Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, September 30, 2023

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, September 30, 2023 


SENIOR HAPPENINGS

DISCOVER YOUR IDEAL ASSISTED 

LIVING COMMUNITY WITH SAFE PATH 
FOR SENIORS

Are you or a loved one considering senior living? Safe Path 
for Seniors offers a FREE service to simplify your search. 
Our expert advisor will provide per-sonalized guidance, 
connecting you with the perfect assisted living community 
tailored to your needs and budget. With an extensive 
network and cost-effective options, we ensure peace of 
mind during this transition.

Why Safe Path for Seniors?

*Personalized Support: We understand unique requirements. * Extensive Network: Find communities that 
suit your preferences. *Budget-Friendly: Discover cost-effective solutions. * Streamlined Process: Save time 
with our seamless placement. *Compassion and Care: Your well-being is our priority.

 Let us be your trusted partner. Call (626) 999-6913 or visit www.safepathforseniors.com for a FREE consultation. 
Begin a comfortable, fulfilling senior living journey with Safe Path for Seniors.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …September Birthdays*

Clem Bartolai, Pat Hall, Donna Anderson, Teresa Chaure, Cathy 
Gunther, Esther Macias, Sheila Pierce, Nancy Sue Shollenberger, Patti 
O’Meara, Judie Cimino, Mary Steinberg, Geri Wright, Parvin Dabiri, 
Denise Reistetter and Nehama Warner, Virginia Mullaney, Gwen 
Robertson. 

* 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 


DO YOU NEED LIFE INSURANCE 
AFTER YOU RETIRE?


Dear Savvy Senior: Do I still need life insurance 
after I retire? I’ve been thinking about dropping my 
policy to escape the premiums. Is this a good idea? 
Approaching Retirement

Dear Approaching,:

It depends on your family and financial situation. 
While many retirees choose to stop paying their 
life insurance premiums when they no longer have 
young families to take care of, there are several reasons 
you may still want to keep your policy. Here are 
some different factors to help you decide.

Family situation: Life insurance is designed to help 
protect your spouse and children from poverty in 
the case of your untimely death. But if your children 
are grown and are on their own, and you have 
sufficient financial resources to cover you and your 
spouse’s retirement costs, then there is little need to 
continue to have life insurance.

On the other hand, if you had a child late in life or 
have a relative with special needs who is dependent 
on you for income, it makes sense to keep paying the 
premiums on your policy.

You also need to make sure your spouse’s retirement 
income will not take a significant hit when you die. 
Check out the conditions of your pension or annuity 
(if you have them) to see if they stop paying when 
you die, and factor in your lost Social Security income 
too. If you find that your spouse will lose a 
significant portion of income upon your death, you 
may want to keep the policy to help make up the 
difference.

Debts: If you are still paying off your mortgage or 
have other large debts, you should probably keep 
your policy to help your loved ones pay off these 
debts when you die. But if your debt payments are 
a small part of your net worth that poses no risk of 
financial difficulty, then you may not need it.

Work: Will you need to take another job in retirement 
to earn income? Since life insurance 
helps replace lost income to your family when 
you die, you may want to keep your policy if your 
spouse or other family members are relying on that 
income. However, if you have very little income 
from your retirement job, then there’s probably no 
need to continue with the policy.

Estate taxes: Life insurance can also be a handy estate-
planning tool. If, for example, you own a business 
that you want to keep in the family and you 
don’t have enough liquid assets to take care of the 
estate taxes, you can sometimes use a life insurance 
policy to help your heirs pay off Uncle Sam when 
you die.

To help you with this decision, consider talking to 
an estate-planning expert or a fee-only financial advisor 
who can help you weigh out the pros and cons.

Sell or Swap Your Policy

If you decide that you don’t need your life insurance 
policy any longer, you may want to consider selling 
it in a “life settlement” transaction to a third-party 
company, which typically pays four to eight times 
more than the policy cash surrender value. The best 
candidates are people over age 65 who own a policy 
with a face value of $100,000 or more.

 If you’re interested in this option, get quotes from 
several life settlement providers or brokers in your 
state. To find them, the Life Insurance Settlement 
Association provides a directory at LISA.org.

Another option is to use a tax-free 1035 exchange to 
swap your policy for a hybrid product that blends 
life insurance with long-term-care insurance coverage. 
These products come in various forms, but they 
often combine a whole or universal life policy with a 
long-term-care rider. If you don’t use the long-term-
care coverage, your heirs get the death benefit.

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.


IS WALKING ENOUGH?

 by Michele Silence


Michele Silence, M.A. is a 37-year certified fitness 
professional who offers semi-private/virtual fitness 
classes and a weight management support group. 
If you have questions or ideas for this column 

contact Michele at michele@kid-fit.com. 

Visit her Facebook page at: michelesfitness.

 We're all well aware that exercise is crucial for 
a healthier, longer life. Among the many exercise 
options, walking emerges as one of the simplest 
and most convenient choices. It's an activity that 
transcends age and fitness levels, requiring nothing 
more than a comfortable pair of shoes and a willingness 
to step outside. However, like any exercise 
regimen, relying only on walking has its advantages 
and drawbacks.

 One of walking's main advantages is how easy 
it is to do. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or a 
novice to fitness, walking is a universally inclusive 
activity. Its low-impact nature sets it apart, making 
it gentle on the joints and an ideal option for those 
nursing injuries or with joint concerns. Engaging 
in brisk walking can significantly boost cardiovascular 
health, raising your heart rate, strengthening 
the heart muscles, and lowering the risk of heart 
disease and hypertension. Studies have even found 
that people who must climb steps to access apartments 
on higher floors may live longer than those 
on the ground floor. Individuals residing in regions 
with the highest number of centenarians all share 
this common activity: daily walking, particularly 
uphill, as a regular part of their everyday routine.

 Walking can aid in weight management too, particularly 
when paired with a balanced diet. It helps 
burn calories and kickstarts metabolism, offering a 
sustainable path to weight loss. Beyond the physical 
benefits, walking releases endorphins, naturally 
uplifting your mood and providing relief from 
symptoms of anxiety and depression. Moreover, 
the social aspect of walking should not be underestimated; 
it can be a communal activity, fostering 
social interaction and support. Lastly, the sheer 
convenience of walking is unmatched. It necessitates 
no special equipment, memberships, or facilities, 
enabling exercise wherever and whenever you 
please. And if you have a dog, walking with it will 
certainly enhance its health too.

 Given these advantages, it might be tempting 
to stop gym memberships, fitness classes, and other 
less convenient types of exercises. But, beware. 
Over the years I’ve seen more than a few people opt 
for walking programs when money or time gets 
tight. Or even when one part of the body is impaired. 
Unfortunately, the results may directly lead 
to a decrease in fitness level and muscular strength.

 Despite its many advantages, walking has limitations. 
While it provides numerous health benefits, 
it may not deliver the same intensity and calorie 
burn as more vigorous forms of exercise. Achieving 
specific fitness goals, such as substantial weight loss 
or significant muscle gain, takes more effort and 
intensity. If you want to achieve significant fitness 
goals, remember that walking can take up a lot of 
time. Adverse weather conditions can hinder outdoor 
walking, limiting your options and exposing 
you to potential discomfort. Inconsistent terrain 
can contribute to discomfort or injuries, especially 
when walking on hard or uneven surfaces. Also, 
walking predominantly targets lower body muscles, 
potentially leading to muscle imbalances over 
time. Finally, as you keep walking regularly, your 
body will get used to it, and you may need to change 
things up by making your walks more intense, longer, 
or by adding different exercises. Injury risk, 
though relatively low, persists, especially when improper 
footwear or poor form comes into play.

 To get the most out of walking while avoiding 
its downsides, try to create a balanced fitness routine. 
Blend diversity into your exercise regimen 
by combining walking with other complementary 
exercises such as strength training, stretching, and 
swimming. This multifaceted approach can thwart 
plateaus, cater to various muscle groups, and accommodate 
different fitness objectives. If your 
goals are to achieve substantial weight loss or notable 
muscle gain, incorporating more intense activities 
might be necessary. Additionally, adapting to 
your environment during adverse weather by considering 
indoor alternatives like treadmill workouts 
or group fitness classes can be a practical strategy. 
Seeking guidance from fitness professionals or 
healthcare providers can help create a tailored exercise 
plan, aligning with your goals and considering 
any pre-existing health conditions. Lastly, paying 
close attention to your body's signals is essential. 
Addressing any pain or discomfort promptly and 
seeking professional advice when needed ensures a 
safe and effective exercise experience.

 Walking unquestionably stands out as an excellent 
exercise choice, offering a multitude of benefits 
such as accessibility, joint-friendliness, heart health 
promotion, mood enhancement, and social interaction. 
However, solely relying on walking may not 
meet all your needs and require strengthening and 
higher-intensity workouts. 

 If you're already active and plan to switch to 
walking, make sure to incorporate other exercises 
for strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance 
to avoid any decline in your current fitness 
level. Consider seeking assistance from a professional 
to create a comprehensive fitness plan that 
aligns with your health and fitness goals.


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder

HOW MUCH IS 
LAUGHTER REALLY 
WORTH?

Of all the things I prioritize in 
my life, laughter is at the top of the list. I appreciate 
laughter more than any other thing.

 Some people get paid for their jokes, while 
others pay mightily. I am in the latter category. 
I like to make people laugh, but sometimes it 
costs me.

 Whenever I see somebody with a frown, my 
first thought is how to make that person laugh. 
If it's in the supermarket and they're walking 
down the aisle toward me, I put in gear something 
to make them laugh. Usually, it works, 
but once in a while, it doesn't.

 Where my jokes don't fly too well is with The 
Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. I try the 
best I can to make her laugh, and occasionally, I 
succeed. When I fail, there is a price to be paid.

 For example, our birthdays are two days apart 
in July. We celebrated our birthdays at one of 
our favorite restaurants this past year.

 After finishing our dinner, they brought dessert, 
and then The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage 
looked at me and said, "Do you feel old 
today?"

 I have difficulty taking things seriously, so I 
reached across the table, took hold of her arm, 
squeezed it very gently, and said, "I feel old now."

You might be surprised I was the only one 
laughing at the table.

 Getting into trouble with some joke is not that 
bad. I haven't gotten into too much trouble, but 
once in a while, I do.

 Like everybody else, I get these scam calls, 
particularly concerning Medicare upgrades. I 
should be grateful that so many people want to 
help me upgrade my Medicare program. And 
yet, being a Pennsylvania Dutchman, I don't 
trust people who want to give me something for 
free.

 I got a call the other day, and they wanted to 
upgrade my Medicare plan so that I had everything 
I deserved. Then they asked me how old 
I was. That was the switch that turned on the 
light bulb in my head.

 "I really don't know," I said as thoughtfully as 
possible, "every year my age changes and I just 
can't keep up to date with it."

 There was a pause on the other end of the 
phone line, and finally, that person started 
speaking French and told me a lot about my 
mother. Then there came the "click."

 I laughed and used it several times since.

Several weeks ago, I had a dental appointment 
to fix some of my teeth. I can't imagine being a 
dentist and spending my whole career looking 
into people's mouths, especially me with bad 
breath.

 I went into the office on my appointed day, 
signed in, and then took a seat.

 Shortly, the lady at the desk asked me to come 
forward. I did not quite know what she wanted.

She showed me a file and asked, "Is this you?"

I looked at the file, looked back at her, and said, 
"No, that is not me."

Looking a little frustrated, she said maybe she 
got the wrong file.

 "No," I said, looking at her. Then I pointed to 
my chest and said to her, "This is me and that is 
just paper with my name on it."

 People sitting in the waiting room started giggling, 
and finally, the lady at the desk got what I 
said and started laughing. "So," she said laughing, 
"this paper is not you."

 I love it when a plan comes together.

In minutes, I was called to go in, and one of the 
dentist's assistants took me to the room to prepare 
me for the process. There was a long process, 
and she did everything but throw me over 
the moon.

 Finally, she finished her work, and the dentist 
came in. I had three teeth that needed to be 
worked on. The first thing he did was to give 
some numbing shots in my mouth, and everything 
went numb. Then, he was ready to do the 
work.

 I sat in that chair for maybe an hour with my 
mouth open and the dentist on one side of me 
poking in and his assistant on the other side doing 
what she was supposed to do, and it was a 
long process. The dentist talked to me, but I was 
in such a position that I couldn't answer back.

 His assistant on my left side was doing an excellent 
job, at least I think so, but my mouth was 
so numb I wouldn't have known otherwise.

 Finally, the process was over, and the assistant, 
a very nice young lady, asked me, "How do you 
feel now?"

 I didn't have to think, but I responded immediately, 
"I feel like a woman."

 The assistant looked at me with wonder and 
said, "What?"

 "I feel like a woman because my mouth has 
been open for such a long time."

 It took a while for her to get it, and she did not 
think it qualified for laughter.

 I tried to laugh, but my mouth was so numb I 
could hardly talk.

 Later that day, I was reminded of what the 
Bible says. "A merry heart doeth good like a 
medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones" 
(Proverbs 17:22).

 Much of our problems can be dealt with 
through a merry heart. We look for artificial 
medicine that does not get to the heart of our 
problems.

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