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 Mountain Views News Saturday, April 20, 2024 


FREE ASSISTED LIVING PLACEMENT SERVICE

 

 Discover the perfect assisted living community with 
Safe Path for Seniors. Our compassionate advisors 
specialize in assisting individuals with unique needs. 
Benefit from our extensive network and affordable 
options. Plus, we offer personalized tours to help you 
explore each community firsthand. Call (626) 999-
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assistance.

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …APRIL BIRTHDAYS*

Stuart Tolchin, Howard Rubin, Anita Hardy, Hattie Harris, Marilyn Diaz, 
Virginia Elliott, Elma Flores, Betty Jo Gregg, Barbara Lampman, Betty 
Mackie, Elizabeth Rassmusen, Maria Reyes, Marian DeMars, Anne Schryver, 
Chrisine Bachwansky, Colleen McKernan, Sandy Swanson, Hank Landsberg, 
Ken Anhalt, Shannon Vandevelde, Barbara Rounkle * To add your name 
to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. 
YEAR of birth not required


THE IMPORTANCE OF PAPER ORGANIZATION FOR SENIORS: SIMPLIFYING 
LIFE’S JOURNEY

In today’s digital age, where 
everything is moving towards 
technology, many seniors still rely 
on having good old-fashioned paper. 
Whether it’s important documents, 
cherished memories, or simply the 
comfort of a tangible record, paper 
holds a significant place in the lives 
of seniors. However, years and years 
of accumulation of paperwork 
can lead to disorganization and 
stress. Therefore, having paper 
organization becomes not only a 
convenience but a vital aspect of 
maintaining a sense of order and 
clarity and less stress in the lives of 
seniors.

Paper organization promotes efficiency and accessibility for seniors. With organized and 
sorted documents, bills, and records, seniors can quickly locate what they need when needed, 
minimizing the frustration of rummaging through piles of paper, and ensuring that important 
information is readily available.

In addition, organized paper systems provide security and peace of mind. Seniors can rest 
assured that their important documents are easily retrievable. This alleviates anxiety about 
misplaced or lost paperwork, allowing them to focus on enjoying life without the constant worry 
of seeing overwhelming paper chaos looming overhead.

Furthermore, paper organization gives the senior a sense of empowerment and independence. 
By taking control of their paperwork and creating organizational systems, seniors regain a sense 
of clarity over their lives.

Additionally, organized paper systems facilitate communication and collaboration with family 
members and professionals involved in their care. Clear and coherent documentation ensures 
everyone is on the same page regarding important matters and coordination in decision-making 
processes.

Basically, paper organization is not merely about tidiness; it’s about enhancing the quality of 
life for seniors. By embracing effective paper management strategies, seniors can streamline 
their daily routines, reduce stress, and maintain a greater sense of control as they navigate life’s 
journey.

Pamela Mims

Paper Organization & Management Consultant


WHAT TO DO ABOUT MEDICARE AND 
SOCIAL SECURITY WHEN YOU MOVE

Dear Savvy Senior:

Next month I am moving to a different state so I can be near my daughter and grandkids. Do I 
need to notify Social Security and Medicare about the move? 

Relocating Grandma

Dear Relocating,

Yes, if you’re a Social Security and Medicare recipient you definitely need to let these Federal 
agencies know when and where you move so there are no hiccups in your benefits or coverage. 
Here’s what you should know.

How to Update Your Info.

If you’re receiving Social Security retirement, survivors or disability benefits, it’s required that you 
notify the Social Security Administration when you move to ensure your deposits continue and 
you avoid disruptions. 

You’ll need to provide them your new mailing address so they can deliver important documents 
to you like your annual SSA-1099 tax form. And if you’re switching banks or credit unions, you’ll 
need to update your direct deposit information by providing your new financial institution’s 
routing number and account number. 

If you’re a Medicare beneficiary, they too need your new mailing address so bills, correspondence, 
your Medicare Summary Notice and other statements can go to the right address. 

You can update both your Social Security and Medicare contact information online by simply 
using the “My Profile” tab in your personal “my Social Security” account at SSA.gov/myaccount. 
If you don’t have an account, you can create one online for free in just a few minutes. 

Or, if you need some help or don’t have internet access, you can call Social Security at 800-772-
1213, or visit your local Social Security office and they will make the changes for you. 

Medicare Private Plans

You also need to know that if you’re enrolled in original Medicare, you can move anywhere within 
the United States without losing coverage. But if you have Part D prescription drug coverage or 
a Medicare Advantage plan from a private health insurance company, and you move out of the 
plan’s service area, you’ll have to switch plans or you’ll face losing coverage. 

Part D service areas typically are statewide or can extend to parts of neighboring states, while 
Medicare Advantage plans’ service areas vary by county.

Moving out of a plan’s service area qualifies you for a special enrollment period (SEP) of at least 
two months to get a new plan. You may also qualify if you move within your plan’s service area 
and it offers options different from what you had. The enrollment timing depends on when you 
notify the plan. 

If you tell your plan before you move, your chance to switch plans begins the month before the 
month you move and continues for two full months after you move. If you tell your plan after 
you move, your chance to switch plans begins the month you tell your plan, plus two more full 
months.

To shop for new Part D and Medicare Advantage plans in your new area, use the Medicare Plan 
Finder tool at Medicare.gov/plan-compare. 

You can also switch Part D or Medicare Advantage plans during open enrollment, which runs 
each year from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 for coverage starting Jan. 1.

Medigap Plans

If you’re enrolled in original Medicare and have a Medigap supplemental policy you usually don’t 
have to switch plans if you move, but you do need to notify your provider. Some insurers let you 
keep the rate based on the state where you originally applied for Medigap. Others may change 
your premiums to coincide with their coverage in a different zip code.

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

AND THEN AN ANGEL FLOATED BY

Some weeks can be tough. I’ve 
had a few in my life that came 
unexpectedly and challenged 
my determination.Last week 
was one of those weeks.

We had a serious “Bug Squatting” situation in 
our home. I really can’t determine what the 
bug was; all I can say is that it was.

The situation affected everyone in our family, 
including many of our friends.

 I was the only one who did not suffer 
from it. Unfortunately for me, I chuckled 
within and was proud that I did not get hit 
by it. But everyone, including The Gracious 
Mistress of the Parsonage, had very serious 
accouterments, which I will not explain for 
various reasons.

 The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage 
was in bed for one full day, which is rather 
unusual for her. She’s always up and doing 
something, but this time, she was down, and I 
won’t mention what she was doing. It seemed 
to pass, and at that time, I was not affected. 
I very smugly thought that I was the only 
one who survived all of that “Bug Squatting” 
scenario.

 Then, the unmentionable happened. It was 
a Friday night, and I had my first episode of 
diarrhea. It came and went rather quickly, 
and I had no other health problems. I didn’t 
have any sick stomach or even a headache. I 
thought I had escaped that problem.

 Then Saturday morning started. All day long, 
I had diarrhea and spent most of my time in 
the bathroom. I didn’t know what I was going 
to do, but I didn’t have any other symptoms, at 
least at that time. I was afraid we would have 
to cancel the Sunday morning service, and I 
hate doing that with a passion.

 By early afternoon on Saturday, I was fine. I 
didn’t feel sick anywhere and had no further 
problems—at least, that’s what I thought.

The plans were to go through Sunday just as 
planned At about 5 a.m. Sunday, before I woke 
up, I had an episode that made me race to the 
bathroom and caused some alarm. However, 
it was over in a moment, and there were no 
residues left in my body. The best thing to do 
was to keep this a secret, especially from The 
Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage.

We got up Sunday morning as usual and got 
ready, and at the right time, we left for our 
church service at the assisted living facility 
that we minister to. Everything was going 
fine. As we drove, I took various sips of my 
coffee and felt great.

The service began as usual at 10 o’clock. We 
sang some hymns, and then it came time for 
me to preach the sermon.

For a variety of reasons, I sit in a chair behind 
a table as I preach. There is just a small group 
of people around me, so that makes a better 
situation. It’s good I was sitting down because 
if I had not been, I would have been in serious 
trouble.

I introduced the sermon, read the Scripture, 
and then gave the opening prayer. As I began 
the sermon, I began to feel a little funny. And 
I don’t mean laughing funny. It was a weird 
kind of funny like I’ve never had before.

It wasn’t long before everything became 
rather hazy for me. I became somewhat dizzy 
and couldn’t speak as I usually do.

Then it happened. Right before me, an Angel 
floated by, waving her hand. After that, I’m 
not quite sure what happened. I do know 
that one of the nurses came to take my blood 
pressure and found that it had dropped.

The recourse was to take me by ambulance to 
the hospital. At the time, I wasn’t quite sure 
what was happening.

Before I knew it, I was ushered into the hospital 
to the intensive care unit surrounded by 
medical professionals. Pretty soon, I became 
a little more conscious of my surroundings 
and began to realize that I was in the hospital 
and everybody’s attention was focused on 
me. At the time I didn’t know if I should start 
preaching or start telling a joke.

The nurses left, and another nurse came in, 
and I knew exactly what she was there for. I 
greeted her by saying, “Hello, Nurse Dracula.” 
She then stuck my arm with needles and 
began to suck my blood out as fast as she 
could. It took her several times to find the 
right vein to get the blood she needed. I was 
suspicious about that. I just assumed she was 
getting even at me calling her Nurse Dracula.

I spent the rest of the day in the hospital. They 
put me in the third-floor room where my 
daughter is the head nurse.

They went through all their medical processes, 
even a CAT scan, and found nothing wrong 
with me. I did have the bug, whatever that bug 
is, and I did have a light infection that caused 
me to cough and sneeze quite a bit.

I learned one valuable lesson from this 
adventure. When somebody gets the bug, 
never assume that I won’t. Don’t laugh at the 
ones who do because those “Bug Squatters” 
heard me laughing and got their revenge on 
me.

A verse of scripture came to mind. “And as ye 
would that men should do to you, do ye also to 
them likewise” (Luke 6:31).

This is the goal of my life.

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