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 Mountain Views News Saturday, April 27, 2024 


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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


APRIL IS NATIONAL STRESS AWARENESS MONTH: HELPFUL TIPS FOR 
CAREGIVERS OF LOVED ONES LIVING WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE 

April is recognized as National Stress Awareness Month by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), drawing 
attention to the physical, emotional, and financial implications of stress. Among those significantly affected 
are caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease—a role that more than 11 million Americans 
fulfill, dedicating an average of 31 hours per week to unpaid care.

Impact of Caregiving on Emotional and Mental Health

The Alzheimer’s Association 2024 Facts & Figures report highlights the profound emotional strain faced 
by Alzheimer’s caregivers:

59% of family caregivers describe the emotional stress of caregiving as “high” or “very high.”

Caring for a spouse with dementia is linked to a 30% increase in depressive symptoms compared to those 
caring for spouses without dementia.

Alzheimer’s caregivers, on average 64 years old, show a 32% prevalence of suicidal ideation, significantly 
higher than the 2.7% observed in the general population of adults aged 56 and older.

Recognizing Symptoms of Caregiver Stress

It’s crucial for caregivers to recognize the signs of stress as a first step towards managing it. Common 
symptoms include:

Denial about the disease's progression.

Anger or frustration over the abilities the person with Alzheimer’s has lost.

Social withdrawal from activities that once brought joy.

Anxiety about future caregiving demands.

Depression that affects one's spirit and coping ability.

Exhaustion that impedes the completion of daily tasks.

Sleeplessness plagued by constant worry.

Irritability that affects mood and behavior.

Lack of concentration on daily tasks.

Health problems that deteriorate the caregiver's physical and mental condition.

Resources and Support for Caregivers

The Alzheimer’s Association offers several resources to aid caregivers:

Community Resource Finder: A tool to help locate Alzheimer’s care resources nearby.

ALZNavigator™: An interactive online tool providing guidance on next steps for those affected by 
Alzheimer’s.

ALZConnected: An online community and local support groups offering connection and support.

24/7 Helpline: Available at 800.272.3900, offering free advice and directing caregivers to local resources.

Caregiving for a loved one with Alzheimer’s is undoubtedly challenging, but recognizing the signs of stress 
and utilizing available resources can provide some relief and support. During National Stress Awareness 
Month, it's vital to acknowledge the dedication of caregivers and the profound challenges they face.

 THEAGENCY

 Redefining real estate

 STEVEN GALINDO

 Estates Agent | Senior Real Estate Specialist

 626-639-8548

 TheAgencyRE.com

 StevenGalindo.com

 Lic# 01002784


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder

BEING SICK IS NOT MY CUP OF TEA

I do not have a history of being sick. I rarely even have a headache, but 
I must confess, I give headaches.

The last two weeks have been different for me. I have never experienced 
such a long stretch of sickness before. One day in the hospital and then two weeks in 
bed. What kind of experience is that?

The great thing about being sick, if there is anything great about it, is that you have 
a big excuse for not doing anything. For several days, I did not even get out of my 
pajamas or out of bed.

I can't imagine anybody being sick all the time; it just doesn't make sense to me.

If there is a good side—and I'm really not convinced there is—I have yet to find it. 
When I think things are coming to an end, the road suddenly turns right.

For several days, I coughed and sneezed and coughed and sneezed. One day, I sneezed 
so bad that I sneezed my brains out. No problem, I haven't missed my brains.

Getting well is a process I'm not very familiar with. I've had to take more pills than 
I have ever seen in my life. And, thanks to The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage I 
take those pills every day. She is my drug lord. I never knew drugs were so important.

There is an ongoing contest with me. That is, how soon can I get to the bathroom? 
The bathroom is at one end of the house, and my easy chair is at the other end. Oh 
boy, I've never seen such a long distance before.

Most of the time, I made it on time, but that's for another time.

In thinking about my medication, I have found myself a little woozy when I get up to 
walk. It doesn't last long, just long enough to make me feel crazy.

Not only did I spend one day in the hospital, but I had several trips to the doctor's 
office for checkups and to monitor the medication I was taking.

At one doctor's visit, the nurse had to do blood work for me. She came and brought 
all of her equipment, I looked at her and said, "Why don't you just punch me in the 
nose and get my blood that way. That would be easier for both of us."

The way she looked at me seemed like she was ready to punch me in the nose. But 
all that pok-ing on my arm with needle after needle after needle I think she got even 
with me. Why is my blood so important to them? After all, it's my blood, so let me 
keep it.

For some reason, they can look at my blood and tell my whole health history.

The thing about my sickness is that my energy has gone on vacation. I hope it enjoys 
the vacation wherever it is, and I'm anxious for it to return and hear it’s stories.

I didn't realize how unenergetic I was until the other day when the great-granddaughter 
stayed with us. She was running around in circles, giggling, jumping up and down, 
and doing all kinds of things, and I got tired just watching her do all of those things.

I wanted to grab her, but I didn't have the energy, and find out where she gets all that 
energy and ask to borrow some of it just for a day.

In pondering this, I've come to the conclusion that the older you get, the less energy 
you have. If I had known this when I was young, I would not have spent all of my 
energy so foolishly. I would have put some of it in a savings account for my senior 
years.

One good thing about the great-granddaughter, as I watch her running and jumping 
and giggling and rolling on the floor, I forget about what I'm doing at the time. I even 
can laugh a little.

Once I get better, and that will be TOMORROW, I will be cautious about how I use 
my energy. I'm going to find some way to put a little bit of energy every day into some 
kind of savings ac-count to use later. I'm not sure how that works, but I'm going to 
take the time I have getting better trying to figure out how I can do that.

There could be a good side to all of this sickness nonsense. Once I get better and 
return to nor-mal life, I could use the experience for my own benefit.

For example, when The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage asks me to do something 
I'm not very anxious about, I can say, "Oh, boy. I’m starting to feel dizzy right now?"

Then, she will feel sorry for me, lead me to my chair and help me sit down. I'm not 
sure how long I can play this violin, but I will play it as long as I can.

Someone once said that there is a rainbow after every storm. I guess this is my 
rainbow.

A verse of scripture came to mind as I thought about being sick. “Confess your faults 
one to an-other, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent 
prayer of a right-eous man availeth much” (James 5:16).

Prayer is the solution to every problem, even my health.

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 FIND AFFORDABLE INTERNET 
SERVICES

Dear Savvy Senior:

I was recently notified that the Affordable Connectivity Program, which subsidizes my monthly 
internet bill, is about to end. What are my options for finding affordable home internet services now? 
I’m 71 years old and live primarily on my Social Security benefits.

Barely Getting By

Dear Barely:

It’s unfortunate, but without additional funding from Congress, the Affordable Connectivity 
Program (ACP) is winding down and will end in mid-May.

For those that aren’t familiar with this program, the ACP is a government benefit that has provided 
mil-lions of financially eligible households with a discount of up to $30 per month toward their 
home internet service, or up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.

he ACP was initially born out of a pandemic-era program called the Emergency Broadband Benefit 
in 2021 and replaced six months later by the longer-term ACP when Congress devoted $14.2 billion 
to the program as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

More than 23 million households are currently enrolled in the ACP which has significantly helped 
close the digital divide, as affordability has been the primary barrier that has kept most ACP 
beneficiaries from getting home internet services. But funds are almost out, and a sharply divided 
Congress has chosen not to continue funding the program, unless they change their mind in the 
11th hour.

What to Do Now?

A good first step in securing affordable home internet services is to contact your current provider 
to find out if they offer any other discounts or low-cost services that fit your budget.

If not, you should shop around. The nonprofit organization EveryoneOn has a National Offer 
Locator Tool that can help you find low-income discounted internet services from providers in 
your area. Just go to EveryoneOn.org/find-offers, type in your ZIP code and answer a few questions 
regarding your house-hold financial situation so the internet services you’re eligible for can be 
located.

Some cities and states across the country are also offering their own local versions of the ACP to 
help low-income households pay their internet. The best way to look for these services is by going 
to Google and searching for “(location) internet resources.”

Check Lifeline Benefit

If you haven’t already done so, you also need to find out if you’re eligible for the Lifeline program. 
Unlike the ACP, Lifeline is a permanently funded federal assistance program that provides a $9.25 
monthly subsidy that can help pay your home internet, phone or bundled services (up to $34.25 if 
you live on Tribal lands). Only one benefit is available per household.

To qualify, your annual household income must be at or below 135 percent of the federal poverty 
guide-lines, which is $19,683 for one person or $26,622 for two. Or, if you’re receiving certain types 
of govern-ment benefits such as Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, public housing assistance, veterans’ pension 
or survivors pension benefit, or live on federally recognized Tribal lands.

You can apply for Lifeline online at LifelineSupport.org, via mail or through your internet or phone 
provider. Or, if you need assistance call their support line at 800-234-9473.

Other Options

If you find that you aren’t eligible for any of the lower-income services, you may still be able to save 
on your internet by shopping and comparing. The best way to do this is at websites like InMyArea.
com, which provides a list of internet providers in your area, along with pricing and download 
speeds. Most providers offer plans under $50 monthly, and you can often find additional discounts 
for things like bun-dling with a cellphone plan or signing an annual contract. 

Another way to save some money is to buy your own equipment. Most internet service providers 
charge around $15 per month to rent a modem and router from them. But you can buy your own 
for as little as $100, which will pay for itself within the first year.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySen-
ior.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