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Mountain View News Saturday, November 15, 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! NOVEMBER Birthdays*

Flo Mankin, Alberta Curran, Carmela Frontino, Kathy Wood, Lena 
Zate, Joe Pergola, Janice Kacer, Valerie Howard, Lois Stueck, Jean Wood, 
Shirley Yergeau, Pat Krok, Irene Nakagawa, Anna Ross, Mary Steinberg, 
Mary Bowser, Susan Clifton, Mary Higgins, Kim Buchanan, Leigh Thach, 
Sue Quinn, Jill Girod, Jeanne Martin.* 

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


CONVALESCENT AID SOCIETY: 

 THE BEST KEPT SECRET FOR OVER 100 YEARS!


The Convalescent Aid Society, or “CAS” has been quietly transforming lives across the community one 
hospital bed, wheelchair, ramp and walker at a time. Founded in 1923, the nonprofit provides free loans 
of durable medical equipment to residents in need, ensuring that mobility and independence remain 
within everyone’s reach. What began as a small community effort in Pasadena has grown into a trusted 
local resource with over 30,000 pieces of free equipment on loan. 

From knee scooters to shower chairs and lift devices, their lending program fills a critical gap for 
individuals recovering from surgery, managing chronic conditions or caring for loved ones at home. 
Entirely supported by donations, CAS relies on local partnerships, foundations and the goodwill of 
neighbors to maintain and distribute its inventory. Items are refurbished and sanitized for reuse, keeping 
valuable equipment out of landfills and in the hands of those who need it most.

As CAS celebrated its 100 year anniversary, they looked ahead and expanded their outreach efforts. In 
addition to their facility in Pasadena serving all of San Gabriel Valley, they opened a second facility in 
Burbank and now serve all of the San Fernando Valley as well.

CAS serves everyone, regardless of income, age, medical conditions, and don’t ask for insurance. Their 
only requirement is that clients reside in SGV or SFV. The process is simple: apply online for the needed 
equipment and you will be contacted to arrange a pickup at your nearest CAS facility or have equipment 
delivered. 

CAS gladly accepts donations of equipment, monetary 
donations and even offers planned giving options for those 
who would like to support their mission. All donations are 
tax-deductible. 

For more information, visit their website at: www.cas1.org 
or call customer service at: 626-793-1696.


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder

DID I REALLY SAY THAT?

WHAT ARE THE EARLY SIGNS OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE?

As far back as I can remember, I wanted to be a writer. My maternal 
grandmother wrote poems and would read one at the family gathering. 
I don't know if that's where I got it, but I got it.

I wrote poems as a teenager, although I never shared them with anybody. Back 
then, I did not have a computer, so all my poems were on paper. I had a stack of 
them, but when I moved away to college, for some reason, I left them behind and 
have not seen them since.

In high school, I was failing English—if you can believe that—and my teacher 
said if I gave him a poem each week, he would make sure I passed and graduated. 
That set me off writing poems; I only wish I knew what those poems were. 
At least I graduated.

Writing was a priority in my life, and I was around 16 when I got my first typewriter 
for Christmas. That was a very wonderful Christmas for me. I used that 
typewriter almost every day. Years later, I was able to get an electric typewriter, 
which made all the difference in the world to me.

I like to create words and phrases in my head and practice them before writing.

One of my favorite writers at the time was James Thurber, who wrote the famous 
short story, "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty." Later on, it was made into a movie.

James Thurber was blind, and his work schedule was to write his stories in his 
head at night, then dictate them to his secretary in the morning. That always 
impressed me.

It encouraged me to make things up in my head and think it through before I 
wrote them down.

I could create words and phrases and assemble them in sentences that really 
made sense. As I got older, however, my tongue and my brain had a falling-out. I 
could think of things in my head, but my stubborn tongue would never get them 
right. This caused me a lot of trouble. I think my tongue did it on purpose.

Most of the trouble was with The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage.

One of her infamous questions to me is, "What are you thinking?"

That is one of the most challenging questions I have to answer. Do I tell her what 
I'm actually thinking or make up a story that would make her happy?

Usually, I would give a quick response that would satisfy her at that moment. To 
tell her what I was thinking would take several hours —who has time for that? 
Not her.

Sometimes I'll be thinking about something and start chuckling to myself. The 
Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage is there with me and asked, "What’s so funny?"

I look at her quite seriously and say, "I was just thinking about a joke. Why was 
6 afraid of 7? Because, 7 8 9."

She might have believed me the first time I said that, but never after.

Sometimes, when you speak your mind, you either confuse the other person or 
get yourself in trouble. That's been my experience throughout the years.

Often, when watching TV at night, I'm thinking about my sermon for the weekend. 
I will go over and over the elements of that sermon and work it out in my 
mind.

I'm not paying too much attention to what we're watching on TV. But, The Gracious 
Mistress of the Parsonage will say, "Did you see that? Wasn't that amazing?"

At the time, I had no idea what she was talking about. But I go along with her and 
say, "That certainly was amazing." Then, much to my shock, she replies, "Tell me 
what was the most amazing part of that scene?"

Now I am in a situation I can't get out of. She has caught me many times in this 
kind of situation.

It is not that I can't pay attention; I'm just thinking about something altogether 
different. I'm working it out in my head so I can put it all in writing in the morning. 
That's just the way I work.

We'll be driving across town in her Sissy Van. She's behind the wheel, and I'm 
sitting in the passenger seat, thinking about a project I'm working on. That's a 
great time for me to think through some project I'm working on. "Oh, my," she 
said very excitedly. "Did you see that?"

Now I'm in a pickle jar, and not sure what she saw. Most of the time, I respond, 
"Yes, that was really something." She will glance at me and say, "I was referring 
to the dead raccoon on the road back there."

I will never get it right. I can spend the first few moments in the car chatting back 
and forth, but sooner or later, my mind will focus on a project, and I won't hear 
or see anything around me.

It’s not my mind that gets me into trouble; rather, it is my tongue.

I can’t help but think of a verse in the Bible that deals with the tongue. “Even so 
the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter 
a little fire kindleth!” (James 3:5).

Most of my trouble stems from my tongue. If I can control my tongue, my life 
would be a better experience.

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,

What are the early signs of Parkinson’s disease? My 
husband was recently diagnosed after noticing a slight 
thumb tremor but we’re wondering if we missed any 
other early warning signs. Curious Wife

Dear Curious,

Recognizing the early signs of Parkinson’s disease is 
challenging because the symptoms are often subtle 
and/or similar to those in other health conditions, 
which means they can easily be overlooked, dismissed 
or misdiagnosed.

Parkinson’s disease, which afflicts around 1 million 
Americans, is a degenerative disorder that occurs when 
the brain’s dopamine-producing neurons die or become 
impaired. This happens in the part of the brain that controls 
movement, which can cause tremors, stiffness, and 
difficulty with walking, balance, and coordination.

The symptoms usually begin gradually and get worse 
over time, and the progression of symptoms is often different 
from one person to another. Some people with 
Parkinson’s become severely disabled, while others may 
experience only minor motor disruptions.

While the cause of Parkinson’s disease is unknown, scientists 
believe genetics and environmental factors (exposure 
to certain toxins) play a key role. Most people 
with Parkinson’s first develop the disease around age 60 
or older, and men are more likely to develop it than are 
women.

Early Warning Signs

Parkinson’s disease is difficult to diagnose because 
there’s no definitive test to confirm it. Doctors, usually 
neurologists, will do an examination and evaluate a 
combination of warning signs, but symptoms can vary 
greatly by patient which often leads to confusion and 
misdiagnosis. That said, here are some of the key signs 
and symptoms everyone should be aware of.

Restless sleeping: Talking in your sleep, sleepwalking 
and/or acting out your dreams by kicking or jerking. 
This is a REM sleep behavior disorder and one of the 
strongest and earliest pre-diagnostic symptoms of Parkinson’s 
disease.

Loss of smell: Not being able to smell certain foods 
very well like bananas, dill pickles or licorice. This early 
symptom occurs in around 70 to 90 percent of Parkinson’s 
patients.

Constipation: Problems with digestion and bowel 
movements are a big problem for people with Parkinson’s, 
and an early sign that can occur up to 20 years 
before this disease is diagnosed.

Changes in handwriting: Writing may become harder 
to do, and your handwriting may appear much smaller 
than it has in the past.

Soft voice: According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 89 
percent of people with Parkinson’s will have speech and 
voice disorders, which often shows up first in volume of 
the voice, meaning that you may speak more softly.

Tremors: Slight shaking or tremor in your finger, thumb, 
hand or chin. The tremor usually happens at rest, and 
when you move the extremity, it may disappear. This 
is the most common and recognizable outward sign of 
Parkinson’s disease, but by the time tremors start, the 
brain has already lost more than half of its dopamine-
producing cells.

Slowed movement: Over time, Parkinson’s disease can 
slow movements, making simple tasks difficult and 
time-consuming. Your steps may become shorter when 
you walk. It may be difficult to get out of a chair. You 
may drag your feet as you try to walk.

Masked Face: The muscles in the face experience the 
same gradual stiffening as in the rest of the body, which 
results in lack of smiling and facial expressions.

Impaired posture and balance: Stooping, leaning or 
slouching when you stand, and/or balance problems can 
all be an early sign of Parkinson’s.

Having these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean that a 
person has Parkinson’s disease. But if you are experiencing 
any of them, and you’re over age 60, you should consider 
talking with your doctor, who may order a DaT 
scan or Syn-One (Skin Biopsy) Test to help diagnose it. 
Early detection leads to earlier treatment, which can improve 
a person’s overall quality of life.

For more information, visit the Parkinson’s Foundation 
at Parkinson.org.

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