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Mountain View News Saturday, September 13, 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! 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 


PLANNING AHEAD FOR ASSISTED LIVING

 
Making the decision to move into assisted living can feel overwhelming, but with careful planning, it 
can be a smooth transition that enhances quality of life. Assisted living communities are designed for 
seniors who need some daily support—such as help with meals, medications, or transportation—while 
still enjoying independence.

 One of the most important steps is planning early. Too often, families wait until a crisis occurs, such 
as a fall or hospitalization, before considering assisted living. By starting the conversation in advance, 
seniors have more time to tour communities, compare options, and make decisions based on preferences 
rather than urgency.

 Financial planning is also key. Unlike skilled nursing, 
which is usually short-term and covered by Medicare or 
insurance, assisted living is primarily private pay. Long-
term care insurance may help cover costs, but policies 
vary, so it’s wise to review coverage early. Families should 
also consider savings, pensions, or veterans’ benefits that 
may provide assistance.

 Location and lifestyle matter, too. Proximity to family, 

social activities, and medical providers can make a big 
difference. Visiting communities, asking questions, and 
even sharing a meal with residents can help determine if 
the environment feels like home.

 Finally, involve loved ones in the decision. Open discussions about needs, wishes, and concerns 
foster understanding and reduce stress later. Planning ahead ensures that seniors have a voice in their 
future and that families feel confident when the time comes.

With preparation, assisted living can be a positive step toward safety, companionship, and peace of 
mind for seniors and their families.


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder

HOW MUCH FUN IS TOO MUCH FUN?

HOW TO GET HELP WITH YOUR MEDICARE COSTS

If you don't have any fun in life, what is the purpose? I know life is 
more than just having fun, but there is a place for fun in our daily 
lives.

Everyone has their idea of what fun is, and we don't always agree on that. Take, 
for example, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage has an entirely different idea 
of fun than her husband.

What I consider to be fun, she doesn't like at all. What she considers fun, I don't 
understand at all. But there are quite a few times that we have had fun together. I 
should really write them down so that I don't forget them. The next time we have 
fun together, I'm going to make a note.

As for me, I get things confused, and sometimes I say the wrong word. Everybody 
is guilty of that at some time. But when I do it, I get into some really deep trouble.

Last week, for instance, we went to the mall together. We don't often do that because 
I really don't like the mall. When I go to the mall, I like to go to the coffee 
shop, get some coffee and let The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage do all the 
shopping.

This week we went together, and just as we got into the mall, we encountered 
some friends of ours that we haven't seen for a while. I always enjoy catching up 
with friends and having a little fun to-gether.

He and I drifted away from my wife and his wife. I'm not quite sure what the 
ladies were talking about, but then I wouldn't understand it anyway, even if I had 
heard it.

My friend was a little obsessed with his wife buying purses all the time. He never 
called them purs-es; he called them bags. "I don't understand," he said to me, 
"why women need so many of these bags. Why can't they be satisfied with just 
one." Then he went on describing all of those "bags" his wife had at home.

"I can bet that she's going to buy another bag today here at the mall," he said with 
a little bit of sarcasm. We laughed together because we both knew what he was 
talking about.

I then pointed over to my wife and said, "Look at that lovely bag over there."

I didn't realize that I used the wrong word. My friend always called a purse a bag, 
and so I followed along with him. I wanted him to see the nice purse my wife had. 

But, when I said, "Look at that lovely bag over there," I got into so much trouble 
that I don't know if I'm out of it today. As usual, my wife heard every word that 
I said, and she looked at me with one of her looks and both hands on her hips.

That alone convinced me I was in for some trouble. My fun time had evolved into 
“I'm in trouble time”. I didn't say what she heard me say but what she heard me 
say is what I said. How I'm going to get out of this is beyond my pay scale.

Sometimes when we're having fun, people hear us say something, but they interpret 
it in the opposite direction. There's something about words that can really 
get you into trouble.

I like to have fun and enjoy pulling friends into the experience, but I need to 
know where to draw the line. And after all of these years of matrimonial bliss, I 
don't know where to draw the line.

I stared at my friend for a moment, and he began to smile because he knew that 
I was in trouble.

"Well," he said to me, "my wife and I need to get going." And they walked away, 
leaving me with The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and the trouble I was in.

The way she looked at me, I knew I had come to the end of having fun that day. 
Nothing I could say or do could ever undo what I said.

As we walked out of the mall to our vehicle, I tried to think of something to say 
that would make up for my blunder. Even though I work with words all the time 
I could not come up with the right words to use at this time.

As we drove home in the Sissy Van, she was very quiet and focused solely on 
driving. I, on the other hand, was focused on being quiet. There's a time to speak 
and a time to be quiet. As a veteran husband, I am still learning when it's time to 
be quiet.

I'm not going to give up on having fun, I'm just going to try to be more delicate 
in the fun I choose at the time. That will not be easy, but sometimes you have to 
pay for the fund that you have.

As I was thinking through this I couldn’t help but think of a special Bible verse.

“Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his 
lips is esteemed a man of understanding” (Proverbs 17:28).

When I open my mouth people can see what a fool I am. If I keep my mouth shut 
I hide all that foolishness. My new goal is to show a smile with my mouth and 
keep my mouth shut.

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,

Does Medicare offer any financial assistance 
for struggling seniors? My mom lives 
primarily on her Social Security survivor 
benefit and is having a hard time paying her 
Medicare costs. Need Assistance

Dear Need,

There are actually several different financial assistance programs that can help Medicare beneficiaries 
who are having a difficult time paying their out-of-pocket health care costs. Here’s what’s available, 
along with the eligibility requirements and how to apply. 

Medicare Savings Programs

Let’s start with a program that helps pay premiums and out-of-pocket costs for Medicare Parts A 
and B. It’s called the “Medicare Savings Program,” and it has several different benefit levels for people 
based on their income and asset level. At its most generous the program will pay your Part A and B 
premiums and pretty much all your Medicare deductibles, coinsurance and copayments. At its least 
generous the program will pay just your Part B premium.

To qualify for a Medicare Savings Program, the minimum standard set by Medicare is an income 
under 135 percent of the federal poverty level, which at the moment works out to around $1,715 a 
month for individuals (or $2,320 for married couples). Everything counts towards income, including 
payouts from 401(k) plans, pensions, Social Security, and help from family members.

Medicare also allows states to impose an asset test, which can be as little as $9,430 per individual 
($14,130 for married couples), not counting your house, car or personal belongs, but counting retirement 
savings and bank accounts.

But some states have made their Medicare Savings Programs a lot more generous, with much higher 
income limits and in some cases no asset tests at all. And the program may be called something else 
in your state. To find out if you qualify or to apply, contact your state Medicaid program. Visit Medicaid.
gov or call all 800-633-4227 for contact information.

Medication Assistance

For help with Medicare (Part D) prescription drug plan costs, there is another completely separate 
low-income subsidy program she may be eligible for called “Extra Help.” To get it, your mom will 
need to apply through her Social Security office.

Depending on your mother’s income level, this program will pay part or all of her Part D prescription 
drug plan’s monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments. In 2025, individuals 
with a yearly income below $23,475 ($31,725 for a married couple), and assets under $17,600 
($35,130 for a married couple) can qualify for Extra Help.

If she’s eligible to be in a Medicare Savings Program, she will automatically qualify for Extra Help. 
But because the requirements are slightly different, even if she doesn’t qualify for a Medicare Savings 
Program for Part B, she might be able to get Extra Help for Part D. For more information or to apply, 
visit SSA.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help or call Social Security at 800-772-1213.

Other Programs

Depending on your mom’s income level, needs and location there are many other financial assistance 
programs that can help like Medicaid, SSI (Supplemental Security Income), PACE (Program of All-
inclusive Care for the Elderly), SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), (LIHEAP) Low 
Income Home Energy Assistance Program and many others.

To help you find out what types of assistance programs she may be eligible for, and learn how to apply 
for them, go to BenefitsCheckUp.org. This is a free, confidential website designed for people age 
55 and older that contains more than 2,500 programs.

It’s also possible to get help in person at one of the 87 Benefits Enrollment Centers scattered across 
38 states. Visit 

NCOA.org/article/meet-our-benefits-enrollment-centers locate a center in your area. Or call their 
helpline at 800-794-6559.

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