Did you know that 21 million older Americans have diabetes or pre-diabetes — and 60 percent of people with diabetes also have hypertension? If left untreated, these conditions can increase the risk of heart attack; stroke; angina; coronary artery disease; and kidney, eye, and nerve disease.

Risk factors include age; being overweight and/or physically inactive; smoking; having high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and/or consistently high blood pressure readings; and having a family history of diabetes or heart disease.

Medicare covers a number of screenings and supplies that can help you stay healthy. For example, Medicare Part B preventive benefits include diabetes screenings, eye exams and glaucoma tests, and foot exams.

Medicare Part B also covers diabetes self-management training and supplies, medical nutrition therapy services, and smoking cessation programs. Medicare Part D plans typically cover insulin, oral therapies for diabetes, and hypertension medications.

If you’re diagnosed with pre-diabetes, diabetes, or hypertension, you also can take the following steps to manage the condition:

•Become active for 30 minutes a day.

•Eat a healthy diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables and exercise portion control.

•Take medication, if prescribed.

•Monitor your glucose levels.

•Quit smoking.

 

Upcoming Events

Monday: Blood pressure, 9 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Movie: “New Years Eve,” 6 p.m.

Tuesday: SilverSneakers, 8:30 a.m.; Hormel Breakfast (biscuits and sausage gravy), 9 a.m.;

Exercise with Evie, 9 a.m.;

cards (Pinochle, Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Zumba Gold, 4:05 p.m.; SilverSneakers, 4:30 p.m.; Zumba 5:35 and 7 p.m.

Wednesday: Tai Chi, 9:30 a.m.; Ron’s Massage, 10:30 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Stitching Bees, 1 p.m.; Open chess, 1 p.m.

Thursday: Silver Sneakers, 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evie, 9 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Bingo and open chess, 1 p.m.; Hearing aid checks and cleaning, 3:15 p.m.; Zumba Gold, 4:05 p.m.; SilverSneakers, 4:30 p.m.; Zumba 5:35 and 7 p.m.

Friday: Tai Chi, 9:30 a.m.;

cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge, Cribbage), 12:30 p.m.

 

Weekly Card Results

Tuesday “500”

Dec. 28, three tables

1st Beulah Luthe, 2nd Dorothy Stern, 3rd Eddie Hall, 4th Lois Anderson

Weekly Cribbage

Dec. 26, one and half tables

1st Lottie Seira, 2nd Bernice Schuler, 3rd Bard Dickman

Pinochle

Jaynard Johnson

Friday Bridge

Dec. 28, three tables

1st Jim Fisher, 2nd Arnie Lang, 3rd Mary Johnsen, 4th Mabel Vaale, 5th Carlyne Higgins

 

Semcac Daily Meals

Monday: Swiss steak

Tuesday: Vegetable soup

Wednesday: Chicken ala King

Thursday: Roast beef