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Mountain Views-News SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2025

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

FREE ASSISTED LIVING PLACEMENT SERVICE



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HAPPY BIRTHDAY! AUGUST Birthdays*

Nancy Beckham, Karlene Englert, Juanita Fernandez, Jeanette 
Francis, Joseph Kiss, Jacquie Pergola, Pat Miranda, 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 


SENIORS TARGETED BY SPAM CALLS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Spam calls are more than just annoying — they can be dangerous. Scammers often target seniors with 
fake phone calls, hoping to steal money or personal information.

Why do scammers focus on older adults? Many seniors are kind, trusting, and polite. Some may not be 
familiar with the latest technology, and others may live alone and welcome a friendly voice. Sadly, scammers 
use these things to their advantage.

These scam calls often sound official or urgent. You might get a call from someone claiming to be from:

• Medicare or Social Security

• The IRS or a police department

• A grandchild in trouble

• A lottery or prize company

They may ask for personal details, bank information, or payment by gift cards or wire transfer. But remember: 
Real organizations will never ask for that over the phone.

To protect yourself:

Don’t answer calls from numbers you don’t recognize.

• If a caller pressures you, hang up immediately.

• Never give out personal or financial information to someone you don’t know.

• Ask a trusted family member to help set up call blocking on your phone.

• Talk about any suspicious calls with family or friends.

If you receive a scam call, report it to one of these trusted places:

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): 1-877-382-4357 or reportfraud.ftc.gov

• AARP Fraud Watch Network: 1-877-908-3360

• Your phone company – they may be able to block numbers

• Local police, especially if you gave out money or personal info

You are not alone. Scammers are tricky, but staying alert and informed can keep you — and 
others — safe.


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder

I DIDN'T HAVE GOOGLE, I HAD GRANMA

It was Thursday, and as usual, I was busy working on weekend projects. 
My biggest project, of course, was my Sunday sermon. Most 
people don't understand the amount of hard work that goes into 
preparing a Sunday sermon. And I work hard.

I was spending time researching some ideas on Google. I spend a lot of time on 
Google because it helps with my research. I'm able to find certain subjects very 
quickly.

Until Thursday, I didn't realize how much time I spent on Google. It’s really a 
blessing in my life.

I had some coffee, and I was resting in my chair, thinking about what I was 
finding on Google. I thought back to when I was a youngster, and back then, we 
didn't have Google, nor did we have the Internet. What would young people do 
today if they didn't have Google, the Internet, or cell phones? I'm not sure they 
would have a life.

In my younger days, we didn't have any of that, but there was one thing we did 
have that made all the difference in the world. We may not have had Google, but 
we had Grandma.

I spent some time with my Grandma, especially during the summer. If I wanted 
to know anything, all I had to do was ask her, and she always had the answer.

Looking back now, I realize how important my Grandma was to me in that regard. 
There wasn't a subject that I could bring up that she didn't know something 
about it. Whether she was making things up or not, I will never know. All 
I know is, she had an answer for every question I could put in front of her.

Once, I had to do an essay for my science class. I was really stumbling around, 
and then Grandma stopped by to visit us. When that happened, I had a brilliant 
idea.

I went to Grandma and asked her about my subject and if she knew anything 
about it. She said she did, and she began explaining everything to me about that, 
and I took notes. Looking at those notes afterward, I didn't quite understand 
everything, but I put them together as best I could and prepared my essay.

That was the first essay I received an A. My teacher took me aside and asked 
me how I came up with all of these wonderful ideas in my essay. I did not know 
what to say, I was a little embarrassed. I simply told him I had done research on 
that subject. He smiled at me, congratulated me, and said, "Well done. Keep up 
the good work."

I hope that when he said “keep up the good work,” he was referring to my relationship 
with my Grandma on these subjects.

I don't know how my grandmother got so smart. No matter what the subject 
people were talking about, my grandmother had something to say about it. She 
was known throughout the community as a very wise lady, and I could understand 
why.

I've always wanted to ask her how she knew all the things she knew. If I had that 
answer, maybe I could be as smart as she was. But I never dared to ask her why 
she was so smart about so many things.

Throughout my teenage years, I received advice from my grandmother. Her advice 
always turned out to be the right advice. I learned to trust her advice, and 
it helped me out.

One area of my life that I never ask her for advice on was my "Dating Life." Actually, 
I did not have such a life, but if I had sat down with Grandma, I'm sure she 
could have given me advice along that line. I'm not sure I would've taken her 
advice, but it probably would've been good advice.

Looking back, I'm glad I didn't ask her about that. That may have changed my 
life entirely, and I'm glad my life is the way it is today.

Every once in a while, when I'm searching for something on Google, I think of 
my Grandma. In my mind, she was Google before Google was even invented. 
Where she acquired all her wisdom is beyond me, but I was glad to draw on it 
when I needed to.

I have learned that asking the right question to the right person will bring you 
to the right answer. And that sure described my Grandma. Thinking about that 
lately, I wanted to sit down with my Grandma and go over a list of questions I 
have today. As I think of it, what would be some of the answers that she would 
give me?

Over the last few years, I hope I have inherited some of Grandma's wisdom. I'm 
not sure I have, but I'm going to pretend I did, and pass it on to my grandchildren, 
just like my Grandma did.

A verse of Scripture came to mind. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of 
God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given 
him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a 
wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed” (James 1:5-6).

God’s wisdom is better than Grandma’s. I just need to ask Him. Asking opens 
the door to the flow of wisdom I need in my life.

HOW TO PREVENT FALLS AT HOME

Dear Savvy Senior,

My 80-year-old father, who lives alone, has 
fallen several times over the past few months. 
Are there any tips or precautions you recommend 
that I can implement to help prevent 
this? Concerned Son

Dear Concerned,

This is a common concern for millions of elderly seniors and their families. Each year more than 1-in-4 
older Americans fall, making it the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries for those age 65 and 
older. But many falls can be prevented. Depending on what’s causing your dad to fall, here are some tips 
that can help keep him on his feet.

Get him exercising: Weak leg muscles and poor balance are two of the biggest risk factors that cause 
seniors to fall. Walking, strength training and tai chi are all good for improving balance and strength, as 
are a number of simple exercises your dad can do anytime like sit-to-stand exercises (sitting down and 
standing up from a seat without using his hands for assistance), standing on one foot for 30 seconds then 
switching to the other foot, and walking heel-to-toe across the room.

Check his meds: Does your dad take any medicine, or combination of medicines, that make him dizzy, 
sleepy or lightheaded? If so, make a list or gather up all the drugs he takes – prescriptions and over the 
counter – and contact his doctor or pharmacist for a drug review and adjustment.

Many blood pressure medications, anti-anxiety drugs, antidepressants, anti-seizure drugs, antipsychotic 
drugs, diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, some painkillers and over-the-counter drugs that cause drowsiness 
are common culprits in medication-related falls. 

Get a vision and hearing test: Even small changes in sight and hearing can increase your dad’s risk of 
falling, so get his eyes checked every year to be sure his vison and eyeglasses (if used) are to up to par. 
Hearing loss can also double the risk of falling, so have your dad’s hearing checked too, and if he uses a 
hearing aid, be sure it fits well, and he wears it.

Fall-proof his home: There are a number of simple household modifications you can do to make your 
dad’s living area safer. Start by helping him arrange or move the furniture so there are clear pathways to 
walk through and pick-up items on the floor that could cause him to trip like newspapers, shoes, clothes, 
electrical or phone cords.

If he has throw rugs, remove them or use double-sided tape to secure them.

In the bathroom buy some non-skid rugs for the floors and a rubber suction-grip mat or adhesive non-
skid tape for the floor of the tub or shower, and have a carpenter install grab bars in and around the tub/
shower for support.

Also, make sure the lighting throughout the house is good. Purchase some inexpensive plug-in nightlights 
for the bathrooms and hallways, and if he has stairs, put handrails on both sides.

For more tips, see the NIA “Preventing Falls at Home: Room by Room” web page at NIA.NIH.gov/
health/fall-proofing-your-home.

Choose safe footwear: Going barefoot or wearing slippers or socks at home can also cause falls, as can 
wearing backless shoes, and shoes with heels or smooth leather soles. The safest option is rubber-sole, 
low-heel shoes.

Purchase some helpful aids: If your dad needs some help with his balance or walking, get him a cane 
or walker. Also, to help ensure your dad’s safety, and provide you some peace of mind, consider getting 
him a medical alert system that comes with a wearable emergency help button (some systems are voice-
activated) that would allow him to call for help if he did fall or need assistance.

To help you evaluate your dad’s future risk of falling, use the National Council on Aging’s “Falls Free 
Checkup” tool at NCOA.org/tools/falls-free-checkup.

Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, 
Norman, OK 73070.


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