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 Mountain Views News Saturday, March 16, 2024 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS


FREE ASSISTED LIVING PLACEMENT SERVICE

 

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …MARCH BIRTHDAYS*

Cathy Flammer, Clare Marquardt, Karen Blachly, Carla Duplex, Ella 
Guttman, Viky Tchatlian, Mary Cooper, Sun Liu, Helen Wallis, Nancy Fox, 
Martha Cassara, Rita Johnson, Sharon Murphy, Heather Sheets, Mercedes 
Campos, Dorothy Webster,Terri Elder, Carol Cerrina, Amy Putnam, Sally 
Contreras

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


SENIORS, MEMORIES, AND MUSIC by Nandani Sinha

 

Music holds a profound significance in the 
lives of seniors, acting as a powerful catalyst 
for preserving and enhancing memories. As 
individuals age, memories can become fragile, 
and cognitive functions may decline. However, 
the therapeutic influence of music has been 
increasingly recognized as a valuable tool in 
promoting cognitive well-being for seniors.

One primary reason music is crucial for seniors 
and their memories lies in its ability to evoke 
emotions and trigger vivid recollections. 
Familiar tunes from their past can transport 
seniors to specific moments in their lives, 
unlocking a treasure trove of memories. This 
emotional connection helps seniors maintain a 
sense of identity and continuity, fostering a deeper understanding of their personal history.

Moreover, music has been linked to improved cognitive function and mental agility in seniors. 
Engaging with music stimulates various areas of the brain, enhancing neural connections and 
potentially slowing down cognitive decline. The rhythmic patterns and melodies can serve as a 
mental workout, promoting mental flexibility and memory recall.

For seniors dealing with conditions like dementia or Alzheimer's, music becomes a lifeline. It 
has the unique ability to reach individuals even when other forms of communication may fail. 
Musical therapy has shown remarkable results in alleviating symptoms, reducing agitation, and 
enhancing overall quality of life for seniors grappling with memory-related disorders.

Socially, music plays a pivotal role in fostering connections among seniors. Group musical 
activities create a sense of community and shared experiences. Singing together or participating 
in music programs provides an avenue for social interaction, reducing feelings of isolation and 
promoting emotional well-being.

In essence, music is a powerful force that transcends age, enriching the lives of seniors and 
safeguarding their precious memories. Whether through the nostalgic melodies of the past or the 
therapeutic benefits of engaging with music in the present, seniors find solace, joy, and a timeless 
connection to their own life narrative. 

www.mhmla.org


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder

TOUCH MY COFFEE AND YOU DIE

Recently, illegitimate aliens of the worst kind have invaded our house 
illegally.

It came to a head just the other day when we were sitting down to lunch, and The 
Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage had a lovely bowl of tomato soup. I forgot what I 
was eating because all the attention went to her bowl.

As I was eating my lunch, I glanced over at her bowl of tomato soup. The top of it was 
covered with little black dots of some sort. Looking at it, I asked her, “Oh, my dear, 
what kind of soup are you eating today?”

She looked down at her soup, and her world came to a crashing end. She jumped up 
and yelled, but I had no idea what was happening.

Looking at her soup again, I noticed that those little black dots were swimming 
around in it. As I looked closely, I noticed they were the tiniest little bugs I had ever 
seen, but there they were, swimming cheerfully in her soup.

Being the affectionate husband I am, I laughed uncontrollably as I pointed to her 
soup. “You do make the best soup in town.” And then I laughed some more.

Looking at her, I noticed she was not laughing. She was doing the opposite of laughing, 
so I had to calm down just a bit.

I don’t believe in karma. I think it’s a bunch of knucklehead idiocy. But in my 
experience, I have had things come back on me in a very alarming way. I wasn’t 
thinking of that as I was making fun of The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and 
her bug-infected tomato soup.

That was just the beginning. From then on, the bugs were everywhere in our house. 
Whenever I saw a bug, I would look at The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and 
say, “Do you want this one for your tomato soup?”

For some reason, I’m not sure why, she didn’t find any of that very funny.

But things were about to change.

Those bugs flew around my head, and one landed on my nose. Not thinking, which is 
my MO, I smacked that bug with my right hand as hard as possible. Of course, I did 
not consider that the bug was as small as it was, and it was on my nose. I’m unsure if 
I hurt the bug, but my nose began to bleed.

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage caught me and said with a little smirk, “Are 
you having fun playing with your little bug friends?”

I wouldn’t say this out loud in her presence, but I deserved that.

The next incident was a bunch of those bugs flying up my nose. I sneezed 17 times, 
and the bugs went everywhere in the room.

Laughing at me again, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage said, “The next time 
you sneeze cover your nose and mouth with your hand.” I think she was having a 
giggle attack at the time.

Later that afternoon, the bugs were still flying all around. As I sat in my easy chair 
drinking coffee, I noticed bugs flying around my coffee.

I grabbed my coffee and shouted to those illegitimate aliens, “Touch my coffee and 
you die!”

I’m okay if they spoil the tomato soup, but my coffee is an entirely different situation. 
Something about my coffee prohibits these illegitimate aliens from drinking it.

Where these illegitimate aliens come from and how they got in our house, is a mystery 
to me.

For example, the cats on the porch are allowed to look in our house, but they’re not 
allowed to be in our house. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage has some idea that 
they have fleas and other things. But if they’re not allowed in, what gives these bugs 
the right to enter our house? Do they have permission from The Gracious Mistress of 
the Parsonage?

To take control of the coffee in my cup is a severe malfunction of what is right. 
Therefore, there must be consequences to that kind of activity.

I saw these little bugs flying around everywhere I walked in our house. Something 
has to be done to deal with this major calamity in our house.

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage noticed that I was getting somewhat agitated 
by these bugs. No matter what we did in the house, they were still there.

Towards suppertime, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage looked at me and said, 
“Why don’t we go out for supper tonight and celebrate a bug free zone?”

I know my wife is right all the time, and this time, she was more than right, so I was 
all in with her on this.

A little later, I thought of a bible verse along this line. James 3:5, “Even so the tongue 
is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire 
kindleth!”

Sometimes I don't realize how important such little things are. Looking back on my 
life, I remember some small events that turned into big events.

The biggest distractions in my life are the little things we sometimes ignore.

Sometimes just a few words can cause a big problem, which can last for a long time 
and cause a big problem. Say one wrong word and the problems begin.

No matter how big a fire is, it always starts with a small flame.

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.

HOW TO TAP UNDERUTILIZED BURIAL BENEFITS FOR VETERANS


Dear Savvy Senior,

What types of funeral benefits are available to old 
veterans? My 83-year-old father, who has Alzheimer’s 
disease, served during the Vietnam War in the 1960s. 
Planning Ahead

Dear Planning:

Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) National Cemetery Administration actually 
offers a variety of underutilized burial benefits to veterans as well as their spouses 
and dependents. 

Most U.S. veterans (both combat and non-combat) who didn’t receive a dishonorable 
discharge are eligible for burial benefits. To verify your dad’s discharge, you’ll need 
a copy of his DD Form 214 “Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.” 
If you don’t have it, you can request online at Archives.gov/veterans. 

Here’s a rundown of some of the different benefits that are available to veterans 
that die a nonservice related death. 

Military Cemetery Benefits

If your dad’s eligible and would like to be buried in one of the 155 national or 
119 state, territory or tribal-operated cemeteries (see VA.gov/find-locations), the 
VA provides a number of benefits at no cost to the family, including: a gravesite; 
opening and closing of the grave and perpetual gravesite care; a government 
headstone or marker; a United States burial flag that can be used to drape the 
casket or accompany the urn; and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. 

If your dad is cremated, his remains will be buried or inurned in the same manner 
as casketed remains.

But be aware that funeral or cremation arrangements and costs are not taken care 
of by the VA. They are the responsibility of the veteran’s family, but some veteran’s 
survivors may be eligible for burial allowances. 

The VA also offers a memorial web page called the Veterans Legacy Memorial for 
any veteran buried in a national, state, territorial or tribal cemetery. This allows 
families to post pictures and stories of their loved one online as a way to remember 
and honor their service.

If you’re interested in this option, the VA has a pre-need burial eligibility 
determination program to help you plan ahead before your dad passes. See VA.gov/
burials-memorials/pre-need-eligibility or call the National Cemetery Scheduling 
Office at 800-535-1117.

Private Cemetery Benefits

The VA also provides benefits to veterans buried in private cemeteries. If your 
dad chooses this option, the VA benefits include a free government headstone or 
grave marker, or a medallion that can be affixed to an existing privately purchased 
headstone or marker; a burial flag; and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. 

Funeral or cremation arrangements and costs are again the responsibility of the 
family, and there are no benefits offered to spouses and dependents that are buried 
in private cemeteries.

Military Funeral Honors

Another popular benefit available to all eligible veterans buried in either a national 
or private cemetery is a military funeral honors ceremony. This includes an honor 
guard detail of at least two uniformed military persons, folding and presenting the 
U.S. burial flag to the veteran’s survivors, and the playing of Taps.

The funeral provider you choose will be able to assist you with all VA burial 
requests. Depending on what you want, certain forms may need to be completed 
which are always better to be done in advance. 

For a complete rundown of burial and memorial benefits, eligibility details and 
required forms visit Cem.va.gov. 

Burial Allowances

In addition to the burial benefits, some veteran’s survivors may also qualify for 
a $948 burial allowance and $948 for a plot to those who choose to be buried 
in a private cemetery. And $231 for a headstone or grave marker allowance. 
To find out if your dad is eligible or to apply, see VA.gov/burials-memorials/
veterans-burial-allowance.

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.

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