Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, December 28, 2019

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Mountain View News Saturday, December 28, 2019 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ….December Birthdays*

Maria Decker, Nancy Dorn, Prudence Levine Pat Karamitros, Joan Hufnagel, Mary 
Alice Cervera, Carol Horejsi, Shirley Anhalt, 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

HART PARK HOUSE MONTHLY PROGRAMS: 

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 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 
Join the class with Instructor Barbara Dempsey as she leads you in the art of Hula!

Bingo Time: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00 p.m. Cards are only $0.25 each! Everyone is welcome to play! Activity may 
be canceled if there are less than five people.

Free Blood Pressure Testing: 2nd Tuesdays Monthly from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. No appointment is necessary.

Brain Games: Every third Thursday of the month at 12:45-1:45pm Join us for Scattergories, a creative thinking game by 
naming objects within a set of categories; or Jenga, a block-building challenge that keeps you stacking and bal-ancing your 
tower. Everyone is welcome, and no experience is needed. A great way to strengthen your mind and make new friends... 
Games are facilitated by Senior Volunteers. 

Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, December 18th from 10:30 a.m. - Noon. Attorney Lem Makupson is available for 
legal consultation. Specializing in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates and Injury. Please call the Hart Park House for an 
appointment, 626-355-5278 ext. 704.

Senior Club: Meets Saturdays, Weekly at Hart Park House Brown Bag Lunch, great company and bingo at 11:30 a.m.

Chair Yoga: Mondays & Wednesdays 11:00 - 11:45 a.m. with Paul Hagen. Classes include Yoga and balance exercises. All 
ability levels are encouraged and welcomed!

Birthday Celebration: Every 2nd Thursday Monthly at the Hart Park House. Share free birthday cake and ice cream 
kindly provided by the Senior Community Commission!

Game Day: Every Thursday Monthly 12:00 Noon come into the Hart Park House and join a lively poker game with 
friends!

Free Strength Training Class: Fridays 12:45 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. with Lisa Brandley Light weights, low impact resistance 
training and body conditioning. Class equipment provided.

Gentle Yoga for Active Seniors: Every Monday & Wednesday from 8:15 - 9:45 a.m. with Andrea Walsh at the Hart Park 
House. Classes include complete floor relaxation, standing and floor postures, balancing, and featuring extended 
meditations on the fourth Wednesdays of the month! Call (626)-355-5278 for more information.


MEALS - ON - WHEELS PROGRAM

The Home Delivered Meals Program provides healthy meals to homebound Seniors 60 and above. Seven 
frozen meals, milk, bread and fruit are included and delivered once a week. $3 Donation per meal is 
suggested but remains completely anonymous and voluntary. Clients must be eligible and we invite you 
to contact YWCA Intervale Senior Services at 626-214-9467. SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT 
NOTICE SUGGESTED DONATION $3.00 1% LOW FAT MILK INCLUDED

SENIOR CINEMA


SCROOGED December 4th “Scrooged” PG-41; 1 hr. 41 min.

A selfish, cynical television executive is haunted by three spirits bearing lessons 
on Christmas Eve

 

 "THE MAN WHO INVENTED 
CHRISTMAS" 

December 18th "The Journey that led to Charles Dickens "A 
Christmas Carol", a timeless tale that would redefine Christmas


DOES MEDICARE COVERS 
COUNSELING SERVICES?

Dear Savvy Senior:

Does Medicare cover outpatient counseling services 
for its beneficiaries? Since the death of my sister 
last year, I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety 
and would like to get some help. Sad Senior

Dear Sad:

I’m sorry for your loss. Yes, Medicare covers both outpatient and inpatient mental health services 
to help beneficiaries with depression, anxiety and many other needs. Here’s what you should know.

Outpatient Coverage

If you have original Medicare, your Part B coverage will pay 80 percent (after you’ve met your 
$198 Part B deductible) for a variety of counseling and mental health care services that are provided 
outside a hospital, like individual or group therapy, family counseling and more. They also 
cover services for treatment of beneficiaries who struggle with alcohol and drug abuse.

You, or your supplemental insurance is responsible for the remaining 20 percent coinsurance. 

Medicare also gives you the option of getting treatment through a variety of mental health professionals 
such as psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers and clinical nurse specialists. 

To get this coverage, you’ll need to choose a “participating provider” that accepts Medicare assignment, 
which means they accept Medicare’s approved amount as full payment for a service.

If you choose a “nonparticipating provider” who accepts Medicare but does not agree to Medicare’s 
payment rate, you may have to pay more. And if you choose an “opt-out provider” that does 
not accept Medicare payments at all, you will be responsible for the entire cost.

To locate a mental health care professional in your area that accepts Medicare assignment, use 
Medicare’s online Physician Compare tool. Go to Medicare.gov/PhysicianCompare and type in 
your ZIP code, or city and state, then type in the type of profession you want to locate, like “psychiatry” 
or “clinical psychologist” in the search box. You can also get this information by calling 
Medicare at 800-633-4227.

Inpatient Coverage

If you need mental health services in either a general or psychiatric hospital, original Medicare 
Part A covers this too (after you’ve met your $1,408 Part A deductible). Your doctor should determine 
which hospital setting you need. If you receive care in a psychiatric hospital, Medicare 
covers up to 190 days of inpatient care for your lifetime. And if you use your lifetime days but need 
additional care, Medicare may cover additional inpatient care at a general hospital.

Additional Coverage

In addition to the outpatient and inpatient mental health services, Medicare also covers yearly 
depression screenings that must be done in a primary care doctor’s office or clinic. Annual depression 
screenings are covered 100 percent.

And if you have a Medicare prescription drug plan, most medications used to treat mental health 
conditions are covered too.

Medicare Advantage

If you happen to get your Medicare benefits through a private Medicare Advantage plan, they 
must provide the same coverage as original Medicare does, but they may impose different rules 
and will likely require you to see an in-network provider. You’ll need to contact your plan directly 
for details.

And for more information, call Medicare at 800-633-4227 and request a copy of publication 
#10184 “Medicare & Your Mental Health Benefits,” or you can read it online at Medicare.gov.

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.


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder

PROPER ETIQUETTE FOR RETURNING CHRISTMAS GIFTS

The Christmas frenzy is over, 
and the Gracious Mistress of 
the Parsonage and Yours Truly 
are sitting back surveying our 
Christmas plunder. Only a few days ago, the 
house was ablaze with Christmas lights, and the 
rafters were echoing with Christmas delight. 
Now, much to my delight, quietness is tip-toeing 
through our house.

Why is it that something as wonderful as Christmas 
takes so long to prepare and goes by so 
quickly? As it stands today, there are only 360 
more days until the next Christmas. I do not 
think I have enough time to get ready to do this 
all over again.

However, the countdown begins. With the odd 
chance that something can be done, I propose 
that we celebrate Christmas every even year because 
of so many odd years in my life.

In surveying my Christmas plunder, several 
thoughts, like sugarplums, are dancing in my 
head. The primary thought is simply, what am 
I going to do with all these gifts? I have enough 
gifts to last me the rest of my life if I live to be 
100. Of course, if I live to be 110, I may need 
another gift.

My gifts range in several categories.

In the first category, there is aftershave, cologne 
and deodorant. Obviously, those who know me 
the best think I stink. The first thing that comes 
to their mind when they think of me is the Bible 
verse, "by now he stinketh" (John 11:39). At least 
they are biblical.

I just would like everybody to know that come 
Saturday night, regular as clockwork, and I take 
a bath whether I need it or not. I would give you 
that I need it more than I don't. The best time 
to sniff me is Sunday morning, fresh from my 
Saturday night shower and after I have doused 
myself with my Christmas cologne. Apart from 
that, I give no guarantees.

I am tempted, for some family function, to 
douse myself with every brand of aftershave and 
cologne I have received as Christmas presents. 
Maybe somebody will get the hint that I have 
enough.

The second category of Christmas gifts is clothing. 
This covers a large area … I'm a big man. 
Two sizes are associated with the Christmas 
clothing I get each year. Either they are too small 
or too big. None of my relatives knows me that 
well.

The only clothing that fits me is neckties — and 
I have enough neckties to have a nice necktie 
party. I do have a candidate in mind, actually 
several candidates.

When it comes to Christmas presents, there are 
only two kinds I really accept each year. Presents 
I like, and presents from people I like. As a general 
rule, I do not accept presents from people I 
do not like.

As of this date, I have not had an occasion to 
refuse such a gift from such a person. But I still 
have my principle, if not their interest.

All this brings me to my current dilemma. What 
can I do with all these Christmas presents, especially 
the ones I cannot wear or use? What is the 
best thing to do, re-gift, or return these Christmas 
pre-sents?

I like the idea of returning presents I cannot use 
or wear in exchange for something I can use or 
wear. It is a simple matter of going back to the 
mall and negotiating the exchange.

Of course, before I can negotiate the exchange, I 
have to wage war with millions of people wanting 
to do the same thing. Although it is nice to 
know you are on the same page as other people, 
I just wish I were reading another book.

If you think the mall is a dangerous place prior 
to Christmas, try going there the day after 
Christmas.

It never fails, by the time I have waited in line for 
my turn to do the exchange; they no longer have 
my size and give me a rain check. I really hate it 
when it rains on my parade.

Then there is the idea of re-gifting. I am beginning 
to like this idea more and more. For this 
reason, when I unwrap my presents, I am very 
careful not to tear the wrapping paper. This way, 
I not only have next year's Christmas present, 
but I have the wrapping paper to go with it.

The first Christmas I thought of this was a high 
watermark day in my life. I was proud of myself 
to be able to kill several birds with one stone. 
Unbeknownst to me, the biggest bird I killed 
was myself.

This did not show itself until the following 
Christmas when, by not giving this proper 
thought, I gave people the gift they gave me the 
previous Christmas. Believe me; I had a lot of 
"splaining" to do.

Nobody tells you this about Christmas in those 
etiquette books, but if you are going to re-gift 
a Christ-mas present, make sure you remember 
who gave it to you in the first place.

It is difficult trying to find the perfect gift as only 
one person has mastered the finesse of it. The 
Bible says, "Every good gift and every perfect 
gift is from above, and cometh down from the 
Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, 
neither shadow of turning." James 1:17).

The gift God gives is one that you will have no 
reason to return.

Dr. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, 
PO Box 831313, Ocala, FL 34483. He lives with 
the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage in Silver Springs 
Shores. Call him at 1-866-552-2543 or e-mail jamessnyder2@
att.net. His web site is 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