Mountain Views News          Saturday, October 3, 2015

THE GOOD LIFE

14

 Mountain Views News Saturday, October 3, 2015 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

HOW TO FIND A BETTER MEDICARE 

PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …October Birthdays*

Janda Ferris, Darlene Traxler, Margit Johnson, Sole Krieg, Ann Tyler, Pat Birdsall,

George Maurer, Dick Anderson, Barbara Cline, Eva Poet, Mary Jane Baker, Dixie 
Coutant, Cathleen Cremins, Lillias Eubanks, Alma Mays, Adie Marshall, Darlene 
Crook, Susan Gallagher, Maggie Ellis, Gloria Giersbach, Elva Johnson, Ellen O’Leary, 
Jenny Piangenti, Gail Ann Skiles, Anita Thompson, Linda Boehm and Angela Stella. 

 *To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. YEAR of birth 
not required...................................................................

ACTIVITIES: Unless listed differently, all activities are at the 
Hart Park House (Senior Center) 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre

 

 YMCA San Gabriel Valley Intervale Senior Café: Monday-Friday at 
12:00 Noon 

(Participants are urged to arrive no later than 11:45 A.M.) 

All seniors 60 and up can take part in the lunch program. There is 
a suggested donation of $3.00 for those 60 and over and $5.00 for non-senior guests. Daily 
reservations are necessary as space is limited. Please call 24 hours in advance...626.355.0256

Tech Talk: Held on Monday, September 21st and 28th from 1:30-2:30pm. Learn how to use 
your new technology devises. Please reserve your space with the Hart Park House by calling 
626-355-7394.

Hawaiian and Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday morning from 10am to 11am. Join 
instructor Barbara Dempsey as she instructs you in the art of hula. 

Bingo: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00pm. Cards are only $0.25 each! Everyone is welcome to 
join. May be canceled if less than 5 people. 

Free Blood Pressure Testing: 2nd Tuesday of the month from 11am to 12pm. No appt. is 
necessary. 

Brain Games: Thursday, September 17th, 10:30am - 11:30am, improve your memory and 
strengthen your brain. Activities facilitated by Swati Puri, Community Liaison for New Wave 
Home care of Pasadena.

Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, September 30th from 10:30am to Noon. Attorney Lem 
Makupson is available for legal consultation. He specializes in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates, 
and Injury. Appointment are required by calling 626-355-7394. 

Chair Yoga: Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00 to 11:45 am, except on the third Monday of 
the month. A suggested donation of $5 at one of the classes is requested, but is not required. 

Case Management: Meets the 2nd Thursday of the month. Case Management services are 
provided by the YWCA and provide assistance in a variety of areas. Appointments are required 
and can be scheduled by calling the HPH Office at 626-355-7394.

Birthday Celebrations: Every second Thursday of the month at the Hart Park House. The free 
birthday cake is provided by the Sierra Madre Civic Club.

Game Day: Every Thursday starting at 12:00pm. (Please note the time change.) A regular group 
of seniors play poker. Other games available for use. 

Free Strength Training Class: Every Friday from 12:45pm to 1:30pm with Lisa Brandley. The 
class utilizes light weights for low impact resistance training. All materials for the class are 
provided. 

Senior Club: Every Saturday at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Brown bag lunch at 11:30am. 
Club meeting at noon. Bingo 12:30-3:30pm. Annual Membership is only $10.00.

OKTOBERFEST (HUNTINGTON BEACH)
Date: Thursday, October 1, 2015
Time: 10:00am to 3:00pm


Meeting Location: Hart Park House Senior Center Cost: $16 


Description: Old World Oktoberfest Celebration includes live bands playing the most 
popular German Oom Pa Pah Music. The crowd is further entertained with a variety of 
dancing, singing, music and our ever popular Heidi, and her contortionist act. Oktoberfest 
menu includes fresh baked bread, your choice of either potato salad, red cabbage or coleslaw. 
The main entrée includes bratwurst, chicken, spaetzli (German Egg Noodles) with mushroom 
gravy, sauerkraut and red cabbage. Dessert and drinks include apple streusel cake, coffee and 
water. Alcohol is also available for purchase. Guests get to tour the European market, offering 
great selection of meats, cheeses, and deli items. Also German bakery, producing the best 
breads, bakery and dessert items. Participants should bring money for souvenirs. Last day to 
register is September 24th. Level of Walking: Low to Medium. Please call the Hart Park House 
626-355-7394.

EXCURSION REFUND POLICY

Notification of the cancellation must be made at least 3 business days before the excursion. 
A refund will only be issued 1) for a medical excuse or 2) if the Department is able to fill the 
patrons spot from a waiting list. This refund will be issued in the form of a credit which will be 
applied to the patron’s account with the City, less a $11 cancellation fee. The credit will remain 
on your account for one year from the date issued and the credit may be used for any program 
or service offered by the Community Services Dept. 


Dear Savvy Senior,

I recently received a letter from my Medicare drug 
plan provider notifying me that they are increasing 
my co-pays next year. I’d like to look for a better plan 
but could use some guidance. What’s the easiest way 
to do this? 

Need a Change

Dear Need,

Cost increases and coverage changes are an annual 
event for many Medicare Part D prescription drug 
plans. Fortunately, during the open enrollment 
period (which is Oct. 15 – Dec. 7), you have the 
ability to shop and compare plans and choose one 
that better fits your needs and budget. Your new 
plan will go into effect Jan.1, 2016. Here are some 
tips that can help with this process. 

Shop Online

If you have Internet access and are comfortable 
using a computer, you can easily shop for and 
compare all Medicare drug plans in your area, and 
enroll in a new plan online. 

 Just go to Medicare’s Plan Finder Tool at 
medicare.gov/find-a-plan, and type in your ZIP 
code or your personal information, enter in how 
you currently receive your Medicare coverage, 
select the drugs you take and their dosages, and 
choose the pharmacies you use. You’ll get a cost 
comparison breakdown for every plan available 
in your area so you can compare it to your current 
plan. 

 This tool also provides a five-star rating system 
that evaluates each plan based on past customer 
service records, and suggests generics or older 
brand name drugs that can reduce your costs. 

 It’s also important to keep in mind that when 
you’re comparing drug plans don’t judge a plan 
strictly by its monthly premium cost. Low-
premium plans are often associated with higher 
prescription co-payments and may end up being 
more expensive. Look at the “estimated annual 
drug costs” that shows how much you can expect 
to pay over a year in total out-of-pocket costs – 
including premiums, deductibles and co-pays. 

 Also, be sure the plan you’re considering covers 
all of the drugs you take with no restrictions. 
Most drug plans today place the drugs they cover 
into price tiers. A drug placed in a higher tier 
may require you to get prior authorization or try 
another medication first before you can use it. 

Need Help?

If you need some help choosing a new plan, contact 
your State Health Insurance Assistance Program 
(SHIP), which provides free one-on-one Medicare 
counseling in person or over the phone. They also 
conduct seminars during the open enrollment 
period at various locations throughout each state. 
To find the contact information for your local SHIP 
visit shiptacenter.org, or call the eldercare locator 
at 800-677-1116.

Shrinking Donut Hole

You also need to know that Medicare’s “donut-
hole” – the coverage gap in which you must pay 
out-of-pocket for your drugs – continues to shrink. 
In 2016, you will get a 55 percent discount on 
brand-name drugs, and the federal subsidy for 
generic medications will rise to 42 percent.

 The 2016 coverage gap begins when your total 
drug cost exceeds $3,310 (that includes your 
share and the insurer’s share of the costs) and 
ends when your total out-of-pocket costs reach 
$4,850. After that, your Part D plan usually 
covers around 95 percent of your remaining 
drug costs for the year. 

Low-Income Assistance

Also, be aware that if you’re income is under $17,655 
or $23,895 for married couples living together, 
and your assets are below $13,640 or $27,250 for 
married couples not counting your home, car or 
life insurance policy, you may be eligible for the 
federal Low Income Subsidy known as “Extra 
Help” that pays Part D premiums, deductibles 
and copayments. For more information or to 
apply, call Social Security at 800-772-1213 or visit 
socialsecurity.gov/extrahelp.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. 
Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.
org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today 
show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.


UPCOMING EXCURSIONS:


KATIE Tse..........This and That

TRAPPED IN THE GARAGE!

Happy fall to you! The calendar 
says autumn is here, but the 
weather sure doesn’t seem like it. It 
was during a particularly hot spell 
a few weeks ago that I received a 
series of strange voice messages 
from my Mom. First, a little 
background information is in order.

 My parents live about four blocks south of my 
husband and I in Sierra Madre. Although they recently 
remodeled their house, parts of it 
(such as the garage) still bear the 
vestiges of its former, somewhat 
dilapidated self. 

 I checked my phone at about 
10:00 pm and saw that Mom had 
left me not one --not two --not 
three, but FOUR messages all 
around 8:00 pm. Worried, I called 
the house before even listening to 
them. Dad answered the phone 
and chuckled when I told him 
about the messages from Mom. 
“Oh yeah, Mom locked herself in 
the garage when I went to take a 
shower” he said. “She eventually 
remembered where I hid the key and got herself out. 
She’s showering now.” I was relieved, but still wanted 
to make sure everything was okay. “Yes!” he reassured 
me, “She’s fine. Not to worry.”

 In talking with my parents about this after the fact, 
Dad reminded me that Mom once did this same thing 
many years ago. I was a toddler at the time. Mom and 
I were in the garage one morning after Dad had gone 
to work and the door was locked and closed on us 
unexpectedly. Only there was no hidden key and no 
phone in the garage at that time. So Mom resorted to 
using an axe to chop through the door frame to finally 
extricate us. Dad was speechless that evening when 
he surveyed the damage. But it made for a rousing 
story!

 This time I was glad the problem turned out to be 
nothing. But I was still interested in what was on the 
voice messages. Since I hadn’t heard them yet, I played 
each one to see what Mom had so desperately wanted 
to tell me. 

 “Hi, Katie” she said in the first message. “I hope 
I’m not disturbing you. Dad has gone to take a shower 
and I accidentally locked myself in the garage. Please 
call back in case I need to ask you to come and open 
the garage door for me. Thanks!” 
All in all, she sounded pretty calm, 
even nonchalant. I smiled to 
myself and played the next one.

 “Hi Katie.” Mom sounded 
markedly agitated. “It’s a little 
after 8. I’m locked in the garage 
and Dad’s in the shower. It’s 
starting to get hot in here. Please 
call when you get this. Bye.” I 
couldn’t help chuckling. She 
sounded like she was on the edge 
between annoyance and distress.

 “Katie, you need to come here 
now!” the third message opened. 
“The garage is hot! Come and get 
me out when you get this!” I couldn’t help laughing 
out loud at this one. I know the garage isn’t the most 
comfortable place in their house, but I wouldn’t call it 
deadly. Thankfully, the last message sounded much 
better.

 “Hi Katie!” Mom said cheerfully, “Please disregard 
my earlier messages. I remembered where the key was 
and got myself out. You and Ricky have a nice evening!”

 All’s well that ends well --especially when it’s 
happening in the garage!

*To all concerned about the water situation, Dad 
wanted you to know that he takes very short showers, 
but the bathroom fan is loud. No water was wasted in 
this story.


626-355-5700245 West Sierra Madre BlvdSierra Madre, CA 91024www.TheKensingtonSierraMadre.comRCFE License198601953Get Inspired and Informedby Two ExtraordinaryBreast Cancer WarriorsWednesday, October 14, 2015 from 6:00pm-7:30pmat The Kensington, 245 West Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra Madre, CAHors d’oeuvres and refreshments servedRSVP to SSciurba@KensingtonSL.com or 626-355-5700YOUR INVITATION TO A SPEAKER PRESENTATION AT THE KENSINGTONPleaseRSVP
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