ALP06102026S

Young at Heart

News Photo by Reagan Voetberg Linda DeWyre and Geri Hanson hold up a quilt with a tulip design that they put together on Tuesday at the Alpena Senior Citizens Center. Story on page 2.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE ALPENA NEWS • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2026

Quilting for a cause the group can continue giving Some of the brown triangu- with it. Donald-Briggs said she lar patches had already start- is hoping Friends Together will quilts for good causes.

Sue Kelly was working on ed to fray, while others had take it once it’s completed.

ALPENA — Every Tuesday, a project that used pieces of not yet. Ritze demonstrated The last stitch was put in last a group of seniors meets up sheets that she had when she how to take each patch out week, she said, and now she at the Alpena Senior Citizens first got married. The back had using sewing scissors and a needs to remove the basting, Center to work on their quilt- a fabric design that she said straight pin. She also showed which holds the quilt layers ing projects, many of which was the same design as wall- Wiseman the best way to cut in place until the stitching is end up being sold to raise paper she had in her bathroom out new patches by measuring completed. After that it will be the width of the triangle and trimmed and the binding put money for the Senior Center or from the same time.

“It’s all kind of a memory,” cutting out a strip of fabric to on. given away to people in need. make multiple triangles side- Ardis Culbert owns a longLinda DeWyre and Geri Han- Kelly said. arm quilting machine, which son on Tuesday were working Holly Wiseman was work- by-side. on a quilt with a donated tulip ing on an old quilt that she re- Ritze said she has been quilt- can stitch patterns using comdesign. They pieced the quilt ceived from her brother-in-law ing for many years and Wise- puter automation. She brought together and were beginning that was made by his grandma man said she has just started in quilts Tuesday that were stitched using the longarm work on the binding to finish it and his mom, from around the to learn recently.

“I walked in one day just be- that will be given to an orgaoff. The binding finishes off the late 1800s to early 1900s.

She was working on cutting cause I wanted to learn how nization called Preemie Pals edge of a quilt.

Many of the quilts have do- out brown fabric from the quilt to quilt,” Wiseman said. “These once completed. Culbert and others were working on the nated fabric or pieces. Without to replace it with new fabric. ladies taught me how.” that, quilting can be an ex- Caroline Ritze, who is helping One quilter, Esther Donald- binding for those quilts on pensive hobby. Proceeds from her with the project, said that Briggs, was working on a hand- Tuesday. quilt sales also go towards the brown fabric is made from stiched quilt which she said Culbert said she has been buying more batting, which is dye that will deteriorate over she had been working on for quilting for 30 years. years. Others have helped her the middle layer of a quilt, so time.

By REAGAN VOETBERG News Staff Writer

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Skin cancer prevention for seniors

Wisdom and age frequently skin cancer is raised for those go hand in hand. But when it who have had cumulative excomes to knowledge of the posure to the sun. So it is eslatest medical advancements, sential that seniors practice some older adults may not be sun safety every day so they are not adding to the damup-to-date.

Medical recommendations age that already may have evolve over time. After all, it occurred. It’s also foolish to wasn’t too long ago people think, “I’ve made it this long were told to avoid foods con- without skin cancer, and it taining high amounts of dietary takes decades to develop, so cholesterol because it would I’m never going to get it.” raise their own blood cholester- No one knows how long ol levels. Now MedlinePlus says they will live and it’s important • Use sunscreen. Sunscreen right in. the general consensus is that to take care of oneself to live may not have been widely • Avoid being outside dureating dietary cholesterol has a as strong, healthy and long as used when today’s seniors were ing certain times of day. Stay minimal impact on blood cho- possible. To that end, seniors young. Just because that was out of the sun when it is at its lesterol for most people. And can employ these sun safety the norm then doesn’t mean peak. Radiation is typically the people in their 70s may have tips, courtesy of the Skin Cancer things can’t change now. It’s strongest between 10 a.m. and never too late to reduce your 4 p.m. That’s when the risk for raised children thinking it was Foundation. fine to lay the child in the crib • Learn the facts. Suffering just skin cancer risk by lathering on skin damage is highest, says the on the baby’s stomach. Now the five sunburns over your lifetime sunscreen daily — even when American Cancer Society. advice is “back is best.” more than doubles your chanc- the sun doesn’t seem particu- • Seek shade. When spendMedical professionals now es of developing melanoma, larly strong. Seniors should look ing time outdoors, seek shady know that exposure to ultravio- and each successive tan or sun- for a broad-spectrum sunscreen spots, whether you’re under an umbrella or in tree-lined areas. let rays of the sun and tanning burn raises the risk even further. with SPF 30 for daily use. beds can contribute to the de- Suntans damage the skin’s DNA • Wear protective clothing. Sun safety for seniors is genvelopment of skin cancer. But and age it before its time. Also, Choose tightly woven, long- erally the same for people of just a few generations ago peo- skin undergoes changes that re- sleeved shirts, long pants, and all ages. But it becomes a more ple were slathering on baby oil duce defenses against disease wide-brimmed hats to protect urgent necessity due to cumuand using suntan reflectors to and healing. One bad burn as a you. You can purchase cloth- lative sun exposure that comes ing that has sun protection built with age. accelerate tanning. The risk of senior may be the final straw.

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Safety and smarts necessary when exercising with arthritis

Physical activity is a vital component of a healthy lifestyle.

While the recommendations for exercise may vary for each individual, general guidelines from public health agencies typically suggest most people should get around 30 minutes of moderateintensity aerobic exercise per day.

People with arthritis may be hesitant to head to the gym or engage in home workouts be-

cause the instinct to rest is strong when joints feel stiff or painful.

However, health care advocates note that movement is one of the most effective treatments for arthritis.

Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says arthritis remains a leading cause of disability in 2026. Roughly one in four adults in the United States have been diagnosed with some form of arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation says exercise is not just a Keith Wallace lifestyle choice, but an essential William Pfeifer component of joint health. Peoexperienced attorneys right here in Alpena ple who engage in physical acISACKSON, tivity report a 40 percent reducWALLACE tion in pain on average. Here is & PFEIFER P.C. a prescription for safely navigating physical activity while manYour LOCAL Legal Resource in all areas of the law with over 95 years in Downtown Alpena aging arthritis.

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with arthritis should focus on exercises that reduce stiffness and keep joints moving through their full range-of-motion. Examples include gentle neck rotations, shoulder rolls and finger stretches daily, especially in the morning during flare-ups.

• Incorporate low-impact aerobic movements. Cardiovascular exercises improve heart health and help with weight management, which is essential for people with arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation says losing just one pound of body weight can remove four pounds of pressure from the knees. Walking, cycling and water exercises are low-impact ways to get the cardio a body needs, says the Mayo Clinic.

• Make resistance training part of your routine. Building strong muscles can help protect the joints by acting as shock absorb-

ers. People can use bodyweight exercises like chair squats, resistance bands or light dumbbells to build muscle. The Arthritis Foundation recommends focusing on the muscles surrounding joints experiencing the most pain, such as quadriceps for knee arthritis or abdominals to protect the hips and spine.

• Assess pain. Experts suggest using something called the “twohour rule” to determine if exercise added to or diminished arthritis pain. If joint pain is higher two hours after exercising, then it’s important to reduce the duration or intensity of exercise the next time. During a flare-up, do not stop moving entirely, but shift to gentle range-of-motion stretching only, suggests the Mayo Clinic.

Exercise can remain a key component of daily life, even for those with arthritis.

Types of arthritis and what’s behind each Arthritis affects people all over the world. tively or when the body produces too much. joints like the knees, so those who are overApproximately 53.2 million adults in the Unit- Pain, swelling and tenderness can occur in the weight are more likely to get arthritis. Geneted States have doctor-diagnosed arthritis, joints, often in the big toe. ics can make a person more vulnerable to dissays the Centers for Disease Control and Pre• Autoimmune: Some forms of arthritis are eases like rheumatoid arthritis, and women vention. But many more suffer in undiagnosed autoimmune in nature, meaning that the im- are more likely to develop it.

There are various treatments for arthritis, silence. Globally, nearly 300 million people mune system mistakenly attacks the joints.

This occurs with rheumatoid arthritis and pso- and anyone in pain can work with a doctor may live with arthritis. to make lifestyle changes that can alleviate Arthritis can range from mild to debilitat- riatic arthritis, according to Penn Medicine. ing and stem from a variety of causes. Un• Infection/injury: Sometimes viral or bacte- symptoms and help them live fuller lives. derstanding what’s behind arthritis can help rial infections or acute joint injuries can trigpeople get the treatment they need. Here are ger arthritis, says the the major types of arthritis and their causes. Cleveland Clinic.

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What is polypharmacy?

Polypharmacy may contribute to complications that could jeopardize seniors’ health. Johns Hopkins Medicine defines polypharmacy as

the regular use of multiple prescriptions. According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the Canadian

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Health Measures Survey, 22 percent of adults between the ages of 40 and 79 in the United States and 19 percent of adults in that same age bracket in Canada took at least five medications in the 30 days prior to participating in each survey.

Prescription medications are designed and prescribed to help people overcome various medical conditions, but polypharmacy can contribute to other issues that are worth noting, and some of those conditions can have an adverse effect on seniors’ daily lives and overall well-being. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, symptoms of polypharmacy include: • Reduced alertness • Confusion or cognitive problems • Falls and accidents • Weakness and dizziness • Loss of appetite • GI problems such as diarrhea, constipation or incontinence • Skin rashes • Depression • Anxiety • Excitability It’s equally important that seniors recognize that polypharmacy

affects aging adults differently than it affects younger people, as changes in body composition that are a natural part of aging can affect how the body reacts to medications and might affect how different medications interact with one another. The effects of new drugs on seniors also may be unknown, as Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that test subjects for medications may not include older adults.

Polypharmacy is a delicate situation and each individual’s reaction to taking multiple medications at once is unique. Seniors are urged to be open and honest with all health care professionals they interact with regarding the medications they’re taking. Report any difficult or unusual side effects immediately.

Seniors who feel they might be taking too many medications should address those concerns with their health care professionals, who may deprescribe a given medication and work with patients to find alternatives that can treat existing conditions without adversely affecting quality of life.

How to manage multiple medications

Polypharmacy, or the practice of managing multiple medications, is a part of life for a significant percentage of seniors. Many prescription and over-the-counter drugs are essential for maintaining health and managing chronic conditions. However, the chemical complexity of mixing so many drugs can lead to dangerous outcomes if one isn’t careful.

Older adults take more medications than any other age group. A report conducted by Age Wave and The John A. Hartford Foundation found that the average senior takes four medications, but more than 15 percent take eight or more. Some medications can create further conditions or worsen existing conditions. Data from the Agency for Healthcare Research Quality show that 15.9 percent

of older adults use inappropriate medication.

Structured medication management is essential for seniors’ safety.

Here’s how to safely navigate taking multiple medications at once.

• Conduct a medication audit.

Take all of the medications and supplements you use to a primary care physician or pharmacist to discuss potential interactions and if any prescriptions can be canceled. Research from Clarest Health indicates that patients taking five to nine medications have a 50 percent chance of experiencing a significant adverse drug event.

• Talk about deprescribing.

Speak with a doctor about the process of tapering off medications that may no longer be necessary or are resulting in more harm than benefit.

• Use one pharmacy. Always fill prescriptions from the same pharmacy. Modern systems are equipped with safeguards to flag certain drug-to-drug interactions automatically. Also, the pharmacist is often an underutilized resource. Ask questions and figure out if he or she can conduct a medication review to ensure a regimen for taking medications is as complication-free as possible.

• Utilize smart systems. Rely on smart pill dispensers that unlock only at the correct time to manage high-risk medications. Other pill organizers and digital apps can set reminders to take medications at the appropriate times. An app like Medisafe will notify family members if a dose is missed.

• Link doses to actions. Make medications an automatic part of

your day by linking them to activities, like morning pills taken with a cup of coffee or evening pills when you eat dinner.

• Use visual cues. Keep pill organizers in a visible spot so you remember to take the medication.

• Ask for help. If managing medications has become a tall order, ask a friend, family member or a visiting nurse or aide to assist with medication management.

• Update your list. Always maintain a current list of the medications and supplements you are taking, and bring it along to every new medical appointment for further review.

Managing medications becomes more complex as seniors typically take multiple drugs and supplements to maintain health.

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