Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, October 22, 2022

Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 22, 2022 

Specializing in PlacingSeniors in Assisted Living and 
Memory Care Communities 

ASSISTED LIVING OR NURSING 
HOME? 

There are many myths about Assisted 
Living being like Nursing Homes. 
This is not true at all. Nursing facilities 
are for those with chronic health 
issues who require care around the 
clock from medical professionals. 


In Assisted Living, one will get the support as needed, such as getting help with showering, grooming, 
and dressing. Again, these services are based on the seniors needs. 

There are many reasons in working with us. At Safe Path for Seniors, we will assess the senior and 
depending on their care needs and budget, make recommendations. For example, we may suggest 
that the right fit is a Board and Care Home (normally a 6-bedroom house) as opposed to an Assisted 
Living Community or a Memory Support Facility. You will work with an experienced agent who 
knows the industry well and will give you recommendations. The good news is that there is no 
cost for this service. 

If you have any questions about placing a loved one, visit www.safepathforseniors.com or call Steve 
at 626-999-6913 

WHAT YOU'LL PAY FOR MEDICARE IN 2023 

Dear Savvy Senior: 

I’ve read that retirees will be getting a nice costof-
living increase in our Social Security benefits 
next year but what about Medicare? What will 
our Medicare Part B monthly premiums and other 
Medicare costs be in 2023? Planning Ahead 


Dear Planning: 

From an entitlement program standpoint, 2023 is going to be a very good year for retirees! Not 
only will you receive a nice 8.7 percent cost-of-living increase in your Social Security retirement 
benefits – the largest since 1981 – the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services also recently 
announced that your Medicare Part B standard monthly premium will be lowered 3 percent 
($5.20) from the current rate of $170.10 per month, to $164.90/month in 2023. 

The reason for the reduction is a correction to last year’s hefty Part B premium increase, which 
was larger than it needed to be. The 2022 premium hike of about 14.5 percent was announced 
amid uncertainty about the potential impact of a new Alzheimer’s drug called Aduhelm, which 
threatened to explode Medicare costs. That didn’t happen. The cost of the drug was cut roughly 
in half from an original $56,000 a year and Medicare sharply limited coverage. This created a 
large financial reserve for Part B, allowing the program to reduce next year’s premium. 

You’ll also be happy to know that in addition to the premium reduction, the annual deductible 
for Medicare Part B will also be lowered $7 from $233 in 2022, to $226 in 2023. And if you have 
a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, the average premium in 2023 will be about $31.50, 
which is a 1.8 percent decrease from $32.08 in 2022. 

But the news isn’t all rosy. The deductible for Medicare Part A (hospital coverage) per benefit period 
(which generally starts when you are admitted to the hospital) will be $1,600 in 2023, up $44 
from this year’s $1,556. That applies to the first 60 days of inpatient care. For the 61st through 
90th day, the coinsurance will be $400 per day, up from $389 this year. And for days 91 to 150, 
the charge will be $800 per day (up from $778 in 2022). 

And the skilled nursing facility coinsurance for days 21-100 will also increase to $200 per day, 
up from $194.50 in 2022. 

Wealthy Beneficiary Breaks 

High earning Medicare beneficiaries, which makes up about 7 percent of all Medicare recipients, 
will also receive a break in 2023. Medicare surcharges for high earners are based on adjusted 
gross income from two years earlier, which means that 2023 Part B premiums are determined 
by 2021 annual income. 

So, if your 2021 income was above $97,000 up to $123,000 ($194,000 up to $246,000 for married 
couples filing jointly), your 2023 Part B monthly premium will be $230.80, down from $238.10 
in 2022. 

Monthly premiums for singles with an income between $123,000 and $153,000 ($246,000 and 
$306,000 for joint filers) will decrease from $340.20 to $329.70 in 2023. 

Individuals earning above $153,000 up to $183,000 ($306,000 to $366,000 for joint filers) will see 
their monthly premium decrease from $442.30 to $428.60 in 2023. 

Those with incomes above $183,000 up to $500,000 ($366,000 to $750,000 for joint filers), your 
2023 Part B premium will be $527.50, down form $544.30 in 2022. 

And single filers with income of $500,000 or more ($750,000 or more for joint filers) will pay 
$560.50 per month next year, versus this year’s premium of $578.30. 

High-income beneficiaries with a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan will also pay a little 
less next year. If your income was over $97,000 ($194,000 for joint filers) you’ll pay a $12.20 to 
$76.40 monthly surcharge on top of your regular Part D premiums based on your income level. 

For more information on Medicare’s 2023 costs see Medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs. 

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. 

Catch breaking news at:
mtnviewsnews.com
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, Jill Franks, 
Cathleen Cremins, Adie Marshall, Darlene Crook, Susan Gallagher, Maggie 
Ellis, Gloria Giersbach, Ellen O’Leary, Jenny Piangenti, 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 

SIERRA MADRE SENIOR CLUB Every Saturday from 11:30am-3:30 pm in the Hart 
Park House Senior Center. Join us as we celebrate birthdays, holidays and play BINGO. 
Must be 50+ to join. For more information call Mark at 626-355-3951. 

DOMINOES TRAIN GAME 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 11:00 am— 12:30 pm Hart Park 
House The object of the game is for a player to play all the tiles from their hand onto one or 
more trains, emanating from a central hub or “station”. Call Lawren with questions that you 
may have. 

PAINT PALS 

Thursday, 10/13 10:30 am—Hart Park House If you enjoy painting, sketching, water color, 
or making some other form of artistic creation please join our new program, PAINT PALS!!! 
Bring a project that you are working on to the HPH and enjoy some quality art time with other 
artists looking to paint with a new pal. 

TEA AND TALK SENIOR BOOK CLUB Tuesday Oct. 12 and Oct. 26 — 9:00 am 
Staff has launched a new book club series, Tea and Talk, which meets twice a month to discuss 
the fun, suspense, intrigue, love and so much more that each selection will have in store! 

FIBER FRIENDS Tuesday, 10/4 and 10/18 —10:00 am If you enjoy knitting, crocheting, 
embroidery, needlepoint, bunka, huck, tatting or cross stitch then we have a group for you! 
Bring your current project, a nonalcoholic beverage, then sit and chat with likeminded fiber 
friends. We meet in the Hart Park House 

CHAIR YOGA Every Monday and Wednesday, 10-10:45 am Please join us for some gentle 
stretching, yoga, balance exercise and overall relaxation with Paul. Classes are ongoing and 
held in the Memorial Park Covered Pavilion or the Hart Park House.. 

HULA AND POLYNESIAN DANCE Every Friday, 10-10:45 am Bring a lei, your flower 
skirt or just your desire to dance! Hula in the Park is back and waiting for you to join in on all 
the fun! Memorial Park Pavilion. 

BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC - Tuesday, Oct. 11 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Methodist Hospital will be holding a free to seniors clinic once a month in the Hart Park 
House. Walk in are welcome - no pre-registration required. 

LOTERIA: Oct. 20 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm 
Come down to the HPH (Hart Park House) for a lively round of Loteria (Mexican Bingo) 
Prizes await! 

OCTOBER CRAFT Tuesday, October 25 10:30am Hart Park House 
Have you ever had interest in balloon art? Well you are in luck! Join Recreation Coordinator 
Pardo as she instructs us on how to create a cat, bat or pumpkin balloon column. Space is limited 
so please call or email Lawren to reserve your spot. 

SENIOR CINEMA Wednesday, 10/12— 1:00 pm HUBIE HALLOWEEN PG-13 1h 43m 
Good-natured but eccentric community volunteer Hubie Dubois finds himself at 
the center of a real murder case on Halloween night. Despite his devotion to his 
hometown of Salem, Massachusetts (and its legendary Halloween celebration).
Wednesday, 10/26 – Beginning at 1:00pm THE BIRDS PG 1h 59m 


SPECIAL MEDICARE PRESENTATION NEW DATE! Thursday 10/20, 9:00 am


10:00 am Hart Park House Please join Duarte Councilmember Vihn for 
a Medicare presentation. Pastries and coffee will be served during this informative 
presentation. Space is limited, call Lawren to reserve your spot. 
OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder 

HOW OLD IS TOO OLD? 


I have never thought too 

much about my age. After 

all, you cannot choose when 

you will be born. Age is just 
a matter of thinking, and thinking is not my 
strong suit. 

I never really thought about being old. I’m 
not exactly sure what the real definition of 
old is. 

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage recently 
asked me, “How old do you think you 
are?” I’m not quite sure what the incident was 
about. 

I never know if what she is asking is rhetorical 
or something actually true. To question 
your wife is a borderline disaster. 

On my last birthday, we went out to a restaurant 
to celebrate. As I was finishing my dessert, 
The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage 
looked at me with one of her mischievous 
smiles and said, “Well, how old do you feel?” 

Without thinking, which is my MO, I 
reached across the table, took hold of her 
arm, squeezed it, and said, “I feel old now?” 

Unfortunately, she did not think it was funny, 
even though I was laughing. 

Getting old is a natural process. You go from 
one birthday to the next birthday to the next 
birthday. I’ve had so many birthdays that 
I can’t remember most of them. My question 
along this line is, if I can’t remember 
how old I am, can I make up my age at my 
convenience? 

Believe it or not, The Gracious Mistress of the 
Parsonage responded to that. I’m not allowed 
to share her response, for obvious reasons. 

Most people think that getting old is a very 
negative thing. I used to think that to a certain 
degree. But I am beginning to discover 
some good advantages to getting old. 

I was at a certain restaurant, and when I went 
up front to pay the bill, I, with a big smile on 
my face, asked if I could get a discount. I was 
just joking. 

To my surprise, the person behind the counter 
looked at me and said, “How old are you?”
I had to think for a moment, and then I told 
her how old I was. When I said that, she replied, 
“Well, if you are that old, you qualify 
for a senior citizen discount.” 

Up to that point, I had never heard of a senior 
citizen discount, but I was glad to hear about 
it and cheerfully accepted that discount. I 
heartily respond to any discount for me. Any 
discount is change in my pocket. 

Coming home the other day, The Gracious 
Mistress of the Parsonage met me and asked 
if I remembered to pick up something at the 
store for her. Looking at her, I simply said, 
“Oh, my. I guess I’m getting so old I couldn’t 
remember.” 

She replied with something I shall never forget, 
“That’s okay.” I only wished I had my 
tape recorder running when she said that. 

That brought me to another benefit of getting 
old. All I have to say is that I’m so old I forgot 
and my mind isn’t what it used to be, and my 
forgetting is forgiven. 

Pondering this, I was reminded of my paternal 
grandfather. He was known for being so 
very forgetful. Everybody blamed it on his 
age, which he supported most heartily. 

I remember talking to him one time before 
his passing and asking him, “Grandpa, why 
is it that you forget so many things?” 

He looked at me, winked, and said, “Forgetting 
is an art. Not too many people can do 
it sufficiently.” “What do you mean?” I said. 

“Forgetting is a legitimate way of getting out 
of doing something you don’t want to do.” 
So he stopped and laughed for a moment 
and continued, “It takes a lot of memory to 
be able to forget as much as I do, and it has 
nothing to do with age.” 

I began learning a little more about my 
grandpa as he explained it. If he didn’t want 
to do something, he hung it on his old age 
and forgetting. I don’t know anybody who 
has built on that better than my grandfather. 
I was beginning to understand him now that 
I’m at a certain age. 

Some people think getting old is a bad thing. 
Oh yes, there are some things I cannot do today 
that I could do 50 years ago. But that’s 
not the issue. The issue is to take advantage of 
your age, especially if it’s “old age.” “Old age” 
has certain advantages that did not come 
with being young. 

When invited to go somewhere I don’t want 
to go, it is easy for me to say, “I’d love to, but 
at my age I just don’t have the energy.” I then 
can flash a smile and get off going to the place 
I didn’t want to go to in the first place. 

When I was young, I took advantage of being 
young. I have the scars to prove that, of 
course. But now that I’m old, I need to take 
advantage of old age. And as a country boy, I 
plan to milk my old age as much as possible. 

The Bible says some very positive things 
about getting old. My favorite verse on this 
subject is, Proverbs 16:31, “The hoary (grey) 
head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the 
way of righteousness.” 

I’m not the only one that is getting old. Everybody 
gets old, but the “way of righteousness” 
is the key. 

Dr. James L. Snyder lives in Ocala, FL with 
the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. 
Telephone 1-352-216-3025, e-mail jamessnyder51@
gmail.com, website www.jamessnyderministries.
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