Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, December 2, 2017

WHAT TO DO WITH CREMATED ASHES? 
Mountain Views-News Saturday, December 2, 2017 10 THE GOOD LIFE THE GOOD LIFE 
SIMPLE HOME MODIFICATIONS THAT CAN HELP 



SENIORS AGE IN PLACE 


Dear Savvy Senior,
What tips can you recommend to help make a homesafer for aging-in-place? My 76-year-old mother wantsto stay living in her own home for as long as possible, butshe doesn’t have the money for any big renovations.
Concerned Son 

Dear Concerned, 
There are dozens of small adjustments and simplemodifications you can do to help make your mom’shome safer and more fit for aging-in-place, thatwon’t cost her much if anything at all. Here are somesuggestions to get you started. 

Eliminate Trip and Slip Hazards

Since falls are the leading cause of home injury amongseniors, a good place to start is by arranging or movingyour mom’s furniture so there are clear pathways towalk through. Position any electrical or phone cordsalong the wall so they won’t be a tripping hazard. If shehas throw rugs, remove them or use carpet tacks ordouble-sided tape to secure them. And pick up itemson the floor that could cause her to trip like papers,
shoes or clothes. 

In the bathroom, buy some non-skid rugs for thefloors, and a rubber mat or adhesive nonslip strips forthe floor of the tub or shower to prevent slipping, andhave a carpenter install grab bars in and around thetub/shower and near the toilet for support. 

Improve Lighting

Good lighting is very important for safe agingin-
place, so check the wattage ratings on your mom’slamps and light fixtures, and install the brightest bulbsallowed. Purchase some nightlights for the bathroomand in the hallways that are used after dark. Andconsider adding under-cabinet task lighting in thekitchen, and motion sensor lights outside the front andback doors and in the driveway. 

Hand Helpers

If your mom has hand arthritis or problems griping,
install lever-style door handles (or doorknob leveradapters), which are easier to use than doorknobs. Thesame goes for twist knob kitchen or bathroom faucets,
which you can replace with a single lever, touch orsensor-style faucet. And consider replacing knobs oncabinets and drawers with easier-to-grip D-shaped 
handles. 

Easier Living

To help make your mom’s kitchen easier to use,
organize her cabinets so the things she uses most oftenare within easy reach without a lot of stooping or usinga step stool. Also, consider installing pullout shelvesbeneath the counter and Lazy Susans in corner cabinetsfor easier access. And get her a kitchen stool so she cansit down while she’s working.

In the bathroom for easier and safer bathing,
consider purchasing a shower chair and install a hand-
held shower so your mom can bathe from a seatedposition if need be. 

Accessibility Solutions

If your mom uses a walker or wheelchair, you can adapther house by installing ramps on entrance steps, andmini-ramps to go over high thresholds. You can alsoinstall “swing-away” or “swing-clear” hinges on herdoors to add two inches of width for easier access. 

Safety Improvements

To keep your mom safe, set her hot water heater to120 degrees Fahrenheit or below to prevent scalds. Ifshe has stairs, put handrails on both sides. Also, installsmoke and carbon monoxide detectors on all levels of 
her house, and place a lightweight, easy-to-use ABC-
rated fire extinguisher in an easily accessible locationin the kitchen. 

For more tips, get a copy of AARP’s “HomeFitGuide” that’s filled with dozens of aging-in-placerecommendations. You can access it at AARP.org/
homefit, or call 888-687-2277 and ask them to mail youa free copy.

Also note that all the previously mentioned productscan be purchased either in local retail stores, homeimprovement stores, pharmacies or medical supplystores, or online at Amazon.com. 

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org.
Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show andauthor of “The Savvy Senior” book. 

HOLIDAY SALON CONCERT WITH DR. ADAM R. 
KENDALL AND ART SHOW 

Dr. Adam R. Kendall and Dr. Samuel W. Chung sharetheir masterful talants to benefit to local families 
throughout the foothill communities.
WhenWednesday, December 6, 2017 

5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Reception and Art ShowHors d’oeuvres and Wine 
(No Host Bar)
7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Concert 
WhereThe Santa Anita Park 
Chandelier Room 
285 West Huntington DriveArcadia, CA 91007Free Parking: Gate 5

TicketsTickets are $75 individual or $130 percouple

To purchase a ticket click here, or to RSVP contactDevelopment Department via email information@
foothillunitycenter.org or call 626.358.3486.

We look forward to seeing at the concert. 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS 


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ….December Birthdays* 

Pat Karamitros, Joan Hufnagel, Mary Alice Cervera, Carol Horejsi, Shirley Anhalt, 
Mignon Grijalva, Helen Reese, Levon Yapoujian, Toni Buckner, Lottie Bugl, Pat 
McGuire, Sheila Wohler, Nan Murphy, Eleanor Hensel, Sylvia Curl, Elizabeth Levie, 
Gayle Licher, Cindy Barran, and Melissa Stute. 

* To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. 
YEAR of birth not required but you must be over 60. 
ACTIVITIES: Unless listed differently, all activities are at the Hart 
Park House (Senior Center) 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre 

Hawaiian & Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday morning from 10a.m. to 
11a.m. Join instructor Barbara Dempsey as she leads you in the art of Hula. 
Bingo Time: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00p.m. Cards are only $0.25 each! Everyone is welcome 
to join. Activity may be canceled if less than five people. 


Free Blood Pressure Testing: 2nd Tuesdays of the month from 11a.m. to 12p.m. No appt. is necessary. 
Brain Games - *New Activity*: Join us on Thursday November 16th, at 10:30a.m. to 11:30a.m for 


Scattergories. A creative thinking game by naming objects within a set of categories. Everyone is 
welcome, and no experience is needed. What a great way to strengthen your brain and make new friends.
Activities are facilitated by Senior Volunteers. 
Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, November 15th from 10:30a.m. to Noon. Attorney Lem Makupson is
available for legal consultation. Specializing in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates, and Injury. Appointments
are required by calling 626-355-7394. 


Senior Club: Meets every Saturday at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Brown Bag Lunch at 11:30a.m. 
Chair Yoga: Mondays & Wednesdays from 11:00a.m. to 11:45a.m. with Paul Hagen. Classes 


include yoga and balance exercises. All ability levels are encouraged and welcomed!* A voluntary
donation of $5.00 per week is suggested but not required. 
Birthday Celebrations: Every 2nd Thursday monthly at the Hart Park House, share some free birthday cake
provided by the Sierra Madre Civic Club. 


Game Day: Every Thursday starting at 12:00p.m. Come join this group of Seniors in their poker game.
Other games are offered to all. 


Free Strength Training Class: Fridays from 12:45p.m. to 1:30p.m. with Lisa Brandley. This energetic class
utilizes light weights, low impact resistance and training conditioning. Class equipment is provided. 


UPCOMING EXCURSIONS: 

THE MISSION INN & FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

(Riverside)

 Date: Friday, December 15, 2017 
Time: 2:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 
Meeting Location: Hart Park House Senior Center 
Cost: $20 (Does not include dinner) 

The day begins with a 75-minute late afternoon guided tour on the art, architecture,
and history of the Mission Inn. Guests will have time for dinner, shopping, and the annual 
Festival of Lights with the nice Christmas Tree decor in the hotel lobby.
Due to the historic nature and character of the Mission Inn, tours involve significant
amounts of walking and standing; you may encounter areas of uneven ground, sidewalks 
and flooring; stairways, steps and slopes. You will be asked to sign a waiver and
release of liability by the Mission Inn. Dinner will be on your own and there are many
dining options along Main Street or at the Mission Inn Hotel.
Participants should bring money for dinner and souvenirs. Level of Walking: High.
Please call the Hart Park House 626-355-7394. 



YOUR AD COULD BE HERE! 
CALL PATRICIA 626-818-2698
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