1010

Mountain Views-News Saturday October 4, 2025

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.

SENIOR HAPPENINGS


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! OCTOBER Birthdays*

Gloria Schauer, 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 


NUTRITIONAL FOODS AS WE AGE


As we grow older, our bodies change in ways that affect how we process and absorb nutrients. Maintaining 
a balanced diet becomes more important than ever—not only to support energy and mobility but 
also to protect against chronic diseases and cognitive decline.

One of the key shifts in nutrition for older adults is the need for nutrient-dense foods rather than 
calorie-dense ones. Metabolism naturally slows with age, meaning we require fewer calories, yet the 
demand for vitamins, minerals, and protein remains high. Lean proteins such as fish, poultry, beans, 
and eggs help maintain muscle mass, which is vital for strength and balance.

Calcium and vitamin D play crucial roles in keeping bones strong. Low-fat dairy products, fortified 
plant milks, and leafy greens are excellent choices. Likewise, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids—like 
salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds—support heart and brain health.

Fiber is another nutritional priority. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes not only aid digestion 
but also help regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Hydration, often overlooked, is equally essential; 
older adults are more prone to dehydration, so drinking plenty of water and consuming water-rich 
foods like cucumbers and oranges can help.

It’s also wise to watch sodium and added sugar intake. Choosing fresh foods over processed ones can 
reduce the risk of hypertension and diabetes, two common age-related conditions.

Good nutrition doesn’t just extend life—it enhances its quality. With mindful eating and regular physical 
activity, aging can be a time of vitality and wellness. The right foods truly can nourish both body 
and spirit well into later years


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder

HOW TO MAKE A HOME SAFER AND MORE 

ACCESSIBLE AS YOU AGE

WHERE OH WHERE IS MY HAIR?


It is true that I don't pay attention to many things in life. I guess I'm 
just too busy to notice everything.

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage always asks me why I'm not paying attention. 
To keep engaged in that argument, I say, "I'm too poor to pay attention. 
Could I borrow $0.25 from you?"

I have yet to get that $0.25. But it is true, I don't pay attention.

It all started when I was in grade school. I had a hard time paying attention to my 
teacher. I don't remember how many times I was sent to the principal's office for 
this very thing.

Believe me, I have tried to pay attention throughout life, but it has been very difficult 
for me. I'm too poor to pay attention, and as I get older, the poorer I get.

All of this came to a head the other day when I walked into the bathroom to 
shave, brush my teeth and comb my hair. When I was combing my hair, I noticed 
there wasn't much hair to comb. The less hair I have, the longer it takes me to 
comb my hair. I wish I could explain that.

It then dawned on me that I was going bald. I then remembered my uncle who 
was very bald and explained it by saying, "Grass does not grow on a busy street."

I'm beginning to understand what he meant. According to his definition, my 
head has been very busy the last few months. I'm just not sure what it's been busy 
doing.

Being bald has made me think that maybe I should start wearing a hat. That 
might cover up some of the bald spots.

Last week I was going to go to the barber. I told The Gracious Mistress of the 
Parsonage, "I'm going to my barber to get a haircut."

Just as I was walking out the door, she replied by saying, "Have you decided which 
hair you're going to get cut this week?"

As I closed the door, I heard her laughing, but I wasn't laughing on my side of 
the door.

When I came back from my barber The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage greeted 
me and said, "Did the barber cut the right hair?" And then she laughed as 
though it was something funny!

Pondering this, I was trying to find the answer to a straightforward question: 
Where did all my hair go? And, what scared it away?

What provokes me is, why does the hair on my face continue to grow while 
the hair on the top of my head has retired? Why can't I turn it around? Then I 
wouldn't have to shave every day.

When I was at my barbershop, I was tempted to ask if there was anything I could 
do to replace what had vanished on the top of my head that. Then, I didn't think 
it was a proper question to ask the barber.

I've tried a lot of things to cover up that bald spot on the top. I try to comb the hair 
from the side of my head up and over the top. That did not work at all. No matter 
what I did, nothing fixed that problem.

The good thing about being bald is I only see it when looking in the mirror. The 
only ones who see it are those whom I meet with during the day.

I then had another thought stomped through my brain. Why is it that men go 
bald but most women do not? I was tempted to ask The Gracious Mistress of the 
Parsonage, but then I thought she might answer this question in a way that would 
not make me too happy.

The more I keep The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage off the top of my head 
and the missing hair, the happier I'm going to be. Believe me, she can fix anything. 
I was afraid she would fix me, but I would not be happy with the fix.

Sometimes it's better to keep quiet about something. When you start asking questions, 
especially with The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, you often get answers, 
and most of them aren't the ones you want to hear at the time. I have 
learned that silence is the best music to listen to, especially if you're married.

I wish I knew where my hair went so I could retrieve it and put it back where it 
belongs. Until then, I'm going to have to live with less hair on the top of my head.

I wished that having less hair on the top of my head would mean I wouldn't have 
to comb it as much. Regardless of the hair on the top of my head or the lack 
thereof, combing my hair is quite a job in the morning.

In my devotional reading I read a verse from Galatians 1:10, “For do I now persuade 
men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should 
not be the servant of Christ.”

Thinking on this verse reminded me that sometimes I am more concerned about 
what people think about my looks. Rather, I should be more concerned about 
what God thinks of me. Am I living a life that pleases Him?

When that is my daily focus, it does not matter about my hair or lack thereof.

Dear Savvy Senior,

What simple tips can you recommend for 
making a home age friendly? My husband 
and I are in our late-sixties and want to 
remain living in our home for as long as 
possible.

Homebody Hanna

 

Dear Hanna,

Many older adults, like you and your husband, want to stay living in their own home for as long as 
possible. But being able to do so will depend on how easy it is to maneuver your living space as you 
get older.

 

There are literally dozens of simple adjustments and modifications you can do to help make your 
home safer and more accessible for aging-in-place. Here’s a summary of tips from the National Institute 
on Aging and AARP, which offers a free room-by-room guide with practical suggestions for 
older adults living independently.

 

ENTRANCE WAY:

• Have at least one exterior doorway with step-free access. If not possible, consider a ramp.

• Add a bench in the foyer to sit on when removing shoes or to set down items while locking

 or unlocking the door.

 

BATHROOM:

• Install a walk-in shower with a bench and nonskid decals or mats to prevent falls.

• Add a hand-held nozzle to the shower head to facilitate rinsing off while seated.

• Install grab bars on the shower wall and near the toilet

• Put in a taller toilet or add a toiler riser.

• Consider plugging in a nightlight.

 

BEDROOM:

• If stairs are too difficult to manage, create a bedroom on the main level by transforming a den

 or an office.

• Make sure the bed is easy to get in and out of. Purchase bed risers, if needed.

• Invest in an adjustable bed for extra comfort.

 

KITCHEN:

• Purchase a stove with safety features that alert the resident when a burner is on or have 

 automatic shutoffs.

• Relocate major appliances to make them easier to reach.

• Add slide-out drawers or trays to existing cabinets for better access.

• Install a lever-style, light-touch or sensor faucet, which is easier to use than a faucet with

 turn-style knobs or handles.

 

FURNITURE & RUGS:

• Get rid of furniture and clutter to make rooms easier to move around in.

• Use chairs with armrests, which makes sitting and standing easier.

• Avoid furniture with sharp corners, which can cause bruises and cuts when bumped up

 against.

• Hide cords out of pathways — but don’t put them under rugs.

• Area rugs, if used, should be secured to the floor with a nonslip mat or anti-slip rug tape.

 

For more tips, get a copy of AARP’s “HomeFit Guide” which is a 36-page fully illustrated guide and 
has more than 100 aging-in-place tips and suggestions that can be made to an existing house or 
apartment or incorporated into designs for a new residence.

 

It explains how a smartly designed or modified home can meet the varied and changing needs of 
its older residents. It also features easy-to-do, low-cost and no-cost fixes that lessen the risk of trip 
hazards and increase the safety of high-use areas like the bathroom, kitchen and stairway.

 

In addition, AARP also offer videos and a HomeFit AR app (available for iPhone and iPad) that can 
scan a room and suggest improvements to help turn your house into a “lifelong home,” free from 
safety and mobility risks.

 

Visit AARP.org/HomeFit to order or download a free copy of this guide, or to watch their videos. 
You don’t need to be an AARP member to access this content.

 

If you’d like more hands-on help, you could also hire an occupational or physical therapist that works 
with older adults. He or she can come in, evaluate your home and recommend aging-in-place solutions. 
And if you get a referral from your doctor, Medicare will usually cover a home walk-through.

 

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