“2026 Seniors’ Joy Program (Phase 2)” — Second Activity Brief

By Jennifer Zhang

On April 11, 2026, under bright sunshine and pleasantly mild weather, seniors arrived promptly at 2:00 p.m. at the Sunshine Adult Day Care Center to participate in this week’s “Happy Seniors” program.

As most older adults need to take medications and dietary supplements daily, these have become as essential as food in their everyday lives. Serving as a continuation and extension of last week’s medical education lecture, this week’s session featured Dr. Dian’er Yang, a licensed pharmacist in the United States. He delivered a special presentation titled “The Medications You Take Every Day May Be Interacting.”

With extensive experience in clinical pharmacy, Dr. Yang began by reminding participants that improper use of dietary supplements can cause physical discomfort and may even be life-threatening. He emphasized the importance of exercising caution when selecting and taking supplements, particularly when they are used alongside prescription medications. He then provided an accessible explanation of drug interactions, highlighting that alcohol, grapefruit, and certain other foods should not be taken with specific medications.

Dr. Yang also introduced five commonly used websites for checking drug interactions—Drugs.com, WebMD, Medscape, MyRxProfile, and ScriptSave WellRx—and demonstrated how to use them. He further discussed the scientific selection of dietary supplements and the molecular mechanisms behind them. Toward the end of the lecture, he explained the proper methods for taking commonly used medications, including correct timing and storage. He concluded with an important reminder: “Taking medication is no trivial matter—only proper use can effectively treat illness.”

The lecture was informative and highly practical, and the seniors listened attentively throughout. Following the presentation, they eagerly asked questions and engaged in in-depth discussions with Dr. Yang. The session concluded at 3:30 p.m.

Afterward, CACHS volunteers and CYOC youth volunteers from the Greater Washington area served a delightful afternoon tea. The seniors enjoyed the refreshments while taking a well-deserved break. Next, CACHS volunteer Pan Wei led a 15-minute senior wellness exercise session, combining movement and relaxation to promote both physical and mental well-being.

The program concluded with a presentation by community travel enthusiast Fang Bin, who shared a self-produced short video introducing three iconic landmarks in Washington, D.C.—the Washington Monument, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. He vividly recounted their historical backgrounds, interesting anecdotes, and the connections they share with the Chinese people. His engaging and humorous presentation was warmly received by the audience.

Beginning with this session, CACHS has officially established a partnership with So What Else, which will provide free fresh fruits and vegetables to seniors each week. At the end of the event, CACHS volunteers distributed complimentary fruit generously donated by So What Else.

With smiles on their faces, the seniors departed happily from the activity center, marking the successful conclusion of this week’s program.