Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, December 31, 2022

Mountain View News Saturday, December 31, 2022 12 Mountain View News Saturday, December 31, 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 

WHEN CAN I CHANGE MY MEDICARE COVERAGE? 


Dear Savvy Senior:
Is it possible to make changes to my Medicare coverage 
now? I know we’ve passed the fall open enrollment 
period, but I’ve heard that there are other times 
of the year beneficiaries can make changes. What 
can you tell me? Changed My Mind 

Dear Changed:
Yes! The annual Medicare open enrollment period 
isn’t your only opportunity to swap out Medicare 
coverage. There are other opportunities, but the 
timing of when you can make those changes depends 
on your specific circumstances and the kind 
of Medicare coverage you have. Here’s what you 
should know. 

Medicare Advantage ChangeIf you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, 
you may be able to use the Medicare Advantage 
Open Enrollment Period, which occurs each year 
from Jan. 1 through March 31. 

During this period, you can switch from your current 
Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare 
Advantage Plan or to original Medicare with 
or without a prescription drug plan. You can only 
make one change during this period, and it will be 
effective the first of the next month after you make 
the change. 

Special EnrollmentDepending on your circumstances, you may also 
qualify for a Special Enrollment Period to change 
your Medicare health and drug coverage. 

There are a number of circumstances in which you 
may have a Special Enrollment Period, such as if 
you moved outside of your plan’s service area, your 
Medicare Advantage Plan terminated a significant 
amount of its network providers, or you are enrolled 
in a State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program. 

Those with Extra Help – the federal program that 
helps pay for drug costs – also have a Special Enrollment 
Period to enroll in a Part D plan, or switch 
between plans once per quarter in the first three 
quarters of the year. 

If you need to make changes to your coverage but 
aren’t sure whether you qualify for a Special Enroll-

FAMILY MATTERS

 By Marc Garlett 

DON'T LET DIMINISHED FINANCIAL CAPACITY PUT 
YOUR ELDERLY LOVED ONES AT RISK.....PART I 

 
With more and more 

Baby Boomers reach


ing retirement age 

each year, our country 
is undergoing an unprecedented demographic 
transformation that’s been dubbed “The Greying 
of America.” This population shift stands to affect 
many aspects of life, especially your relationships 
with aging parents and other senior family 
members. 

By 2060, the number of Americans aged 65 and 
older is projected to nearly double from 52 million 
in 2018 to 95 million, which will account for 24% 
of the total population. And as early as 2030, the 
number of those 65 and older is expected to surpass 
the number of children (those under age 18) for the 
first time in history. 

Coinciding with the boom in the elderly population, 
the number of Americans suffering from Alzheimer’s 
and other forms of dementia is expected 
to increase substantially as well. The Centers for 
Disease Control (CDC) estimates that the number 
of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease will double 
by 2060, when it’s expected to reach 14 million— 
more than 3% of the total population. 

A decline in financial capacityAlthough Alzheimer’s is the most common cause 
of dementia in older adults, it’s not the only one. 
In fact, the National Institute on Aging estimates 
that nearly half of all Americans will develop some 
form of dementia in their lifetime. And while the 
cognitive decline brought on by dementia affects 
a broad array of mental functions, many people 
aren’t aware that one of the first abilities to go is 
one’s “financial capacity.” 

Financial capacity refers to the ability to manage 
money and make wise financial decisions. Yet cognitive 
decline brought on by dementia often develops 
slowly over several years, so a diminished financial 
capacity frequently goes unnoticed—often 
until it’s too late. 

“Financial capacity is one of the first abilities to 
decline as cognitive impairment encroaches,” 
notes the AARP’s Public Policy Institute, “yet older 
people, their families, and others are frequently unaware 
that these deficits are developing.” 

Ironically, studies have also shown that the elderly’s 
confidence in their money management skills can 
actually increase as they get older, which puts them 
in a perilous position. As seniors begin to experience 
difficulty managing their money, they don’t 
realize they’re making poor choices, which makes 
them easy targets for financial exploitation, fraud, 
and abuse. 

Watch for red flags over the holidaysNow that we’re in the peak of the holiday season, 

ment Period, contact your State Health Insurance 
Assistance Program (SHIP), which provides free 
Medicare counseling. To find a SHIP counselor in 
your area visit ShipHelp.org or call 877-839-2675. 

Also, be aware that if you’re enrolled in a Medicare 
plan by mistake or because of misleading information, 
you may be able to disenroll and change plans. 

Typically, you have the right to change plans if you 
joined unintentionally, joined based on incorrect 
or misleading information, or, through no fault of 
your own, were kept in a plan you did not want. 

To get help, call Medicare at 800-633-4227 and explain 
to a customer service representative how you 
joined the plan by mistake and to request retroactive 
disenrollment or a Special Enrollment Period. 

Fall Open EnrollmentAs you noted in your question, there’s also the Fall 
Open Enrollment Period that allows all Medicare 
beneficiaries – those with original Medicare and 
Medicare Advantage plans – to make changes. 

The Fall Open Enrollment Period occurs each year 
from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. During this period, 
you can join a new Medicare Advantage Plan or 
stand-alone prescription drug plan (Part D) plan. 
You can also switch between Original Medicare 
with or without a Part D plan and Medicare 
Advantage. 

You can make as many changes as you need during 
this period, and your last coverage choice will take 
effect Jan. 1. 

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. 

you’re likely spending more time with your aging 
parents and other senior relatives. This provides an 
ideal opportunity to be on the lookout for signs that 
your loved ones might be experiencing a decline in 
their financial capacity. The University of Alabama 
study “The Warning Signs of Diminished Financial 
Capacity in Older Adults" identified six red flags to 
watch for: 

1. Memory lapses: Examples include missing appointments, 
failing to make a payment—or making 
multiples of the same payment—forgetting to 
bring documents or where documents are located, 
repeatedly giving the same orders, repeatedly asking 
the same questions.
2. Disorganization: Mismanaging financial documents, 
and losing or misplacing bills, statements, 
or other records. 
3. Declining checkbook management skills: Forgetting 
to record transactions in the register, incorrectly 
or incompletely filling out register entries, 
and incorrectly filling out the payee or amount on 
a check. 
4. Mathematical mistakes: A declining ability to do 
basic oral or written math computations, such as 
making change.
5. Confusion: Difficulty understanding basic financial 
concepts like mortgages, loans, or interest 
payments, which were previously well-understood.
6. Poor financial judgment: A new-found interest 
in get-rich-quick schemes or radical changes in investment 
strategy. 
Managing diminished financial capacityIf you notice your parents or other senior family 
members displaying any of these behaviors, you 
should take steps to protect them from their own 
poor judgement. It’s vital to address their cognitive 
decline as early as possible, not only to prevent financial 
mismanagement and exploitation, but also 
to ensure their overall health and safety. 

There are several estate planning tools that can be 
put in place to help your aging parents and other senior 
family members protect themselves and their 
assets from the debilitating effects of dementia and 
other forms of incapacity. In part two of this series, 
we’ll discuss the specific planning tools available 
for this purpose, and provide some guidance on 
how to address this sensitive subject with your elderly 
loved ones. 

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


Marc Garlett, Esq.
Cali Law Family 
Legacy Matterswww.caliLaw.com 
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 MISCONCEPTION OF A NEW YEAR 

Christmas is the best time of the year, especially when it involves family. It's 
the one time of the year that families get together to celebrate together.
Of course, at least from my perspective, it is also the most hectic time of the 
year. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage has an entirely different perspective 
regarding family get-together time. This year, we had a special new family member, 
our second great-grandchild, born a week before Christmas. 

As you might imagine, that little one was the center of everybody's attention. Therefore, 
everybody had to hold the little one at least once. I could see the little one had absolutely no 
idea what was happening. Although these were wonderful memories for us, that little one 
will never remember this time together. But there will be other times, I assure you.
One daughter was taking pictures of just about everyone, which is important. The one picture 
she took, and I probably was the only one who understood, was between The Gracious 
Mistress of the Parsonage and that little great-granddaughter. The beauty of that picture was 
there was the oldest and the youngest person in our family together. Don't let her know that 
I said this because I may not get any older. 

It was a fun time, and when it was all over, everybody went home, even the family's newest 
member. The mother of the new baby had to spend a lot of time wrestling her from the 
great-grandmother. 

That night my wife and I sat together reflecting on our family get-together. As usual, it was 
a wonderful time, and I'm glad I've lived long enough to enjoy it. Whether I get to another 
Christmas or not is anybody's guess. As we sat together drinking hot apple cider, we reflected 
on the past year, which was a transitional year for us. It's hard for me to pick out the 
greatest time this past year but if I had to pick one it would be Christmas. Sighing deeply, I 
said, "It sure has been a great year, hasn't it?" 

Thinking deeply, which is the beginning of trouble, my wife said, "It was a great year." Then, 
after more deep thought, she continued, "But the New Year is going to be so much better."
Not learning from the past, I replied, "What's so new about the new year?" She looked at me 
as though she had never seen me before, and with one of her sarcastic tones, she said, "It's a 
new year, and everything is going to be new."
"What do you think is going to be new about this coming New Year?" I responded. "Everything 
will be new this coming year, and I can't wait to see all the new stuff." Pausing for a 
moment, she then said, "Last year, we didn't even know at this time that we were going to 
have a great-granddaughter. She is new in our family."
Well, she had me on that one for sure. Maybe she was expecting another new great-grandchild 
this coming year. So I didn't pursue that.
"So," I said rather slowly, "what will be new this coming year?"
"Everything is going to be new this coming year." She said with a smile dancing on her face.
"Except for a new family member," I said to her, "everything this next year is going to be the 
same." 
She could not let me get away with that and said most vehemently, "Everything is going to be 
new. Trust me." 
I had her just about where I wanted her and was very careful in my next steps.
"So, tell me, how many months will there be this coming year?"
Looking at me, she smirked and said, "There will be 12 months this coming year. What are 
you talking about?"
"Well," I stuttered a little, "weren't there 12 months this past year? This next year we will have 
the same 12 months as we had last year."
Looking at me, she said, "I think you're getting a little goofy here."
"And," I pursued a little more, "how many days of the week will there be in this new year? Will 
there be any more than last year?"
She stared at me, not knowing what to say.
"Also, there will still be 24 hours in every day. That's not going to change either."
I paused for a moment and then said, "When is your birthday this coming year?"
She told me and said, "It's the same as it was the last year, you silly boy."
"Oh," I said rather thoughtfully, "your birthday this year is the same as last year, so your 
birthday isn't new this year."
“But,” she replied, “I will be a year older.”
Looking at her I replied, “Weren’t you a year older this year?”
Finally, she began to understand what I was saying, and looking at me very quizzically, she 
said, "You sure have a stupid way of looking at things, don't you?"
Then she said something rather startling, "I guess you are right in this." 

Well, I was rather stunned because that was new.
Pondering this conversation I was reminded of what wise old Solomon said. “The thing that 
hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and 
there is no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9).
The secret to a happy life is enjoying what I have right now. 

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