Mountain View News Saturday, October 24, 2026 
77SENIOR HAPPENINGS Mountain View News Saturday, October 24, 2026 
77SENIOR HAPPENINGS 
WHEN A LOVED 
ONE REFUSES 
ASSISTED LIVING: 
HOW TO START THE 
CONVERSATION 

For many families, one of the 
most difficult challenges is 
convincing an aging loved one 
that it may be time to considerassisted living. Even when 
safety concerns are growing, theresponse is often the same: “I 
want to stay in my own home.” 

It is an understandable reaction. 
Home represents independence,
familiar surroundings, cherishedmemories, and a sense of control.
The thought of leaving it can befrightening. Rather than arguingor trying to force a decision,
families can take steps to makethe conversation more positive 
and productive. 

Start by listening. Ask your lovedone what matters most about 
staying home. Are they afraidof losing their independence,
leaving friends behind, or giving 
up their familiar routines? 
Acknowledging these concerns 
helps build trust and shows thatyou respect their feelings. 

Focus on safety and quality of life,
not what they can no longer do.
Instead of saying, “You can't live 
alone anymore,” try explainingthat you want them to remainsafe, comfortable, and sociallyconnected. Discuss concerns such 
as falls, medication management,

difficulty preparing meals, loneliness, or the growing burden of household chores. 

Introduce the idea gradually. Visiting an assisted living community for lunch, attending an activity,
or taking a tour without making any commitments can help ease anxiety. Allow your loved one toparticipate in choosing a community and deciding which amenities are important to them. 

It is also helpful to explain that assisted living does not mean giving up independence. Residents canoften maintain their own schedules, enjoy activities, make new friends, and receive help with dailyneeds when necessary. 

Sometimes, despite a family's best efforts, a loved one will continue to resist. Patience is essential.
Involving a trusted physician, family friend, or senior care professional may help make the discussionless emotional and more objective. 

The goal is not to win an argument. It is to help someone you love understand that accepting assistancecan be a positive step toward maintaining dignity, security, and a better quality of life.
About Safe Path for Seniors: Helping families find assisted living, memory care, and board-and-careoptions tailored to their loved one's needs and budget. Our placement services are free to families. 


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OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder 

MAYBE WE SHOULD GO BACK TO 
THE HORSE AND BUGGY DAYS 

Every Sunday automobile, they drive a Horse-And-Buggy, it was out in the country, with 
m o r n i n g , Buggy. I remember riding with my very little traffic. It just occurred to me 
The Gracious friend in a Horse-And-Buggy, and I what an advantage that is. 
Mistress of the had a great time. Even though the Sissy Van is not 
Parsonage and Thinking about the Horse-And-my favorite mode of travel, I must 
I go across town for our ministry at Buggy community, I realized there confess it has advantages I should 
an assisted living facility. We've been were very few accidents. In fact, I can't learn to appreciate. I thought long and 
doing this for approximately four remember a single accident involving hard about that, then turned to The 
years now. It's a wonderful ministry a Horse-And-Buggy. Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage 
we enjoy. Compared to automobiles, I'm not and said, "I must confess that I really

The Gracious Mistress of the sure how many accidents happen each do enjoy your Sissy Van." 
Parsonage always drives her Sissy year. I'm sure it's pretty high, and I'm She looked at me, then chuckled and 
Van while I sit in the passenger seat. sure many people die as a result of replied, "I don't know if you're tellingShe prefers to drive because she really automobile accidents. me a joke or setting me up for one of 
doesn't like riding in my pickup truck. But I have yet to hear of somebody your pranks." Then she laughed some 
I don’t blame her, so I let her drive dying because of a Horse-And-Buggy more. 
across town. I'm not too fond of riding accident. I'm not saying it hasn't I remember one time going into an 
in the Sissy Van, but I have no other happened; I've just never heard of it. Amish store. They had a big book 
choice. Getting in and out is quite the What if we went back to those Horse-section that I liked to go through. 
task. And-Buggy days? Back to the time Amish are really into books. The store

 Last week, as we were going across when we weren't all caught up with the had no electricity, no lights, and no air 
town, the traffic was horrible. I can't latest technology available. conditioning. They did have lanterns 
remember when traffic was this bad. It Maintaining a Horse-And-Buggy is throughout the store. 
seemed like we were driving bumper-far cheaper than an automobile. Gas When I found a book, I went up to 
to-bumper all the way across town. alone can bankrupt a person. Gas is a pay for it, and you will not guess what 
Where do all of these cars come from? lot more expensive for a car than the I saw there. 
And why are they on the road on oats and hay a horse eats. On the counter was the latest cash 
Sunday? As we were traveling across town, I register, with all the perks I have ever

 Of course, in this kind of environment, looked at my wife and said, "Maybe seen. 
there are many accidents. During the we should get a Horse-And-Buggylast year, I had 4 friends killed in an instead of this Sissy Van." When it comes to money, people will 
automobile accident. She looked at me, then said, contradict their beliefs.

 When I was young, people drove on "Neeeeeigh." 
Sunday to go to church. Now, that I didn't mention that again because Thinking along this line, I remembered 
seems to be off the schedule for most I understood exactly what she was a wonderful verse of scripture. 
people today. I have no idea where they saying. I’m not going to nag her about “Wherefore comfort yourselves 
are going. The important question for that. together, and edify one another, even 
me is: why are they driving so crazy? as also ye do” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

 This week, as we were driving across It was rather warm that morning, and 
town, I thought about something The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage One of the great things in life as a 
from back in the day. We had quite a turned on the air conditioner and said, Christian is appreciating other people,
few Amish people in our community. "I like air conditioning, don't you?" not because you agree with everythingI even had an Amish friend. As I enjoyed the air conditioning, I they do. Finding something to

 My great-grandmother was Amish understood exactly what she meant. appreciate in everyone’s life is a great 
but was shunned because she dated I've ridden in several Horse-And-challenge sometimes. Then I focus 
an “English” guy, who became my Buggies, and not one of them had air on that one area I appreciate. Not 
great-grandfather. conditioning. In fact, riding down the everything matters. 

road, I was exposed to the weather 
As you might know, the Amish do all around me. Sometimes it was a Dr. James L. Snyder lives in Ocala, 
not drive automobiles. They don't sweating experience. FL with the Gracious Mistress of the 
have electricity in their homes, or Horse-And-Buggy has some Parsonage. Telephone 1-352-216-3025, 
plumbing, or anything like that. They advantages, I suppose. But as I thought e-mail jamessnyder51@gmail.com,
don't believe in that sort of thing. They about it, I realized the advantages website www.jamessnyderministries. 
live a very simple lifestyle. of The Gracious Mistress of the com.

 The most significant thing about the Parsonage's Sissy Van are far greater. 
Amish is that, instead of driving an Usually, when I rode in a Horse-And-

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! OCTOBER Birthdays* 


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Mary Jane Baker, Dixie Coutant, Jill Frank, Cathleen Cremins, Adie Marshall,
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* To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper 
at 626.355.2737. YEAR of birth not required 
HOW TO SAVE 
ON MEDICARE 
IN 2027 

Dear Savvy Senior,
I’m on Medicare. What changes are coming in 2027, and how can I make sure I’m notpaying too much for my coverage? --Careful Shopper 

Dear Careful,
If you have Medicare, now’s a good time to make sure you’re getting the best coveragefor your money. Open enrollment runs through Dec. 7, giving you a chance to switchMedicare Advantage or prescription drug plans for 2027. Since costs, drug coverageand extra benefits can change from year to year, comparing plans now could save youmoney and headaches later. 

Even if you’re happy with your current plan, don’t assume next year’s coverage will bethe same. Here’s what to look for. 

Prescription drug changesMedicare Part D prescription drug plans are changing, and some enrollees could paymore. In 2027, the maximum annual deductible will rise from $615 to $700, while theannual out-of-pocket limit for covered Part D medications will increase from $2,100 to$2,400. 

That limit helps protect people who take expensive medications. Average premiums forstand-alone Part D plans are projected to rise by less than $1 a month, but individual 
plans can differ considerably. A temporary federal program that helped stabilizepremiums is also ending, making it especially important to compare your options. 

Your insurer may change its list of covered drugs, called a formulary, or move yourmedication to a more expensive cost tier. Check that your prescriptions are still coveredand what you’ll pay for them. 

Medicare Advantage changesIf you have Medicare Advantage, the private-insurance alternative to Original Medicare,
review your plan carefully. Some insurers are dropping plans or leaving certain markets,
while others may change costs or trim extra benefits, such as dental, vision and hearing 
coverage. 

Doctor, specialist and hospital networks can change, too. If your plan is beingdiscontinued, you’ll need to choose new coverage. Even if it continues, compare nextyear’s costs, benefits and provider networks before automatically renewing. 

Help with weight-loss drugsA new Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program offers eligible beneficiaries certain medicationsfor weight management for $50 a month through Dec. 31, 2027. Covered drugs includeWegovy, Zepbound (KwikPen only) and Foundayo. 

Eligibility is limited. For example, you generally need Medicare drug coverage and 
must meet specific body mass index and health requirements. The program operatesseparately from regular Part D coverage, so the $50 monthly payment doesn’t counttoward your Part D deductible or annual out-of-pocket limit. 

Learn more and check eligibility at Medicare.gov/coverage/weight-loss-drugs. 

How to shop smartHere are four ways to find coverage that fits your needs without overpaying. 

Read your plan notice: Your insurer should send an Annual Notice of Change explainingnext year’s premiums, deductibles, copayments and coverage changes. MedicareAdvantage members should also check provider networks and extra benefits. 

Compare total costs: Visit Medicare.gov/plan-compare. Enter your medications andpreferred pharmacies to compare plans and estimate annual costs. Don’t focus onpremiums alone; include deductibles and what you’ll pay for prescriptions. 

Check your doctors: If you’re considering Medicare Advantage, contact your doctorsand hospitals directly to confirm they’ll accept the specific plan in 2027. Onlinedirectories can be outdated. 

Get free help: Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) providesfree, unbiased Medicare counseling. Find a local counselor at ShipHelp.org or call877-839-2675. 

One important caution: If you’re thinking of switching from Medicare Advantage toOriginal Medicare, check your Medigap options first. In most states, insurers can denyyou a Medigap policy or charge higher premiums based on your health history if youdon’t qualify for guaranteed-issue protections. Make sure you understand your optionsbefore dropping your current plan. 

Take time to compare plans before Dec. 7. A little homework now could save you moneyand help you start 2027 with better coverage. 

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