Suzanne Killian

NIAGARA, Wis. — Most of us want to live as long as we can, so we hope for a lengthy lifespan.

Age is just a number — we live for a specific number of years — this is lifespan. How many of us think about remaining healthy as we age? The degree to which we have good health as we age is termed “healthspan.”

Healthspan includes an element of quality and speaks to being free from serious disease as we continue to tally up the years. Today’s column will discuss these two different, but related, views of aging.

First, let’s define a serious disease; it is an illness that will lead to your death. I thought it would be interesting to take a look at a variety of diseases to see how many people in the United States have died from them and how old these folks were when they were first diagnosed with the illness.

Sadly, heart disease remains the leading cause of death, killing 610,000 of us each year; the age of its first occurrence is 65. The next closest deadly disease is lung cancer. It shows up most often for the first time at age 60 and kills 158,060. The remaining eight of the top 10 causes of death are: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, by age 60 kills 147,101; stroke by age 65 kills 140,000; lower respiratory infections by age 75 kills 131,800; Alzheimer’s disease by age 65 kills 93,541; type 2 diabetes by age 54 kills 69,071; colorectal cancer by age 70 kills 50,260; breast cancer by age 62 kills 40,000; and prostate cancer by age 66 kills 25,000.

Why do we care about healthspan? Caring about extending the well period of one’s life should be something we naturally want to do — if one is past their healthspan, it means they are sick regularly with a condition that only gets worse as time passes. Therefore, most people would agree that staying within their healthspan is desirable. The average lifespan in the United States today is 79.3 years. The World Health Organization has developed an indicator for healthy life expectancy — dubbed HALE — and has formulated a way in which to measure it for the most common life shortening diseases listed in the above paragraph. Our average healthspan in the United States today has been calculated to be 63.1 years. This is a startling difference, because it shows that, on average, we live up to 20% of our lives unhealthy. Needless to say, that is a long time.

Once we measure it, then we can improve it. To improve upon these statistics, we need treatments. Treatments can be either molecular or non-molecular. First, non-molecular approaches do not involve drugs or medicines. For example, there are many lifestyle practices that could delay the onset of most, if not all, of the serious diseases. Maintaining a healthy balanced diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, is one method. The Mediterranean diet is a balanced, nutrient-rich diet designed to boost metabolism and accelerate your fat-burning power. It includes lots of fresh produce, lean proteins and seafood and uses only healthy fats. This type of diet is an effective way to lose weight; increase metabolism; accomplish better glucose control; improve sleep, mood and energy levels; and slow the aging process.

Additionally, following a regular, moderate exercise routine is also beneficial. And avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol are the surest ways to limit the onset of most diseases. All of these actions will improve our healthspan.

Second, various molecular approaches are also being investigated for their effectiveness in increasing healthspan. There is growing evidence that several dietary and cellular components can improve our body’s function. Fatty acids, energy producers such as glucose and oxygen, and antioxidants have been shown to influence the health of various tissues and their stem cells. Stem cells are important to the growth and repair of tissue. Experimental treatments such as dietary changes that reduce calories or use various fasting approaches have also shown promise as therapies that increase longevity.

Social, intellectual and physical activities also increase healthspan. Even though they may be more commonly associated with psychological effects, their strong physical effects should not be ignored. They should be used alongside medicines.

Finally, it is important to realize that healthspan is a socioeconomic issue, too. It will probably come as no surprise that there is a widening gap in life expectancy across our country depending upon the geographic region in which we live. While it is not feasible for us to pick up and move to a healthier region, it is at least good to be aware of it. Every year, a Scorecard on State Health System Performance uses the most-recent available data to determine how well the health care system is working for people in every state. The 2025 edition of this Scorecard includes 50 measures of health care access and affordability, prevention and treatment, avoidable hospital use and costs, health outcomes and healthy behaviors, and equity.

Top states included Massachusetts, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia. The lowest-ranked states overall were Mississippi, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and West Virginia. In many cases, the wide variations in health and health care we see come down to the policy choices that state leaders make. Michigan ranked 10th out of 50 — quite commendable.

To conclude this week’s column, I wanted to list, as a general reminder, the steps we can all take to improve our health and increase our healthspan —

— Practice low-impact exercises at least three times weekly;

— Eat a healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables and low in starch and sugars;

— Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night;

— Manage stress and stay socially connected;

— Engage in mentally stimulating activities;

— Address medical concerns promptly;

— See your primary care doctor at least once each year;

— Prevent falls and be aware of medication side effects; and

— In general, stay active and engaged.

I also want to share with you a helpful website that asks a number of questions so you can learn your metabolic age; this will help to give you some idea of your healthspan. Go to www.no.diet.com. They will try to sell you something at the end, but you can simply exit the site at this point. Also, a Google search of Mediterranean Diet will help you begin to make smarter food choices.

Time goes by quickly, and I am sure you have noticed that it flies even faster as we age. As this article so clearly pointed out, most of us while living longer are not living healthier. I hope this information helps those of you who need some motivation to live healthier. It certainly opened my eyes.

Source: Information for today’s column was taken from an article written by Tim Peterson, assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at Washington University in Seattle.

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NURSING HOMES / SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

Group activities are ongoing. We welcome anyone who would like to entertain our residents. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and other activities. On the third Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. we host a Memory Café – a fun hour to spend with others. For more information, contact Jaime Hathaway at jlhathaway@protonmail.com. The program runs on donations.

Sunday: Catholic Mass on CW-TV, 10 a.m.; Strong Tower Church, 2 p.m.

Monday: Chair fun, 10 a.m.; trivia, 10:30, a.m.; tic tac toe, 11 a.m.; card club, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Nails/room visits, 10 a.m.; live action on YouTube, 11 a.m.; memory care with Jamie, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Bible study, 10 a.m.; coffee talk, 10:30 a. m.; music with Andy, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; room crafts, 1:30 p.m.; bunny visits, 2 p.m.

Friday: Sing-along, 10 a.m.; trivia, 10:30 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Word search, 1 p.m.; family time, 2 p.m.; “Weakest Link” on PBS, 7 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 8:30 a.m.; hangman, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; matinee with popcorn, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Memory books, 9:30 a.m.; resident council, 10:30 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.; bonfire, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Mystery ride, 9:30 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; book club, 10 a.m.; Dana’s songs for seniors, 2 p.m.; classic movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social/garden club, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; getting pretty, 1:30 p.m.; men’s club, 2:30 p.m.; night bingo, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30; bowling, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1 p.m.; wildlife film, 1:30; happy hour with music, 2:30 p.m.

Friday: Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; garden club, 2 p.m.; comedy movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: “Price Is Right”/Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; geri gym, 11 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 a.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; classic movie, 6 p.m. 

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: Sunday devotional, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; movie or games, 1 p.m.

Monday: Room visits, 8 a.m.; coffee time, 9:30; blueberry month, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; music by Group Therapy, 2 p.m.; leisure cart, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Room visits, 8 a.m.; coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicles, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Yahtzee, 2 p.m. 

Wednesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicles, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 2 p.m.; movie, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicles, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; UP Health System craft, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Room visits, 8 a.m.; coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicles, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Manicures, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; craft or games, 1 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Families can attend activities and are encouraged to join in if they wish.

Sunday: Coffee and chit chat, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; resident council, 1 p.m.; bocce ball, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.; game night, 5:30 p.m.; Carmelite Monastery, 7 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; help your neighbor, 10:15 a.m.; courtyard cabana — hot dogs, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; Protestant service, 10 a.m.; yard Yahtzee, 10:15 a.m.; ice cream outing, 1 p.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.; history buff, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; cooking group — pasta, 10 a.m.; temporary tattoos, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Friday: Buzz words, 10 a.m.; happy hour with Jim on the piano, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Yahtzee, 10 a.m.; courtyard cabana — lemonade social, 2 p.m.

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

No information was available

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

906-774-5158

Sunday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Juice time, 10 a. m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; trivia and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Juice time, 10 a.m.

Pinecrest Medical

Care Facility

Powers

906-497-5244

Sunday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bunco, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a.m.; church services, 1:30 p.m.; root beer floats, 2:30 p.m.; coloring pages, daily chronicles.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; “You be the Judge,” 11 a.m.; bowling, 1:45 p.m.; Bible studies, 3 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; movie; 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; who-what-where / bingo, 2 p.m.; Uno, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; change the letter/shopping trip to Dollar General, 11 a.m.; Bob Larson, 1:45 p.m.; rummy, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bingo/trivia, 10:30 a.m.; Celtic music, 2 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Catholic Mass,10:30 a.m.; Can you picture this? 11 a.m.; paint and sip, 2 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; game night, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Saturday:  Morning visits and reality orientation; exercise group.10 a.m.; Bible studies,11 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; bingo 1:45 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 3 pm; daily chronicles; activity packet.

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SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week –

Tuesday: Taco stuffed potato, fiesta corn, tortilla chips and salsa, sour cream, rice pudding.

Wednesday: Oven-fried fish and chips, tartar sauce, green beans, biscuit.

Thursday: Celebrating all July birthdays — Deluxe hamburger, baked beans, potato salad, cake.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Now open for dine-in eating Monday through Thursday, serving at noon. Friday and night meals are on hold indefinitely. Carryout meals are available. Soup and salad bar are also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken tenders, sweet potato fries, baked beans.

Tuesday: Taco stuffed potato, fiesta corn, tortilla chips and salsa, sour cream, rice pudding.

Wednesday: Oven-fried fish and chips, tartar sauce, green beans, biscuit.

Thursday: Celebrating all July birthdays — Deluxe hamburger, baked beans, potato salad, cake.

Crystal Falls Center

Head Cook: Elizabeth Peryam

Assistant Cooks: Debbie Bigalke and Shannon Stapleton

906-875-6709

The center serves meals for dine-in or takeout – call the center by 1 p.m. to make reservations or to place an order. All food is purchased from local vendors. All dinners include warm vegetables, salad bar, soup, homemade desserts, coffee, tea or milk. Salad bar begins at 4:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 5 p.m. Pickup for takeout meals is 4 p.m. – call ahead and leave a message with phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week –

Monday: Spaghetti and garlic bread.

Tuesday: Cheese cod, parsley boiled potatoes, coleslaw.

Wednesday: Chicken salad sandwich, baked beans, oven-browned potatoes.

Home-delivered meals (prepared by DICSA – independent from above menu):

Monday: Chicken tenders, sweet potato fries, baked beans.

Tuesday: Taco stuffed potato, fiesta corn, tortilla chips and salsa, sour cream, rice pudding.

Wednesday: Oven-fried fish and chips, tartar sauce, green beans, biscuit.

Thursday: Deluxe hamburger, baked beans, potato salad.

Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency

DICSA

Iron Mountain

906-774-2256, ext. 230 or 235.

This is a Meals on Wheels program only. Home-delivered meals only – call to make arrangements. Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken tenders, sweet potato fries, baked beans.

Tuesday: Taco stuffed potato, fiesta corn, tortilla chips and salsa, sour cream, rice pudding.

Wednesday: Oven-fried fish and chips, tartar sauce, green beans, biscuit.

Thursday: Celebrating all July birthdays — Deluxe hamburger, baked beans, potato salad,

Friday: Turkey and cheese wrap, baked potato chips, string cheese, yogurt parfait,

Note: All meals include a choice of skim milk, juice or no beverage

For more information, call Christine McMahon at 906-774-2256

Crystal Lake Center

Iron Mountain

906-828-1776

Schedule for the week:

Monday: Les Artistes art club, noon to 3 p.m.; woodcarvers, starting at 9 a.m.

Tuesday: Cards — Pinochle and cribbage, noon to 4 p.m.; Happy Quilters, noon to 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Bingo, 1 to 3 p.m.; cards cost 25 cents with 10 games played. 

Thursday: Spinning Spools quilting, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; board games, 1 to 3 p.m.

Friday: Cards — Smear, noon to 4 p.m.; chess, noon.

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Monday: Chicken Caesar wrap, potato chips

Tuesday: Wild Alaska pollack, wings, french fries

Wednesday: Evening meal — Barbecue country-style ribs, potato wedges, ice cream truck simulation.

Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: Beer-battered fish, baked beans, sweet potato fries, fruit.

Tuesday: Pasties, cole slaw, fruit.

Wednesday: Chicken broccoli rice casserole, carrots, fruit, strawberry poke cake.

Thursday: Chicken salad on a croissant, broccoli salad, fruit.

Friday: Chili, corn bread, bananas, pudding.

Note: All meals served with whole grain bread, butter and milk.

Aurora-Hillcrest Dining Center

Serving Monday through Friday at 11:30 a.m. RSVP by calling 715-589-4491.

Florence Community Center

Serving Monday through Thursday at 11:30 a.m. RSVP by calling 715-528-4261.

Fence Town Hall

Serving at noon Wednesdays only. RSVP by calling 715-589-4491.

Tipler Town Hall

Serving at noon on second Thursday only. RSVP by calling 715-528-4261.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Barb Peters

906-498-7735

Center is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Meals are served through the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency in Escanaba. Meals on Wheels program available for those who are homebound.

Monday: Cheeseburger, whole wheat hamburger bun, cheesy hashbrowns, green beans, mixed fruit cup.

Tuesday: Smothered pork chop, au gratin potatoes, mixed vegetables, sliced apples, whole wheat bread.

Wednesday: Monterey chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, diced pears, whole wheat bread.

Thursday: Chicken salad spread, coleslaw, fruit salad, muffin, fresh fruit.

Friday: Pizza pasta casserole, Italian vegetables, corn, fruit cocktail, whole wheat breadstick.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Open for dine-in eating, serving at 11 a.m. Salad bar is available. No night meals for now. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week –

Monday: Chicken tenders, sweet potato fries, baked beans.

Tuesday: Taco stuffed potato, fiesta corn, tortilla chips and salsa, sour cream, rice pudding.

Wednesday: Oven-fried fish and chips, tartar sauce, green beans, biscuit.

Thursday: Celebrating all July birthdays — Deluxe hamburger, baked beans, potato salad, cake.

All meals are served with choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.

Niagara Senior Center/Café

715-251-1603

Dinner is served at noon Monday through Thursday. Reservations are required one day in advance. Suggested donation is $5 for those older than 60 and $11 for those age 60 or younger. Transportation is available.

Tuesday: Lasagna, spinach salad with tomatoes, garlic bread, apple crisp.

Wednesday: Chicken salad on a croissant, potato chips, vegetables and dip, fresh banana.

Thursday: Baked fish, roasted potatoes, baked beans, rye bread, spiced applesauce.

Norway Center

Director: Alicia Rochon

906-563-8716

Now open for dine-in eating beginning at 11:15 a.m. Salad bar available from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Takeout meals will remain available for pick-up from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Let staff know if planning to dine in or take out. Menu for the week –

Monday: Liver or burger and onions, mashed potatoes with gravy, vegetables, cookie.

Tuesday: Chicken patty on a bun, tater tots, mixed vegetables, pudding parfait.

Wednesday: Spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread, cauliflower.

Thursday: Lasagna, vegetables, breadstick.

Board meeting on Thursday

Center activity schedule —

Mondays and Thursdays: Exercise at 10 a.m. and card bingo after the meal.

Monday through Thursday: Card game 101 from noon to 3 p.m. Call Joe at 906-563-5587 for information.

Tuesdays: Quilting and sewing.

Wednesdays: Ceramics and crocheting.

Last Monday of each month: Book club at 9 a.m.

Second Thursday of each month: Birthdays and bingo.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Now open for dine-in eating. Salad bar opens at 11 a.m. and meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Smothered pork chop, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied carrots.

Wednesday: Oven-fried fish, french fries, tartar sauce, green beans, biscuit.

Thursday: Celebrating July birthdays — Baked chicken, rice pilaf, California blend vegetables, cake.

Home-delivered meals –

Monday: Chicken tenders, sweet potato fries, baked beans.

Tuesday: Taco stuffed potato, fiesta corn, tortilla chips and salsa, sour cream, rice pudding.

Wednesday: Oven-fried fish and chips, tartar sauce, green beans, biscuit.