Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, December 24, 2022

Mountain View News Saturday, December 24, 2022 12 Mountain View News Saturday, December 24, 2022 12 
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 

SIMPLE HOME SAFETY SOLUTIONS FOR AGING-IN-PLACE 


Dear Savvy Senior:
Falls and fires are the two things I worry most about 
for my elderly father who lives alone. Do you have 
any suggestions on what we can do to help keep him 
safe, and keep an eye on him from afar?
Concerned Daughter 

Dear Concerned: 
Of course! There are a number of small adjustments 
and modifications you can make to your dad’s 
home to help protect him from falls and fires, both 
of which cause thousands of injuries and deaths 
each year. Here are some tips to get you started. 

Eliminate tripping hazards: Since falls are the leading 
cause of home injury among seniors, a good 
place to start is to pack away your dad’s throw rugs 
which are common tripping hazards or use carpet 
tacks or double-sided tape to secure them. You may 
also need to adjust your dad’s furniture so there are 
clear pathways to walk through and position any 
electrical or phone cords along walls and out of the 
way. 

For hardwood steps, consider attaching a nonslip 
tread to each one to provide traction and help him 
see the edge. And for added protection in the bathroom 
buy some nonskid rugs for the floors and use 
adhesive nonslip treads or a mat with rubber suction 
inside his tub or shower stall. 

Improve his lighting: Good lighting is essential for 
safe aging-in-place, so check the wattage ratings on 
your dad’s lamps and light fixtures, and install the 
brightest bulbs allowed, and add supplementary 
lighting if necessary. 

You should also purchase some dusk to dawn 
nightlights for the bathroom and in the hallways 
that light up when the sun goes down. And mount 
some motion sensor lights outside the front and 
back doors and in the driveway that automatically 
come on when he comes and goes after dark. 

Get grab bars: These can significantly reduce his 
risk of bathroom falls. Install them where he enters 
the shower or tub and on a wall inside the stall, 
but don’t use grab bars that attach with suction. Instead, 
have wall-mounted bars put in by someone 
who can affix them to the wall studs. It’s also best 
to choose bars whose surfaces are slightly textured 
and easier to grip. 

Ensure railings are stable: Wherever he has steps – 
stairways, entryways or basements – he needs sturdy 
railings. Ideally, they should be on both sides of 
the steps. 

Prevent cooking fires: There are several affordable 
products you can purchase to help your dad 
prevent home cooking fires like BurnerAlert discs 
that attach to a stove’s knob and will continuously 
blink or beep after the stove has been in use for a 
preset amount of time, and Ome smart knobs that 
can control a stove’s heating settings from an app. 
Or you can invest in a more expensive iGuardStove 
sensor that shuts the stove off when it doesn’t detect 
motion for five minutes. 

Install smoke alarms: Install a smart smoke alarm 
in your dad’s house (buy one for each floor) that 
will alert him when smoke or carbon monoxide is 
detected. These smart devices will also send alerts 
to your phone to let you know when a problem is 
detected. Google Nest and First Alert both smart 
smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 

Add fire extinguishers: Get portable multipurpose 
fire extinguishers for each level of your dad’s house 
and in the garage. 

Consider a medical alert: To ensure your dad’s safety 
and provide you some peace of mind, consider 
getting him a medical alert device that comes with 
a wearable SOS button that would allow him to call 
for help if he were to fall or need assistance. 

For more tips, get a copy of AARP’s “HomeFit 
Guide” (see AARP.org/HomeFit), which has more 
than 100 aging-in-place suggestions that can help 
make your dad’s home safer and easier to live in. 

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. 


FAMILY MATTERS

 By Marc Garlett 

HOW TO PRESERVE YOUR FAMILY LEGACY DURING 
THE HOLIDAYS 

As you likely already know, but may not have given much thought about, 
the inheritance you provide is so much more than the money you’ll leave 
behind. It also includes your values, insights, stories, and experiences. And, 
while those things are such an important part of your legacy, they are often 
lost because they aren’t intentionally preserved. 

What I’ve discovered in helping my clients preserve their whole legacy, is that we can learn so much more 
than expected -- about ourselves and our loved ones - when we ask the right questions. 

So, this year, we invite you to ask your mother, father, and/or another loved one the 32 important questions 
below that can teach you valuable lessons about love, life, and what matters most. And don’t just ask 
them, record their answers to preserve your own Family Legacy. 

Use these questions as a springboard and an engaging activity during the holidays with your loved ones: 

1. What comes to mind when you think about growing up in your hometown? 
2. What did you love to do as a kid, before high school? 
3. What did you love to do in high school? 
4. What do you remember most about your teenage years? 
5. What do you remember most about your mom (grandma)? 
6. What was most important to her? 
7. What do you remember most about your dad (grandpa)? 
8. What was most important to him? 
9. If Grandma and Grandpa had a message to pass along to the grandchildren, what would it be? 
10. How did you meet your spouse? How did you know (s)he was the one? 
11. How did you choose your career? What was your favorite part about it? 
12. What made you successful? 
13. What did you believe about yourself that helped you become successful and deal with 
hard times? 
14. What times in your life truly “tested your mettle,” and what did you learn about yourself by 
dealing (or not dealing) with them? 
15. What three events most shaped your life? 
16. What do you remember about when I was born? 
17. Were you ever scared to be a parent? 
18. What three words would you say represented your approach to parenting and why? 
19. When you think about [sibling] how would you describe him/her? 
20. What message do you have for [sibling] that you want him/her to always keep in mind?
[Do the last two questions above for each sibling in your family] 
21. When you think about [spouse], how would you describe her/him? 
22. What message do you have for [spouse] that you want her/him to always keep in mind? 
23. What three words would you say best describe who you tried to be in life? How would you like tobe remembered? 
24. What do you think your children and grandchildren should focus on professionally? 
25. What have you learned about people in life? 
26. What do you think the world needs more of right now? 
27. What do you believe people want the most in life? 
28. What were the three best decisions you ever made? 
29. What are you most proud of? 
30. What were five of the most memorable moments of your life? 
31. What message would you like to share with your family? 
32. What are you most thankful for? 
These questions can reveal a wealth of valuable life lessons - family treasures to discuss and share with 
generations to come. These non-material assets are so important. But also make sure your family’s material 
assets are protected by a comprehensive estate plan. The material (financial) assets are also important, 
so don’t neglect to secure them. Just keep in mind that you, and the generations which came 
before you, are about so much more than only your 
economic position during life. Take the time and Marc Garlett, Esq. 
make the intention to protect all your assets so you Cali Law Family 
can preserve and pass on your family legacy. That’s Legacy Matters 
how real wealth is created and passed on from one www.caliLaw.com 
generation to the next. 626.355.4000 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS 


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, 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 

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. 

TEA AND TALK SENIOR BOOK CLUB 

WILL RETURN IN JANUARY 2023 
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! 

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, Dec.13 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. 


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder 

THE LIAR IN THE RED SUIT 

Around this time of the year, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage 
and I revel in our family memories.
Unlike me, she has some wonderful memories because of her large 
family. I came from a very small family and therefore don't have that 
many memories let alone wonderful memories.
This reminded me of my first encounter with what my parents called Santa Claus.
Growing up, we didn't have television, and the teachers at the school I attended were 
mostly Mennonites. They didn't celebrate Santa Claus, and there was no mention of 
him in our classes. Christmas was focused on the birth of Christ. 
In a small town like ours, there weren't any shopping malls, so there was no place 
for Santa Claus to set up his little booth and greet all the little children during the 
Christmas season. 
Then one Christmas, Santa Claus and his entourage set up in our downtown square. 
Everybody was invited to come and see Santa Claus.
I mentioned this to my father and asked him about Santa Claus.
"Well," my father said, "you go see Santa Claus, sit on his lap and tell him what you 
want for Christmas." 
When I heard that my eyes just lit up in great delight. "You mean I can tell Santa Claus 
what I want for Christmas?" 
With a smile on his face, my father shook his head most energetically. I believed him; 
after all, fathers don't lie. 
All I ever wanted for Christmas when I was young was a pony. Now, with Santa Claus 
in town, I had the opportunity to request a pony for this Christmas. I can't tell you 
how excited I was. 
My parents took me and my siblings downtown at the square to meet Santa Claus. 
I was excited, and so were my siblings. We chattered and chattered all the way the 
Santa's place. We told each other what we wanted Santa to bring us for Christmas.
I remember that first experience with Santa Claus. As I walked up and sat in his lap, 
I was a wee bit nervous. Then the thoughts dancing in my head was that this was my 
opportunity to get my long-awaited pony for Christmas"Ho, ho, ho, and what would you like for Christmas this year, little fella?"
I wanted to hear that all my life. I then explained to him that all I wanted for Christmas 
was a pony. Any color pony would do as long as it was a pony. So I explained to 
him what I would do with a pony and how it would change my life and everything.
As he listened to me, he was chuckling, "Ho, ho, ho."
When I finished my request, he said, "Young man is that really what you want for 
Christmas? If so, you'll have to be nice and not naughty because if you're naughty, I 
can't do it." 
With a hearty nod and a smile on my face, I promised I would never be naughty.
As I left dear old Santa's lap, all I could think of was how this little pony he would 
bring me on Christmas day would change my life. That's all I could talk about on the 
way home that day.
I did notice that my father and mother were looking at each other but not smiling and 
I did not catch what was happening.
On Christmas Eve, as we got the Christmas tree all ready, I was excited, and I made a 
little space under the tree for the pony Santa would bring me that night.
It was hard to sleep because I was listening for the reindeer to land on the roof with 
my pony for Christmas. Eventually, I fell asleep and dreamed of that wonderful little 
pony all night.
I couldn't wait to get up that morning, and I ran into the living room where the Christmas 
tree was. I shouted excitedly, "Where's my pony?"
My father tried to explain that perhaps I had been on Santa's "naughty list," and he 
couldn't bring me that pony for Christmas this year.
I shed tears all day, and the following days were terrible.
For the next three Christmases, I did the same thing. Every Christmas, Santa promised 
to bring me a pony for Christmas as long as I was not naughty.
Christmas after Christmas and no pony. I tried to have my father explain to me what 
Santa's definition of naughty was. He tried to explain, but I couldn't understand what 
he was talking about at the time.
I could not believe that that wonderful person called Santa Claus could ever lie to 
someone like me. So what did I ever do to get on his naughty list?
I never went back to sit on Santa's lap ever again. But, later in life, I realized that the 
guy in the red suit was lying to me, and he wasn't really Santa Claus.
Thinking about this I remembered what the Angels told the shepherds on that glorious 
day. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ 
the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling 
clothes, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:11-12). 

The real purpose of Christmas is celebrating the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. My life 
changed when I received him as my Lord and Savior. Yours can too. 

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