Mountain View News Saturday, January 10, 2026 
99 
Mountain View News Saturday, January 10, 2026 
99 
BRINGING IN THE NEW YEAR FOR 
SENIORS: A YEAR OF JOY AND 
CONNECTION IN 2026 

As 2026 unfolds, seniors have a wonderful opportunity 
to embrace the year with positivity, connection, 
and well-being. Rather than focusing on big 
parties or extravagant celebrations, the new year 
can be about reflection, small joys, and meaningful 
connections. Here are a few ways seniors can 
make the most of the year ahead. 

1. Embrace New Hobbies and Interests 
The start of the year is an ideal time for seniors 
to explore new hobbies or revisit old interests. 
Whether it's learning a new craft, taking up gardening, 
or trying a new form of exercise like yoga 
or swimming, engaging in activities can boost 
both mental and physical health. Seniors may find 
that dedicating time to a new interest not onlykeeps them engaged but also provides opportunities to meet new people and form bonds. 


2. Connect with Loved Ones 
One of the greatest joys of life is connection. In 2026, seniors can make a conscious effort to strengthen 
relationships with family and friends. Whether it’s regular phone calls, weekly video chats, or simple 
handwritten letters, staying in touch with loved ones provides emotional support and combats loneliness. 
These connections can also be an anchor of joy throughout the year. 

3. Focus on Health and Wellness 
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for seniors, and the new year provides a perfect opportunity to 
prioritize wellness. This might mean regular check-ups with doctors, taking prescribed medications as 
directed, or incorporating a daily walk into one’s routine. For many seniors, participating in local fitness 
programs or senior wellness groups can also promote both physical health and a sense of community. 

4. Reflect and Set Personal Goals 
As the year progresses, seniors can take time to reflect on their personal achievements and goals. 
Whether it’s adopting a more positive outlook, learning something new, or simply spending more time 
in nature, setting small, attainable goals helps foster a sense of purpose and fulfillment. 

5. Create Meaningful Traditions 
Rather than focusing on grand gestures, seniors can create their own traditions that bring comfort and 
joy. This might include sharing a favorite book with a grandchild, organizing a monthly coffee date with 
a friend, or reflecting on happy memories. These rituals can become a cornerstone of the year, giving it 
structure and meaning. 

For seniors, 2026 is a chance to live with intention, embrace well-being, and cherish relationships. Byfocusing on small but significant moments, the year ahead can be one filled with happiness, growth, 
and connection. 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT PREPAID 

FUNERAL PLANS 

Dear Savvy Senior,
I have been thinking about planning my funeral 
in advance so my kids won’t have to later 
but would like to inquire about prepaying. 
Is it a good idea to prepay for a funeral that 
you might not need for a while? Aging Annie 


Dear Annie, 
Planning your funeral in advance is definitely a smart move. Not only does it give you time to make a 
thoughtful decision on the type of service you want, it also allows you to shop around to find a good 
funeral provider, and it will spare your adult children the burden of making these decisions at an emotional 
time. 

But preplanning a funeral doesn’t mean you have to prepay too. In fact, the Funeral Consumer Alliance, 
a national nonprofit funeral consumer protection organization, doesn’t recommend it unless you 
need to spend down your financial resources so you can qualify for Medicaid. Here’s what you should 
know. 

Preneed Arrangements 

Most funeral homes today offer what is known as “preneed plans” which allow you to prearrange for 
the type of funeral services you want and prepay with a lump sum or through installments. The funeral 
home either puts your money in a trust fund with the payout triggered by your death or buys an insurance 
policy naming itself as the beneficiary. 

If you’re interested in this route, make sure you’re being guaranteed the services you specify at the 
contracted price. Some contracts call for additional payments for final expense funding, which means 
that if the funeral home’s charges increase between the time you sign up and the time you sign off, 
somebody will have to pay the difference. Here are some additional questions you should ask before 
committing: 

Can you cancel the contract and get a full refund if you change your mind? 

Will your money earn interest? If so, how much? Who gets it? 

If there is an insurance policy involved, is there a waiting period before it takes effect? How long? 

Are the prices locked in or will an additional payment be required at the time of death? 

Are you protected if the funeral home goes out of business or if it’s bought out by another company? 

What happens if you move? Can the plan be transferred to another funeral home in a different state? 

If there’s money left over after your funeral, will your heirs get it, or does the home keep it? 

If you decide to prepay, be sure to get all the details of the agreement in writing and give copies to your 
family so they know what’s expected. If they aren’t aware that you’ve made plans, your wishes may not 
be carried out. And if they don’t know that you’ve prepaid the funeral costs, they could end up payingfor the same arrangements. 

Other Payment Options 

While prepaying your funeral may seem like a convenient way to go, from a financial point of view, 
there are better options available. 

For example, if you have a life insurance policy, many policies will pay a lump sum when you die to 
your beneficiaries to be used for your funeral expenses. The payment is made soon after you die and 
doesn’t have to go through probate. 

Or you could set up a payable-on-death (or POD) account at your bank or credit union, naming the 
person you want to handle your arrangements as the beneficiary. POD accounts also are called Totten 
Trusts. With this type of account, you maintain control of your money, so you can tap the funds in an 
emergency, collect the interest and change the beneficiary. When you die, your beneficiary collects the 
balance without the delay of probate.

 Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443,
Norman, OK 73070. 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …JANUARY BIRTHDAYS* 


Gerald Day, Mary Tassop, Judy Webb-Martin, John Johnson,
Mary Bickel, Marlene Enmark, Shirley Wolf, Ross Kellock, Ruth 
Wolter, Sandy Thistlewaite, Bobbi Rahmanian, Fran Syverson, 
Joy Painter, Judy Zaretzka and Becky Evans. * To add your name 
to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. YEAR of 
birth not required 


Although the year is new, I’m still an old geezer. I think I know 

what geezer means, but I’m not sure what the definition of “old” 

is. One person’s old is another person’s youth. Believe me, I 
don’t know the difference. I do know that I am a geezer because occasionally,
The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage will look at me and say, “Are you actinglike an old geezer?” I stare at her for a moment and respond, “Oh, no my dear. 
I’m not acting.” She gives me one of her looks, then walks away. Of course, I mayknow that I am a geezer, but I’m really not quite sure what old really is. According 
to her, I am the poster child of an old geezer. 

That may be true, and I will not question it in any degree. I just want to make 
sure I get everything out of being an old geezer. I do not want to miss anything.
With the New Year underway, I’m reflecting on my responsibilities as an old 
geezer. 

This year, I’m looking for some new tricks. None of my tricks up to this point 
has worked as planned. I need something new this year that’s going to help me 
perfect my old geezerhood. 

I reflected on some of the tricks I used this past year. Tricks like, “I just don’t 
remember that.” Or, “I was doing something else at the time.” 

There were others, but none of them seemed to work with The Gracious Mistress 
of the Parsonage. She can see what I’m doing a week before I actually do it. I’m 
really not sure how she does that. It would be helpful to know how that works,
but at this point, I don’t know. 

I need to learn some new tricks to address the situation at hand. I need an excuse 
for not doing what she wants me to do. Up to this point, she is not falling for “I 
can’t remember.” 

One trick might work. “I was thinking about that, my dear, but I wanted to wait 
and get your advice on it.” That might work. Because she loves giving me advice 
the most. So, I’m going to find ways in which I can insert this “new trick” into 
our conversation. 

I need to come up with another trick. I thought of one. When she looks at me and 
asks me what I’m thinking, I could say, “I was just thinking about how lucky I am 
to have you in my life. What a blessing you are.” 

That should work in many regards. I think it might throw her off her game, putting 
me a little ahead of schedule. That's certainly worth trying out for this New 
Year. 

Another new trick came to mind. Occasionally, we go out to a diner for lunch or 
supper. Whenever she asks if I want to go out for lunch, I could say, “I was just 
thinking about that. Where do you want to go?” 

That would shift the responsibility over to her. Wherever she wants to go is all 
right with me. The last thing I want to do is tell her where I want to go for lunch 
or dinner. I don’t have the palate for cuisine that she has. 

The purpose of these “new tricks” is to divert attention away from me and put it 
back on her. I’m going to spend a lot of time this year studying and learning as 
many new tricks as I can. 

There is another trick I need to focus on: when she asks me what I want for supper. 
She usually asks me right after lunchtime, when I’m not really hungry. I'm 
trying to think of what to say to take the pressure off me. 

Maybe I could say, “Oh, my dear, anything you make would be pleasing to me. 
You’re the best chef I know.” 

There was that one time when she slipped broccoli in, much to my disdain. 

Not only is she good in the kitchen, but she is also good with clothing. 

Sometimes, not often, she will come from the bedroom, stand before me, and 
ask, “I just bought this dress, what do you think of it?” 

This is where I have a problem. I am at a loss when it comes to clothing. They 
all look the same to me. I can’t even tell the difference between colors. One color 
matches mine. 

I look back at her and give it some thought. The only thing that comes to mind 
is, “Oh, my dear, anything you wear looks amazing.” And, I will smile my best 
smile. I don’t know how many times I can get away with it, but I’ll take it as far 
as I can go. 

I couldn’t help but think of a verse from the Bible that is relevant to this subject.
“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3). 

Sometimes we need to agree to disagree. We have differing opinions and tastes. 
But the secret of a good relationship is to find that area where we agree. That becomes 
the foundation of our relationship and can bring blessings in. 

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. 

OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder 

AN OLD GEEZER LOOKING FOR NEW 
TRICKS 

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