11

Mountain View News Saturday, September 7, 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! …SEPTEMBER Birthdays*

Clem Bartolai, Pat Hall, Donna Anderson, Teresa Chaure, Cathy 
Gunther, Esther Macias, Sheila Pierce, Nancy Sue Shollenberger, Patti 
O’Meara, Judie Cimino, Mary Steinberg, Geri Wright, Parvin Dabiri, 
Denise Reistetter and Nehama Warner, Virginia Mullaney, Gwen 
Robertson. 

 * 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 HEALTHY WITH REGULAR CHECK-UPS: A KEY TO SENIOR 
WELL-BEING

As we age, maintaining good health becomes increasingly important, and regular check-ups are 
crucial in achieving this. For seniors, these routine visits to healthcare professionals can be a vital 
tool in preserving quality of life and preventing serious health issues.

Regular check-ups allow for the early detection of potential health problems. Conditions like 
hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol can develop gradually, often with subtle symptoms. 
Routine examinations provide an opportunity for doctors to monitor these conditions closely and 
adjust treatments as needed before they lead to more serious complications. Early intervention 
often results in better outcomes and fewer hospitalizations.

Moreover, check-ups offer a chance for seniors to discuss any new symptoms or concerns with their 
healthcare providers. This proactive approach can help address issues such as mobility problems, 
memory loss, or changes in vision and hearing. Addressing these concerns early can significantly 
improve quality of life and maintain independence.

Preventive care is another essential aspect of regular check-ups. Vaccinations, screenings for 
cancers like breast, colon, and prostate, and routine blood work can help catch diseases before 
they become problematic. Preventive measures, such as flu shots or bone density tests, can also 
help avoid illnesses and conditions that could otherwise be debilitating.

Lastly, regular visits to healthcare professionals provide an opportunity for seniors to receive 
personalized advice on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Nutritional guidance, exercise 
recommendations, and strategies for managing stress are all crucial components of a holistic 
approach to health.

In summary, regular check-ups are more than just appointments; they are a proactive step towards 
maintaining health and enhancing well-being in senior years. By staying vigilant and engaged 
with their healthcare, seniors can enjoy a more active, healthy, and fulfilling life.


HEALTH INSURANCE OPTIONS FOR EARLY RETIREES

Dear Savvy Senior:

I’m going to retire in a few months 
and need to get some temporary 
health insurance until I can enroll 
in Medicare at age 65. What are my 
options? Early Retiree

Dear Early,:

There are several places early 
retirees can find health insurance 
coverage before Medicare kicks in, but the best option for you will depend on your income level, 
your health care needs and how long you’ll need coverage for. Here’s where to look.

Affordable Care Act: For most early retirees who aren’t yet eligible for Medicare, the Affordable 
Care Act (ACA) health insurance marketplace, also know as Obamacare, is the best option for 
getting comprehensive health coverage. And you won’t be denied coverage or charged extra for 
preexisting health conditions.

And, if your income falls below the 400 percent poverty level after you retire – anything below 
$60,240 for a single or $81,760 for a couple in 2024 – you’ll also be eligible for a subsidy that will 
reduce your monthly premiums. The ACA also ensures that at least through 2025, households with 
incomes above that 400 percent poverty level will not have to pay more than 8.5 percent of their 
income for a benchmark policy.

To see how much subsidy you may be eligible for, use Kaiser Family Foundation subsidy calculator 
at KFF.org/interactive/subsidy-calculator.

To shop for ACA plans in your state, visit HealthCare.gov or call 800-318-2596. Or, if you want 
some extra help, contact a certified agent or broker at HealthCare.gov/find-assistance.

COBRA: Another temporary health insurance option you may be eligible for is the Consolidated 
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). Under this federal law, if you work for a company 
that has 20 or more employees, you can remain on your employer’s group health plan for at least 18 
months – but could last up to 36 months. But be aware that COBRA isn’t cheap. You’ll pay the full 
monthly premium yourself, plus a 2 percent administrative fee.

To learn more, talk to your employer benefits administrator or contact the 
Employee Benefits Security Administration (Askebsa.dol.gov; 866-444-3272).

If, however, the company you work for has fewer than 20 employees, you may still be able to get 
continued coverage through your company if your state has “mini-COBRA.” Contact your state 
insurance department to see if this is available where you live.

Short-Term Health Insurance: If you can’t find an affordable ACA plan and COBRA is too expensive, 
another possible option is short-term health insurance. These plans, which are not available in 
every state, are cheaper, bare-bones health plans that provide coverage for up to 3 months with a 
one-month extension available. But be aware that short-term plans don’t comply with the ACA so 
they can deny sick people coverage, they don’t cover preexisting conditions and they can exclude 
coverage essentials like prescription drugs.

To find and compare short-term health plans, try sites like eHealthInsurance.com or PivotHealth.
com.

Healthcare sharing ministries: If the previously listed options don’t work for you, another 
temporary solution could be healthcare sharing ministries (HCSM). These are cost-sharing health 
plans in which members – who typically share a religious belief – make monthly payments to cover 
expenses of other members, including themselves.

HCSM’s are cheaper than paying full out-of-pocket costs for traditional health insurance but 
be aware that HCSM’s are not health insurance. They don’t have to comply with the consumer 
protections of the ACA, and 
they can also reject or limit 
coverage for having pre-
existing health issues and limit 
how much you’ll be reimbursed 
for your medical costs. 
Preventive care typically isn’t 
covered either.

To look for these plans, 
comparison shop at the 
three largest providers 
– Samaritan Ministries 
(SamaritanMinistries.org), 
Medi-Share (MyChristianCare.
org), and Christian Healthcare 
Ministries (Chministries.org).

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

WHAT HAPPENED TO MY LITTLE PIGGY BANK?

This week, I had to do 
something I hadn't done 
before: go to the bank and deal 
with fraud in my checking 
account. Someone tried to write a check 
for $1800 from my account. Fortunately, I 
didn't have that much money in my account, 
and I was a little provoked by this incident. 
How dare they!

I sat with the bank advisor dealing with 
this issue and getting my account back to 
normal. They had to issue me a new card 
because they were closing my checking 
account.

As I waited for all of this to process, I felt a 
little thought dance in my head. Whatever 
happened to my little piggy bank? It never 
gave me trouble like this.

When I was young, I didn't have an official 
bank account. I actually did not need a bank 
account at that time. My grandmother gave 
me a little blue piggy bank. When she gave 
it to me, she said, "Now, make sure you put 
money into this piggy bank every week." 
Then she handed me my first two quarters 
for my piggy bank.

I was so excited because I really needed 
the money; the only problem was that my 
grandmother had not told me anything 
about where the money was going to come 
from.

It took me a while to realize I had to put 
money in myself. That little piggy bank was 
not a magic money machine.

I hid my little piggy bank in my bedroom so 
nobody could find it. Every time I got some 
money, I made sure I put some of it in the 
piggy bank. Over time, the money grew in 
that little piggy bank.

For as long as I had that piggy bank, I do not 
know any time when somebody took money 
out of it without my permission. I would 
have thought that every bank had that kind 
of precaution.

The times I used that little piggy bank were 
wonderful memories.

Next door to where we lived was a little 
country store. It sold mostly food, like soda, 
ice cream, cookies and the like. Whenever 
my little piggy bank had enough money in 
it, I would take some out and go to the little 
country store and get myself a well-deserved 
treat.

I usually did it when nobody was watching 
because I did not want to use my own money 
to buy someone else a treat. You know how 
that is!

For many years, that little piggy bank served 
me quite well. It was always there when I 
needed it, and as far as I knew, nobody else 
knew it was there. Unfortunately, nobody 
contributed to my piggy bank.

Then, I went to a Bible school in New York 
and left my piggyback behind. I did not 
think about it for quite a few years.

Now, sitting in the bank trying to get my 
account back in order, I happen to think of 
my little piggy bank. I have no idea what 
happened to it. I would love to see it again 
and there might be a few coins in that little 
bank.

My parents sold the house while I was away 
at the time, and I never found out what 
happened to my little piggy bank.

It has been over 60 years since I last saw that 
piggy bank, but I still relish fond memories 
of it.

Just before Christmas, when we were doing 
our Christmas shopping, I was able to delve 
into my little piggy bank to get some money 
for Christmas presents. I remember that 
first Christmas, I was very surprised at how 
much money was in that little piggy bank.

Whenever I got any money, I put some 
of it in the piggy bank, and I can never 
remember counting it. I just knew it was 
there. I thought about all of the presents I 
bought my parents and siblings with the 
money in my little piggy bank.

The bank finally fixed my account, and I 
was ready to leave. My piggy bank had never 
given me this much trouble.

Driving home, I could not help but think 
of how much that little piggy bank was a 
blessing. If I had not had that piggy bank 
that my grandmother gave me, I never 
would have saved any money. I would have 
spent it as soon as I got it.

Every time I got alone with my grandmother, 
which wasn't often, she would whisper, 
"How's your little piggy bank doing?" and 
then she would hand me two quarters to put 
into my piggy bank.

She was the only one who knew about 
that piggy bank. I guess that's what 
grandmothers are for.

Would it be appropriate for me to buy all of 
my grandchildren little piggy banks? Would 
they use them the way I used mine?

I thought of a Bible verse that is usually 
misquoted. “For the love of money is the 
root of all evil: which while some coveted 
after, they have erred from the faith, and 
pierced themselves through with many 
sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10).

Money isn’t our problem, but the “love of 
money.” Money is important to my daily life. 
If I allow money to become an obsession, it 
takes my mind off what is important. I need 
to use what little money I have to live a life 
pleasing unto the Lord.

Money can be a blessing or a curse.

Dr. James L. Snyder lives in Ocala, FL with 
the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. 
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