Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, July 15, 2023

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Mountain View News Saturday, July 15, 2023 


SENIOR HAPPENINGS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …JULY Birthdays*

Nina Bartolai, Mary Lou Caldwell, Louise Neiby, Betty Hansen, Melinda 
Rogers , Christine Durfort, Shahrzad Azrani, Jeanne Borgedahl, Janet Cox, 
Dorothy Montgomery, Bess Pancoska, Janet Swanson, Barbara Watson, Pat 
Alcorn, Karma Bell, Alice Clark, and Betty Dos Remedios, Bonnie Diener

Jan Greteman, Linda Heller

 * To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. YEAR 
of birth not required 


SENIOR CLUB Every Saturday at Noon Hart Park House

Open to all seniors 50+ Fun - Games - And More! Call Mark at 626-355-3951 

TEA AND TALK BOOK CLUB

Wednesday, 7/12 and 7/26 9:00 am Hart Park House

Tea and Talk, meets twice a month to discuss the fun, suspense, intrigue, love and so 
much more that each selection will have in store! Call Lawren 626-355-5278 for 

current selection and feel free to join at any time.

HULA AND POLYNESIAN DANCE

 BEGINNERS - Every Thursday 10-11:00 am

 INTERMEDIATE Every Friday 10-11:00 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 Covered Pavilion.

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. 

TIPS AND TOOLS FOR COPING WITH VISION LOSS


Dear Savvy Senior:

Can you recommend some good resources for seniors 
with vision loss? My husband was recently diagnosed 
with macular degeneration, which has deteriorated 
his central vision, and he’s become very discouraged. 
Worried Wife

Dear Worried:

I’m very sorry to hear about your husband’s eye 
condition. Unfortunately, there are about 20 million 
Americans living with macular degeneration today. 
Over time, this progressive disease can rob people 
of their central vision, making everyday tasks like 
driving a car, reading a magazine or watching television 
extremely challenging. Here are some tips 
and resources that can help.

Low Vision Help

If your husband hasn’t already done so, he needs to 
see a low-vision specialist for a comprehensive examination. 
Low-vision specialists are ophthalmologist 
or optometrist with additional credentials or 
specialization in low vision testing, diagnosis, and 
treatment.

 A low vision exam, which is much different from 
a typical eye exam, will explore how your husband’s 
eye condition is affecting his day-to-day life, how 
he’s adapting emotionally and prescribe solutions to 
help him regain as much day-to-day functioning as 
possible.

 Your next step is to get your husband to a nearby 
vision rehabilitation service. These services, which 
are run by state or nonprofit organizations, or private 
eye care clinics, help people with all types of 
uncorrectable vision impairments. Most state and 
nonprofit services are free or low-cost, while private 
clinics typically charge a fee or may accept 
Medicare.

 While vision rehabilitation does not restore lost 
sight, it does help people maximize their existing 
sight, or, if they have no vision, it can equip them 
with techniques and tools to help them maintain an 
independent lifestyle.

 Services include counseling, along with training 
on how to perform daily living tasks with low vision, 
and how to use visual and adaptive devices and 
assistive technologies that can help improve quality 
of life.

 They also offer guidance for adapting your home 
that will make it safer and easier for your husband 
to maneuver and can help him locate low-vision 
support groups. Some agencies will even send their 
specialist out to work with him in the comfort of 
your own home.

 To find a vision rehabilitation service near you 
ask your husband’s eye doctor for a referral, or you 
can locate services yourself by calling the American 
Printing House (APH) Connect Center at 
800-232-5463.

Online Tools

Another convenient place to get help for your husband 
is online at VisionAware (VisionAware.org). 
This free website that’s part of the APH Connect 
Center is specifically designed for older adults new 
to vision loss.

 It provides information on eye diseases and disorders, 
along with dozens of practical tips, information 
and instructional videos on living with vision 
loss. These include concepts for adapting your home 
to make it easier to navigate, techniques for traveling 
safely outside the home, and various tips on how 
to manage things like finances, medications, and 
other tasks such as cooking, cleaning, grooming, 
reading, writing, doing hobbies and more.

VisionAware also provides a comprehensive list of 
more than 2,000 low vision agencies and organizations 
across the country that’s searchable by state or 
category.

Another terrific low vision resource that’s available 
to your husband is Hadley (Hadley.edu), which is a 
nonprofit organization and partner of the National 
Eye Institute and the National Eye Health Education 
Program.

Hadley offers online discussion groups, audio podcasts 
and dozens of free online workshop videos 
to help empower the blind and visually impaired. 
With Hadley, your husband will learn new ways to 
do things that have become more difficult due to his 
vision loss and connect him with a network of peers 
who understand what he’s going through.

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.


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder

OUR SUMMER VACATION JAMBOREE

After months and months 
of planning, The Gracious 
Mistress of the Parsonage 
finalized our vacation plans for the 
summer.

Because of our busy lifestyle, something 
like this cannot be done with just a snap 
of a finger, especially since the great-
granddaughter invaded our family circle. 
If my wife does not see her every day, 
something is wrong. It took her a long 
time to plan a whole week, so she would 
not have to see the great-granddaughter.

The time, however, had come, and we 
were on our way to a well-deserved vacation 
in St. Augustine.

I remembered why we were here on our 
first day in St. Augustine. Silly me, I 
thought it was vacation time, but then 
I remembered we were at the capital 
of thrift store shops. I’m not sure how 
many thrift store shops are in the area, 
but I know The Gracious Mistress of the 
Parsonage knows exactly how many are 
open. She knows when a thrift store shop 
opens two months before it opens.

I knew part of my vacation time would 
be spent at some thrift stores. I am not 
a thrift store shopper connoisseur to any 
degree at all. They all look the same, and 
I can’t remember the last time I found 
something in one that I wanted. Not 
only does The Gracious Mistress of the 
Parsonage knows where the shops are, 
but she knows what the shop has and 
where they are located in that shop.

I remember going to one thrift store shop 
with her, and when we entered, I went 
one way, and she went the other way. I 
was lost for the next 90 minutes and did 
not know how to get out or even where 
my wife was. Fortunately, she found me 
and led me outside. It’s been several years 
since that experience.

One day we were at one of her favorite 
shops, and she was talking to one of the 
managers. They had known each other 
for many years, so they had much to 
catch up on. In the middle of their conversation, 
a customer approached the 
manager and asked if they had a certain 
item and where she could find it.

Before the manager could answer, The 
Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage 
spoke up and said, “That product is 
down the aisle there, and turn left at the 
fourth aisle. You will find it on the top of 
the shelf.” She thanked her and walked 
off after the product.

The manager looked at my wife and 
asked, “How did you know where to find 
that product?” “I saw it the last time I 
was here,” my wife replied.

Being one of the managers, she offered 
my wife a job. Fortunately for me, she did 
not take the job. It’s something when my 
wife knows where things are in the shop 
more than the shop manager.

We visited a few thrift stores during the 
days that we were there.

One day my wife asked if I wanted to go 
to the shopping mall with her. It’s been a 
long time since I was at a shopping mall, 
so I agreed to accompany her.

As we arrived at the shopping mall I 
looked at my wife and said, “You do remember 
our rule for going into a shopping 
mall, don’t you?”

She nodded, took my hand, and we 
walked into the shopping mall together.

We walked around for almost an hour, 
and then two older ladies approached us, 
smiled, and said, “That is so sweet. Both 
of you at your age are holding hands as 
you walk around the mall.”

I smiled and replied, “If I let go of her 
hand, she will go off shopping, and I will 
not be able to find her for hours.” The 
ladies looked at me, smiled and then kept 
walking.

Towards the end of the week, something 
happened that I totally wasn’t expecting 
and it could change my life. The toilet 
in our bathroom was jammed, and it 
couldn’t be flushed.

My wife went down to the main office 
and got a plunger. She worked and 
worked at it, but could not get the toilet 
to flush. I’m not sure what came over me, 
but I walked in and said, “Do you want 
me to try?”

She gave me the plunger, and without 
much thought, I started plunging away, 
and within a few minutes, the toilet was 
working. At first, I smiled, then I realized 
what had just happened.

My wife has a reputation for fixing everything 
and anything. In contrast, I have a 
reputation for not being able to fix anything. 
I’ve enjoyed that reputation, and 
it has a lot of benefits. But now, I fixed 
something that The Gracious Mistress of 
the Parsonage could not fix. My reputation 
is ruined.

As we were driving home in The Gracious 
Mistress of the Parsonage’s sissy 
band, she looked at me and said, “That 
was a wonderful vacation, wasn’t it?” I 
just smiled. A verse of Scripture came to 
my mind as we were driving.

Isaiah 55:11, “So shall my word be that 
goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall 
not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish 
that which I please, and it shall 
prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

It’s God’s word that really makes a difference 
in my life. The Bible is absolutely 
true to God’s heart and will.

Dr. James L. Snyder lives in Ocala, FL 
with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. 
website www.jamessnyderministries.
com.


FAMILY MATTERS

 By Marc Garlett

VACATION READY: ESSENTIAL LEGAL PREPARATIONS 
FOR A WORRY FREE GETAWAY

Vacations are a time to 
relax, unwind, and create 
memories with your 
loved ones. But before you set off on your adventure, 
it's essential to ensure that your legal affairs are in 
order so you can fully relax during your travels. 

Can’t imagine doing one more thing before you take 
some much-needed time away? 

Don’t worry! These steps only take a little time to 
complete and can provide you with peace of mind 
knowing you have made proper arrangements if the 
unexpected happens to you or your family while 
you’re away.

1. Create Powers of Attorney

Whether you’re traveling overseas or just a few hours 
away, it's crucial to have Powers of Attorney in place 
for both health care and financial matters before you 
leave. 

A Healthcare Power of Attorney designates someone 
you trust to make medical decisions on your behalf 
if you become incapacitated during your vacation. 
While no one plans to become incapacitated, a slip 
on the diving board, an injury while boating, or a 
parasite caught from local cuisine can happen.

Similarly, the Financial Power of Attorney empowers 
a trusted individual to manage your financial affairs 
for you. With a Financial Power of Attorney, 
you can give someone the authority to manage your 
investments or pay your bills while you’re away, or 
just have it as a safety net in case you become incapacitated 
or can’t be reached while traveling. 

By having these documents prepared ahead of time, 
you can ensure that no matter what hiccups you run 
into on your travels, your wishes for your health 
will be respected and your financial affairs will be 
handled according to your instructions, even when 
you're away.

2. Nominate Permanent Legal Guardians for 
Your Kids

As a parent, naming a Permanent Guardian for your 
children is one of the most important decisions you 
can make. While it's a difficult topic to consider, designating 
a Permanent Legal Guardian ensures that 
your children will be cared for by someone you trust 
if the unexpected happens while you're on vacation. 

It’s a good idea to take a little time to choose someone 
who shares your values, loves your children, 
and is willing to take on the responsibility of raising 
them. However, anyone you trust to raise your kids 
is a better choice than leaving the decision up to a 
judge who doesn’t know you or your family. 

By documenting your chosen Guardian, you make 
sure your children will be cared for by someone who 
loves them and knows them if the unthinkable happens 
to you, and you can always update your choice 
at any time in the future as your children and their 
relationships change over time.

3. Designate Short-Term Guardians for Your 
Kids

In addition to naming a Permanent Guardian, it's 
equally crucial to designate short-term Short-Term 
Legal Guardians for your children. Short-Term 
Guardians step in when the Permanent Guardian 
lives far away, or in case of a short-term, immediate 
emergency. 

You can give multiple people the authority to be 
your child’s Short-Term Guardian, including relatives, 
neighbors, or nannies. When planning a vacation, 
it’s a good idea to name any adults who your 
child will be staying with while traveling with you 
or staying home. 

For example, if your child is spending the week at 
their grandparents’ house, you should name their 
grandparents as Short-Term Guardians and give 
them medical Power of Attorney for your minor 
child. If your child is traveling with you, naming 
any adult travel companions as Short-Term Guardians 
and giving them medical Powers of Attorney is 
a wise choice in case a Guardian or Medical POA is 
needed for your child while on your trip.

Discuss this arrangement with the individuals 
you've chosen and make sure they’re aware of their 
roles and responsibilities. By establishing Short-
Term Guardians and Medical POAs, you can ensure 
that your children are well-cared for in the event of 
an emergency.

4. Tell the People You Trust About Your Plans

Last but not least, make sure that the people you 
trust know about your travel plans and the preparations 
you’ve made, including where you’ll be staying 
and how to get in contact with you. 

Let them know about any legal documents you've 
put in place, and how to access them if needed. Share 
this information with your chosen Guardians, family 
members, and close friends. By keeping everyone 
in the loop, you can ensure your wishes are known 
and your loved ones can act swiftly and effectively in 
case of an emergency. 

Planning for The Vacation You Deserve

As you pack your bags and prepare for your vacation, 
don't overlook the importance of handling your 
legal affairs. Taking the time to create Powers of Attorney, 
Permanent and Short-Term Legal Guardians 
for your children, and communicating your plans to 
trusted individuals can provide you with peace of 
mind and save your family incredible stress if there 
is an emergency while you’re away.

To your health, wealth, and family legacy,

Marc Garlett, Esq.

Cali Law Family Legacy Matters

www.caliLaw.com

626.355.4000

This material was created for educational and informational purposes only 
and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal, or investment advice. If you are seeking 
legal or other advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be 
obtained on your own, separate from this educational material.

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