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Senior Times - May 2026 Page 7Kellogg Arena 1 McCamly Square, Downtown Battle Creek2026 Calhoun CountySenior Expo2026 Calhoun CountySenior ExpoMay 21, 9:00am - 1:00pmA Free event featuring local businesses and services of special interest to older adults, age 60 and over, their families and caregivers.* Free Rides within Calhoun County provided by Community Action Call 1-800-994-9876 to reserve a ride.* Free parking in parking garage* Free coffee & donuts* Free lunch (starts at 11:30)* Health Checks* Demonstrations* Interactive displays* Wheelchairs available* Give-a-ways & raffleFor details call 269-781-0846Generously sponsored by:Scott E. Counts, PhDand Graham Atkin, PhDPresenters from Michigan State University:Scott E. Counts, PhD.Associate Professor, Department Translational Neuroscience, Department Family Medicine, College of Human MedicineGraham Atkin, PhD.Associate Professor, Departments of Radiology, Neurology & Ophthalmology, and Medical EducationLearn About:Calhoun County partnership with Michigan State University in research and education.What%u2019s new in the diagnosis and treatment of dementia.Community Resources for people on the dementia journey.Kool Family Community Center %u2022 200 W. Michigan, Battle CreekThis event is FREE with light refreshments. Seating is limited.Register by leaving a message at (269) 979-1412THIS PROGRAM BROUGHT TO YOU BY:UpdateResearchDementiaTuesdayMay125:30pmIf health equals independence then health should be a motivator to stay independent. Connection to family, friends, and community matters but so do the digits that we measure health by. Some digits we can control, some we cannot. Some digits we celebrate and are grateful for achieving. Other digits make us grimace and know that a lot of work will follow to change the numbers before our next visit. Some digits measure the time spent with family and friends and doing what we enjoy most. What kind of numbers do you measure your day by?As our age number grows (life span) we become more and more aware of our physical health (health span), well at least I have. I want to be sure that I can enjoy as much family time as I can%u2026 my husband, adult children, and grand children. I want to enjoy the gardens that surround my home, the beauty of a walk in the woods, or a bike ride to new areas. I want to be able to travel to new places without physical challenges. It takes work to keep our digits in check but it is worth it!I started a journey last May to evaluate my health and make changes where necessary. Changes in foods that caused a negative reaction had to go and right along with it went a few extra pounds. Nutrition matters that much.While many of us only want to measure the number on the scale, there are many numbers that we also need to keep in check to reduce our risk for metabolic syndrome. Also called insulin resistance, this group of conditions when experienced together, raise your risk of serious health problems including coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and dementia. You may have metabolic syndrome if you have three or more of the following conditions:Apple shaped waistline: It seems to creep up for aging adults, especially after menopause for women. A healthy range is typically %u2264 40 inches for men or %u2264 35 inches for women. Extra fat in the stomach area is a bigger risk factor for heart disease than extra fat in other parts of your body. High blood sugar levels: Blood glucose reflects the sugar present in your blood, primarily from the food you consume. A healthy range is typically between 70 and 100 mg/dL when fasting. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and raise your risk of blood clots and heart disease.High blood triglycerides: Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood. Ideal levels are less than 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). High levels of triglycerides can raise your levels of LDL cholesterol, sometimes called bad cholesterol, which raises your risk of heart disease. Yes, food is a culprit. Hypertension or high blood pressure: If your blood pressure rises and stays high for a long time, it can damage your heart and blood vessels. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg is normal in an adult.Low HDL cholesterol, sometimes called good cholesterol: Blood cholesterol levels are important for heart health. %u201cGood%u201d HDL cholesterol can help remove %u201cbad%u201d LDL cholesterol from your blood vessels. Desirable HDL is 60 mg/dL or above. Optimal LDL is less than 100-129 mg/dL.One key factor that you have control over includes food choices. They matter. Eliminating foods that impact you negatively is a great first step. No two are alike; it varies from person to person. The best way to find out is with a visit to your health care provider. They will start with a variety of tests including a blood test, possibly hair, urine, or even saliva. Your Medicare annual wellness visit is a great place to start this conversation and to discuss matching life span with health span. Dan Buettner, author of Blue Zones, cites nine variables most correlated with living a long, healthy life: %u2022 Move naturally %u2022 Have a purpose %u2022 Downshift %u2022 Eat by the 80% rule (Stomach 80% full) %u2022 Eat plants %u2022 Alcohol in moderation %u2022 Belong to a faith community %u2022 Prioritize loved ones %u2022 Find a health tribe with good habitsDigits can be consuming. We are all seasoned enough now to know that it takes work to keep our digits in check. One day at a time is one more day to work toward the numbers you want to become a healthier you. Connecting with a friend for support will make it all the easier. You can do it! NUMBERS FOR HEALTHY LIVINGBy: Sherii Sherban, Publisher