Mountain View News June 6, 2026 88 Mountain View News June 6, 2026 88 
THE RISING COST OF 
HOME CARE 

Challenges Seniors and Families 

As America’s population continues 
to age, more seniors are choosing to 
remain in their homes rather than move 
into assisted living facilities or nursinghomes. While aging in place offers 
comfort, independence, and familiarity, 
the growing cost of home care is creatingsignificant financial challenges for older 
adults and their families. 
Home care services can range from basic assistance with household chores and meal preparation 
to personal care such as bathing, dressing, medication reminders, and mobility support. According 
to industry estimates, the average cost of non-medical home care now exceeds $35 per hour in 
many parts of the country. For seniors requiring several hours of care each day, monthly expenses 
can quickly reach thousands of dollars. 


Many families are surprised to learn that Medicare generally does not cover long-term custodial 
home care. As a result, seniors often rely on personal savings, retirement income, long-term care 
insurance, or assistance from family members to cover costs. For those living on fixed incomes, 
these expenses can strain budgets and force difficult decisions regarding care needs. 

The demand for home care workers has also increased dramatically, contributing to higher costs. 
Care agencies face staffing shortages and rising wages, which are often passed on to consumers. 
In some communities, finding qualified caregivers has become nearly as challenging as paying for 
them. 


Despite the financial hurdles, home care remains 
a preferred option for many seniors. Studies 
consistently show that older adults experience 
greater satisfaction and emotional well-being when 
they can remain in familiar surroundings close to 
family, friends, and community resources.
Experts encourage families to plan early for future 
care needs. 

Exploring available benefits, consulting financial 
advisors, and understanding local resources can help 
seniors maintain independence while managing the 
growing costs associated with aging at home. 

HOW TO USE AI SAFELY AND PROTECT YOURSELF FROM SCAMS 

Dear Savvy Senior,
I keep hearing about AI in the news and 
how it’s being used in scams. I’m not 
very tech savvy and find it confusing. 
What should I know to protect myself?
--Cautious Senior 

Dear Cautious, 


You’re not alone. Many older adults are asking the same question. Artificial intelligence, or 
AI, is becoming part of everyday life, from smartphones and internet searches to banking and 
customer service. It’s also making scams more convincing and harder to spot, which is why abasic understanding helps. The good news is you don’t need to be a tech expert to use AI safely 
and with confidence. 

Know the basics 

AI is technology that can create and analyze information in ways that seem human. It can write 
emails, answer questions, recommend products, generate images and even mimic voices. While 
this can be helpful, it also means things you see or hear online may not always be accurate. If 
something seems unusual or too good to be true, take a closer look. 

Use it wisely 

A good way to get comfortable with AI is to start small. Many smartphones include voice assistants 
like Siri or Google Assistant that can set reminders, check the weather or answer questions. You 
can also try tools like ChatGPT or Claude to explain a news story, suggest recipes or help draft a 
message. 

AI can also be useful for everyday tasks like comparing products, planning trips or organizing a 
to-do list. Think of it as a helpful assistant, not a decision-maker. 

Keep in mind that AI isn’t perfect. It can give answers that sound confident but may be outdated 
or incorrect. For important matters like your health, finances or legal issues, always double-check 
with a trusted source such as your doctor, bank or a government website. 

Watch for scams 

Scammers are using AI to make their schemes more convincing. You may receive an email that 
appears to be from your bank or Medicare or a phone call that sounds like a family member. Be 
especially wary of urgent messages that pressure you to act quickly or warn that your account will 
be closed. 

Protect yourself 

The most important habit for avoiding scams is to slow down. If you receive a suspicious call, text 
or email, stop and assess the message. Don’t click links, download attachments or respond right 
away. Instead, contact the company or person directly using a phone number or website you trust 

– not the one provided in the message. 
Scammers now use AI to mimic voices and write convincing messages. Even if something sounds 
like it’s from a family member, friend or company, verify it another way before taking action. 

Never share sensitive information like your Social Security number, bank details or passwords 
unless you initiated the contact and trust the source. Banks and government agencies, includingMedicare and Social Security, will not ask for this information by phone or email. Urgent requests 
for payment by gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency are also red flags. 

For added protection, use two-factor authentication, and keep your devices updated. You can 
even consider call-blocking services from your mobile service provider. 

If something doesn’t look right, take time to check it or ask a trusted friend or family member 
before responding. 

Keep learning 

Technology is always changing, but there are ways to stay informed. Many libraries and senior 
centers offer free classes on digital skills and online safety. Trusted resources like AARP’s Fraud 
Watch Network (aarp.org/fraudwatch) and the Federal Trade Commission (consumer.ftc.gov) 
also provide up-to-date scam alerts and protection tips. In addition, internet and mobile provider 
Cox Mobile (cox.com/mobilesafety) offers a library of research, tips and online safety tools to 
keep you informed and secure online. 

AI may seem complicated at first, but a little awareness goes a long way. By staying cautious and 
building a few smart habits, you can protect yourself and make this technology work for you. 

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

SENIOR HAPPENINGS 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …JUNE BIRTHDAYS* 


Beth Copti, Marilyn Diaz, Anne Schryver, Jo Ann Williams, Paul Hagan, Lenore 
Crilly, Joann Serrato-Chi, Harriett Lyle, Jean Coleman, Birgitta Gerlinger, 
Luciana Rosenzweig, Linda Wochnik, Marian Woodford, Debbie Sheridan, 
Joanne Anthony, Carole Axline, Kika Downey, Shirley Hall, Janet Ten Eyck, 
Jane Thomas, Ray Burley, Bridget Flanagan,Donna Mathisen,Vicky Ryan, Grace 
Sanders. * 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 

MONDAY'S HERE BUT SUNDAY'S A-COMING 

For many years, even before I became a pastor, Sunday was always a 
very special day. I lived in a rural community in Pennsylvania where 
they had what they called the "Blue Laws." No business was open on 
a Sunday, but churches were full. 

In those days, Sunday was focused on church, gathering as a 
congregation, and worshiping the Lord. Then came Monday. Monday is the 
beginning of a new week. That means I need to get everything in order and get ready 
to do what needs to be done for the week. 

Recently, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage came to my office on Monday and 
said, "Are you ready for the week?" Then she walked away laughing, knowing that 
Monday was my most difficult day of the rest of the week. 

After the best day of the week comes this day, which is very difficult for me. 

I looked at my calendar and couldn't believe I had so much work, which made 
me realize how Mondays can leave me feeling overwhelmed and questioning the 
simplicity of my retirement. 

For me, Monday is hard to get started. After a wonderful weekend, I now have to get 
back in the saddle again and get into my routine. I guess as you get older, it's hard to 
get back in your routine after taking a day or two off. 

As I was pouring coffee into my cup, she said, "Well, at least you got somethingdone today," Then burst into laughter, making me realize even my coffee breaks are 
a comedy show, at least for her. 

I slowly walked back to my office and got seated behind my desk. As I took a sip of 
coffee, I thought of all the stuff I needed to do this week. Why is it that on Monday, 
you have to start the week all over again? 

A thought jingled in my mind at this time. What if I don't do anything today? After 
all, I am retired, so I do have charge of my time. I leaned back in my chair and 
thought about what I could do today if I weren't working in my office. For the life of 
me, I couldn't think of anything to do. Looking at my desk, I saw everything I needed 
to do this week. 

Even if I take Monday off, I still have to do the work that is needed for the week. That 
means my Tuesday is crammed with catch-up work. The only catch-up I like is on 
my hamburger. I took a deep sigh, leaned back in my chair, and said to myself, "Self, 
you gotta get to work and Get'er done." 

I can't remember the time I really listened to myself. I'm not sure today is going to 
be that time. After some deep thought, I decided to get started. I looked through mydesk to make sure I had a list of everything I needed to do this week. As I piled that 
list on the desk, I was amazed at all the work I had to do. 

Looking at it, I couldn't help but think of how much work I was doing during the 
week. Just as I was putting it all together, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage 
came to the office. She said, "You do know that you have a doctor's appointment on 
Thursday."
Of course, I didn't, and that changed everything I was working on today. All those 
doctor appointments eat up a lot of my week. I personally don't like going to the 
dermatologist because they always get under my skin. 

Now I needed to reshuffle my week to fit in my doctor's visit, proving that Monday's 
chaos is as unpredictable as a sitcom plot twist. Before The Gracious Mistress of 
the Parsonage left, I asked an important question, "I don't have any more doctors 
appointments this week do I?" She replied in the negative, which was a great relief 
to me. 

Throughout the years, I have learned that my Monday determines my schedule for 
the entire week. If I screw up on Monday, I'm going to have a bad week for sure. And 
I know that from personal experience. 

If I get Monday's work done today, the rest of the week will be more doable. The 
harder I work on Monday, the easier the rest of the week will be. If I slack on Monday, 
I'll have a terrible week ahead of me. 

As much as I enjoy Sunday, I don't enjoy Monday. But I do know that my Monday 
will prepare me for the Sunday that's ahead. I'll get to work, no matter how long it 
takes, and finish Monday as best I can. 

Nothing is more satisfying than finishing the week on a positive note. That’s my goal, 
and I’m getting close. 

Thinking on this, I was reminded of what the Apostle Paul said. “See then that ye 
walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days 
are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16).
I must confess that I often procrastinate. Every time I do, it costs me and makes me 
look like a fool. Paul encourages us to “redeem the time.” 
Solomon understood this when he wrote, “To every thing there is a season, and a 
time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). 

This is my challenge every Monday as I start a new week. 

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. 

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