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

9

Mountain Views-News Saturday, December 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! …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, Sheila Woehler. 

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


ESSENTIAL TOPICS YOU NEED TO 

DISCUSS WITH YOUR AGING PARENTS

Dear Savvy Senior:

My siblings and I don’t know much about our elderly 
parent’s financial situation or their wishes if and when 
something happens to them. They are both in their 
mid-eighties. What’s the best way to handle this and 
what all should we know? Apprehensive Daughter

Dear Apprehensive:

Many adult children don’t know much about their 
elderly parent’s financial situation or end-of-life 
plans, but they need to. Getting up to speed on their 
finances, insurance policies, long-term care plans 
and other information is important because some day 
you might have to help them handle their financial 
affairs or care, or execute their estate plan after they 
die. Without this information, your job becomes 
much more difficult. Here are some tips that can help.

Have the Conversation

If you’re uncomfortable talking to your parents 
about this, use this column as a prompt or see 
TheConversationProject.org, which offers free guides 
that can help you kick-start these discussions.

 It’s also a good idea to get all your siblings involved 
too. This can help you head off any possible hard 
feelings, plus, with others involved, your parents will 
know everyone is concerned.

 When you talk with your parents, you’ll need 
to collect some information, find out where they 
keep key documents and how they want certain 
things handled when they die or if they become 
incapacitated. Here’s a checklist of areas to focus on.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Contacts: Make a list of names and phone numbers of 
your parent’s doctors, lawyer, accountant, broker, tax 
preparer, insurance agent, etc.

Medical information: Make a copy of their medical 
history and a list of medications they take.

Personal documents: Find out where they keep their 
Social Security card, marriage license, military 
discharge papers, etc.

Secured places: Make a list of places they keep 
under lock and key such as safe deposit boxes, safe 
combination, security alarms, etc.

Digital assets: Make a list of their digital assets – 
everything from social media accounts to online 
banking. It should include usernames and passwords.

Pets: If they have a pet, what are their instructions for 
the animal’s care?

End of life: What are their wishes for organ or body 
donation, and their funeral instructions? If they’ve 
made pre-arrangements with a funeral home, get a 
copy of the agreement. 

LEGAL DOCUMENTS

Will: Do they have an updated will or trust, and 
where is it located?

Power of attorney: Do they have a power of attorney 
document that names someone to handle their 
financial matters if they become incapacitated?

Advance directives: Do they have a living will and a 
medical power of attorney that spells out their wishes 
regarding their end-of-life medical treatment? If they 
don’t have these documents prepared, now’s the time 
to make them.

FINANCIAL RECORDS

Financial accounts: Make a list of their bank accounts, 
brokerage and mutual fund accounts, and any other 
financial assets they have.

Debts and liabilities: Make a list of any loans, leases or 
debts they have – mortgages owed, car loans, student 
loans, medical bills, credit card debts. Also, make a 
list of all credit and charge cards, including the card 
numbers and contact information. 

Company benefits: Make a list of any retirement 
plans, pensions or benefits from their former 
employers including the contact information of the 
benefits administrator.

Insurance: Make a list of the insurance policies they 
have (life, long-term care, home, auto, Medicare, 
etc.) including the policy numbers, agents and phone 
numbers. 

Property: Make a list of the real estate, vehicles 
or other properties they own, rent or lease and 
where they keep the deeds, titles and loan or lease 
agreements.

Taxes: Find out where they keep copies of past year’s 
tax returns. 

 You’re probably not going to get all this figured 
out in one gathering, so it’s important to keep the 
conversation going to ensure your parent’s wishes 
will be accurately executed.

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.


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.

BEYOND JANUARY: Resolutions 
That Last by Michele Silence

Have you ever experienced or witnessed someone 
passionately committing to a New Year's resolution, 
only to see it fizzle out within a few weeks? 
You genuinely aspire to make positive changes, 
yet despite your best efforts, the momentum fades 
away? After recurrent attempts, there comes a 
point when the question arises: 'Is it even worth it?

Don’t give up! Persistence is crucial. Despite past 
successes or setbacks, your resolutions can indeed 
succeed if you remember a few essential strategies. 
Sometimes, without realizing it, we might 
unknowingly undermine our plans right from the 
start. Here are some key concepts to keep in mind 
when you decide on bettering yourself in the new 
year:

Be Specific. Resolutions are often too vague or broad. For instance, saying "I want to get in shape" 
is less effective than setting a specific goal like "I want to lose 10 pounds in three months by going 
to the gym three times a week." A vague resolution lacks a clear plan or measurable milestone, 
making it challenging to track progress or stay motivated. But, a specific resolution outlines a clear 
goal, a specific timeframe, and actionable steps. Being highly specific provides a roadmap for 
learning and allows for better tracking of progress towards the goal.

Set Realistic Expectations. Setting unattainable goals can set you up for failure. For example, 
resolving to completely change your lifestyle overnight may not be feasible, leading to disappointment 
when you don't meet those high expectations. But, incorporating more vegetables into your 
every meal by adding a serving to lunch and dinner 5 days a week is very specific. Better than 
just saying you want to cut out sugar, carbs, fat and/or processed food. Just as unrealistic is setting 
a goal to run a 5K next month without any prior training. But, if you set out to run a 5K in 
six months after training on a structured plan that increases mileage each week task success becomes 
more likely. Setting realistic expectations ensures that goals are attainable, sustainable, and 
aligned with your capabilities. Think simple.

Have A Detailed Plan. A resolution without a clear plan is just a wish. Failing to outline the steps 
needed to achieve the goal makes it harder to follow through. Breaking down the resolution into 
actionable steps, detailing what actions need to be taken, how often, and for how long. It includes 
elements such as frequency, duration, intensity, and methods of tracking progress. Create a roadmap, 
making it clear what needs to be done to achieve the goal. That will increase the likelihood 
of success.

Build In Accountability: Without support or someone to hold you accountable, it's easy to lose 
motivation. Sharing your goals with friends, family, or joining a group with similar objectives 
can help maintain motivation. Example, if you want to exercise three times a week share it with 
a friend who also wants to get fit. You can provide mutual support and help each of you stay on 
track. When one of you feels demotivated, the other can offer encouragement and help maintain 
consistency.

Make One Resolution. Attempting multiple big changes at once can be overwhelming and dilute 
your focus. It's better to concentrate on one achievable goal at a time. This allows for better concentration, 
dedication, and success. If you have more than one goal, prioritize one main goal first. 
Once you have established that habit, focus on the next change.

Have Patience and Persistence. Results take time, and setbacks are common. Many people give 
up when they don't see immediate progress or face challenges. Developing patience allows you the 
time needed for growth and improvement. With persistence, you develop resilience and the ability 
to push through challenges, ultimately increasing your chances of success. Remember, lasting 
changes and accomplishments often come from consistent effort and perseverance over time.

Mindset and Habit Changes. Successful resolutions often require a shift in mindset and long-term 
habit changes. It's not just about the goal but about changing behaviors and attitudes, which can be 
challenging. Shifting your mindset and habits means changing how you think and act. It's about 
making conscious efforts to approach life differently. Instead of just focusing on reaching your 
goal, it's also about appreciating the steps you take to get there. Making these shifts isn't always 
easy, but it's super important if you want to make lasting changes in your life and achieve your 
goals in the long run!

If you want to get going on a fitness journey to improved health, contact me via my email or Facebook 
page for a month of free classes. I’ll be happy to help you get started in the new year! 


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder

THE REGIFTING QUEEN OF THE FAMILY

Sitting around the Christmas 
tree with my family and 
opening up Christmas presents 
stirred fond memories of my 
Aunt Edith. She was known as The Regifting 
Queen of our family. And believe me, she 
earned that name quite well.

Most of the family didn't catch on to what she 
was doing. I know I didn't realize it until several 
years before she passed.

Little did we know that when we gathered as a 
family at Christmas time, the gifts we received 
from Aunt Edith were regifted. I had no idea 
what that meant then, but I was to find out what 
it was all about.

One of my cousins caught on first. One 
Christmas, he received a gift that he 
remembered from last Christmas, which 
was given to her. At first, he thought he was 
imagining things, but as the gifts kept going 
around, he began to notice that the gifts given 
to his family members were given to his Aunt 
Edith last year.

She had it very well worked out because nobody 
got a gift from her that they gave to her the year 
before. When my cousin mentioned this to me, 
I thought he was joking, and I just went along 
with him. But I was to realize that maybe what 
he was saying was true.

I started paying attention to the gifts Aunt Edith 
gave to the family so I could remember them 
for next year. And sure enough, the following 
year, people received gifts from Aunt Edith that 
had been given to her the year before.

My cousin looked at me, looked back, and we 
just smiled, hoping we could keep our secret.

Based on that thought, my cousin and I 
gave Aunt Edith a present we would want 
the following year. Sure enough, those gifts 
appeared to our family from good old Aunt 
Edith. Everybody smiled, thankful for Aunt 
Edith's thoughtfulness at Christmas time.

That was the one thing my cousin and I looked 
forward to each year. And the thing was, 
everybody got from Aunt Edith a present they 
gave her the year before. She was very good at 
this regifting.

We discovered that when Auth Edith got a 
Christmas gift, she always put the giver's name 
on the gift. That way, she would not get the gifts 
mixed when she regifted them.

My cousin and I let it fly because we did not 
want to embarrass Aunt Edith. She was such a 
wonderful lady, and we felt that if that was her 
way of celebrating Christmas, so be it.

As the years went on, Aunt Edith got older. No 
surprise there. Everybody gets older. But as she 
got older, her memory began to play tricks on 
her.

I began to notice one year when Aunt Edith 
gave me a Christmas present that I gave her 
the year before. Up to this time, that had never 
happened. She was very particular in how she 
distributed her regifting.

As I opened my gift from her, I began to 
chuckle because it was what I gave her last 
year. I didn't say anything because I respected 
her and everybody makes mistakes. I just went 
along with her regifting program.

I almost told my cousin, but I thought I'd just 
better leave everything under the table at this 
point. After all, Christmas is a merry time 
of the year, and I didn't want to sabotage the 
merry element.

Watching Aunt Edith throughout the year, I 
noticed her memory was slipping. With that in 
mind, I was anxious for Christmas to come and 
see how Aunt Edith would handle her regifting.

As it turned out, that year was the last year 
Aunt Edith was around for Christmas. It was 
a special Christmas, although we did not know 
it then.

As the gifts were being passed around and as 
people began opening their gifts from Aunt 
Edith, people began to recognize that this was 
a gift they had given her last year. It was hard 
for me to believe, but everybody got from Aunt 
Edith what they had given her the Christmas 
before.

After all those years of meticulously regifting 
those Christmas presents, it was finally 
catching up. Nobody knew what to do or say at 
that point. Everybody just thanked Aunt Edith 
for her wonderful Christmas presents. Nobody 
realized what was happening, but Aunt Edith 
confused the names on the gifts as the "for" and 
not the "from."

It wasn't until Aunt Edith's funeral that people 
began to share their ideas about Christmas. 
Someone said, "Did you know that at the last 
Christmas party, I received a gift from Aunt 
Edith that I gave her the year before?"

When she said that, everybody began to laugh 
and had the same story to tell. Aunt Edith had 
been meticulously regifting all her Christmas 
presents for all those years, and nobody knew it 
until her last Christmas.

What I took away from it is that if I'm going to 
give a gift, I should give a gift I want to receive 
myself. And I must thank good old Aunt Edith 
for that thinking.

I couldn't help but think of a Bible verse. "Be not 
deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a 
man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Galatians 
6:7-8).

Whatever I do to others will finally come back 
on me. Give what you want to receive is my 
motto.

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