per week since he
in 2010.
Story on page 2
SUPPLEMENT TO THE ALPENA NEWS • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2024
By DARBY HINKLEY News Lifestyles Editor
ALPENA — Staying active as a senior is a very important part of Jere Doyle’s life.
Doyle, 82, has ridden his bicycle at least 60 miles per week since he retired in 2010.
“When I first started, I eventually got to the point where I started setting goals, and I got up to 100 miles a week on the bike,” Doyle said. “A couple years ago, I started reducing it to about 60 miles a week, on average.”
He goes out at least three days per week, usually on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, during the spring, summer, and fall. In the winter, he sometimes bikes indoors or walks.
Doyle bikes at least 20 miles each time he goes out.
He has completed two trips of 100 miles at once, traveling to Oscoda and back.
“A couple of times, I’ve ridden 100 miles in a day,” he said.
He rode at the Velodrome in Detroit on his 80th birthday.
He explained why he became interested in bicycling.
“It appeals to me because, when I retired, I don’t golf, I wasn’t involved in anything else, and I felt that I needed to do something,” Doyle said. “I knew I needed to get my body back to some kind of semblance of being in shape, so that’s why I took it up.”
He often bikes with others from The ROMEO Club. ROMEO stands for Retired Old Men Eating Out. They get together and go for bike rides regularly.
“Right now, I’m riding an e-bike, but I used to just ride a road bike up until two years ago, when I
bought the e-bike,” Doyle said. “I bought that when I was 80. It was a birthday present to myself.”
Doyle rides around town, down to Ossineke, out to Hubbard Lake, and up around Long Lake.
“We go out to Presque Isle, occasionally,” he added. “We do the trail out behind the high school, out to Emerson (Station), which is 10 miles out and 10 miles back.”
He explained why it’s vital to exercise as you age.
“You’ve got to keep the body moving,” Doyle said. “I think it’s absolutely critical.”
He also said keeping the mind active is equally important, and that’s why he is an active member of the Association of Lifelong Learners.
“The mind and body, both,” he added. “I really feel it’s important … I think you’ve got to challenge yourself.”
Three seconds go by in a flash, but that’s enough time for another person to join the masses already diagnosed with dementia. According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, every three seconds someone in the world develops dementia, a condition that more than 55 million people were living with in 2020.
The World Health Organization notes that various diseases and injuries that affect the brain can contribute to dementia. As menacing a threat as dementia presents, individuals are not helpless against it. In fact, exercise, which can help lower risk for heart disease, stroke and various other conditions, can be a valuable ally against dementia as well.
What is the link between exercise
increase heart rate, which helps deliver oxygen cells to the brain. The National Institutes of Health notes that oxygen shortages prevent the brain from working as well as it should, and a 2023 study published in the journal Redox Biology found that oxygen abnormality plays a crucial role in the occurrence and progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
How should aging adults approach exercise if they have been largely sedentary?
Middle-aged and older adults who have not been physically active throughout their adult life but want to begin incorporating exercise into their
The modern drug store where you are greeted with a friendly
Dementia remains something of a mystery, but the Alzheimer’s Soci ety notes that evidence is now strong enough to support the assertion that lack of physical exercise increases a person’s risk of developing dementia. The Alzheimer’s Society also notes that researchers have discovered im provements in thinking and memory and reduced rates of dementia among middle-aged and older adults who ex ercised compared to those that did not.
“Hello” and “How can we help you?”
Is cardio the most effective exercise at lowering dementia risk?
Speaking with CNBC, Silky Singh Pahlajani, a clinical professor of behavioral neurology and neuropsychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine, noted that cardiovascular exercise, often referred to as cardio, can provide the biggest benefit for brain health of any form of exercise. Cardiovascular exercise can
can then gradually increase the inten sity of their workouts, switching from walking to jogging on a treadmill when possible.
There is no cure for dementia, but adults are not helpless against the various forms of the condition. Researchers have discovered that preventive measures like routine exercise can be an effective way to reduce dementia risk.
You don’t have to walk blocks to enter, you are only steps away from the front door or use Alpena’s first drive-through window.
•Accepting all major health plans
•Free delivery service
•Billing for diabetic supplies
•Large selection Spenco Foot Care Products
•Prescriptions dispensed by Personal and Friendly Pharmacists
We are your Home Town Independent Health Mart Pharmacy and we are accepting new patients!
If you need a new pharmacy to transfer your prescriptions towe are here and ready to help. Just bring in your prescription bottles or list of medications that you take with any insurance information.
We also provide
and have Alpena’s first drive-thru window.
Adults often lament a lack of time to incorporate exercise into their daily routines. Such difficulties are not exaggerated, as the demands of work and family, particularly for parents of young children with busy schedules of their own, can leave little time for daily workouts. Hectic schedules typically do not prevent older adults and seniors from exercising, but aging men and women may still confront some challenges as they aspire to be as physically active as possible.
Boredom with an exercise routine can adversely affect individuals’ motivation to be physically active. When that happens, even individuals with ample time to exercise, such as empty nesters ands seniors, may find it increasingly difficult to go to the gym or work out at home. In such situations, the more diverse a workout routine is, the less monotonous it can feel, and that lack of monotony can be enough to keep individuals up and moving. With that in mind, the following suggestions can help individuals diversify their workout routines so they remain engaged with physical activity.
• Make use of the seasons. Exercise boredom can develop at any time of year, but disinterest in a workout routine might be especially likely when diversifying a regimen becomes more difficult. For example, the colder temperatures of winter can force individuals to do most
if not all of their exercising indoors, which can grow monotonous over time. If exercising outdoors in winter is a nonstarter, then individuals can emphasize outdoor workouts throughout the rest of the year when the weather is more amenable. Incorporate hiking into your weekly routine in spring, summer and
fall, and replace typical cardiovascular workouts on a treadmill or elliptical with bike rides when the weather allows. Individuals also can invest in gear to keep them warm so they can get outside to exercise after the mercury drops.
• Skip the circuit workouts for more specialized regimens. Circuit workouts can be great for busy individuals without much time to exercise each week. Such workouts target various muscle groups in quick succession, which allows individuals to work out every muscle group even during weeks when time is limited. However, circuit workouts can be monotonous for people who have the time to exercise each day. In such situations, individuals can specialize their workouts so they target a different muscle group during each session. Doing so can diversify a workout to reduce boredom and may even decrease the risk of re-
petitive use injuries.
• Embrace new ways to exercise. A gym with all the familiar weights, machines and cardiovascular equipment might be the first thing people think of when pondering exercise. And while gym memberships can motivate people to exercise, traditional fitness facilities are not the only places to break a sweat and be physically active. If a diverse workout regimen is your goal, consider incorporating yoga, Pilates and other less traditional forms of exercise into your routine. Many fitness facilities even offer such classes, and local communities also may feature standalone yoga studios or other establishments offering specific exercises.
Diverse workout routines can help people overcome the boredom and lack of motivation that can develop when regimens feature little variety.
It is easy to take sight for granted when eyes are working as they should. When vision begins to diminish, people may seek the advice of an eye professional to determine if there is something they can do to prevent further deterioration.
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, advises the Cleveland Clinic. Unlike some other vision problems like cataracts that affect the lens or surface of the eye, glaucoma impacts the optic nerve directly. However, blindness from glaucoma often can be prevented with early treatment.
Glaucoma is brought on by abnormal pressure buildup in the eye. The American Academy of Ophthalmology® says the eye constantly makes a substance known as aqueous humor. When new aqueous humor flows into the eye, existing aqueous humor should drain out through an area called the drainage angle. But if the drainage angle is not working correctly, the fluid builds up and intraocular pressure in the eye increases. Over time, this pressure damages the optic nerve. The primary function of the optic nerve is to transmit visual information from the retina to the brain.
The most common type of glaucoma is known as open-angle glaucoma, which occurs when the drainage angle becomes blocked or there is resistance to the fluid draining out, says the Cleveland Clinic. This disease may go undetected for years because most people do not experience symptoms early on. The Mayo Clinic says gradual development of blind spots in peripheral vision and, in later stages, difficulty seeing things in central vision may occur.
In closed-angle glaucoma, also called angle-closure glaucoma, a person’s iris is very close to the drainage angle and the iris itself can end up blocking the drainage angle. When the drainage angle becomes completely blocked, pressure in the eye can rapidly increase. The AAO says this is known as an acute attack and is a true emergency that can result in blindness. Signs of an acute attack include:
• Suddenly blurry vision
• Severe eye pain
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Rainbow-colored rings or halos appearing around lights
Glaucoma risk factors
Glaucoma can affect anyone, but the risk increases with age (over 60) and is higher among Black and Hispanic populations. Asian and Inuit populations are more susceptible to closed-angle glaucoma, says the Cleveland Clinic. People with diabetes also have a much higher risk of getting glaucoma. In addition, individuals with a family history of glaucoma; people with high blood pressure; and people with previous eye injury or surgery are at risk for glaucoma.
The main treatment for glaucoma includes prescription eye drops that will decrease fluids and improve drainage in the eye. Laser therapy also may be recommended to help improve fluid drainage. Surgery also can achieve better eye pressure, but it is more invasive and additional methods may be tried first. Glaucoma is not something to take lightly. Routine eye exams that measure intraocular pressure can help determine if eyes are healthy.
Long-term care is an important component of financial and personal wellness planning. Planning for long-term-care can help aging individuals maintain their independence and quality of life into their golden years.
According to the National Institute on Aging, long-term care (LTC) involves a variety of services that accommodate a person’s health or personal care needs when they can no longer perform everyday tasks on their own. LTC can help people with chronic illnesses, disabilities or other conditions. LTC can be expensive, but planning for such needs can help families avoid financial
strain and stress, and also provide peace of mind.
One of the initial steps when planning for LTC is to identify the available options. LTC is multi-faceted and can come in a variety of forms. LTC can involve in-home care, with a care provider coming into an individual’s home to offer services like housekeeping and assistance with personal care. In addition, LTC can take place in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Adult daycare facilities also may be considered part of LTC.
It’s important that families recognize that traditional health insurance does not cover the costs associated with LTC. In addition, Medicare cannot be used for LTC in most cases in the United States. It is essential to earmark funds or find alternatives to cover these costs.
According to Medicare.gov, some insurance companies will enable people to use life insurance policies to pay for LTC. Long-term care insurance also merits consideration. This insurance may cover LTC facilities or even home care and medical equipment. Families can explore all their options and find a policy that aligns
with their needs and budgets. Additional financial tools to consider are a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), which allow for taxadvantaged savings specifically for health care expenses. Those with limited income can be eligible for Medicaid in the U.S., which can pay for nursing home care. However, it is important to research which homes accept Medicaid as a form of payment.
People can work with licensed professionals to solidify long-term care and financial plans. An estate attorney can help create a durable power of attorney and a living will to ensure that health care and financial decisions are managed according to a person’s wishes if he or she becomes unable to do so. An irrevocable trust also could be beneficial in managing assets and potentially shielding families from LTC costs. Families should discuss health care wishes and other financial plans as they pertain to long-term care. Early planning can help families navigate caring for aging individuals.
(StatePoint) Among older Americans, falls are the number one cause of injuries and death from injury, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Not only are seniors more at risk for falls, but when they do fall, they are at a greater risk for injuries, hospitalization and complications. Medical experts say that for people of all ages, a ground-up approach to fall prevention starts with healthy feet.
“Painful foot conditions, such as osteoarthritis, calluses, bunions, hammertoes and diabetes complications, can make it difficult to maintain balance and coordination when walking or standing,” says Bryn J. Laubacher, DPM, FACFAS, a boardcertified foot and ankle surgeon and Fellow Member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgery (ACFAS). “Compounding the issue is that when you are
suffering from a painful foot condition, it can be more difficult to engage in the strength and balance exercises that ultimately reduce fall risk.”
Experts say that eliminating foot pain can lessen one’s chances of experiencing a life-altering fall. That’s why the foot and ankle surgeons of ACFAS offer these steps for keeping feet and ankles strong and healthy:
Don’t ignore pain: Foot pain is not just a normal consequence of aging, so don’t ignore aching and suffering or resign yourself to it. You likely have a treatable condition. See a foot and ankle surgeon when you experience pain for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Examine your feet: Regularly inspect your feet. If you notice any bumps, lumps or other changes, make an appointment with your foot and ankle surgeon for evaluation.
Exercise: Simple stretching exercises can help you maintain strength and mobility in your feet and ankles, as well as provide pain relief. Talk to your physician about appropriate exercises for you.
Protect: Wear cushioned insoles or any special footwear you are prescribed, along with comfortable, well-fitting and supportive shoes, every day – even around the house.
Consider advanced options: Know that at times, surgery is the most appropriate treatment for a given condition. Fortunately, many surgical techniques today can be performed on an outpatient basis. There are also more options than ever before.
According to Dr. Laubacher, new medical technologies and ground-breaking surgical interventions, such as bioengi-
neered scaffolding for reconstructive surgery, minimally invasive techniques and stem cell regeneration, are helping patients restore functionality and get back to normal faster than ever before,
For more ways to keep feet and ankles healthy and prevent falls, and to find a foot and ankle surgeon near you, visit FootHealthFacts.org, the ACFAS patient education website. Foot and ankle surgeons are experts in providing both conservative care as well as surgical approaches to foot and ankle healthcare.
“Remember, just one fall can have a major impact on a person’s independence and quality of life. That’s why it’s so important to prevent falls by taking care of your feet and ankles,” says Dr. Laubacher.
For a better hearing experience, you need Integrated Xperience. Look for it in a full range of Signia hearing aid styles, models and price points.
With RealTime Conversation Enhancement, your hearing aids can now enhance and follow multiple conversation partners simultaneously, even as they move or you turn your head. Available in our discreet Pure Charge&GO IX models. ‘
To learn more, call us today and schedule your free, no-commitment demonstration! 989-3S4-4289
