12

Mountain View News Saturday, May 24, 2025

FREE ASSISTED LIVING PLACEMENT SERVICE

 

 Discover the perfect assisted living community with 
Safe Path for Seniors. Our compassionate advisors specialize 
in assisting individuals with unique needs. Benefit 
from our extensive network and affordable options. 
Plus, we offer personalized tours to help you explore 
each community firsthand. 

Call (626) 999-6913 or visit www.safepathforseniors.
com for free assistance.

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 SILENT STRUGGLE: HEARING LOSS IN THE ELDERLY

As we age, many of our senses begin to decline—but none more subtly and impactfully than hearing. 
Hearing loss affects nearly one-third of adults aged 65 to 74, and almost half of those over 75, according 
to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Yet, it often goes 
undiagnosed and untreated.

The implications of untreated hearing loss extend far beyond having to turn up the television. Seniors 
with hearing impairment may withdraw from conversations, leading to social isolation, depression, 
and even cognitive decline. Recent studies have linked hearing loss to an increased risk of dementia, 
falls, and hospitalizations.

Despite these risks, many older adults delay seeking help. Some dismiss it as a natural part of aging, 
while others are reluctant due to the stigma around hearing aids. However, today’s hearing aids are 
smaller, smarter, and more effective than ever—some even connect wirelessly to phones and TVs.

Early detection is key. Regular hearing screenings should be a standard part of annual health checkups 
for seniors. Family members and caregivers also play a vital role in noticing signs—such as asking 
people to repeat themselves, turning up volume excessively, or withdrawing from social activities.

Addressing hearing loss can vastly improve quality of life, restore confidence, and reconnect seniors 
with the world around them. It’s time we treated hearing health with the same seriousness as vision or 
heart health.

If you or a loved one are experiencing signs of hearing difficulty, don’t wait. Consult a healthcare provider 
or audiologist. The world is a better place when you can hear it clearly.


ESSENTIAL LEGAL DOCUMENTS ALL SENIORS 
SHOULD HAVE

Dear Savvy Senior:

What kinds of legal documents do I need to 
help my family take care of me in my elder 
years? I would like to get my affairs in order 
but could use some help. 

Approaching 80

Dear Approaching,

All adults, especially an older adult like yourself, should have at least five legal documents to protect 
yourself and your family. These documents will make sure your wishes regarding your estate are legal 
and clear and will help minimize any conflicts and confusion with your family and your health care 
providers if you become seriously ill or when you die. Here are the key documents you need, along 
with some tips to help you create them.

Durable Power of Attorney: This document allows you to designate someone you trust to handle your 
financial affairs if you become incapacitated.

Advance Directive: This includes two documents that spell out your wishes regarding your end-of-life 
medical treatment. The two documents are a “living will” which tells your doctor what kind of care 
you want to receive if you become incapacitated. And a “health care power of attorney” (or health care 
proxy), which names a person you authorize to make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re unable.

To complement your advance directive, you should also consider getting a Physician Orders for Life-
Sustaining Treatment – see POLST.org. This is a state specific form that your doctor would fill out that 
translates your end-of-life wishes into medical orders to ensure your wishes are carried out.

A Will: This lets you spell out your wishes of how you’d like your property and assets distributed after 
you die, whether it’s to family, friends or a charity. It also allows you to designate an executor to ensure 
your wishes are carried out and allows you to name guardians if you have dependent children.

In addition to a will, if you own real estate or have considerable assets, another option you may want 
to consider is a “revocable living trust.” This functions like a will but allows your estate to avoid the 
time and expense of probate (the public legal process that examines your estate after you die) and helps 
ensure your estate’s privacy.

HIPPA Release: This form gives your healthcare provider permission to discuss your medical care and 
medical bills with those you designate. You may need specific HIPAA release forms for each medical 
professional or health care establishment you deal with.

Do-It-Yourself

If you have a simple estate and an uncomplicated family situation, there are do-it-yourself resources 
that can help you create all these documents for a few hundred dollars. Some top-rated options to consider 
include Quicken WillMaker & Trust software (see WillMaker.com), Trust & Will (TrustandWill.
com) and Legal Zoom (LegalZoom.com).

Get Help

If, however, you want or need assistance or if you have a complicated financial situation, blended family 
or have considerable assets, you should hire an attorney. An experienced lawyer can make sure 
you cover all your bases – especially when writing a will or living trust – which can help avoid family 
confusion and squabbles after you’re gone.

Costs will vary depending on where you reside, but you can expect to pay somewhere between $500 
and $2,000 for a basic estate plan that includes a will, power of attorney and advance directive. If you 
want your estate plan to include a living trust, that can run anywhere between $1,500 and $5,000.

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA.org) and the National Association of Estate 
Planners and Councils (NAEPC.org) are two good resources that have directories on their websites to 
help you find someone in your area.

If money is tight, check with your state’s bar association (see FindLegalHelp.org) to find low-cost legal 
help in your area. Or call the Eldercare Locater at 800-677-1116 for a referral.

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


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder


MY ONLY EXERCISE IS 

JUMPING TO CONCLUSIONS

Over the past few weeks (or was it months?) I've been recovering 
from some health issues. They were not that serious, just annoying. 
I spent one day in the hospital and the rest of the time in bed, which is not the 
kind of vacation I want.

 During all that time, I've not had much time to exercise. I asked about it when 
I was at the Doctor's for my last examination. I said, "Doctor, what should I do 
about exercising? I haven't been able to do much of that during my sickness."

Looking at me rather grimly, he said, "If I were you I would exercise daily."

Smiling at the doctor, I said, "Thank You, I appreciate that."

 The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage drove me to the Doctor's appointment 
and was now driving me back to the house. While driving, she looked at me 
and said, "Well, do you think you're going to start exercising now? What are you 
going to do first?"

 I just looked at her and laughed.

"What are you laughing about?" She said.

"Did you hear what the doctor said? He said he would exercise daily for me."

Looking at me with her eyes rolling in her head, she said, "This is why I have to 
come with you when you go to the doctors. You never hear what the doctor says. 
That is not what he said."

"You heard it as well as I did," I said, "he said, 'If I were you, I would exercise 
daily.'"

 Still rolling her eyes, she said, "That is not what I heard him say."

I was still chuckling, and then she said, "I think you have some loose marbles 
rolling around in your head."

Smiling at her, I said, "Thank you, my dear, for recognizing that I have some 
activity in my head."

I glanced in her direction and noticed she wasn't laughing at all, but her eyes 
were still rolling.

 I must say that jumping to conclusions is a great way to exercise. And it solves 
a lot of problems.

 I had one exercise project that I wanted to do. I wanted to run to the store and 
get an Apple Fritter and run back. Now the problem with that is, my energy is 
not up to the place where I can run that far. And, sneaking out of the house at 
this time would not work for me at all.

 I have been jumping to conclusions for as long as I can remember. That is 
because I don't let people say everything on their mind. If I think I know what 
they're saying, I jump immediately to what turns out to be the wrong conclusion.

 When I was a young kid at home, my father would often say to me, "Son, do 
you want a spanking?"

 At the time, I never knew if it was a rhetorical question or if he was giving 
me a choice. That is the only time I can remember that I didn't jump to some 
conclusion.

If I look at my life, I can blame a lot of my problems on my habit of jumping to 
conclusions. If only I would just let people say everything on their mind and wait 
until they're done to make some kind of a decision.

 I remember many years ago when I met the young lady who is now The 
Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. We were riding along in a van with some of 
the other young people at the Bible school we were going to.

 Just before we got back to the dormitory, she said to me quietly, "Wouldn't it 
be nice to be married?"

 I did not know what she was talking about because I was too naïve then, so I 
jumped to the conclusion and said, "That would be wonderful."

 I was the last in the Bible school to know I had become engaged. I jumped to a 
conclusion I had no understanding about.

 Under the circumstances, that was probably the best conclusion I ever reached. 
It just took me a long time to understand what it meant.

 I jump to conclusions because I think I know what that person is talking about. 
I wouldn't get into so much trouble if I weren't so smart.

 A dumb person would usually say, "What do you mean?" And then wait for the 
explanation.

 A smart person would think he knows what that person is talking about and 
jumps to conclusions.

 I come from Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Dutch have a saying that 
goes like this: "Throw Papa down the stairs…" There's a pause, and after the 
pause, they finish it by saying, "His hat."

If you don't listen to the whole sentence, you're liable to throw Papa down the 
stairs. But if you listen to the entire sentence, you will throw his hat down the 
stairs.

 There are times when I don’t listen to the entire sentence.

 In my Bible reading, I discovered a verse dealing with this.

Proverbs 25:8-9, “Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in 
the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. Debate thy cause 
with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another.”

 I get into trouble when I respond “hastily” to what I hear. I need to slow down 
and listen to the whole sentence, not just what I want to hear.

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