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.; Exercise with Evie, 1 p.m.; movie, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Silver Sneakers 8:30 a.m.; Exercise w/Evie, 9 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Zumba, 4:05 p.m.; SilverSneakers, 4:30 p.m.; Zumba 5:35/7 p.m.

Wednesday: Tai Chi, 9:30 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Stitching Bees, 1 p.m.; Open chess, card Bingo, 1 p.m.;

Card-making class, 2 p.m.; Zumba Boot Camp

7:30 p.m.

Thursday: Silver Sneakers, 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evie, 9 a.m.; Caregivers Support, 10:30 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Bingo, open chess, 1 p.m.;

Hearing Aid Cleaning, 3:15 p.m.; Zumba, 4:05 p.m.; Silver Sneakers, 4:30 p.m.; Zumba, 5:35/7 p.m.

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

cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge, Cribbage, 500), 12:30 p.m.

Weekly Card Results

Monday Bridge

March 4, three tables

1st Betty Jorgenson, 2nd John Karnes, 3rd Jim Fisher, 4th Loretta Nelson, 5th Mabel Vaale

Tuesday “500”

March 8, four tables

1st Betty Fisher, 2nd Dorothy Stern, 3rd Marion Zimmerman, 4th Beulah Luthe

Pinochle

Jaynard Johnson

Friday Bridge

March 8, three tables

1st Jaynard Johnson, 2nd Russ Vaale, 3rd Mary Johnsen, 4th Judy Bungum, 5th Mabel Vaale

Weekly Cribbage

March 6, three tables

1st Barb Dickman, 2nd Dale Peters, 3rd Dorothy Peterson, 4th Mercedes Nordstrom

Semcac Daily Meals

Monday: Turkey tettrazinni

Tuesday: Pork steak

Wednesday: Roast beef

Thursday: Chicken breast/ sauce

Friday: Salmon loaf