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Mountain View News Saturday, November 22, 2025

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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 


SENIORS AND THE HEART OF THANKSGIVING:


A Time to Celebrate Connection

As Thanksgiving approaches, families across the country prepare to gather around tables filled with 
tradition, gratitude, and good food. But for many seniors, the holiday holds a deeper significance—one 
rooted not only in celebration, but in connection, reflection, and the comfort of familiar rituals.

Thanksgiving can be a powerful reminder of the importance of belonging. For older adults, especially 
those who may live alone or in senior communities, the holiday offers a chance to feel included and valued. 
A simple invitation, a shared meal, or even a phone call can make an enormous difference. Experts 
agree that social engagement helps combat feelings of isolation and boosts overall well-being, making 
Thanksgiving an opportunity to strengthen these important bonds.

Many seniors take pride in passing down family traditions. Recipes, stories, and memories shared over 
a holiday meal help bridge generations and keep family history alive. Grandparents often become the 
storytellers of Thanksgiving, reminding younger family members of where they came from and how 
the holiday has evolved over time.

Communities also play a vital role. Senior centers, churches, and local organizations frequently host 
Thanksgiving luncheons and activities, ensuring that those without family nearby still enjoy a sense of 
celebration. These gatherings create warm, welcoming spaces where seniors can socialize, laugh, and 
reconnect.

Health considerations remain important, too. For seniors managing dietary needs or mobility challenges, 
planning ahead can ensure the holiday is enjoyable and safe. Families are encouraged to create 
comfortable seating, offer heart-healthy meal options, and schedule celebrations earlier in the day.

Ultimately, Thanksgiving is about gratitude—and seniors embody the spirit of the holiday through 
their resilience, wisdom, and life experience. This year, taking the time to include, honor, and celebrate 
the older adults in our lives can make the holiday richer for everyone at the table.


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder

FALL FELL WAY TOO SOON THIS YEAR!

HOW TO LOCATE AN AGE FRIENDLY DOCTOR

This summer was the best I have had in a long time. I enjoy summer 
because the weather is always warm, sometimes even hot.

I was so focused on enjoying my summer that I did not realize Fall 
had arrived. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage came into my 
office the other day and said, “Do you know what day it is today?” Looking at 
her with a smug smile, I said, “Yes, my dear, I do know what day it is. It's today.”

She chuckled and said to me," Oh, you don't know what today is. It's Fall. Don't 
you keep up with anything?” Looking at her with a bit of hesitation, I said, "What 
do you mean it's Fall?”

It was then that I began to understand what she was saying. The leaves were turning 
from their vibrant green to a dull brown, the air was getting crisper and the 
days were getting shorter. Summer is over, and now it is Fall. For me, Fall fell way 
too soon. I need a little more summer time before I am ready to graduate to Fall.

During the summer, I get many things done in the "catch-up'' category. I was not 
quite all caught up when The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage announced that 
it was officially Fall.

The critical thing about summertime is The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage 
stocking up on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's activities. She packs the 
refrigerator and freezer to their maximum. By the time summer is over, she is 
already prepared for the upcoming holidays.

It takes her a few weeks to find the right turkey for the holiday season. She is an 
expert in finding the right turkeys; after all, she found me.

What I like about the summer season is the variety of activities available. I do 
not have to make an excuse to go and do something. I'll say, "It's summer and I'm 
going to enjoy this season.”

Now that I'm a little older, I have to scale back my physical activities. Years ago, 
I used to go bowling with some friends. Now, it takes me a while to gather the 
energy to go and watch a bowling game.

I can take a couple of days off and say to The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, 
"After all, it is summertime.” I try to take advantage of this as often as possible. It 
is almost impossible to trick The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. She knows 
what I'm doing before I tell her what I'm going to do. However, I still try.

Now that summer is over, I have graduated into the Fall season. There are some 
advantages to this time of the year, and I am still learning what some of them are.

One advantage I use as much as possible is the weather. In the Fall, it is colder 
than in summertime. Of course, with me, when the temperature drops below my 
age, I am freezing.

So, there is an advantage to this because if The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage 
wants me to go outside, I renege and say, "Oh, boy, I really would love to, but 
it is so cold I really can't handle it.”

Looking at me, she will smile and say," If you think it is cold, why don't you put 
on a sweater and then go outside?”

She has me at that. I try as much as possible, and occasionally it works; that is all 
that is important.

The other aspect of the Fall season is the many holidays celebrated during this 
time. They go from Halloween to Easter. Once it starts, it is tough for me to keep 
up with these holidays.

I am not a holiday person, except for the food, which I like. However, these holidays 
come so fast; I do not know which one I am celebrating at any given time. As 
long as there's food on the table, I will celebrate whatever holiday it is.

Of course, the great benefit of all these holidays is that The Gracious Mistress of 
the Parsonage organizes our family get-together. It is during the summer that she 
stocks up on all the food for these get-togethers. Then, when that holiday comes, 
I really do not care what holiday it is; I am going to celebrate the food she puts 
on the table.

I do not think anybody makes a better pumpkin pie than The Gracious Mistress 
of the Parsonage. Actually, it does not matter which pie she is making; they are all 
marvelous as well as delicious. My favorite pie is the one I’m eating at the time. I 
would make up a holiday if it meant I could have one of her pies.

If it weren't for all these holidays, I wouldn't have gotten to see some of my family. 
Therefore, the great thing about graduating to the Fall season is about families. 
Nothing is greater than gathering around the dinner table with your family and 
eating the delicious food that is there for us.

As I considered gathering as a family to celebrate, I thought of a verse in the Bible.

“Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful 
works to the children of men” (Psalm 107:8).

Gathering together is a great time to celebrate all that God has blessed us with 
during the year. And He has blessed us wonderfully.

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 are relocating to a nearby 
state to be closer to our daughter and will 
need to find a new primary care physician 
when we arrive. We are both in our late 70s 
and are interested in getting a geriatrician to 
oversee our health care going forward. Any 
suggestions for finding someone?

Searching for Care

Dear Searching,

Choosing a geriatrician as your primary care doctor in your 70s is a good idea, especially if you’re 
dealing with various age-related health problems. But if you’re in relatively good health you may 
not need a geriatrician. A good primary care doctor with an age-friendly philosophy may be all you 
need. Here’s what you should know.

Who Needs a Geriatrician?

Geriatricians are primary care doctors that have additional specialized training in treating older patients. 
Those who can benefit the most from seeing a geriatrician are seniors age 75 and older with 
multiple health and age-related problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, 
incontinence, osteoporosis, cognitive decline, frailty, depression, or trouble with balance and falls.

Geriatricians are also particularly adept at tackling medication problems. Because many seniors 
take multiple medications at the same time for various health conditions, and because aging bodies 
often absorb and metabolize drugs differently than younger adults, unique side effects and drug 
interactions are not uncommon. A geriatrician will evaluate and monitor your medications to be 
sure they are not affecting you in a harmful way.

Geriatricians can also help their patients and families determine their long-term care needs, like 
how long they can remain in their own homes safely without assistance, and what type of services 
may be necessary when they do need some extra help.

Unfortunately, there’s a shortage of geriatricians in the U.S., so depending on where you are moving, 
finding one may be difficult.

To help you locate one in your new area, use Medicare’s online find and compare search tool. Just go 
to Medicare.gov/care-compare and click on “Doctors & Clinicians” and type in your location, then 
type in “geriatric medicine” in the Name & Keyword box. You can also get this information by calling 
Medicare at 800-633-4227. The American Geriatrics Society also has a geriatrician-finder tool 
on their website at HealthinAging.org.

If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, contact your plan for a list of network geriatricians 
in your new area.

Keep in mind, though, that locating a geriatrician doesn’t guarantee you will be accepted as a patient. 
Many doctors already have a full patient roster and don’t accept any new patients. You’ll need 
to call the individual doctor’s office to find out. 

Age-Friendly PCPs

If you and your husband are in relatively good health or if you can’t find a geriatrician in your new 
area, a good primary care physician (PCP) that practices age-friendly care would also be a viable 
choice.

To search for new PCPs, use the previously listed Medicare tools. Once you locate a few, call their 
office and ask if they’re accepting new patients and if they practice the 4Ms of age friendly care, 
which include: What Matters (your goals and priorities); Medication safety and appropriateness; 
Mentation (cognition and mood); and Mobility (ways to keep you moving).

You can also research new doctors at sites like Healthgrades.com and Vitals.com.

If you’re finding it hard to get into a new practice, you might even consider looking for a geriatric 
nurse practitioner or advanced practice registered nurse to serve as your PCP.

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