Mountain Views News Saturday, February 28, 2026 
88 
Mountain Views News Saturday, February 28, 2026 
88 
THE IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH 
CHECKS FOR THE AGING 
POPULATION 

As we grow older, regular health checks become 
one of the most important tools for maintainingindependence and quality of life. Aging naturallybrings physical changes, and many conditions— 
such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, 
and certain cancers—can develop quietly 
without noticeable symptoms. Routine medical 
visits allow these issues to be detected early, when 
treatment is often simpler and more effective. 

Preventive screenings play a key role. Blood pressure 
and cholesterol checks help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Blood sugar testing can identify 
diabetes before serious complications arise. Screenings for cancers such as colon, breast, or prostate 
cancer can lead to earlier intervention and better outcomes. Vaccinations, including flu and pneumonia 
shots, are also especially important for older adults whose immune systems may be weaker. 

Health checks are not just about physical conditions. Memory evaluations can help identify early signs of 
cognitive decline, allowing families to plan and seek support. Hearing and vision exams improve safety, 
reducing the risk of falls and accidents. Medication reviews are equally critical, as many seniors take 
multiple prescriptions that may interact or cause side effects. 

Beyond medical testing, regular appointments provide an opportunity to discuss nutrition, exercise, 
sleep, and emotional well-being. Loneliness and depression are common among older adults and can significantly 
impact overall health. A trusted healthcare provider can help connect individuals with community 
resources and support systems. 

In short, consistent health monitoring empowers seniors to stay proactive rather than reactive. By identifying 
concerns early, adjusting treatments when needed, and reinforcing healthy habits, routine health 
checks help older adults live longer, safer, and more fulfilling lives. 

TOP SENIOR SCAMS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM 


Dear Savvy Senior, 

My adult kids keep warning me about scams, 
but it’s hard to know which calls and messages 
are dangerous. What scams are most commonly 
aimed at seniors right now? --Almost 80 

Dear Almost, 

Your kids’ concerns are well founded. Financial 
fraud is a massive – and rapidly growing – problem 
for older Americans. In 2024 alone, scams cost 
older adults an estimated $81.5 billion, according 
to the Federal Trade Commission. That staggeringfigure includes both reported losses and the many 
crimes that likely go unreported.

 While many scams today target people of all ages, 
older adults are often singled out or suffer the 
greatest financial harm. From urgent phone calls 
and alarming emails to online romance schemes 
and bogus investment opportunities, scammers 
use high-pressure tactics, fear and emotional manipulation 
to convince seniors to hand over money 
or sensitive personal information.

 Knowing the most common scams is the first line 
of defense. Here’s a list of scams seniors should 
watch for:

 Imposter and government scams: Fraudsters pretend 
to be from Social Security, Medicare, the IRS, 
the police, banks, or utility companies. They claim 
there’s a problem requiring immediate payment or 
personal information and may threaten arrest or 
loss of benefits. 

Tech support scams: Calls, emails, or pop-ups warn 
your computer has a virus. The scammer offers to 
“fix” it but instead steals money, personal data, or 
access to your device. 

Grandparent or family emergency scams: Callers 
pose as a relative—often a grandchild—in distress 
and urgently request money. Some even use AI to 
mimic a loved one’s voice. 

Investment and cryptocurrency scams: Offers for 
“too good to be true” investments, including crypto 
or high-yield retirement schemes, often promise 
big returns but lead to large financial losses. 

Romance scams: Scammers build fake online relationships 
on social media, dating sites and other 
interactive platforms, then invent emergencies or 
investment opportunities to get money. Seniors 
have lost millions to these schemes. 

Medicare scams: Calls or texts claim to be from 
Medicare, asking you to verify your number, offering 
special plans, or warning of fraud. Medicare 
will not contact you this way. 

Sweepstakes and lottery scams: You’re told you’ve 

won a prize but must pay fees or taxes first. Real 
lotteries never require payment. 

Charity scams: Scammers call or email, asking for 
donations to fake charities, often after disasters. 
Always verify before giving. 

Phishing and online fraud: Emails, texts, and popups 
that look like they’re from banks, Amazon, or 
PayPal try to steal passwords, account numbers, or 
trick you into clicking harmful links. 

Employment scams: Seniors seeking part-time 
work or ways to supplement their retirement 
should watch out for fake job offers on LinkedIn,
indeed, and other online job sites. Scammers may 
promise easy income or work-from-home opportunities 
but ask for upfront fees, personal information, 
or involve illegal tasks like package reshipping. 
Always verify employers and never pay to 
apply. 

How to Protect Yourself 

Awareness and caution are your best defenses. Slow 
down when a call, email or text pressures you to act 
immediately. That sense of urgency is a red flag. 
Hang up, don’t click suspicious links, and verify 
any request by calling the organization directly using 
a number you look up yourself, or by checking 
with a trusted family member. 

Never send money using gift cards, wire transfers 
or cryptocurrency. Legitimate organizations 
will not ask for payment this way. Stay informed 
through trusted resources like the AARP Fraud 
Watch Network (aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork), 
the National Cybersecurity Center (nationalcybersecuritycenter.
org) and the Federal Trade Commission 
(consumer.ftc.gov). 

Protect your accounts by setting up bank alerts, 
regularly checking your credit reports, and using 
strong, unique passwords. Some seniors also find it 
helpful to have a trusted family member or financial 
ally review unusual account activity. Report 
suspicious calls, messages or offers at reportfraud.
ftc.gov. 

Being informed, cautious, and deliberate can greatly 
reduce your risk of fraud – giving you and your 
family peace of mind. 

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

SENIOR HAPPENINGS 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …MARCH 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 
OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder 

HOCUS-POCUS, MY SANITY HAS 
DISAPPEARED 

For over 70 years, I believed sanity was a very important part of a 
person's identity. Being sane enables one to be successful in life. 
Who doesn't want to be successful? 

I've made it my business to focus on my sanity and make sure it's working just fine. Of 
course, I’m not sure how to build my sanity. 

Actually, it wasn't until I met and married The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage that I 
understood what sanity was all about. All my sanity brought me to that wonderful place 
in my life. If anybody has more sanity than The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, Ihave yet to meet them. 

For over 50 years, she has been the most sane aspect of my life. Without her, I don't 
know where I would be today. At least I wouldn't recognize where I'm at. 

It wasn't until I hit my 70s that I realized my sanity had disappeared. I have no idea 
where it went, and believe me, I have searched for it for a long time. I even watched a 
Three Stooges movie and still did not find it. Where else would it be? 

All of this came together this past week. 

I was working on a project that needed to be finished by the end of the month. Sometimes 
those projects stress me out. But finishing a project is a wonderful experience. I 
enjoy it very much. 

Then my phone rang, interrupting my moment at the time. Sometimes I don't turn my 
phone on until the end of the day, but I had it on this morning. 

When I answered it, I was rather surprised. According to the person on the other end 
of the phone, I had made a marvelous victory. According to the person on the phone, Ihad won over $5 million plus a brand-new Mercedes. I can't tell you how happy I was. 

I couldn't thank the person on the phone enough for this marvelous win. I didn't know 
if I had regained my sanity or if I had dropped to a lower level of sanity. 

Do you know what I could do with that kind of money? Neither do I.
When he told me about my winnings, I laughed hysterically and couldn't thank him 
enough over the phone. 

"When can I expect my winnings?" I asked the guy on the phone.
"We can send it to you today," he said very happily. "Just give us your address and it'll 
be on its way." 

Then I had an unusual sane moment. Thinking about it, I asked, "How much is this 
going to cost me?"
"Oh, my lucky friend. All you have to do is pay a $1500 processing fee and the package 
will be yours." 

Sanity started knocking on my door, and I began thinking, "It'll only cost me $1500 to 
get $5 million. That shouldn't be too much to ask for." 

Sanity began whispering in my ear, suggesting a question. So, I responded to the person 
on the phone and said, "That sounds great. Just deduct that $1500 from my $5 million 
winnings, and we got a plan." 

If you think about it, that makes a lot of sense. He gets his fee, and I get my winnings.
What's wrong with that? 

From the other end of the phone, I heard, "That's not possible. I've already wrapped 
your cash money in a box and I am not able to unwrap it and take money out. You will 
have to send me the $1500 through some gift card that you can get at the store." 

Yeah, right, a gift card. I may have lost a lot of sanity along the way, but I have now 
experienced a revival of my sanity. 

It seems feasible to send him the money so I can receive my reward. 

I continued my phone conversation and asked an important question: "Sir, how do I 
know I can trust you to send me the money?" 

He chuckled on the phone and then said most bravely, "You can trust me with anything. 
I'm not here to scam anybody I'm just here to get you your winnings to you as fast as 
possible. Believe me, you can trust me. Everybody trusts me." 

He then sent me photographs of other people who had won millions of dollars. As if 
I'm going to believe that. 

Responding to those pictures, I said, "How can you prove to me that those are real 
people with winnings and not some AI production?” 

"Oh my friend," he said most enthusiastically, "you can trust me I would never lie to 
someone like you." 

If this wasn't a scam, I've never heard of one. I responded by saying, "When you send me 
my winnings, I will pay you the processing fee plus a $500 tip. How does that sound?"
The only sound I heard was "click," and he was no more. I love it when my sanity shows 
up with a smile every once in a while. 

As I was thinking about this, a verse of scripture came to mind. “For God hath not given 
us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
True sanity comes from God. He gives me everything I need to be all He wants me to 
be. He is the only one I can truly trust, and that’s my daily discipline. 

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. 

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