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Mountain Views News Saturday, June 7, 2025

FREE ASSISTED LIVING PLACEMENT SERVICE

 

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Safe Path for Seniors. Our compassionate advisors specialize 
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Plus, we offer personalized tours to help you explore 
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SENIOR HAPPENINGS


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …JUNE BIRTHDAYS*

Joanne Thrane, Nellie Haynes, Dorothy McKay, Diane Hatfield, Georgette 
Dunlay, Elizabeth Shula, Donna Doss, Mary Carney, Carol Handley, Marilyn 
McKernan, Pat Fujiwara, Beth Smith-Kellock, Ann Disbrow, Joan Ellison, 
Anne Montgomery, Trini Ornelas, Martha Spriggs, Pat Starkey, Kathleen 
Coyne, Jacque Persing, Jeanne Peterson, Roxana Dominguez, Carolyn Lanyi, 
Claire McLean, Suzanne Decker and Grace Sanders.


EATING RIGHT: HOW SENIORS CAN STAY HEALTHY THROUGH 
NUTRITION

 


As people age, maintaining a healthy diet becomes more crucial than ever. For seniors, eating right 
isn’t just about managing weight—it’s about fueling the body with the nutrients it needs to support 
bone health, boost immunity, and manage chronic conditions.

 

“Nutrition plays a vital role in healthy aging,” says registered dietitian Maria Lopez. “Older adults have 
different dietary needs, and making simple changes can significantly improve their quality of life.”

 

One of the main challenges seniors face is a decreased appetite, which can lead to nutrient deficiencies. 
Incorporating nutrient-dense foods—such as leafy greens, whole grains, lean proteins, and dairy—can 
help provide essential vitamins and minerals even in smaller meals. Calcium and vitamin D, for example, 
are crucial for preventing bone loss and fractures.

 

Hydration is another key concern. As we age, the sense of thirst can diminish, making it easier to become 
dehydrated. Drinking water regularly, even when not thirsty, is important. Herbal teas, soups, 
and water-rich fruits like watermelon and oranges can help meet hydration goals.

 

Seniors are also encouraged to limit processed foods high in sodium and sugar, which can exacerbate 
health issues like hypertension and diabetes. Preparing meals at home and reading nutrition labels can 
help make better choices.

 

Community centers and local organizations are stepping up to support senior nutrition. Many now 
offer cooking classes, meal delivery services, and nutrition counseling tailored for older adults.

 

Eating right doesn’t mean giving up favorite foods, but rather finding balance and making informed 
choices. With the right approach, seniors can enjoy meals that are both delicious and nourishing, supporting 
a healthier, more active lifestyle well into their golden years.


DOES MEDICARE COVER ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMS?


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder


Dear Savvy Senior:

Does Medicare cover annual physical exams? 
I’ve gotten a physical every year since 
I turned 50 and would like to find out what 
Medicare covers when I sign up in a few 
months. Almost 65

Dear Almost:

No, Medicare does not pay for annual physical exams, but it does cover a one-time “Welcome to Medicare” 
checkup during your first year after enrolling in Part B. And after that, it covers annual wellness 
visits to keep track of your health. Here’s what you should know.

Physical vs Wellness Exam

In an annual physical, a doctor examines you, may do bloodwork and other tests and looks for problems 
even though you don’t have a specific complaint or risk.

The Welcome to Medicare checkup and annual wellness visits are different. They focus primarily on 
preventive care.

Your doctor will review your risk factors, develop a personalized health plan for you, check that you’re 
up to date with preventive tests such as cancer screenings and flu shots and may refer you for other tests. 
Here’s a breakdown of what these exams may include.

Welcome to Medicare Checkup

This is an introduction to Medicare and focuses on health promotion, disease prevention and detection 
to help you stay well. It’s an opportunity for your doctor to assess your health and provide a plan for 
care. During this visit your doctor will:

Take your height, weight, and blood pressure measurements, and calculate your body mass index 
(BMI).

Ask about your personal and family health history.

Give you referrals for other care as needed.

Assess your potential for depression.

Provide a simple vision test.

Recommend vaccines, tests, screenings and other preventive services you need to stay healthy. 

Offer to talk with you about creating advance directives.

Annual Wellness Visit

This visit includes some of the same elements as the Welcome to Medicare checkup. For example, your 
doctor will review your medical history, record your vital information and give you an opportunity to 
talk about advance directives. Your doctor may also provide the following services:

Create a screening checklist for recommended preventive services for the upcoming year.

Look at health risks and treatment options.

Perform a cognitive assessment to look for signs of dementia.

Provide personalized health advice.

Review your current prescriptions.

Study risk factors for opioid problems if you have a prescription for opioids, and screen for potential 
substance use disorders. 

Medicare Coverage 

The Welcome to Medicare and annual wellness visits are fully covered by Medicare Part B without any 
out-of-pocket costs. You don’t need the Welcome to Medicare visit to qualify for later annual wellness 
visits, but know that Medicare won’t pay for a wellness visit during the first 12 months you have Part B. 

During these visits, the provider may order additional tests or procedures that may be subject to Medicare’s 
deductibles, copayments or coinsurance. 

Make sure that when you book your appointment, you specifically ask for the Welcome to Medicare 
checkup or annual wellness visit to ensure Medicare covers it. Otherwise, you may have to pay for the 
visit.

If you’re enrolled in Medicare Advantage, you’ll probably need to use an in-network provider for the 
wellness visits to be covered. Some Medicare Advantage plans also cover annual physicals in addition to 
the wellness visit. Check your plan for details.

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

JUST ME AND MY COFFEE

It was one of those days that don't often come my way. I was out 
sitting on the porch with my 1st cup of coffee for the day.

Today was special. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, her 
daughter and granddaughter went to St. Augustine for spring 
break. They would be gone for about three days.

In the meantime, I was here but not alone; I did have my cup of coffee. What 
more could anyone ask for? What would the world be like without a nice, fresh, 
hot cup of coffee in the morning? I don't know, I've never had such a day.

I had no agenda for the day. I finished my latest book and sent it to the publisher. 
I was also caught up on my radio ministry and syndicated weekly newspaper 
column.

Everything was up to date, and I had nothing on my schedule. I don't know anybody 
who can do "nothing" as well as me. And I say that unanimously.

Unlike The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, who has no idea what doing 
nothing is. As long as I have known her, there has never been a day she has done 
nothing. She usually does something in her craft room when she has nothing to 
do. Even when she is sleeping, I think she dreams about doing something. Believe 
me, I have never asked. Some things are better not to know.

The one area where I outshine The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage is my talent 
for doing nothing. When I don't have a project, I grab a cup of coffee, go to 
the porch, and think about nothing. Staring into space has become my hobby.

While drinking my coffee that day, I noticed a large lizard climbing up the screen 
on our porch. I watched it for a little while, then it stopped, looked at me with a 
quizzical look which said, "Who are you?"

I just stared and suddenly stuck out my tongue, and the lizard disappeared faster 
than anything I'd ever seen. I now have another productive use for my tongue.

Sure, there were a lot of things I could be doing. I could sit in my office all day 
and work on future projects down the road. I could work in my library, getting 
caught up on reading. There were 1,001 things I could be doing instead of sitting 
on the porch doing nothing but drinking coffee.

I can't remember the last time I didn't have to do anything. But I wasn't going to 
spend any time trying to remember. I was going to spend all my time doing nothing. 
I will have nothing to show for doing nothing. And I like that.

When younger, I thought it was terrible not to be busy all the time, and I fulfilled 
that expectation to a great degree. I thought if you weren't doing something, you 
were being lazy. But looking back, I ask myself, “What's wrong with being lazy?"

I'm in my 70s, but I don't have to live like I was back in the 70s. Sitting on the 
porch in my rocking chair I felt so wonderful not doing anything. If I were The 
Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, I'd sit here thinking of things to do once my 
coffee cup was empty.

I must confess that she is excellent at doing anything and everything. She far 
outshines me in that department. But, on the other hand, I far outshine her in 
doing nothing.

After sitting there for a while, I began to think of what I could do for the rest of 
the day, and the list began to grow.

Suddenly, I said, "You're not going to do anything today. This is your to do nothing 
day."

I often don't listen to myself, but this was the best time to start. If I have nothing 
to do, then at the end of the day, I have done nothing; I have at least succeeded in 
my day's expectation. What kind of reward comes with that? (An Apple Fritter?)

One great thing about doing nothing is that you don't have to stress about doing 
nothing at the end of the day. I usually try to figure out what more I could've 
done that day. What a waste of time.

I took another sip of coffee, sat back, took a deep breath, and appreciated my 
state, which has no governor, so I don't have to respond to anybody. Oh, how I 
love doing nothing.

Giving my brain a day off is usually a good thing. At my age, I need to respect my 
brain's activity and slow it down as much as possible.

I was beginning to feel a little guilty. Is this OK with God? Is God OK with me 
doing nothing for a day?

While pondering this, I read a verse of Scripture. “There remaineth therefore a 
rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased 
from his own works, as God did from his” (Hebrews 4:9-10).

Sometimes, I think I need to work to impress God. In this regard, my activity is 
more important than stopping everything and simply resting in God's grace and 
mercy.

As I finished my coffee, I thought about what it would be like for me to simply 
enter into God’s rest.


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