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Hacienda Veterans Posting Our Flag

Justin Mclean

Avery Mclean & On the guitar

Amy Fernandez AKA Grandma

Winners of the 4th of July Desert Contest

Holding their Prizes

Left to right: Penny, Darcy, Susan, & Celina

It's hard to believe that summer is ending. Time for the school year to start. Some for their first time! If you have grandchildren and great-grandchildren on their way back to school, spend as much time as you can with them, loving and encouraging them! Hope you've been able to enjoy all or at least some of the events we've been offering here at Hacienda. We have an awesome group working hard to make fun things happen at Hacienda. The Hacienda board hit it out of the park for the 4th of July celebration. We are blessed!! Those of you who are going through health issues, we're here to help in every way we can. Praying for you, ready and willing to run errands for you, visit you, and call you. Please let us know if you are housebound and need assistance. You're the best neighbors ever, and we love you!!

Are you always losing things?

There is a way to track down your lost things. What you will need to do is purchase one of the devices below that will track what you lose.

These devices connect to your cell phones. You then attach the device to whatever it is that you lose, for example, the Tile Tracker has a hole, as does the Galaxy Smart Tag, to attach to a key ring. The Apple Air Tag you will need to buy a holder for it to snap into that has a hole.

How do these devices indicate the location of your lost item?

Each of these trackers has its own way of showing you where your lost item is, but they all rely on a mix of Bluetooth, crowdsourced networks, and smartphone apps to guide you. Here's how it works: Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology that enables devices to communicate with each other without the need for wires or cables.

Let’s zoom in on how it works with an Apple AirTag:

Pairing: When you set up an AirTag, it connects to your iPhone via Bluetooth. This creates a secure link between the two.

Tracking Nearby Items: If your AirTag is within about 30–100 feet (10–30 meters), your iPhone can detect its Bluetooth signal. You can then:

See its location in the Find My app.

Make it play a sound to help you find it.

Use Precision Finding (on newer iPhones with Ultra-Wideband) to get arrows and distance cues.

Out of Range? No Problem: If your AirTag is out of Bluetooth range, it sends out a secure Bluetooth signal that any nearby Apple device can pick up in the “Find My network.” That device then anonymously relays the AirTag’s location to iCloud, and you see it on your map. Other devices operate in a similar manner.

Vitamin D May Help Slow Aging

https://tinyurl.com/4rj3cb5p

Researchers found that vitamin D supplements helped preserve telomere length, a marker of aging. A telomere is like the plastic tip on a shoelace it keeps the chromosome ends from fraying or sticking to each other, which could scramble genetic information, causing A G I N G !

A long-running study recently found that people who took daily vitamin D supplements for four years had slightly less shortening of their telomeres a marker linked to cellular aging than those who didn’t.

The study, known as the “Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial,” showed that people taking 2,000 IUs of vitamin D lost about 140 fewer base pairs from their telomeres than those taking a placebo a small but statistically significant difference.

The study findings suggest a promising role for vitamin D in slowing a pathway for biological aging and age-related chronic disease, Dr. JoAnn Manson, the study’s coauthor and a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Vitamin D reduced inflammatory markers and lowered the risk of advanced cancers and autoimmune diseases by improving immune function.

Blood Pressure

As seniors, why should we be conscious of and care about our blood pressure, because you don’t want to blow a gasket?

What is a healthy blood pressure range for seniors 55 and over?

For adults aged 55 and over, a healthy blood pressure range can vary slightly depending on individual health conditions, but here’s a general guide:

Recommended Blood Pressure Ranges

Optimal: Less than 120/80 mmHg "mmHg" stands for millimeters of mercury, and it's the unit used to measure blood pressure. Blood pressure readings (like 120/80 mmHg) show how high the pressure inside your arteries can push a column of mercury.

Acceptable: Up to 130/85 mmHg

Watch Zone: Above 130/85 mmHg may require lifestyle changes or medical attention.

Age-Specific Adjustments

As we age, our arteries naturally stiffen, which can lead to elevated blood pressure. For seniors:

Ages 55–60: Target is often below 130/85 mmHg

Ages 60–70: Slightly higher thresholds may be acceptable, but less than 135/85 mmHg is generally advised

Why It Matters

High blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney issues. Monitoring and managing it can add years to life and improve the quality of life.

How can we, as seniors, manage our blood pressure?

Managing blood pressure as we age is all about consistency, awareness, and a few smart lifestyle tweaks. Here’s a well-rounded approach tailored for seniors:

Monitor Regularly

Keep a home blood pressure monitor handy and track readings at the same time each day. This helps spot trends and catch issues early.

Stay Active

Gentle exercises like walking, swimming, or tai chi can improve heart health and reduce blood pressure. Aim for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.

Eat Smart

Focus on a heart-healthy diet:

- Low in sodium (salt)

- Rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins

- Limit processed foods and saturated fats

Take Medications as Prescribed

If you're on blood pressure meds, consistency is key. Never skip doses and talk to your doctor before making any changes.

Hydrate and Sleep Well

Dehydration and poor sleep can raise blood pressure. Drink enough water, which means 6 to 8 glasses per day, and aim for 7–8 hours of quality sleep each night.

Watch for Orthostatic Hypotension

This is a sudden drop in blood pressure that occurs when standing up, which is common in older adults. Rise slowly from bed or chairs to avoid dizziness.

Limit Alcohol and Quit Smoking

Both can raise blood pressure and increase cardiovascular risk. Cutting back or quitting makes a huge difference.

Manage Stress

Try relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or gardening. Chronic stress can sneakily elevate blood pressure over time.

Let’s Give a Warm Hacienda Welcome to The Riddles, Alan & Edna.

SAY HELLO TO EDNA AND ALAN RIDDLE

After extensive renovation and upgrades, Edna and Alan Riddle are now at home at space 43. After living in Tracy for the past 15 years, Edna and Alan were encouraged by long-time friends and Hacienda residents, Celina and Rhea, to consider becoming a part of our community. Thank you, Celina and Rhea, for bringing wonderful neighbors to Hacienda.

Edna is a retired school registrar, and Alan is a retired Computer Programmer. Alan experienced a wide variety of occupations during his career, about which he enjoys describing.

Edna describes herself as a “Foodie” and enjoys time in the kitchen. She also enjoys gardening. Alan describes himself as a “Rock Hound.” Both have traveled widely and enjoy learning about new things.

Welcome to our Hacienda Family, Edna and Alan

Did you know you can get an email telling you what is being delivered into your mailbox? You can decide whether to go to the mailbox or not.

Did you know that the Post Office has a service that will tell you what mail you are going to receive each day. See Photos of Your Mail Before It Arrives, Free. The service will send you an email each day to tell you if you will receive mail on that day. Those who use the service can decide if they need to visit their mailbox or not.

To get the service, go to https://tinyurl.com/5ycz2u6e

Once you have an account, sign up for “Informed Delivery.” Submitted by Bill Berck