BY KIRSEN NICHOLS

IRON MOUNTAIN — More than half of seniors have high blood pressure. Blood pressure is measured in units of mercury and expressed as a fraction.

The top number (systolic) is an indicator of the force with which blood pumped from the heart hits the walls of your arteries. The bottom number (diastolic) reflects the pressure that remains in the circulatory system after the force of the ejected blood has been spent.

The difference between the two numbers is important and usually ranges between 30 and 60 in normal individuals. When the difference is larger, for example, a person might experience episodes of low blood pressure upon standing.

For seniors, if the diastolic blood pressure falls, it shows a decreased resistance in the largest artery, the aorta, because it is becoming stiff and no longer flexible. Higher systolic blood pressure may worsen aortic stiffness, if left untreated.

When checking your blood pressure, it is important that the blood pressure cuff be appropriately sized. Smaller cuffs on bigger arms may give higher readings that are inaccurate.

Before taking your blood pressure, avoid, exercise, caffeine, food, and smoking one hour prior.

Drinking coffee will elevate blood pressure up to 10/7 mm Hg for one to two hours. Smoking two cigarettes will elevate blood pressure by 10/8 mm Hg for 15 minutes. For an accurate blood pressure reading, sit in a warm room with your arm at heart-level for at least five minutes. If you let your arm dangle, it will elevate your systolic blood pressure by 10 mm Hg because of a hydrostatic pressure caused by gravity.

In some older patients, compression of the brachial artery, that is located in the arm, from arterial thickening caused by calcification, will cause an overestimation of the diastolic and systolic blood pressures by 10 mm Hg or more.

Risk factors for high blood pressure include:

1. Family history;

2. Excess alcohol intake;

3. Hypertension is more common and severe in African Americans;

4. Obesity, the risk of hypertension for moderately obese men is two times higher than their peers;

5. Salt intake. Reduction of salt intake combined with diet can lead to a drop of blood pressure in those with high and normal blood pressures.

There are some complications of Hypertension (high blood pressure) as well. Atherosclerosis is a major complication of hypertension. Those with high systolic and diastolic blood pressure are at risk for developing Coronary artery disease. As we age, blood pressure is directly and strongly related to death from heart and related blood vessel causes.

Hypertension is also the most common risk factor for congestive heart failure. The risk of CHF, in those with hypertension, is twice as high in men and three times as high in women. Hypertensive CHF has a poor outcome — only 24 percent of men and 31 percent of women survived after five years. An enlargement of the left side of the heart predicted a high risk for myocardial infarction, irregular heart rhythm, and death.

Stroke is also a complications hat leads to disability and high mortality. Active treatment of hypertension can reduce the total rate of stroke by 42 percent. Hypertension is the most important risk factor for the development of intracerebral hemorrhage.

Treatment of hypertension in the elderly reduced cardiovascular mortality by 18 percent, stroke by 30 percent, total mortality by 13 percent, all cardiovascular complications by 26 percent, and coronary events by 23 percent.

Lifestyle modification should be tried first and is effective in lowering the blood pressure in seniors. Sodium should be restricted to 2.3 grams or 6 grams of table salt per day.

Although dietary restriction is an effective method of treating high blood pressure, appetite declines with age and salt restriction can lead to tasteless food.

Moderate alcohol consumption of one or two drinks per day may reduce cardiovascular risk, although greater than two drinks per day leads to hypertension and the effect is dose related.

If your doctor doesn’t already do it, ask to have your blood pressure checked when you have doctor appointments. Make a plan with your doctor to reduce high blood pressure and always make sure to check with your doctor before making any dramatic lifestyle changes.

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NURSING HOMES

Freeman

Kingsford

Sunday: Lunch/music, noon; Uno, 1 p.m.; coffee social, 2 p.m.; church, 2:15 p..m.

Monday: Pretty nails, 10 a.m.; library cart, 11 a.m.; lunch/music, 11:45 a.m.; May pole, 1 p.m.; ice cream, 3 p.m.; bingo, 6:45 p.m.

Tuesday: Crafts and gardening, 10 a.m.; reminiscing, 11 a.m.; lunch/music, 11:45 a.m.; popcorn and puzzles, 1 p.m.; Kentucky Derby, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; rosary, 11 a.m.; lunch/music, 11:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; movie, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Book Club, 10 a.m.; bible study, 11 a.m.; lunch/music, 11:45 a.m.; Connect Four, 1 p.m.; Pokereno, 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee social, 10:30 a.m.; Mass, 11 a.m.; lunch/music, 11:45 a.m.; cards, 1 p.m.; sing-along, 2:30 p.m.; happy hour, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Kentucky Derby, 11 a.m.; lunch/music, 11:45 a.m.; newspaper, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

ManorCare

Kingsford

Wet Your Whistle, 9:30 a.m. (daily).

Movie, 10:45 a.m. (daily) and 3:15 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Gathering place, 11:40 a.m. (daily), and 4:30 p.m. (Monday through Friday).

Protestant Church service, Sunday, 3 p.m.

Exercises, 10 a.m. (daily).

Sunday: Just jokes, 10:15 a.m.

Monday: Did you know?, 10:15 a.m.; Bob Larson entertains, 2 p.m.; Po-ke-no, 5:45 p.m.

Tuesday: Wheel of Fortune, 2 p.m.; movie and a manicure, 5:45 p.m.

Wednesday: Table talk, 10:15 a.m.; strawberry shortcake social, 2 p.m.; Flip Five, 5:45 p.m.

Thursday: Crosswords, 10:15 a.m.; good neighbor bingo, 2 p.m.

Friday: Popcorn day; All About May, 10:15 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Current events, 10:15 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Maryhill Manor

Niagara, Wis.

Sunday: Community service, 9 a.m.; Penny Ante, 10:15 a.m.; Parachute, 1:30 p.m.; bingo, 1:30 p.m.; Protestant service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary, 8:30 a.m.; derby day, 10:15 a.m.; exercise, 1:30 p.m.; Scattegories, 2 p.m.; Baptist service, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary, 8:30 a.m.; bingo, 10:15 a.m.; Parachute, 1:30 p.m.; current events, 2 p.m.; puppet show, 6:15 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary, 8:30 a.m.; bowling, 10:15 a.m.; exercise, 1:30 p.m.; Joker-eno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.; movie and popcorn, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary, 8:30 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9 a.m.; Scattegories, 10:15 a.m.; Parachute, 1:30 p.m.; Deal or No Deal, 2 p.m.; Pictionary, 6:15 p.m.

Friday: Rosary, 8:30 a.m.; Mass and adoration, 10 a.m.; Trivia and coffee, 10:15 a.m.; exercise, 1:30 p.m.; happy hour with Denise S., 2 p.m.

Saturday: Baking, 10:15 a.m.; Parachute, 1:30 p.m.; pamper and polish and coffee social, 2 p.m.

Monthly support group for grief and loss, second Monday of the month at 2 p.m.

Weekend pet visits.

Victorian Heights

Crystal Falls

Sunday: Sweet treat Sunday, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.; Social hour, 2:30 p.m.; Church of Christ service, 3 p.m.; Lawrence Welk show on PBS, 4 p.m.

Monday: Smear card game, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11:15 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Catholic Mass service, 10 a.m.; Left, Right, Center game, 10:30 a.m.; tenant council meeting, 1:15 p.m.; Scrabble, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Card and stamp store, 10:45 a.m.; exercise, 11:15 a.m.; Jubilee shopping trip, 2 p.m.; night bingo at Medicare, 6 p.m.

Thursday: Therapeutic adult coloring, 10:30 a.m.; cribbage, 1:30 p.m.; St. Mark Church service, 2 p.m.

Friday: Exercise, 11:15 a.m.; happy hour, 4 p.m.

Saturday: Intergenerational social hour, 2 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

Exercise, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m.

Juice pass, daily, 10 a.m.

Shopping days: Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m.

Sunday: Bible study, 1:30 p.m.; Refreshments, 3 p.m.

Monday: Smile a while, 2 p.m.; Refreshments, 3 p.m.

Tuesday: Bingo, 2 p.m.; Refreshments, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Golden Throats, 2 p.m.; Refreshments, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Bingo, 2 p.m.; Rosary, 3 p.m.

Friday: Resident’s birthday party, 2 p.m.; Refreshments, 3 p.m.

Saturday: Movie and popcorn, 2 p.m.

Florence Health Services

Florence, Wis.

Sunday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; bowling dice, 2 p.m.; social hour, 3 p.m.

Monday: Bible study with Dorothy and Wayne, 10 a.m.; bingo with Bette, 2 p.m.; room visits, 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Flippo, 10 a.m.; travel party to Japan with Valri, 2 p.m.; trivia 3:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Jeopardy, 10 a.m.; music by Tom Palmer, 2 p.m.; ice cream social, 3:30 p.m.

Thursday: Pastor Jason church service, 10 a.m.; Farkle dice, 2 p.m.; Room visits, 3:30 p.m.

Friday: Catholic communion service and rosary, 10 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.; social hour, 3:30 p.m.; movie night, 7 p.m.

Saturday: Bingo, 10 a.m.; mingle and munch, 2 p.m.; trivia, 3 p.m.

Pinecrest

Powers

Sunday: Grace church, 10 a.m.; Pictionary, 10 a.m.; sensory, 2 p.m.; manicures, 2 p.m.

Monday: Life connections, 9:45 a.m.; sensory, 10:15 a.m.; busy bee, 12:30 p.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; cards, 3:30 p.m.; hand massage, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Bus ride, 10 a.m.; busy bee, 12:30 p.m.; social circle, 2 p.m.; Dominoes, 3:45 p.m.; 1 to 1 visits, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Movie, 10 a.m.; busy bee, 12:30 p.m.; beauty shop, 2 p.m.; aromatherapy, 3:30 p.m.

Thursday: Bus ride, 10 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; word puzzles, 3:30 p.m; Rummy, 6 p.m.

Friday: Mass, 10 a.m.; Pictionary, 11 a.m.; busy bee, 12:30 p.m.; Cinco de Mayo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Current events, 10 a.m.; beach ball toss, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; trivia, 2 p.m.

SENIOR CENTERS

Note: All centers ask for 24 hour advanced reservations for lunch. If you have meals delivered and will not be home, notify the center.

Alpha-Mastodon Center

906-875-3315

Meal every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at noon.

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Lunch at noon.

Bingo on Tuesdays.

Free meal drawing on Thursdays.

Breen Center

906-774-5110

Meals: Monday through Friday.

Cards and games available 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 2 p.m.

Hostess on duty Monday through Friday.

Treats and coffee, 8:30 a.m. through 11:30 a.m.

Center retail store is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; volunteers and donations are welcome.

Birthdays acknowledge everyday.

Evening meals are held first and third Thursday of the month. Salad bar opens at 4 p.m. with dinner served at 5 p.m. Donations are $4 for those 60 and older and $5 for 60 and younger. Seating is limited.

Blood pressure and blood sugar testing, every fourth Wednesday.

Crystal Falls Center

Head Cook, Tracy West

906-875-6709

Meals will be served on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 5 p.m. (a salad bar will be open at 4:30 p.m.). The dinner donation is $5 for those age 60 and over and $6 for those under age 60. There is a take-out container charge of $1. All persons are invited.

Cribbage will be played on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. and be concluded in time for the dinner. Center is closed Thursday through Sunday. A site council meeting is held on the third Wednesday at 3 p.m. Blood pressure taken by request anytime the center is open.

Crystal Lake Center

906-774-5888

The center is closed on the weekends.

The casino bus will no longer be running this season. It is expected to start running again in the spring or summer.

Monday: Woodcarvers, 10 a.m.; Majong in dining hall, noon; Les Artistes Art Club, noon; Bridge Club, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday: Pinochle, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: Billiards, 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday: Spinning Spools Quilters Guild, noon; Crafters, scrap bookers, etc. also welcome; Knitting and crocheting class, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; Camera Club, 6 p.m.

Friday: Smear, 12:30 p.m.

Last Saturday of the month: Music Jam starting at 1 p.m.

Evening meals have a salad bar beginning at 4 p.m. with the meal beginning at 4:30 p.m. A donation of $4 is accepted for seniors (60 plus), but not required. Those 59 and younger are required to pay $5.

Transportation is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Felch Center

Director: Norma Dixon

906-246-3559

Meals served Monday through Wednesday at 11:30 a.m.

Bingo on the first and third Wednesday of each month after lunch.

Congregate jigsaw puzzle done daily.

Aging and Disability Resource Center of Florence County

715-528-4890

Director: Lori Friberg

Three senior dining locations are listed below:

Fence Center/Town Hall

715-336-2980

Meal at noon on Wednesdays only. Cribbage and cards are available.

Florence Community Center/Town Hall

715-528-4261

Meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Jigsaw puzzles, cards, cribbage, and board games are available. The coffee is always on.

Hillcrest Senior Dining Center, Aurora

715-589-4491

Meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday. Jigsaw puzzles, cribbage, cards, and board games are available. The coffee is always on.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Pam Haluska

906-498-7735

Meal is Monday through Friday at noon. Suggested donation is $3 for those 60 and older and $7 for those under 60.

Morning coffee is available each day

Fifteen games of “Fun Bingo” are played each Tuesday and Friday along with 50/50.

Tuesday: Bingo, 12:45 p.m.

Wednesday: Cards played in the afternoon. Call ahead to see if a game will be going on.

Friday: Bingo, 12:45 p.m.

Monday through Friday: Walking in the gym from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A treadmill is also available.

May 10: Mother’s Day dinner.

May 15: Craft day. Come and check out crafts that are being worked on, or bring your own craft projects.

May 16: Foot clinic. They have a nurse coming in to check your feet and clip your nails. She arrives approximately at 9:30 a.m. Please call the center to register.

May 17: Senior living conference at the Island Resort Casino. Pre-registration is $10.

There will be exercise classes at the Hermansville Senior Center funded by the M&M Community Foundation. Classes will take place starting in May and ending July 1, and then start up again in the fall. Call the center for more information. Classes will take place two times a week; days and times to be announced.

Iron River Center

Directors: Katherine Bortolameolli and Brian Kassa

906-265-6134

Meals served Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; $4 (over 60) and $5 (under 60).

Evening meal is on Thursdays with a salad bar at 4 p.m. and dinner at 5 p.m.

Bingo is on Sundays at 2 p.m. (doors open at noon) and Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 1:15 p.m.

Cards are played on Thursdays, 1:15 p.m.

Transportation is available Monday through Thursday with the bus running 8:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. $4 (over 60), $5 (under 60), $6 (wheelchair).

Bingo every Tuesday and Wednesday at 1:15 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Doors open at noon.

Salad bar with Thursday meal, 4 p.m. and dinner at 4:30 p.m.

May 2: Iron River site council monthly meeting at 4 p.m.

May 13: Dance night featuring music by Pam and Scott. $6 cover charge. 6 to 9 p.m.

May 19: Iron Mountain trip ($10 per person).

May 20: Pancake day. Adults $5 and children under 12 are $2.50. 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Niagara Northwoods Senior Cafe and Center

Meal site manager: Corrie Maule 715-251-1603

Center director: Jill Anderson 715-251-4154

Noon meals served Monday through Thursday.

Transportation to the meal site from the Niagara area is offered.

Wii games, cards, puzzles, and board games available to play for your enjoyment.

Senior groups who would like to use our meal site as their meeting place may join us for lunch and stay to have their meeting or social time.

New salad bar is available May 3, May 9, May 17, May 24, and May 31.

May 8: Bingo.

May 10: ’50s and ’60s reunion.

May 30: LCR tournament.

Norway Center

Director: Susie Slining

906-563-8716

Monday through Thursday: Meals served at noon with salad bar. Soup is also available on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. (Meal donation is $5.)

Milk, juice, bread, fruit, tea, and coffee served daily.

Two special theme noon meals each month with bingo, prizes, and 50/50.

Two evening meals (5 p.m.) on the first Monday and third Wednesday of the month with bingo, prizes, and 50/50.

Cards are played daily after the noon meal.

Craft and exercise classes: Mondays and Thursdays.

Ceramic and art classes: Wednesdays

Puzzles always worked on.

May 1: Noon meal: tuna casserole, peas and carrots, fruit, juice, salad bar, and dessert.

May 1: 5 p.m. meal: Their famous company chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables, soup, salad bar, and dessert. Bingo, prizes, and 50/50.

May 8: Center board meeting at 10 a.m.

May 9: Mother’s Day special dinner: pork roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, soup, salad bar, fruit, juice, and dessert. Bingo, prizes, and 50/50.

May 17: Noon meal: chicken fried rice, stir fry veggies, fruit, juice, salad bar, and dessert.

May 17: 5 p.m. meal: Our famous barbecue ribs, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, soup, salad bar, and dessert. Bingo, prizes, and 50/50. Please sign up in advance.

May 18: Birthday club: Celebrate with the Norway Center and join the birthday club. Cheese ravioli, marinara sauce, broccoli, fruit, juice, soup, salad bar, and birthday cake.

May 2: Memorial Day dinner: brat on a bun, baked beans, potato salad, mixed berries, juice, soup, salad bar, and dessert. Bingo, prizes, and 50/50.

May 29: Center will be closed.

Senior coloring class meets daily. All are welcome. Some materials will be provided.

Telephone reassurance is available. If you are a senior who doesn’t get out much and would like a friendly daily phone contact, the center will have someone check in to see that all is well.

Note: A CSFP food card (green card) is available to income-eligible seniors. Make an appointment to get signed up. File of Life packets available at the center.

Note: Ask about the Medicare Savings Program. This program helps people pay their Medicare part B premium. You may be eligible. Your local MMAP Counselor can be reached at 1-800-803-7174, or dial 211.

Center membership cards are available for $5 at the front desk.

Sagola Center

Director: Alyssa Runsat

906-542-3273

Meals: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 11:45 a.m.

Cards: Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday.

Commodities every other month and quarterly commodities are every three months.

Puzzle table for all to enjoy.

Volunteers are always welcome.