Medicare is a health payer program of the United States Federal Government that provides payment coverage support for health and medical care.

It was first enacted in 1965 to help those who could not afford health or medical care in their retirement years, or who were totally disabled from certain diseases like end-stage renal disease. Today, millions of American citizens who are age 65 and older, and millions of younger people who suffer from those specific diseases receive Medicare assistance.

When an American citizen turns 65, then he or she becomes eligible for Medicare coverage to help pay for health or medical care as it becomes necessary.

Coverage falls into four different areas, called “Parts.”

Medicare Parts A, B, C and D — What do they mean?

If this makes you curious, you are a good candidate for our Medicare 101 class. This class is at the Senior Center at 6 p.m. Wednesday, the first part, and Sept. 25 is the second part. You will have a chance to ask and get answers to your questions. To sign up for this, stop by the front desk or call 433-2370 ext 0. See you there

New to the Senior Center is table tennis. Worldwide, millions of people play table tennis, and with good reason. It is entertaining, fun, fast and has great health benefits as well. Because of the low risk of injury table tennis can be enjoyed by people of all ages and fitness levels. When played regularly it improves reflexes, hand-eye coordination and balance, while toning and strengthening the core muscles, upper and lower body. It’s great for working up a sweat and increasing your heart rate, thus helping to keep your heart strong and healthy. Not only is it a good cardiovascular exercise, it is also a great aerobic workout. When running about the table your heart rate increases and your body’s requirement for oxygen becomes much higher; therefore, you breath heavier, faster and deeper, which increases lung capacity in addition to how efficiently your lungs use oxygen.

Numerous studies have found that table tennis activates various areas of the brain simultaneously. By playing a game of table tennis, under any conditions, an overall state of awareness is stimulated — requiring both thought and physical alertness at the same time. Incredibly, the game is now being recommended as a method of warding off Alzheimer’s and for assisting in the treatment of dementia.

Come down and check out the new table. We will be setting up days and times for you to meet your friends and play this fun game. You are always welcome at the Senior Center.

Upcoming Events

Monday: Blood pressure checks, 9 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Exercise with Evie,1 p.m.

Tuesday: Silver Sneakers 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evie, 9 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge, 500), 12:30 p.m.; Silver Sneakers 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Wood Carvers, 8:30 a.m.; Tai Chi 9:30 a.m.; Macular Degeneration, 10 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Cribbage), 12:30 p.m.; Stitching Bees, 1 p.m.; Open chess, 1 p.m.; Medicare 101, 6 p.m.; Boot Camp, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday: Silver Sneakers 8:30 a.m.; Exercise with Evie, 9 a.m.; cards (Pinochle, Duplicate Bridge), 12:30 p.m.; Open chess, 1 p.m.; Hearing Tests, 3:15 p.m.; Zumba Gold, 4 p.m.; Silver Sneakers, 4:30 p.m.; Zumba/Zumba Toning, 5:15/6:35 p.m.; Yoga, 7:40 p.m.

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

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

Weekly Card Results

Monday Bridge

No Results

Tuesday Duplicate Bridge

Sept. 3, six tables

1st Betty Jorgenson, 1st Harriet Oldenberg; 2nd Dick Hansen, 2nd Larry Crowe; 3rd Teresa Baldus, 3rd Marge Blaser; 4th Vandy Newman, 4th Joyce Crowe; 5th Dave Ring, 5th Loren Cleland; 6th Jim Fisher, 6th Bud Higgins

Tuesday “500”

Sept. 3, four tables

1st Paula Davies, 2nd Lois Anderson, 3rd Dennis Bray, 4th Dorothy Stern

Pinochle

No Results

Friday Bridge

Sept. 6, four tables playing

1st Ella Rouhoff, 2nd Arnie Lang, 3rd John Karnes, 4th Joanne Maxfield, 5th Lois Johnson, 5th Loretta Nelson

Weekly Cribbage

Sept. 4 3 and 3/4 tables playing

1st Hilton Henschen, 2nd Mable Vaale, 3rd Loretta Seira, 4th Dorothy Peterson

Weekly “500”

Sept. 6, four tables

1st Jerry Downing, 2nd Jessie Swain, 3rd Sally Michels, 4th Wilbur Mittag