuckled as I told my wife the story of my BB gun.

As much as I tried, I never got a similar story from 
my wife. I know there were several, but I could never 
get her to own up to that truth. Of course, she knows 
if I had that kind of information that I could use it to 
my advantage.

What I have discovered about wives is that they talk a 
lot but know when not to talk. As far as husbands are 
concerned, they don't talk that much, but they never 
know when not to talk.

Admiring our Christmas tree for this year was a very 
special time. In a week or so, that tree would be taken 
down, the ornaments packed away, and the tree put 
back up into the attic where we stored it. While it was 
up, though, it was wonderful to think about all of the 
activities that hap-pened around that tree.

Of course, down through the years, we have replaced 
that tree several times. But it's the thought that really 
matters. All the wonderful stories that come from 
that tree certainly bring cheer to our hearts. We spent 
some time talking about the gifts we gave and the gifts 
we got.

As we were reminiscing, I remembered a verse of 
Scripture that has encouraged me.

“I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring 
ye ought to support the weak, and to re-member 
the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more 
blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

It’s not what you get that really matters, but what you 
give and the reason behind that giving.


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