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Mountain View News Saturday, August 10, 2024

SENIOR HAPPENINGS


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-
6913 or visit www.safepathforseniors.com for free 
assistance.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …AUGUST Birthdays*

Nancy Beckham, Karlene Englert, Juanita Fernandez, Jeanette Francis, 
Joseph Kiss, Jacquie Pergola, Pat Miranda, Jerry Burnett, Margaret Aroyan, 
Phyllis Burg, Beverly Clifton, Rosemary Morabito, Susan Poulsen, Joy Barry, 
Marcia Bent, Joan Spears, Ruth Torres, Jane Zamanzadeh. Helen Stapenhorst, 
Chandy Shair, Heidi Hartman, Erma Gutierrez, Margaret Switzer

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


From The Desk of Steve Sciurba, Safe Path For Senior


STAYING FIT DURING THOSE WARM DAYS


Exercising during hot summer months can be 
challenging, especially for seniors, who may be more 
vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. However, staying 
active is crucial for maintaining health and well-being. 
Here are some safe and effective ways for seniors to 
exercise during the summer:

1. Indoor Exercises

• Walking Indoors: Malls, large stores, or even 
around the house can provide safe, climate-controlled 
environments for walking.

• Chair Exercises: Seated exercises are great for 
improving strength, flexibility, and balance. These can include leg lifts, arm circles, and seated 
marches.

• Stretching: Simple stretches can help maintain flexibility and reduce muscle stiffness. Yoga 
and Pilates, particularly the gentle or chair-based versions, are excellent options.

• Resistance Training: Using resistance bands or light weights can help build strength without 
needing to leave the comfort of home. Focus on exercises that target major muscle groups.

2. Water-Based Activities

• Swimming: If you have access to a pool, swimming is an excellent low-impact exercise. It 
helps improve cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and joint flexibility while keeping you cool.

• Water Aerobics: Many community centers offer water aerobics classes tailored for seniors. 
These classes provide a full-body workout in a refreshing environment.

3. Early Morning or Evening Walks

• When it’s cooler outside, walking in the early morning or late evening is a good way to get 
some fresh air and light exercise. Just be sure to wear light clothing, a hat, and sunscreen.

4. Stay Hydrated

• Whatever exercise you choose, staying hydrated is essential. Drink plenty of water before, 
during, and after exercise to prevent dehydration.

By focusing on these safe and adaptable activities, seniors can stay active and healthy, even during 
the hottest summer months.


HOW TO CHOOSE A WALK-IN BATH TUB

Dear Savvy Senior:

Because of my back pain and mobility problems, I’m 
interested in getting a walk-in bathtub that’s safe and 
easy to get in and out of. What all can you tell me about 
walk-in tubs, and can you recommend some top options?

Old and Achy

Dear Old:

For mobility challenged seniors, a walk-in bathtub can be a terrific option to consider because 
they’re much easier to get into and out of than a standard tub, which also helps prevent falls. Here’s 
what you should know, along with a reliable resource to help you choose one.

Age-Friendly Tubs

Walk-in bathtubs are uniquely designed tubs that have a watertight, hinged door built into the 
side of the tub that provides a much lower threshold to step over (usually 3 to 7 inches) versus a 
standard tub that’s around 15 inches.

Most walk-in tubs have high sidewalls, usually between three and four feet high, and are between 
28 and 32 inches wide, but will fit into the same 60-inch-long space as your standard tub without 
having to reconfigure the room.

In addition to the low threshold, most walk-in tubs also have a built-in seat, grab bars, anti-slip 
floors and anti-scald valves. Some tubs also come with handheld showerheads and quick drains 
(that drain the tub in under a minute), and many higher-end models offer therapeutic spa-like 
features that are great for seniors with arthritis and other ailments.

The best kind of tub for you will depend on your needs, preferences and budget, and the size and 
layout of your bathroom. But be aware that walk-in bathtubs are not cheap. Prices range anywhere 
from $3,000 to $10,000 or more for the tub and installation costs.

Insurance and Aid

Because walk-in tubs are not considered durable medical equipment, original Medicare does 
not typically cover them nor do Medicare supplemental (Medigap) policies, but some Medicare 
Advantage plans may help pay.

If you’re receiving Medicaid, many states have Home and Community Based Services that 
may provide some assistance. Or, if you’re a disabled veteran, the VA has some home modification 
grants that may help pay.

There are also grants and loans available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture that help 
elderly, low-income residents of rural areas make home modifications, which may be used to pay 
for a walk-in bathtub. And, depending on where you live, there may be local programs that can 
help like Habitat for Humanity or Rebuilding Together.

To find out if these options are available in your area, contact your Area Aging Agency (call 800-
677-1116) or nearby center for independent living (see ilru.org).

If, however, you can’t locate any financial assistance and you can’t afford to pay upfront for a walk-
in tub, most manufacturers offer financing so you can make monthly payments. You should also 
know that if you’re using a walk-in tub for a specific medical condition, you may also be able to 
deduct the costs of the tub from your taxes as a medical expense (see irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf).

Best Walk-In Bathtubs

To help you choose a walk-in bathtub the National Council on Aging, which is a national nonprofit 
organization that advocates for older Americans, put together a review team to research the 
different companies and tubs. Their list of best walk-in bathtubs of 2024 includes:

 Best Walk-in Tub Overall: Ella Ultimate Walk-In Tub

 Best Walk-in Tub with Shower: Kohler Walk-In Tub with Shower Package

 Most Affordable Walk-in Tub: Ariel Walkin 3052 Soaker

 Best Soaking Tub: American Standard Gelcoat Entry Series

 Best Wheelchair-Accessible Tub: Ella Transfer

 Best Walk-in Tub for Small Spaces: AmeriGlide Sanctuary 2646 WIT

See NCOA.org/adviser/walk-in-tubs/best-walk-in-tubs for detailed reviews and product links.

To get started, you should contact a few walk-in bathtub retailers who can send a professional to 
your home to assess your bathroom and give you product options and estimates. Lowe’s and Home 
Depot also offer free evaluations and a wide range of walk-in tub options.

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 THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS

I've lived long enough to 
realize that things usually 
go their own way. I may 
want something to go one 
way, but eventually, it all boils down to 
going the other way.

That is no more true than when The 
Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and 
I travel somewhere. We usually use her 
Sissy Van, so I give her the honor of 
driving. After all, I sure don't want to 
drive a Sissy Van.

This month, The Gracious Mistress 
of the Parsonage and Yours Truly will 
celebrate our 53rd year of marital bliss. 
I can't believe we've been married 
that long, but that's exactly what The 
Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage told 
me. And she is never wrong—or at least, 
I never tell her when she is wrong.

Being married for 53 years is an 
accomplishment in today's world. Most 
people aren't married for 53 months. 
I can't believe all of the divorce and 
remarriage that I see in the world today.

If you're going to be a successful 
Hollywood movie star, you have to be 
married and divorced at least five times. 
My wife and I could never qualify as 
Hollywood celebrities, and that's just the 
way it is.

During our 53 years of marriage I can't 
remember any time we had a fight. We 
may have had one but I can't remember 
it. I don't believe in anger and fighting 
and stomping around mad. Some people 
get a thrill out of that, but I’m not some 
people.

The only difficulties we've had have been 
with broccoli and Apple Fritters. She 
loves broccoli, and I love Apple Fritters, 
and the two shall never sit at the same 
dinner table.

Just before we married, I told her how 
much I loved Apple Fritters. So I asked 
her rather bluntly, "When we get married 
will I be able to eat Apple Fritters?"

Looking at me with a smile, she said, 
"Oh, my dear. You can have an Apple 
Fritter every single day."

It wasn't until a couple of months ago 
that I reminded her of this.

"Don't you remember," I said, "that you 
said I could have an Apple Fritter every 
single day?"

Laughing, she looked at me and 
thoughtfully said, "How many single 
days have you had since you were 
married?"

It took me a little while to understand 
what she was saying. That's just the way 
it was, so get used to it, I said to myself.

After being married as long as I have, 
I understand you don't always get 
everything you want. That's just not the 
way life works.

As a teenager, I thought I could get 
everything I wanted. After all, the 
commercial said, "You deserve a 
break today." You can always believe a 
commercial.

Last month, I celebrated my 73rd 
birthday, and as I look back on my 
life, the one thing I'm grateful for is 
that I didn't get everything I thought I 
deserved. Oh boy, what would my life be 
like today if that really happened?

I had just graduated high school at 18 
and thought I could have anything and 
everything I wanted. Thinking about it, 
if I had everything today that I always 
wanted when I was 18, I would be in bad 
shape right now. I sure am glad I'm not 
18. In fact, I'm really glad I am as old as 
I am.

Today, I wouldn't have the energy to do 
what I was doing 50 years ago. I'm just 
glad I can do what I am doing now at this 
age.

The other night, while relaxing in the 
living room watching TV, The Gracious 
Mistress of the Parsonage and I were 
reminiscing about our family. We started 
53 years ago, when all we had was each 
other.

Now, after 53 years of being together, we 
have three children, nine grandchildren, 
and this year, we acquired three 
great-grandchildren.

Both of us sat back in our chairs, sighed 
deeply, and smiled. In reality, we had 
everything that we need.

I was sitting in my office the other day 
and looking around at all of my books. 
I must confess that I am a bookaholic. 
When I retired, we added an office to 
our house so I could accommodate all of 
my books.

So, with 15 children, grandchildren, and 
great-grandchildren and around 8,500 
books in my library, what else is there to 
enjoy in life?

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage 
has a craft room at the other end of the 
house. Her craft room and my study are 
not very compatible except when she's 
in her room, and I'm in mine. Oh, the 
wonderful sounds of silence.

As I get older, I'm beginning to appreciate 
what I have. I have some friends who are 
always bemoaning what they don't have. 
I feel sorry for them, but I can't relate to 
them.

I see what I have in front of me and I am 
one happy geezer.

While thinking about this, a verse of 
scripture came to mind. “When I was a 
child, I spake as a child, I understood as 
a child, I thought as a child: but when I 
became a man, I put AWAY childish 
things” (1 Corinthians 13:11 ).

Reflecting on my life there is nothing I 
can change. I’m not sure what I would 
change if I could. What I can do is 
focus on the present. I can change going 
forward by acting like an adult.

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

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