Mountain Views News Saturday, February 14, 2026 
88 
Mountain Views News Saturday, February 14, 2026 
88 
THE ELDERLY AND 
THE IMPORTANCE OF 
ROUTINE 

As people age, stability becomes more than just 
a preference — it becomes a vital component of 
physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being. 
For seniors, especially those living independently 
or transitioning into assisted living, maintaining 
a consistent daily routine can dramatically improve 
quality of life. Routine provides structure, 
predictability, and a reassuring sense of control 
in a season of life that often includes significant 
change. 

One of the greatest benefits of routine is its positive impact on physical health. Regular wake and sleep 
times help regulate the body’s internal clock, improving sleep quality and energy levels. Scheduled meals 
support proper nutrition, stabilize blood sugar levels, and reduce the likelihood of skipped meals — a 
common issue among older adults. Routine medication times also improve compliance, which is especially 
important for seniors managing chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or high blood 
pressure. 

Beyond physical health, routine plays a critical role in cognitive stability. For seniors experiencing mild 
cognitive impairment or early stages of dementia, consistent daily patterns reduce confusion and anxiety. 
Familiar sequences — morning coffee, a daily walk, an afternoon phone call with family — provide 
comforting anchors in the day. Predictability minimizes stress and helps preserve independence longer.
Emotionally, routine combats loneliness and depression. When seniors have planned activities — exercise 
classes, church services, volunteer work, or social gatherings — they maintain meaningful connections 
and a sense of purpose. Even simple habits, like reading the newspaper at the same time each 
morning or tending to a garden in the afternoon, create rhythm and intention. 

Routine does not mean rigidity. Flexibility is important, but having a dependable framework for the day 
promotes safety, confidence, and overall well-being. For families and caregivers, encouraging consistent 
daily patterns is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to support aging loved ones. In later life, 
routine becomes more than habit — it becomes stability, dignity, and peace of mind. 

MEDICARE CAN HELP OLDER SMOKERS 
KICK THE HABIT 

Dear Savvy Senior,
Does Medicare offer any coverage that helpsbeneficiaries quit smoking?
New Beneficiary 

Dear New, 

If you’re ready to quit smoking, Medicare can indeed help! Medicare Part B covers up to eight face-toface 
counseling sessions per year to help you kick the habit, and if you have a Medicare Part D prescription 
drug plan, certain smoking-cessation medications are covered as well. Here’s a guide to help you get 
started. 

It’s Never Too Late 

According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 8.3 percent of Americans age 65 and 
older still smoke. Many older smokers indicate that they would like to quit, but because of the nicotine, 
which is extremely addictive, it’s very difficult to do. 

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable illness, responsible for an estimated one-fifth of deaths in 
the United States each year. But research shows that quitting, even after age 65, greatly reduces your risk 
of heart disease, stroke, cancer, osteoporosis and many other diseases. It also helps you breathe easier, 
smell, and taste better, and can save you money. An $8 pack-a-day smoker, for example, saves about $240 
after one month without cigarettes, and nearly $2,880 after one year. 

How to Quit 

The first step you need to take is to set a “quit date,” but give yourself a few weeks to get ready. During 
that time, you may want to start by reducing the number or the strength of cigarettes you smoke to begin 
weaning yourself. 

Also check out over-the-counter nicotine replacement products – patches, gum and lozenges – to help 
curb your cravings (these are not covered by Medicare). And just prior to your quit day get rid of all cigarettes 
and ashtrays in your home, car, and place of work, and try to clean up and even spray air freshener. 
The smell of smoke can be a powerful trigger. 

Get Help

Studies have shown that you have a much better chance of quitting if you have help. So, tell your friends,
family, and coworkers of your plan to quit. Others knowing can be a helpful reminder and motivator. 

Then get some counseling. Don’t go it alone. Start by contacting your doctor about smoking cessation 
counseling covered by Medicare and find out about the prescription antismoking drugs (bupropion and 
varenicline) that can help reduce your nicotine craving. 

You can also get free one-on-one telephone counseling and referrals to local smoking cessation programs 
through your state quit line at 800-QUIT-NOW or call the National Cancer Institute free smoking quit 
line at 877-44U-QUIT. 

It’s also important to identify and write down the times and situations you’re most likely to smoke and 
make a list of things you can do to replace it or distract yourself. Some helpful suggestions when the 
smoking urge arises are to call a friend or one of the free quit lines, keep your mouth occupied with some 
sugar-free gum, sunflower seeds, carrots, fruit or hard candy, go for a walk, read a magazine, listen to 
music or take a hot bath. 

The intense urge to smoke lasts about three to five minutes, so do what you can to wait it out. It’s also wise 
to avoid drinking alcohol and steer clear of other smokers while you’re trying to quit. Both can trigger 
powerful urges to smoke. 

For more tips on managing your cravings, withdrawal symptoms and what to do if you relapse, visit 
60plus.SmokeFree.gov. There are also a variety of helpful quit smoking apps you can download like 
EasyQuit, QuitNow and Quit Genius. 

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


SENIOR HAPPENINGS 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS* 


Tracy Verhoeven, Beatrice DaRe, Catherine Adde, Hilda Pittman, Anne-
Marie Stockdale, Susan Henderson, Allie Attay, Ursula El-Tawansy,
Gladys Moser, Sylvia Lorhan, Ana Ptanski, Winifred Swanson , Janet 
Gillespie, Marian DeMars, Vickie Vernon, Mary Beth Knox, Sharon 
Lefler. 

* To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 
626.355.2737. YEAR of birth not required 
The older I get, the more I have to forget, and believe me, I

don't forget to forget. I can't keep up with dates, holidays, or 

even my birthday. I believe a day is a day, and that should be 
the end of it. 

As I was drinking my morning coffee, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage 
entered and said, "Do you know what day Saturday is?"
I didn't know what kind of question this was, because she always throws me questions 
that confuse me, just to see if I can be confused. Looking at her, I said very 
seriously, "I believe that it will be Saturday." Then I looked at her and smiled.
"Oh, you silly boy. This Saturday is February 14. You do know what day that is."
I had to admit to her that I had no idea what she was talking about. I thought 
about it and then said to her, "Is it one of our granddaughter's birthday?" We always 
like to celebrate these birthdays, and I had no idea which of our granddaughters 
had a birthday this week. 

"You sure don't keep up with the times, do you?" She said rather snickerly. Looking 
at me with one of her serious looks, she said, "This Saturday is February 14 and 
that is Valentine's Day. Remember what Valentine's Day is?"
I had to think for a moment, and then it came to me, another holiday that I can’t 
keep up with.
"Don't you remember we became engaged on Valentine's Day 55 years ago?"
Looking at her, I said, "No way it's that long!" 

I had to give this a lot of thought, and I began to remember that 55 years ago, on 
Valentine's Day, we became engaged. Then six months later, we got married. My, 
oh my, how time flies when you're getting old. 

That sure was a long time ago, and it has gone by rather quickly. I never thought 
I would live to be this old. But here I am, celebrating 55 years of being engaged.
I remember meeting The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage six months before 
our engagement. And then six months later, we were married. 

We were at Bible school together, where we met. One Sunday, a bunch of us went 
to a church to sing. We did that often during our school time. I lip-synched while 
the others actually sang. 

On our way home, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and I were sitting 
towards the back of the van. We were talking about this and that and everything. 
Then she asked me a question, which I assume was rhetorical.
She said, "Wouldn't it be wonderful to be married?" 
Not knowing that it was not rhetorical, I smiled and said, "Yes, it would be wonderful 
to be married someday." That was the end of that conversation. She was 
smiling all the way back to the dorms. 

The next day, as I walked down the school hallway, everyone looked at me, smiled, 
and said, "Congratulations." I smiled back and thanked them. I thought I had 
finally passed one of my tests, and they were congratulating me. But everybody I 
passed congratulated me. 

Not knowing what was going on, I stopped one of them and said, "What are you 
congratulating me for?" 

"Oh, you know. You're getting married." 

I was getting what? I had no idea where that was coming from. But the rhetorical 
question was, in fact, a real one. I was the last one at school to find out I was getting 
married. 

At first, I thought it was some prank that people were playing on me. I went along 
with it, not wanting to look stupid. 

I met with the former Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and wanted to get things 
straightened out. I didn't want to take anything for granted; what I really wanted 
to know, was this the truth? 

We went to a little restaurant down the street, and as we were sitting there, I looked 
at her and said, "Did you hear the rumor that you and I are getting married?" I 
then laughed quite hilariously. She smiled and said very enthusiastically, "That's 
not a rumor it's true. You and I are going to get married."
Well, there wasn't anything more I could do about that.
55 years later, as I thought of Valentine's Day, I remembered that incident. Looking 
back over the years, I couldn't help but think what a wonderful time that has 
been. 

Now that I'm old, I can say that Valentine's Day 55 years ago was probably the best 
day of my life, and it was all because of The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage.
I looked back at The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and said, "Valentine's 
Day is one of the best days of the year. Don't you agree?" 

In pondering this I was reminded of what King Solomon said, “Live joyfully with 
the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given 
thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and 
in thy labour which thou takest under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 9:9). 

This August we will celebrate our 55th wedding anniversary and I intend to follow 
King Solomon’s advice to “Live joyfully with the wife.” Why change when it’s 
working just fine so far? 

OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder 

VALENTINE'S DAY - JUST ANOTHER 
DAY ON THE CALENDAR? 

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