11

Mountain View News Saturday, February 22, 2025

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! …FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS*

Tracy Verhoeven, Beatrice DaRe, Catherine Adde, Hilda Pittman, Anne-
Marie Stockdale, Susan Henderson, Allie Attay, Ursula El-Tawansy, ladys 
Moser, Sylvia Lorhan, Ana Ptanski, Winifred Swanson , Janet Gillespie, 
Marian DeMars, Vickie Vernon, Mary Beth Knox, Sharon Lefler.

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


THE IMPORTANCE OF VITAMIN D FOR SENIORS

As we age, maintaining good health requires special attention to the nutrients our bodies need. One 
such nutrient is vitamin D, which plays a crucial role in bone health, immune function, and overall 
well-being. However, many older adults are at risk of vitamin D deficiency, which can lead to various 
health issues. Here’s why vitamin D is especially important for seniors:

1. Bone Health

Vitamin D is essential for helping the body absorb calcium, which is vital for strong bones. As we age, 
our bones naturally become weaker, and without enough vitamin D, seniors are more susceptible to 
fractures, osteoporosis, and bone pain. Ensuring adequate levels of vitamin D helps maintain bone 
strength and reduces the risk of injuries.

2. Immune System Support

Vitamin D also plays a key role in supporting the immune system. It helps the body fight infections 
and manage inflammation. Seniors with low levels of vitamin D may find themselves more vulnerable 
to illnesses, particularly during cold and flu season.

3. Muscle Strength and Balance

Proper vitamin D levels are essential for maintaining muscle strength, which is important for balance 
and preventing falls. Falls can lead to serious injuries in older adults, so keeping muscles strong and 
functional is crucial for overall health and safety.

4. Mental Health Benefits

Research has shown that vitamin D may have a positive impact on mood and mental health. Seniors 
with low levels of vitamin D are at greater risk of depression and cognitive decline, so ensuring adequate 
intake can help support emotional well-being.

5. Sources of Vitamin D

While sunlight is the best natural source of vitamin D, it becomes harder to get enough from the sun 
as we age. Foods like fatty fish, fortified milk, and egg yolks can provide vitamin D, and supplements 
may be recommended if needed.

Maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D is vital for senior health. Regular check-ups with a doctor 
can ensure your vitamin D levels are optimal, helping you live a healthier and more active life.


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder

DON'T CALL ME STUPID, JUST WHISPER IT


IS A REVERSE MORTGAGE A 
GOOD IDEA?

One thing that irritates me is people talking behind my back. I want to be 
part of the conversation because I know more about me than they do. Or at 
least I think I do

While in the mall recently, I passed two people, and I heard one say, "Doesn't 
he look stupid?"

Tempted as I was, I didn't turn around and inquire what they were talking about. Why did 
they think I looked stupid?

I have found out that when I hear something, I usually don't hear the whole story. If I don't 
hear the whole story, I'm going to get it wrong, and if I react, I certainly will look stupid. 
Why do I care if someone I don't know thinks I look stupid?

If The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage says I look stupid, that is a completely different 
scenario. I need to get the information she has so I can change whatever I need to change 
so I don't look stupid in her eyes. Really, her opinion the only one that really matters to me.

As often as I have heard this throughout my life, you would think I would have reached the 
point of post-stupidity. I'm not sure what that means, but I'll let it go for now.

At my age, I don't care what people think I look like. If someone thinks I look stupid, I'm 
quite okay with that. I just don't want them shouting to the rest of the world. Whisper it, and 
let's keep it between us.

How often have I made a mistake judging someone by their outward appearance? I've gotten 
into a lot of trouble down the years doing that. I don't need to judge people. Whatever 
people are wearing and how they look is none of my business whatsoever. And I'll keep my 
thoughts to myself. At least I try.

While at the mall, I see people whose looks are very close to the neighborhood of stupid. 
Why they wear what they wear or don't wear is something I will never quite understand.

Years ago, there was a sense of decency in what people wore. Today, however, that sense of 
decency is far gone. I sure do miss those good old days.

What does stupid really look like? How can I tell that someone looks stupid just by walking 
past them?

As a daily discipline, I strive not to judge people before I really get to know them. After getting 
to know some people, you find out they're not really what they first appear to be. They're 
not as stupid as they look nor as smart as they look.

While in the mall, I passed several people with tattoos all over their body. Tattoos, ear piercings, 
nose piercings, and even one had a tongue piercing. I have no idea what these things 
are called or why anybody would want to do that.

Never in the morning have I gotten up, gone to my bathroom, looked in the mirror and said 
to myself, "You need to get some tattoos today." I'm not even sure my mirror would allow 
me to do that.

If somebody has all of these tattoos and piercings, it has nothing to do with me. If they think 
it makes them look special, that's quite all right with me. I work very hard at not judging 
people. Sometimes, it's hard, but I work at it all the more. If somebody wants to look the way 
they look, who am I to tell them it's wrong?

I've been going to the same barber for around 30 years. During that time, the hair on my 
head has gotten thinner and thinner, and if I blame the barber for that, I am stupid. It's not 
my barber's fault, and really, it's not my fault. I didn't tell any of my hair to leave, but they 
have, never to return.

Judging somebody by his or her outside appearance really challenges decency. I've counseled 
many people over the years and learned one thing: most of them do not want to hear 
the truth.

They will ask me a question, but they don't want me to tell them the absolute truth. They 
want me to tell them what they want to hear.

That's the kind of world we live in today. Nobody wants to hear the truth or tell the truth, 
and everybody is completely happy with that. Well, I’m not.

I think of a joke about Abraham Lincoln. This may not have happened to him, but in the 
joke, Abraham's wife gets a new dress, puts it on, comes before her husband and says, "Abe, 
does this dress make me look fat?"

If Abraham Lincoln were as smart as I think he was, he would never have answered that 
question.

So, if you think I look stupid, don't say it out loud; just whisper it, and let's keep it between 
the two of us. Then, I won't tell people what I think about you.

Thinking about this I was reminded what Jesus said. “Judge not according to the appearance, 
but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24).

Jesus did not judge according to appearance. It’s not how we look, but how we act that is the 
defining factor. So, instead of concentrating on my outside, I need to focus on my inside, that 
is my relationship with Christ. That is how God will judge me in the final day.

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

Dear Savvy Senior,

What can you tell me about reverse mortgages? When my husband passed away last year my income 
dropped almost in half, and I’ve been struggling to keep up with my monthly living expenses.

Senior Homeowner

 

Dear Senior,

For retirees who own their home and want to stay living there, but could use some extra cash, a reverse 
mortgage is a viable financial tool, but there’s a lot to know and consider to be sure it’s a good 
option for you.

 

Let’s start with the basics.

 

A reverse mortgage is a unique type of loan that allows older homeowners to borrow money against 
the equity in their house (or condo) that doesn’t have to be repaid until the homeowner dies, sells the 
house or moves out for at least 12 months. At that point, you or your heirs will have to pay back the 
loan plus accrued interest and fees (usually by selling the home), but you will never owe more than 
the value of your home.

 

It’s also important to understand that with a reverse mortgage, you, not the bank, own the house, so 
you’re still required to pay your property taxes, homeowners’ insurance and upkeep. Not paying them 
can result in foreclosure.

 

To be eligible, you must be 62 years of age or older, have at least 50 percent equity in your home, and 
currently be living there.

 

You will also need to undergo a financial assessment to determine whether you can afford to continue 
paying your property taxes and insurance. Depending on your financial situation, you may be 
required to put part of your loan into an escrow account to pay future bills. If the financial assessment 
finds that you cannot pay your insurance and taxes and have enough cash left to live on, you’ll be 
denied.

 

Loan Details

More than 90 percent of all reverse mortgages offered are Home Equity Conversion Mortgages 
(HECM), which are FHA insured and offered through private mortgage lenders and banks. HECM’s 
have home value limits that vary by county but cannot exceed $1,209,750 in 2025.

 

How much you can actually get through a reverse mortgage depends on your age (the older you are 
the more you can get), your home’s value and the prevailing interest rates. Generally, most people can 
borrow somewhere between 40 and 60 percent of the home’s value. To estimate how much you can 
borrow, use the reverse mortgage calculator at ReverseMortgage.org. 

 

To receive your money, you can opt for a lump sum, a line of credit, regular monthly checks or a 
combination of these.

 

But be aware the reverse mortgages aren’t cheap. You’ll have to pay an origination fee, which is the 
greater of $2,500 or 2 percent of the first $200,000 of your home’s value plus 1 percent of the amount 
over $200,000. HECM origination fees are capped at $6,000.

 

You’ll also be charged an initial mortgage insurance premium, which is 2 percent of the loan amount, 
along with closing costs that will likely run several thousand dollars. Any amount you borrow, including 
these fees and insurance, accrues interest, which means your debt grows over time.

 

To learn more, see the National Council on Aging’s online booklet “Use Your Home to Stay at Home” 
at NCOA.org/article/use-your-home-to-stay-at-home.

 

Also be aware that because reverse mortgages are complex loans, all borrowers are required to get 
counseling through a HUD approved independent counseling agency before taking one out. Most 
agencies charge between $125 and $200. To locate one near you, visit Go.usa.gov/v2H, or call 
800-569-4287.

 

Other Options

If a reverse mortgage doesn’t suit you, you could also tap your home equity by getting a regular home 
equity loan or line of credit. This type of borrowing requires you to make payments, and lenders can 
freeze or lower limits on lines of credit, but the borrowing costs are much lower. Or you could also 
sell your home and move somewhere cheaper.

 

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.

626.355.1451c21village.com 
@c21village38 W Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra MadreSales - Leasing - ManagementServing the Community since 1980
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