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Page 14 Senior Times - May 2026We can create traditional arrangements, trendy arrangements or something special.84 West Goguac St., Battle Creekwildnbloomingbouquets.com %u2022 wildnbb@gmail.com269-963-5571STOP IN... we have many colorful arrangements to choose from.Remembering...Gifts, gift baskets, and keepsakes are always available.Estate Planning & Elder Law 269.963.8222130 East Columbia AvenueBattle Creek, MI 49015www.staceylottlaw.comStacey LottAttorney at Law Family Owned & OperatedThe Villa at Winston Court is a place seniors can receive the care and support needed to live fulfilling lives in a home-like environment.208 Winston Court Marshall MI 49068269-248-6226www.thevillaalc.com%u2022 Medication Management%u2022 24/7 Pharmacy Services%u2022 Personalized Care Plans%u2022 ADL & IADL Support%u2022 Meals Services%u2022 Housekeeping & Laundry Services%u2022 Daily Activities & Entertainment%u2022 All Inclusive PricingRegular doctor visits can help identify and manage these conditions before they lead to more serious problems.How to Lower Your Risk %u2013 Managing your health can lower stroke risk. Steps that help include:%u2022 Controlling blood pressure %u2022 Managing diabetes and cholesterol %u2022 Staying physically active %u2022 Avoiding tobacco products %u2022 Keeping up with regular medical care How to Recognize Symptoms %u2013 The symptoms of a stroke and a TIA are the same. A helpful way to remember the warning signs is to use B.E. F.A.S.T.B %u2013 Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordinationE %u2013 Eyes: Sudden vision changesF %u2013 Face: Face droopingA %u2013 Arms: Arm weaknessS %u2013 Speech: Speech difficultyT %u2013 Time: Call 911 immediately Call 911 right away if any of these symptoms occur, even if they go away. Learn more about stroke care at bronsonhealth.com/stroke.Bronson provides specialized stroke care across the region. Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo is certified by the Joint Commission as a Comprehensive Stroke Center. Bronson Battle Creek Hospital is certified by the Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center.STROKE SYMPTOMS NEED CARENot all stroke symptoms last. Some people experience sudden weakness, trouble speaking or changes in vision that appear and then go away. When symptoms fade quickly, it is easy to assume the problem has passed.These episodes are commonly called mini strokes. The medical term is transient ischemic attack (TIA), which occurs when blood flow to the brain is briefly reduced. While the effects may be temporary, the risk is not. A TIA is a warning sign that a more serious stroke could happen in the future.What happens during a TIA? During a TIA, blood flow to the brain is blocked for a short period of time. Because the blockage clears on its own, symptoms may disappear quickly.TIA symptoms are the same as stroke symptoms. They usually begin suddenly and may include:%u2022 Weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg %u2022 Trouble speaking or understanding words %u2022 Vision changes in one or both eyes %u2022 Dizziness or trouble walking %u2022 Severe headache with no clear cause Why Your Shouldn%u2019t Ignore a TIA %u2013 Even after symptoms go away, the risk of stroke remains. This is why a TIA is treated as a medical emergency. The goal of emergency care is to find the cause and prevent a future stroke.Many of the same health conditions that cause strokes can lead to a TIA. High blood pressure is the leading risk factor, along with diabetes, high cholesterol, and an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation.Celebrating the Active Senior By: Beth Letts, Community ActionToday%u2019s seniors are redefining what it means to grow older by remaining vibrant contributors to their communities. One of the most meaningful ways to celebrate the active senior is through volunteerism, which not only strengthens communities but also enriches the lives of those who give their time.Aging is not a retreat from life %u2013 it is an opportunity to engage more deeply with the world, to share wisdom, and to stay mentally, emotionally, and socially active. Community engagement stimulates the senses in powerful ways. From the sound of children learning to read aloud, to the visual joy of seeing a student grasp a new concept, volunteering keeps seniors mentally sharp and emotionally fulfilled. It fosters connection, purpose, and a renewed sense of belonging %u2013 key ingredients for healthy aging.Community Action's Senior Volunteer Opportunity is for seniors, aged 55 and older, to help build critical skills and appropriate development of our community's youth. By sharing time and experience, senior volunteers can help children learn how to read, prepare younger students for school readiness, tackle tough subjects, and make decisions that keep them on the right path. It also allows them to connect with children and help by providing emotional support, boosting self-esteem, and providing extra eyes in the classroom.Through these interactions, seniors engage multiple senses at once %u2013 listening, speaking, observing, and responding %u2013 keeping their minds active and their spirits high. The relationships formed between seniors and students are mutually beneficial. Children gain guidance and encouragement, while seniors experience the joy of mentorship and the satisfaction of making a lasting difference.Beyond the emotional and social rewards, there are also practical benefits that support seniors%u2019 well-being. Community Action%u2019s Senior Volunteer Program benefits include: tax exempt hourly stipend, travel provisions or reimbursement, one nutritious meal per day, annual health appraisal, excess accident insurance coverage, and ongoing training and professional development.These benefits ensure that seniors are not only contributing but are also cared for, supported, and continually growing. The inclusion of professional development opportunities highlights that learning and personal growth does not stop at any age %u2013 they simply evolve.Celebrating the active senior means recognizing their invaluable role in shaping future generations. It means creating opportunities for them to stay engaged, appreciated, and empowered. Programs like Community Action%u2019s Senior Volunteer Program exemplify how communities can harness the experience and compassion of older adults while enhancing their quality of life.For more information about Community Action%u2019s Senior Volunteer Program, please visit Community Action's website at www.caascm.org or call (269) 965-7768.Julie Harning, PA-C, NeurologyBATTLE CREEK Bronson