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Mountain Views-News Saturday October 4, 2025

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SENIOR HAPPENINGS


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! OCTOBER Birthdays*

Janda Ferris, Darlene Traxler, Margit Johnson, Sole Krieg, Mary Jane 
Baker, Dixie Coutant, Jill Frank, Cathleen Cremins, Adie Marshall, 
Susan Gallagher, Maggie Ellis, Gloria Giersbach, Ellen O’Leary, Jenny 
Piangenti, Anita Thompson, Linda Boehm and Angela Stella *

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


OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

What Seniors Should Know


Every October, communities across the nation unite in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 
For seniors, this observance carries special importance. While breast cancer can affect people of all 
ages, the risk increases as we grow older. According to the American Cancer Society, most breast 
cancers are diagnosed in women over 55, making awareness and early detection particularly vital for 
seniors.

One of the most important steps is regular screening. For women in their 60s and 70s, mammograms 
remain an essential tool. Seniors should consult their doctors about how often to schedule these 
screenings, especially if there are other health conditions to consider. Men, though less commonly 
affected, should also be aware that breast cancer can occur in males, and any unusual changes in the 
chest area should not be ignored.

Breast cancer awareness is not only about detection but also about support. Seniors going through 
treatment may face additional challenges, including managing medications, transportation to appointments, 
and emotional well-being. Family members, caregivers, and community organizations 
can play a vital role in offering encouragement and assistance.

Lifestyle choices also matter. Maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, and eating a 
balanced diet can help reduce the risk of many cancers. Seniors are encouraged to talk with their 
healthcare providers about practical steps they can take for prevention and overall health.

This October, seniors can take part in local walks, educational events, and support groups dedicated 
to raising awareness. Wearing pink, sharing stories, or volunteering time can help spread the message 
of hope and resilience.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month reminds us all—especially seniors—that early action saves lives. 
Awareness, screenings, and support are powerful tools that can make a lasting difference.


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder

IF SHE CANNOT FIX IT, IT'S NOT BROKEN

IS LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE WORTH IT?

Life has its many ups and downs. There are some weeks when there 
are more downs than ups. But if I didn’t have a down, I probably 
wouldn’t appreciate an up.

This past week was one of those down weeks. One day, we lost our electricity for 
maybe six hours, my printer died on me and some scammer tried to get money out 
of me by telling me my daughter was in jail and needed bail money.

I’m not sure if it can get any worse, but I’m going to keep my eyes open. Fortunately, 
the electricity came back, and the scammer, well, let’s say he didn’t get my money.

The printer was the worst thing that happened. I’ve had my printer for about six 
years, and I use it just about every day. I never anticipated that it would just completely 
die on me one day. But, it did.

I ordered a new printer, and it came on Thursday. My whole day was committed to 
that printer. It was a new printer with all of the latest upgraded gadgets. Personally, 
I don’t like new things with all the confusing gadgets they have. However, I needed 
to get a new printer, and so I did.

I set up the printer with Wi-Fi, and it worked very well. The next step was to connect 
it with my computer. The printer isn’t worth anything unless it’s connected 
to my computer, so I can print out the work I’m doing. At the time, I thought the 
worst job would be to set up the Wi-Fi for the printer. I was in for a surprise.

For several hours, I worked trying to connect my printer to my computer. I went 
through everything I could possibly think of to connect the two. If I can’t connect 
the printer to my computer, what good is it really?

After several hours of unproductive work, I was at the point of giving up.

Just then, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage came into my office and asked 
how my printer was working.

“Well,” I stammered, “I can’t connect it to my computer. I’ve tried all morning and 
it’s not working at all. I don’t know what to do.” She looked at me and said something 
I wasn’t really expecting to hear, “Let me see, maybe I can fix it for you.”

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage has many identities, and one of them is 
Miss-Fixer-Upper. Everybody knows that there is not a problem she cannot fix.

I recall about five years ago, the bumper on my truck was loose, and I couldn’t fix it. 
I was about to take it to the garage and have the mechanic fix it. I really didn’t want 
to spend a couple hundred dollars but I didn’t have much of a choice.

As I was pondering this, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage came out and 
said, “What’s the problem?”

So I explained my problem to her and told her I was about to take it to the garage.

She said, “Let me look at it and see if I can help.”

She looked at it for a few moments and then said, “I believe I can fix this, let me go 
and get something from my craft room.”

In a few minutes, she came out with a large paper clip and put it under the bumper, 
hooking it to the truck. Then she said, “There, I fixed it so you don’t have to take it 
to the garage.” That was five years ago, and the paperclip is still working.

I did not think she could fix anything with my printer. But, being the veteran husband 
that I am, I allowed her to at least look at it. She sat down at my computer, 
and I walked out to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee, knowing that there was no 
way she could fix it.

Walking back in with my coffee, she said, “There, it’s fixed. Try and see if it prints.”

I chuckled; knowing that there was no way she could fix that. I had my computer 
pull up a document and sent it to the printer.

Wouldn’t you know, that document started printing.

“I don’t think you will have any trouble with your printer now. But if you do just 
let me know.”

Every time I print something on that printer, I think about The Gracious Mistress 
of the Parsonage who made it possible.

This past year, we celebrated our 54th wedding anniversary. In all those years, I 
can’t think of one problem she hasn’t been able to fix. If she can’t fix it, then it’s not 
broken. If it’s broken, she can fix it. How she does that is above my pay scale.

Pondering this, I came to one conclusion. The only thing she hasn’t been able to fix 
is me. Maybe one day she’ll fix me, but then people may not recognize me.

As I was printing a few things, I thought of a verse of scripture.

“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).

There is no problem or difficulty in my life that God cannot fix, if I let him. That’s 
the problem. I need to turn everything over to God and allow Him to do in my life 
what He is great in doing.

Everything God fixes in my life reveals His amazing grace.

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 husband and I have been thinking about 
getting a long-term care insurance policy, 
but we hate the idea of paying expensive 
monthly premiums for a policy we may never 
use. Is long-term care insurance worth it?

Approaching Retirement

Dear Approaching,

There are two key factors you need to consider that can help you determine if purchasing a long-
term care (LTC) insurance policy is a smart decision for you and your husband. One factor is your 
financial situation and second is your health history. Currently, around 7.5 million Americans own 
a policy.

Who Needs LTC Insurance?

As the cost of LTC – which includes nursing home, assisted living and in-home care – continues to 
rise, it’s important to know that most people pay for LTC either from personal savings or Medicaid 
when their savings is depleted, or through a LTC insurance policy.

National median average costs for nursing home care today is over $100,000 a year, according to 
the Genworth Cost of Care survey. Assisted living facilities and home care aides average more than 
$65,000/year.

While national statistics show that about 70 percent of Americans 65 and older will need some kind 
of LTC, the fact is, many people don’t need to purchase LTC insurance. The reasons stem from a 
range of factors, including the fact that relatively few people have enough wealth to protect to make 
purchasing a policy worthwhile.

Another important factor is that most seniors who need LTC only need it for a short period of time, 
for example, when they’re recovering from surgery. For those people, Medicare covers in-home 
health care and nursing home stays of 100 days or less following a hospital stay of more than 3 consecutive 
days.

So, who should consider buying a policy?

LTC insurance make the most sense for people who have investable assets of $500,000 to around $2 
million that they want to protect. Anything less, and you will likely deplete your resources and go 
on Medicaid for LTC coverage. Anything more, and you can probably afford to pay for care yourself.

Another factor to weigh is your personal health and family health history. The two most common 
reasons seniors need extended long-term care is because of dementia and/or disability. And, almost 
half of all people who live in nursing homes are 85 years or older. So, what’s your family history for 
Alzheimer’s, stroke or some other disabling health condition, and do you have a family history of 
longevity? 

You also need to factor in gender too. Because women tend to live longer than men, they are at 
greater risk of needing extended LTC.

Choosing LTC Coverage

After evaluating your situation, if you’re leaning towards buying a LTC policy, be aware that premiums 
can vary widely. According to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, 
premiums for a policy bought by a couple who are both age 65 for a benefit pool of $165,000 each, 
with a 3 percent inflation rider, ranged from $7,137 to $8,493 a year.

You can buy LTC insurance from an insurance company or through an agent. Or you might also 
be able to buy a policy at work. Be sure to get quotes from several sources for the same coverage to 
compare prices.

There are two main types of long-term care coverage you’ll want to consider. Traditional LTC insurance, 
which is “use it or lose it.” And hybrid policies that combine LTC coverage with life-insurance 
benefits. These policies promise that if you don’t end up needing long-term care, your beneficiaries 
will receive a death benefit. Both types of policies require medical underwriting to qualify.

Another hybrid product to consider is an income annuity that includes a provision to increase your 
payout if you need LTC. However, the payout may not cover the full cost of care, and the added cost 
of this provision, known as a rider, can reduce the standard payout from the annuity.

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