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Mountain View News Saturday, September 27, 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.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY! SEPTEMBER Birthdays*

Clem Bartolai, Pat Hall, Donna Anderson, Teresa Chaure, Cathy 
Gunther, Ellen Hoffman, Tom Hoffman, 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 


NORMAL AGING AND MEMORY LOSS:

What's Typical and What's Not


As we grow older, many people begin to notice changes in their memory. Forgetting where the car keys 
are, struggling to recall a name, or occasionally losing a train of thought are common experiences. 
While these lapses can be frustrating, they are often a normal part of aging rather than signs of a serious 
problem.

Normal aging affects the brain just as it does the body. Processing information may take longer, and 
retrieving facts or names may not come as quickly as it once did. Most older adults are still able to learn 
new things, form memories, and carry out daily responsibilities, even if it takes a bit more effort. For 
example, misplacing glasses or occasionally forgetting an appointment may be typical.

However, there are important differences between normal forgetfulness and more concerning memory 
problems. Normal age-related changes do not disrupt a person’s ability to function day-to-day. In contrast, 
memory loss that affects work, social activities, or independence could indicate something more 
serious, such as mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Warning signs include getting lost in familiar 
places, repeating the same questions frequently, or being unable to follow directions.

Experts recommend supporting brain health through regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, 
and social engagement. Mental activities—such as reading, puzzles, or learning new skills—can also 
help keep the mind sharp. Managing health conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes is equally 
important.

If memory changes seem unusual or begin to interfere with daily life, it is wise to consult a healthcare 
provider. Most importantly, older adults should remember that occasional forgetfulness is normal, and 
experiencing these changes does not necessarily signal serious illness. With awareness and healthy habits, 
many age gracefully with their memory intact.


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder

BOY, OH BOY...WHAT A DAY IT WAS!

TOP PET PRODUCTS 
FOR SENIORS WITH 
MOBILITY ISSUES


Throughout my years, I have had many crazy days. I guess it's crazy 
days that develop character. If so, I have a lot of character. I never 
had a day quite like last week. Everything seemed to go wrong for 
me.

When we got up, our electricity was off. It had been off for many hours, and we 
had a few hours left before it would come back on. The worst thing was that there 
was no coffee. How can you start a day without coffee? In a few hours, the electricity 
was restored. We both took a deep sigh, thinking that was the worst of the 
day. I looked at The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and said, "Well, my dear, 
at least the day can't get any worse." Oh, how I wish I had not said that. Because 
the day was beginning.

I got into my office, started working and was ready to print, and wouldn't you 
know it, my printer wasn't working. I thought I ran out of ink, but when I replaced 
it with new ink, nothing changed. My printer had died on me. I never 
realized how much I needed a printer until I didn't have one. I had to order a new 
printer, which would take a couple of days to come.

I sat down in my easy chair to drink some coffee, and The Gracious Mistress of 
the Parsonage needed to run to the grocery store to pick up some items. That left 
me alone in the house for over an hour.

She no sooner got out the door when the telephone rang. I'm not too quick at answering 
telephone calls because most of them are scams. However, this call came 
in four times, so I thought it might be someone I knew, and I answered it.

The person on the phone asked me my name, and I told him my name, and then 
he said that my daughter was in an automobile accident, had broken her nose, 
and was in the hospital. He told me I need to talk to her attorney to work out the 
details of her bail money.

He gave me the name and number of the attorney, so I called him.

Before I called him, I thought I should call my daughter to see if these things are 
true. I'm a skeptic, and I like to verify what I'm hearing to ensure it's the truth. She 
didn't answer her phone. That caused me to worry because she never does that.

I called her attorney, and he explained the situation to me. It seems, and they have 
video proof, that my daughter ran a stoplight and hit an oncoming car. There was 
a lady in the car who was pregnant and had broken her collarbone. My daughter 
broke her nose.

I was pretty alarmed.

Then he explained to me that my daughter needed $6000 bail money to get her 
out of jail today. It had to be taken care of within an hour, or they couldn't do it 
until the next day.

I told him I didn't have enough money for that, I only had at best $2500. He said, 
"Well, I will check with the court to see if they'll go with that. Give me a call back 
as soon as you can."

I hung up the phone and then called my wife, but she didn't answer. I called my 
other daughter, and she replied, telling me that it was probably a scam.

I called the attorney back and told him I could only come up with the $2500. He 
said if I met him within an hour at Winn-Dixie, he could take care of the process 
there. I wouldn't have to go down to the jail.

I hung up my phone, and who was calling? You're right. It was my daughter who 
was supposed to be in jail.

We had an interesting conversation. She had not been out of her house all day. In 
fact, the reason she didn't answer the phone was that it was being charged. Incidentally, 
she's in the firefighters department, which was a little curious to me that 
"her attorney" didn't know that.

I decided to call the Sheriff's Department to obtain information about this and 
find out where my daughter was being held in jail. After an interesting conversation 
with the Sheriff's Department, they informed me that this was a scam and 
was happening all the time in our county.

There was nothing I could do about it because no money had exchanged hands, 
so I was powerless. I decided to call my daughter's attorney. He answered the 
phone. I said, "I just want to thank you for getting my daughter out of jail. I appreciate 
that so very much."

He answered and said, "I'm glad I could help."

Then, before hanging up, I said, "By the way, my daughter was never in jail." 
When I said that, he hung up very quickly.

As I hung up the phone I thought of a Bible verse. “There hath no temptation 
taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer 
you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a 
way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

No matter how difficult my day, God’s faithfulness is more than enough.

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,

My pet-loving mother has two cats and a dog, but her knee and back problems make caring for them increasingly 
difficult. Are there pet care products you can recommend that help elderly pet older owners with 
mobility problems? Searching Susan

Dear Susan,

Great question! For older pet owners with limited mobility, daily tasks like feeding, walking or cleaning 
up after their pets can become physically challenging. Fortunately, there are a variety of products that 
are specifically designed to make pet care more manageable.

With the help of Next Avenue, a nonprofit, digital publication for older adults, here is a rundown on 
some top products that can help your mom care for her pets no matter her mobility.

Automatic Pet Feeder

Just like you, your pet needs to eat a few times a day. But lifting heavy food bags or bending to fill bowls 
can strain a bad back. An automatic pet feeder can help keep your mom’s pets well-fed without having 
to stoop or bend much.

The Petlibro Air Automatic Feeder (Chewy.com, $50) has a locking food tank to prevent between-
meal snacking and can hold up to 16 portions. It runs on batteries that last 180 days, so you can put it 
anywhere you want. You'll have to refill it now and then, but this product means a lot less bending and 
lifting.

Age-Friendly Litter Boxes

Bending or stooping over to fill or clean out the kitty litter box can be challenging for many mobility-
challenged cat owners. To alleviate this, LoftyLoo (LoftyLoo.com) sells an elevated litter box for $289. 
Compatible with stairs and ramps for older cats, LoftyLoo’s raised litter box furniture has options for 
anyone living with chronic pain or recovering from surgery. It’s also fully wheelchair accessible.

Another option that can make kitty litter clean up easier is the Litter-Robot 4 by Whisker (Litter-Robot.
com, $699). This automatic, self-cleaning litter box eliminates scooping and reduces the odor and waste 
removal, which is helpful for older cat owners.

Long-Handled Pooper Scooper

Stooping over to clean up after your dog can be challenging if you have back, hip or knee problems. 
Long-handled waste scoopers can make this cleanup task much more manageable.

The ShinyDew Pooper Scooper (Amazon.com, $24) is a foldable, 32-inch-long dog poop picker upper, 
so you don't have to bend to pick up your pet’s waste. You can use it with one hand and also attach waste 
bags to the scooper for even easier disposal. 

Hands-Free Leash

Most dogs love their daily walk and need the exercise for their own optimal health. But for seniors that 
use a cane, walker, wheelchair or have pain in your upper body, using a traditional leash can be challenging. 
If walking a pet is difficult, hands-free leashes or harnesses can make the experience more 
manageable. 

One option is the Hands-Free Dog Leash with Zipper Pouch (iYoShop.com, $22), which clips around 
your waist, has a reflective safety strip for visibility and includes two shock absorbers to prevent tugging. 
But note that this product should only be used if your pet cannot physically pull you down.

Pet Treadmill

If your mom can’t walk her dog any longer, she can still give them plenty of exercise by getting a pet 
treadmill. The PETSITE Dog Treadmill (Amazon.com, $286) has 12 preset programs and three incline 
options. 

The large running belt measures 39 inches long by 14.5 inches wide with a slip resistant running surface 
and safety fences along the sides. It also comes with a remote to adjust speed and automatically turns 
off after 30 minutes.

Automatic Ball Launcher

Another way your mom can 
exercise her dog, if walking 
isn’t an option, is with an automated 
ball launcher. 

The Joyhound Electronic Ball 
Launcher (Petsmart.com, 
$120) comes with three tennis 
balls and can lob them 10 
to 40 feet. Your mom can rest 
on her patio while her dog gets 
a challenging and entertaining 
workout.

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