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Mountain View News Saturday, May 3, 2025

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Benefit from our extensive network and affordable 
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SENIOR HAPPENINGS


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


THE IMPORTANCE OF SENIOR DENTAL HEALTH

Maintaining dental health is essential at every stage of life, but it becomes increasingly important as we 
age. For seniors, oral health is closely linked to overall well-being, with poor dental hygiene contributing 
to serious conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections.

Aging naturally brings changes that can impact dental health. Gums may recede, teeth may become 
more brittle, and dry mouth—often a side effect of medications—can increase the risk of tooth decay. 
Additionally, many seniors may have dentures or dental implants that require special care to avoid discomfort 
and infections.

Regular dental check-ups are crucial for early detection of issues like gum disease and oral cancer. Yet, 
many older adults delay visits due to financial concerns, lack of dental insurance, or limited mobility. 
Advocates urge that Medicare should expand coverage to include dental services, making oral care more 
accessible to this growing population.

At home, seniors can protect their dental health by brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, flossing, 
and using mouthwash to reduce plaque and bacteria. Staying hydrated and eating a balanced diet 
rich in calcium and vitamin D also helps maintain strong teeth and bones.

Caregivers play a vital role in supporting senior oral hygiene, especially for those with cognitive or 
physical limitations. Encouraging daily dental routines and helping arrange dental visits can make a 
significant difference.

Dental health is not just about a bright smile—it’s about preserving quality of life. By paying close attention 
to oral care, seniors can prevent pain, maintain their ability to eat and speak comfortably, and 
reduce their risk of other health complications. Communities, caregivers, and healthcare providers must 
work together to prioritize and support senior dental health.


DOES MEDICARE COVER VISION CARE AND EYE EXAMS?


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder

Dear Savvy Senior,

What all does Medicare cover when it comes to vision care? 
I currently have good vision insurance through my employer 
but will lose it when I retire.

Almost 65

Dear Almost,

Many soon-to-be retirees are a bit blurry with what Medicare does and doesn’t cover when it comes to 
vision care. The good news is that Medicare covers most medical issues like cataract surgery, treatment 
of eye diseases and medical emergencies. But unfortunately, routine care like eye exams and eyeglasses 
are usually the beneficiary’s responsibility. Here’s a breakdown of what is and isn’t covered.

Eye exams and treatments: Medicare does not cover routine eye exams that test for eyeglasses or contact 
lenses, but they do cover yearly medical eye exams if you have diabetes or are at high risk for glaucoma. 
They will also pay for exams to test and treat medical eye diseases if you’re having vision problems that 
indicate a serious eye problem like macular degeneration, dry eye syndrome, glaucoma, eye infections 
or if you get something in your eye.

Eye surgeries: Medicare will cover most eye surgeries that help repair the eye function, including cataract 
surgery to remove cataracts and insert standard intraocular lenses to replace your own. Medicare 
will not, however, pick up the extra cost if you choose a premium multifocal lens that restores full range 
of vision, thereby reducing your need for glasses after cataract surgery. The extra cost for a premium 
lens can run $1,500 to $4,000 per eye.

Eye surgeries that are usually not covered by Medicare include refractive (LASIK) surgery and cosmetic 
eye surgery that are not considered medically necessary.

Eyeglasses and contact lenses: Medicare will not pay for eyeglasses or contact lenses, with one exception: 
If you have had a conventional intraocular lens inserted during cataract surgery, Medicare will pay 
for eyeglasses or contact lenses following the operation.

Ways to Save

Although original Medicare’s vision coverage is limited to medical issues, there are ways you can save 
on routine care. Here are several to check into.

Medicare Advantage plans: Many of these plans, which are alternatives to original Medicare and sold 
through private insurance companies, cover routine eye exams and eyeglasses, but coverage is limited 
so be sure you understand the specifics.

While I don’t recommend enrolling in an Advantage plan just to get vision coverage it is an option you 
should know about. To locate Advantage plans in your area that provide vision coverage, go to Medicare.
gov/plan-compare or call 800-633-4227.

Purchase vision insurance: If you get routine eye exams and purchase new eyeglasses annually, a vision 
insurance plan may be worth the costs. These policies typically range between $5 and $30 per month. 
Most plans will also have copays or deductibles you’ll be responsible for.

Check veterans’ benefits: If you’re a veteran and qualify for VA health care benefits, you may be able 
to get some or all of your routine vision care through VA. Go to VA.gov/health-care/about-va-health-
benefits/vision-care to learn more.

Find cheaper shopping options: Many retailers provide discounts – between 10 and 50 percent – on eye 
exams and eyeglasses if you belong to a MEMBERSHIP GROUP LIKE AARP OR AAA.

You can also save by shopping at discount retailers like Costco Optical, Sam’s Club Optical or Target 
Optical, which are all recommended by Consumer Reports. Or consider buying your glasses online at 
retailers like ZenniOptical.com, EyeBuyDirect.com or GlassesUSA.com which offer big savings.

To purchase glasses online, you’ll need a valid prescription from an eye doctor (no more than a year 
old), plus your pupillary distance number, which is the distance, measured in millimeters, between the 
centers of your pupils 
in each eye.

Look for assistance: 
There are also health 
centers and local 
clinics that provide 
free or discounted 
vision exams and 
eyeglasses to those 
in need. To find 
them put a call into 
your local Lions 
Club (see Directory.
LionsClubs.org) for 
referrals.

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


A TRIBUTE TO MS. GOSSIPS-A-LOT

I was sitting in the shopping mall, drinking coffee and taking a 
break. I don't like going to the mall, but sometimes I have to go 
and pick up something for The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. 
Sometimes, I think she does it on purpose, knowing how much I 
dislike it. I try to make the most of it.

While drinking coffee, I watched people pass by. I can't understand why so many 
people like coming to the mall.

Suddenly, I saw someone I recognized—or at least, I thought I recognized. It was 
my great-aunt. That would be my grandmother's sister, who passed away about 25 
years ago. How could she be in the mall here today? Or, is it her ghost?

Staring at her as she walked by, I couldn't help but believe she was either my 
great-aunt or an identical substitute. Everything about her reminded me of my 
great-aunt.

I haven't thought about my great-aunt for many years. She's been deceased now for 
25 years. Sitting there thinking about her, many things came to mind.

The first thing was that she was the biggest gossiper in the whole town. It was a 
small town, but she knew everything that was happening there.

Her job was delivering mail, and she would stop at my grandmother's mailbox 
daily. They would catch up on a lot of things. Together, they both knew everything 
that ever happened or would happen in that little town.

I couldn't help but chuckle as I thought of the stories associated with her. I never 
told her or my grandmother that I referred to her as Ms. Gossips-A-Lot. I'm unsure 
where the name came from; I just made it up. But if anybody knew how to 
gossip, it was her.

It was always a wonderful time to sit down with my great-aunt and listen to the stories 
she told. I never knew if those stories were true, but she presented them to me, 
and at the time, I believed them to be true. All I had to do was mention a name, 
and she would go on and on about that person. She knew more about that person 
than that person probably did. And the critical aspect is that she knew where all 
the dead bodies were buried, so to speak. She had dirt on just about everybody in 
town. She could have been a politician.

Several times she told me, "Son, the more you know about somebody the more 
you can control them." And believe me, she was a control freak on every level. 
Everybody in town feared talking in front of her. They knew whatever they said 
would be conveyed to other people. They were kind to her and smiled a lot at her, 
but they did not like sharing any information with her. The more I got to know 
my great-aunt, the more I learned how to control her. I'm not a control freak, but 
sometimes I like to pull pranks on people. Ms. Gossips-A-Lot was a prime subject 
for some of my pranks.

Sometimes, as we sat and talked, I would calmly say, "Auntie, did you hear what 
Mr. Smith down the road did the other night?" That kind of question always gets 
her undivided attention. She is nervous that somebody will know something about 
someone she doesn't know. That's not the way she plays her harp. Looking at me 
seriously, she would lean toward me and whisper, "No, what did Mr. Smith do the 
other night? I haven't heard anything."

I didn't live in the town, but about 100 miles away. There's just no way I would 
know anything about anybody Auntie didn't know. She couldn't take a chance that 
I knew something she didn't. Sitting there, I told a story about Mr. Smith, which 
I had made up. The more I talked about Mr. Smith, the more Auntie's eyes widened. 
She had a hard time dealing with me knowing something about someone she 
didn't. I would say, "Auntie, what I'm about to tell you please do not let anybody 
else know." That was the clue I needed to stir her up and spread this gossip for 
weeks.

Looking back on some of the pranks I pulled on her, I am a little regretful. She was 
an easy target, and I played her more than I should have. The problem was that nobody 
believed what my dear old Auntie said. The only one who really believed her 
was her sister, my grandmother. After she passed away, the town gossip quieted as 
never before. People couldn't get the daily gossip they once did and didn't realize 
how much they depended upon Auntie's gossip.

Sitting in the mall thinking about Ms. Gossips-A-Lot, I was reminded of what 
Solomon said in Proverbs 20:19. "He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth 
secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips." 

I did not know my great-aunt very well. I only saw her occasionally. I did know 
some of the people around her, and they did not have anything too good to say 
about her. If my great-aunt had known what the people thought about her, she 
might have toned down her gossiping a little.

It is so easy to gossip. However, gossip only causes harm and is never good when 
considering the subject. I want to build people up, not tear them down.

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


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