Some things are worth repeating, especially when it comes to helping you Be Well. Stay Well. Your eBrightHealth ACO beneficiary representative Evelyn Hayes shares some of the greatest hits from past issues of our newsletter. Join us on a trip down musical memory lane to inspire your healthiest season yet.
Try a Telehealth Visit
When Will I See You Again – THE THREE DEGREES, 1973
Imagine seeing a primary care or urgent care doctor or clinician from the comfort of your own home using a smartphone, tablet or other digital device. To learn more, visit sites like bayhealth.org/virtual-urgentcare or centervirtualhealth.christianacare.org.
Washing Hands
A-B-C…Easy as 1-2-3 – JACKSON FIVE, 1970
One of the best ways to prevent the spread of flu or COVID-19 as we head into the winter months is to wash your hands thoroughly with warm soap and water, counting slowly to 30 – or long enough to sing the Alphabet Song.
Name a Health Care Proxy
Count on Me – BRUNO MARS, 2010
Name a trusted health care proxy in your Medical Power of Attorney document to make decisions about your care only when you cannot speak for yourself. Carry their name and number in your wallet in the event of an emergency, and be sure they know if your wishes change.
Stay Safe from Fraud and Scams
Little Lies – FLEETWOOD MAC, 1987
Follow these tips to outsmart pesky scam artists:
- Review bank and credit card statements every month.
- Check your credit report: request one free copy a year from AnnualCreditReport.com.
- Shred papers containing personal information.
- Choose strong passwords.
- Report suspected fraud to the police right away.
High Blood Pressure – Know Your Numbers
And the Beat Goes On – SONNY BONO, 1967
One in every three American adults has high blood pressure. When your BP rises, so does your risk for heart attack and stroke. Visit eBrightHealthACO.org for a free printable blood pressure journal to record your daily or weekly readings.
Less than 130/80 is a general goal. Talk to your Primary Care Team about what number is right for you and the best plan to get—and keep—a healthy blood pressure.
Don’t Skip your Annual Wellness Visit
Turn! Turn! Turn! – THE BYRDS, 1965
Before you turn the calendar to a new year, be sure you’ve scheduled your Annual Wellness Visit for 2023 (or plan now for 2024). This important yearly visit with your Primary Care Team helps you create a personalized wellness prevention plan and make sure your health record is complete and updated every year.
- Discover tips to keep you at your best.
- Reduce your risk of getting sick.
- Review your medications, vaccinations and recommended screenings.
- Learn how you can prevent falls.
Mental Health Matters
You’ve Got a Friend – JAMES TAYLOR, 1971
Social isolation increases your risk for high blood pressure, heart disease and a weakened immune system. It can also lead to anxiety and depression, and may even cause a decline in memory or brain function. Here are a few ways to refocus on your physical (body), mental (behavioral) and cognitive (brain/memory) health.
- Get physical – The more you move, the better you’ll feel.
- Keep in touch – Go out for lunch or visit a friend.
- Use your head – Puzzles and brain games help sharpen skills — and they’re fun! The word search in this issue is a great place to start!
Not feeling like yourself? Talk with your Primary Care Team or visit mhanational.org for counseling services in your area. In crisis? Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Fall Prevention
Can’t Help Falling in Love – ELVIS PRESLEY, 1970
Falling in love is a beautiful thing. Falling and breaking a bone? That’s a different tune altogether. Follow these tips to protect yourself from trips and falls:
- Declutter – Keep walkways clear inside and out. Tidy up electric cords and use anti-slip rug pads.
- Install safety bars in the bathroom.
- Use motion-activated nightlights or timers and light your home’s exterior. Keep flashlights charged—for emergencies.
- Hire a local teen or accept a neighbor’s offer to clear sidewalks.
- Let someone else do the heavy lifting and climb ladders.
Palliative Care and Hospice – Not the Same Thing
Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand) – DIANA ROSS, 1970
Palliative care and hospice provide comfort and support for patients and their loved ones, but they happen at very different stages of the care process.
- Palliative care is an extra layer of support to help relieve symptoms and stress and improve quality of life for patients and families who are going through treatment for a serious illness or injury.
- Hospice care offers support once patients and families choose to focus on comfort and not curative care.
Care Coordinators Help You Keep It All Together
With a Little Help from My Friends – THE BEATLES, 1967
When you get a call from 302-320-5600, be sure to pick up! It’s your CareVio® Care Coordinator, calling with helpful information.
Care Coordinators keep your entire care team—including specialists, community providers, and hospital, home care and skilled nursing staff— up-to-date about your health. They’ll also help you schedule followup visits, answer questions about medication side effects and connect you with needed community services. Most importantly, they take the time to make sure that you really understand your condition(s) and care plan, and guide you through steps you can do at home to Be Well. Stay Well.
Medicare Open Enrollment
Changes – DAVID BOWIE, 1972
Do you need to make changes to your coverage for the coming year? A reminder that open enrollment ends Dec. 7. Visit MyMedicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-623-4227). TTY users call 1-877-486-2048.
