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

By Jennifer Zhang

On Saturday, June 6, under clear blue skies and beautiful weather, we welcomed the first “Happy Seniors” event of June together with our senior participants.

This week’s featured health education speaker was Dr. Jie He, a well-known endocrinologist in the Greater Washington area. As an experienced practicing physician, Dr. He is not only highly respected for his medical expertise and extensive clinical experience, but is also deeply committed to community service. For many years, he has actively supported various programs organized by the Chines American Community Health Services (CACHS) and has become a familiar and beloved old friend to many seniors.

The topic of Dr. He’s presentation was “Diabetes and Dietary Management.” Practical, informative, and highly relevant to daily life, the lecture was warmly received by the audience. Dr. He began by explaining the basic concepts of diabetes, introducing its common types, causes, and typical symptoms in a clear and accessible manner. He pointed out that diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases among older adults, and because its early symptoms are often subtle, regular screening is especially important.

Dr. He then provided a detailed explanation of diabetes testing methods and key diagnostic indicators. He emphasized that for many individuals with prediabetes and some patients with Type 2 diabetes, blood glucose levels can potentially return to normal through consistent healthy eating habits and effective weight management. Therefore, a healthy lifestyle is not only essential for preventing diabetes but also plays a critical role in controlling and improving the condition.

During the nutrition section, Dr. He focused on dietary principles for diabetes management, particularly the importance of controlling carbohydrate intake and incorporating appropriate physical activity to help stabilize blood sugar levels. He reminded participants that if dietary adjustments and exercise alone are insufficient to control blood glucose, medical treatment should be sought promptly under a physician’s guidance. Rich in content and delivered in an engaging and easy-to-understand style, the lecture successfully combined professional knowledge with practical advice and earned enthusiastic applause from the audience. Before concluding, Dr. He patiently answered a wide range of questions from participants, bringing the health seminar to a successful close.

Following the lecture, the seniors enjoyed an afternoon tea thoughtfully prepared by volunteers. As they relaxed and refreshed themselves, they exchanged insights and experiences in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

The next activity featured an engaging Sudoku-style puzzle game led by veteran volunteer Wei Pan from CACHS. She carefully explained the rules and demonstrated problem-solving techniques step by step. With her encouragement and guidance, participants quickly moved from initial hesitation to enthusiastic involvement. Within just half an hour, the room was filled with lively discussion and excitement. At the end of the activity, many seniors were reluctant to stop and even asked for blank puzzle sheets to continue practicing at home, reflecting their strong interest in this stimulating brain exercise.

The final segment of the program was a senior fitness class led by community fitness instructor Hui Li. Building upon previous sessions that introduced neck exercises and shoulder-relaxation techniques, Mr. Li focused this week on hip-joint health exercises. He demonstrated a series of movements designed to strengthen and relax the hip joints while guiding participants through proper techniques. Through these scientifically designed exercises, seniors learned how to improve posture and walking patterns, distribute body weight correctly, protect their knee joints, enhance overall coordination, and promote better physical health.

This session of “Happy Seniors” offered a rich variety of activities that balanced learning, mental stimulation, and physical exercise. From practical health education and engaging brain games to enjoyable fitness training, participants stayed active both mentally and physically. Everyone learned something new, exercised their minds and bodies, and most importantly, had a wonderful time together.