Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, March 3, 2018

WHAT TO DO WITH CREMATED ASHES? 
Mountain Views-News Saturday, March 3, 2018 10 THE GOOD LIFE 
SENIOR HAPPENINGSTHE GOOD LIFE 
SENIOR HAPPENINGS
COULD YOU HAVE DIABETES? 


Dear Savvy Senior,
My brother and his wife, who are ages 60 and 56, 
were recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and 
prediabetes, and neither one had a clue. Could I 
have it too? 


Concerned Sibling 


Dear Concerned, 
According to the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention nearly 115 million Americans have 
diabetes or prediabetes today, but most of them 
don’t even know they have it. Here’s how to know 
if you’re at risk.

The problem with diabetes is that most 
people don’t start thinking about it until they’re 
diagnosed, and that’s too late. Diabetes is a disease 
that develops over decades. Most people have 
prediabetes for a long time before the disease 
becomes full-blown type 2 diabetes, and even then 
it progresses gradually. That leaves a big window 
in which to stop, slow or reverse the disease.

Diabetes occurs when the pancreas doesn’t 
produce enough insulin to remove sugar from the 
bloodstream. Excess blood sugar damages blood 
vessels and affects circulation, putting you at risk 
for a host of ailments, from heart attack and stroke 
to blindness, kidney failure and nerve damage. 

Are You At Risk? 

If you answer “yes” to any of the following 
questions, your odds of developing diabetes 
increases. 

- Are you over age 45?
- Are you overweight?
- Do you have high blood pressure – 140/90 or 
higher? 
- Do you have a parent or sibling with diabetes?
- Are you sedentary?
- Are you African American, Hispanic/Latino 
American, Native American, Asian American, 
Pacific Islander, or Alaska native? 
- Did you develop gestational diabetes during 
pregnancy? 
To help you determine your risk of developing 
diabetes, take the free online quiz at Diabetes.org/
risk-test.jsp. 


Get Tested 

If you find that you’re at risk for diabetes, thereare three different tests your doctor can give you todiagnosis it. The most common is the “fasting plasmaglucose test,” which requires an eight-hour fast beforeyou take it. There’s also the “oral glucose tolerancetest” to see how your body processes sugar, and the“hemoglobin A1C test” that measures your averageblood sugar over the past three months. It can betaken anytime regardless of when you ate.

Most private health insurance plans and Medicarecover diabetes tests, however, if you’re reluctant tovisit your doctor to get tested, an alternative is to goto the drug store, buy a blood glucose meter and testyourself at home.

Some top options, recommended by ConsumerReports, include FreeStyle Freedom Lite, BayerContour Next, True Metrix Blood Glucose Meter, 
OneTouch UltraMini, and the ReliOn (Wal-Mart)
Micro, which all cost under $25. 

If you find that you are prediabetic or diabetic, youneed to see your doctor to develop a plan to get itunder control. 

In many cases lifestyle changes like losing weight,
exercising, eating a healthy diet and cutting back oncarbohydrates may be all you need to do to get yourdiabetes under control. For others who need more 
help, many medications are available.

For more information on diabetes or to find help,
join a lifestyle change program recognized by theCDC (see CDC.gov/diabetes/prevention) that offersin-person and online programs in more than 1,400locations throughout the U.S. Over the course of ayear, a coach will help you eat healthy, increase yourphysical activity and develop new habits. 

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O.
Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.
org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today showand author of “The Savvy Senior” book. 


I’M ALL OVER “CRAZY WEEK!” 


I regret to say that I am guilty, for me!” I beamed. “And the next day?” I asked. 

again, of recycling an article “Hmm, I forget.” “Maybe Crazy Sweat Pants Day,” 

from last year. But I’ve updated I mused, thinking I could get used to this. Linda 

it slightly and it is still seasonal, furrowed her brows in concentration, “No, I don’t 

as this was “Read Across think so.” Oh well, can’t have everything...

America” week. So I hope you It turned out that Thursday was Twin Day. I 

enjoy it and that you eat green wore my “Preserve Sierra Madre” shirt and 
eggs and ham in honor of Dr. Seuss!pretended that there was someone else on campus 

I’m not a morning person, 

wearing the same thing (kids 
and I’m especially not a 

will believe anything). Friday 
morning person on Monday 

was College Attire, which 
mornings. This past Monday 

worked for me because I 
was no different. My outfits 

collect comfy shirts from 
for work are determined 

various colleges, even ones 
primarily by what’s the most 

I’ve never attended. Why, 
comfortable I can get away 

you ask, devote a whole 
with while still appearing 

week to wearing odd things? 
somewhat professional. My 

Because yesterday was Read 
make up consists of eye liner, 

Across America Day, a.k.a. 
which has the staying power 

the birthday of Theodor 
of industrial paint, so I apply 

Seuss Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss. 
it once at 6:30 and never 

 Now, I love Dr. Seuss as 
touch it again until I take it 

much as the next person. 
off around 10 pm. My hair is 

In fact, somewhere there’s a 
tamed, not styled. Overall, 

photo of me with my mom 
if my look can’t be achieved 

and grandma in the dead of 
in 15 minutes or less, it’s not 

summer in the 80’s, sweating 
happening. 

it out in line at Vroman’s in 
When I got to work on 

Pasadena waiting to have a 
Monday, one of the first 

book signed by the legend 
students I saw was a peppy 

himself. I even admire the 
sixth grader we’ll call Linda. 

lesser-known art of Dr. 
Linda often dresses somewhat 

Seuss, his paintings, and the 
loudly, but that day she was 

1953 film “The 5,00 Fingers 
actually wearing mismatched 

of Dr. T,” which rivals any 
socks. “Nice socks,” I told 

Vincente Minnelli piece in its 
her, not sarcastically. Heck, 

surreal beauty and dreamlike 
she’s more fashionable than 

quality. But I think we’ve 
I am and knows all the latest 

gotten a bit carried away in 
trends. “This is Crazy Sock 

our elevation of him to the 
Day.” she replied matter-of


same sacred literary status 
factly. 

as Shakespeare, Emerson, 
“What?” I asked, 

and F. Scott Fitzgerald. If I 
momentarily stirred from 

have to hear “Oh, The Places 
my morning mental fog. I 

You’ll Go” quoted during 
reached down to pull up 

another graduation speech 
my jeans above my ankles, 

I think I’ll puke. “Green 
exposing my well-worn 

Eggs and Ham” is creative 
Split Pea Anderson’s socks, 

and memorable, but it isn’t 
complete with Hap-Pea and 

divinely inspired. I wonder 
Pea-Wee splitting peas on 

what Theodore himself 
a table with a mallet. “Ha! 

would say if he knew the 
This is the first time I’ve ever 

depth of veneration paid 
been in sync with the school 

to his memory in primary 
theme!” I told her. Linda 

and secondary schools 
politely smiled, clearly not 

nationwide. I expect he’d 
as excited about this as I was. 

blush and tell them not to 
“And tomorrow’s Crazy Hat take things so seriously. 
Day,” she said. I thought about all the hats my That being said, it was kind of nice to have an excusemom has knitted me in recent years. While not to wear a special mom-made hat to school and to dress“crazy,” they are definitely unique. “I’m on it!” I comfortably this week. I can’t wait to see what theyexclaimed to Linda, “What’s after that.” “Crazy have in store for St. Patrick’s. I have my leprechaunHair Day,” she answered. “Hey, that’s everyday sweat pants and shamrock hoodie ready! 


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …February Birthdays* 

Beatrice DaRe, Cathrine Adde, Hilda Pittman, Anne-Marie Stockdale, Susan 
Henderson, Allie Attay, Ursula El-Tawansy, Gladys Moser, Sylvia Lorhan, Ana 
Ptanski, Winifred Swanson , Marian DeMars, Vickie Vernon, Mary Beth Knox, 
Sharon Lefler. 

* To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. 
YEAR of birth not required 
ACTIVITIES: Unless listed differently, all activities are at the Hart 
Park House (Senior Center) 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre 


Hawaiian & Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday morning from 10a.m. to 
11a.m. Join instructor Barbara Dempsey as she leads you in the art of Hula. 

Bingo Time: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00p.m. Cards are only $0.25 each! 
Everyone is welcome to join. Activity may be canceled if less than five people. 

Free Blood Pressure Testing: 2nd Tuesdays of the month from 11a.m. to 12p.m. No appt. is necessary. 

Brain Games - *New Activity*: Join us on Thursday November 16th, at 10:30a.m. to 11:30a.m for 

Scattergories. A creative thinking game by naming objects within a set of categories. Everyone is 
welcome, and no experience is needed. What a great way to strengthen your brain and make new friends.
Activities are facilitated by Senior Volunteers. 

Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, November 15th from 10:30a.m. to Noon. Attorney Lem Makupson isavailable for legal consultation. Specializing in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates, and Injury. Appointmentsare required by calling 626-355-7394. 

Senior Club: Meets every Saturday at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Brown Bag Lunch at 11:30a.m. 

Chair Yoga: Mondays & Wednesdays from 11:00a.m. to 11:45a.m. with Paul Hagen. Classes 

include yoga and balance exercises. All ability levels are encouraged and welcomed!* A voluntarydonation of $5.00 per week is suggested but not required. 

Birthday Celebrations: Every 2nd Thursday monthly at the Hart Park House, share some free birthday cakeprovided by the Sierra Madre Civic Club. 

Game Day: Every Thursday starting at 12:00p.m. Come join this group of Seniors in their poker game.
Other games are offered to all. 

Free Strength Training Class: Fridays from 12:45p.m. to 1:30p.m. with Lisa Brandley. This energetic classutilizes light weights, low impact resistance and training conditioning. Class 

equipment is provided. 


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com