Healthy. Views VIP: Facts About the Flu. Washing your hands often is one of the best things you can do to prevent the flu!

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1 VIP: Healthy Views FALL Facts About the Flu Washing your hands often is one of the best things you can do to prevent the flu! Fall is here and so is the flu. To protect yourself and those around you, make time to get a flu shot. The CDC recommends a flu vaccine for everyone ages 6 months and older. It is important to get an annual flu shot, especially if you have a chronic health condition. How much do you really know about the flu? Read on to learn more about the vaccine and why you and your loved ones need it. Fact 1. The flu is caused by a virus, so it can t be treated with antibiotics. Only the flu shot can help prevent the illness. Fact 2. Flu symptoms tend to come on quickly. Fever, headache, chills, cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, and body aches are symptoms of the flu. Children may have upset stomach or vomiting, but adults usually don t. Some symptoms can last for weeks. Fact 3. For some, the flu can be life-threatening and can worsen certain medical conditions. It may also lead to pneumonia. Each year, the flu is responsible for between 3,000 and 49,000 deaths in the U.S. Fact 4. It s best to get a flu shot every October or November, before the season starts. This can be done at your doctor s office or a health clinic. Drugstores, senior centers, and workplaces often offer flu shots, too. Ask your doctor if you have questions. Fact 5. The flu shot doesn t give you the flu. When you get a flu shot, inactivated (dead) flu viruses are injected into your body. These cannot give you the flu. But they prompt your body to make antibodies to fight these flu strains. If you re exposed to the same strains later in the flu season, the antibodies fight the germs. being active 2 breast cancer 3 prevent falls 4

2 Talk to Your Doctor About Being Active How active are you? Do you take a walk five days a week or hit the couch and chill out? At your next doctor visit, talk with your doctor about how active you are. Ask him or her for an exercise plan to fit your unique health needs. It could change your life. Here are four ways you could start the conversation with your doctor. I m no spring chicken, so I take it easy. Getting regular exercise is one of the best things you can do for better health at any age. It is never too late to start. Regular exercise can help you become more flexible. It can also help you be more sharp mentally and can give you more energy. It also reduces your risk for falls. Ask your doctor about heart-healthy aerobics or strength training. I have high blood pressure (or heart disease, diabetes, or arthritis), so I don t know if I should exercise. Many chronic health conditions improve with regular exercise. For example, regular activity can help you keep your blood pressure in a healthy range. It can also help control blood glucose levels. Talk with your doctor about what kind of exercise would be best for you. I get some activity every now and then. If you are in pretty good health, your doctor will most likely suggest that you work toward getting 2 ½ hours of medium intensity exercise every week. When you walk around the neighborhood, do you move quickly or stop every five minutes to chat with a neighbor? To get the most benefit, exercise for at least 10 minutes at a time. I ride my bike every other day, so I m all set in the exercise department. Keep up the good work! To improve your health even more, talk with your doctor about adding weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, yoga, tennis, or strength training. These activities work against the force of gravity to build muscle strength and help keep bones strong through the years. Need some suggestions for staying active? Visit the National Institute on Aging at gov/go4life for fitness ideas. VIP Healthy Views 2 Fall 2015 Member Services TTY

3 5 Steps for Breast Cancer to Reduce Your Risk Every year, thousands of women hear the alarming words that they have breast cancer. But there is reason to be hopeful. You might be able to lower your risk for breast cancer by following certain lifestyle strategies. Here s how: 1Scale back. Women who are obese are more likely to get breast cancer. Lean women enjoy a lower risk. Stay on the move. Studies 2 indicate there s a lower rate of breast cancer in women who exercise. Don t drink alcohol too often. 3 Having one to two alcoholic drinks a day can increase your risk. Quit smoking. A recent study 4 shows that rates of breast cancer among current smokers is higher than in nonsmokers. The study also showed that women who once smoked but quit reduced their risk for breast cancer by nearly half of current smokers. Cut the fat. Your risk for 5 breast cancer rises along with the amount of fat in your diet. Limiting fat, especially saturated fat, may curb your risk. It s true that some risks for breast cancer cannot be changed. For one thing, you re more likely to develop it as you get older. Those whose mothers, sisters, or daughters have had breast cancer also face a higher risk. Breast cancer develops more often in Caucasian women than in African-American, Hispanic, or Asian women. When breast cancer does strike, it is very important to catch it early, when it is most treatable. Mammograms, or breast X-rays, can help. Experts have different advice for when women should start getting mammograms. Talk to your doctor. He or she can help you decide when to start getting mammograms or how often to get them. Ask your doctor if you need a clinical breast exam also. To find out more about breast cancer, log on to the National Cancer Institute s website: VIP Healthy Views 3 Fall 2015

4 Team Up to Prevent Falls One in every three people over age 65 falls each year. But these accidents can often be prevented. If you are afraid of falling or if you have fallen, talk with your doctor. He or she can work with you to lower your risk of falling. Talk with your doctor about these common causes of falling and how to prevent them: Medication Side Effects Some drugs or combinations of drugs can cause dangerous side effects that increase your risk of falling. For instance, medications may make you dizzy or very sleepy. Ask your doctor to review all of your prescriptions and make any needed changes. The Power of Exercise Many older people fall because of weakness and balance problems. But staying active can reduce these risks. What s more, exercise can lower your chance of getting hurt if you do fall, by strengthening bones and muscles. Sharper Senses Poor vision and hearing can make you more likely to fall. Keep your senses sharp by getting your eyes and ears checked regularly. Ask your doctor for a referral to an eye doctor or someone who can do a hearing test. Blood Pressure Changes Some people s blood pressure drops too much when they get up from sitting or lying down. And it can increase their risk of falling. If you feel dizzy when you stand up, tell your doctor. Bone Health Ask your doctor to be tested for osteoporosis, which can increase the risk for fracture if you fall. Treatment can reduce your chance of serious injury if a fall occurs. Tips to Reduce Falls Inside Keep floors free of wires, cords, clutter, and throw rugs. Ensure carpet is securely fastened to the floor. Make sure large area rugs have skid-proof backing under them. Install grab bars inside and outside the bathtub and shower and beside the toilet. Clean up spills on areas in the home with slick flooring right away to prevent slips. Make sure stairwells are well-lit and have sturdy handrails on both sides. Use a cordless phone or cellphone so that there is one less cord to trip over. Keep the phone with you so you don t have to rush to answer it in another room. Tips to Prevent Falls Outdoors Wear shoes with low heels and rubber soles. Use handrails on stairs, escalators, and inclines. Clear leaves, snow, ice, and clutter from sidewalks, driveways, porches, and decks. Slow down and step carefully when going up or down curbs. Carry personal items in a shoulder bag or small backpack so your hands are free to grasp railings. Use a cane or walker for a steady gait. VIP Healthy Views 4 Fall 2015 Member Services TTY

5 Questions to Ask at Your Annual Wellness Visit Anyone who gets Medicare can schedule a free Annual Wellness Visit. These visits focus on preventive care. Preventive care includes tests you may need to check for health problems. It also includes steps you can take to prevent health problems or keep problems you have from getting worse. Asking the right questions during your visit can help you get the information you really need. These 10 questions are especially important for women. 1. Do I need any vaccinations like the flu shot? 2. When should I schedule my next mammogram to check for breast cancer? 3. When should I have a bone mass measurement to see if my osteoporosis risk has changed? 4. Does my weight, diet, or any other behavior put me at risk for diabetes, heart disease, or another condition? 5. Should I be screened for high cholesterol, high blood sugar, or high blood pressure? 6. What lifestyle changes can I make to improve my health? 7. What exercises are good for me? How much should I exercise each week? 8. How can I protect against falls? 9. Are my medication needs still the same? 10. Should I have any other health screenings this year, such as one for depression or an eye exam for glaucoma? Check Your Bone Health Osteoporosis is a disease marked by low bone mass and thinning bone tissue. It can lead to weak, fragile bones that can cause hip and spinal fractures. Are you worried about osteoporosis? Talk with your doctor. He or she will take your personal and family medical history. Your doctor may also suggest that you get a bone density test, also known as a bone mass measurement test. This test is painless and safe. It measures the strength of your bones so your doctor can see if you have osteoporosis. Depending on the results of this test, your doctor may recommend you take a medication to help prevent or treat the condition. Care Management Welcome to Keystone VIP Choice s Care Management. A Care Manager is available to help explain what s going on with your health plan and support you as you try to stay healthy. They help organize, plan, and link you to the health services you need. They check on your treatment and help you transition from hospital to home. They make sure you get to doctor visits and follow doctors orders. Because your Care Manager tracks your care and helps you take charge of your health, the quality of your health care improves. It s another way that Keystone VIP Choice is here for you. To speak to your Care Manager, call VIP Healthy Views 5 Fall 2015

6 8 Tips for Managing Stress Stress we all feel it at one time or another. But constant stress can lead to health problems, such as heart disease, obesity, and high blood pressure. Learning how to manage your stress can help keep it from affecting your health. Learn to Relax. A warm bath, 1 stretching, listening to music, or a massage can help. Or try learning a relaxation technique, such as deep breathing. You can practice deep breathing almost anywhere. Tackle Small Problems First. 2 Once you ve resolved some small matters, you ll have more confidence to take on the larger ones. Get Some Exercise. Being 3 active every day can help reduce your stress, improve your mood, give you more energy and improve your overall health. If you re not used to exercising, start with a 15- or 20-minute walk after lunch or dinner. Learn When to Let Go. Not 4 every battle is worth your time or effort. Learn to give in on less important battles, and practice letting go when a situation is out of your control. Be Good to Your Body. Make an 5 effort to eat nutritious meals and get at least seven hours of sleep a night. This will give your body the fuel it needs to help you concentrate and make decisions in times of stress. Get Organized. Make a list 6 of the tasks you need to do each day and decide what to do first. This will help you feel more in control. Crossing each task off your list when you re done helps give you a sense of accomplishment. Do Something for Yourself. 7 Take some time each week to schedule something you like to do. Make a date to see a movie with your partner or visit a museum with a friend. Block this time off on your schedule, like you would for any other important task. Find a Friendly Ear. Share 8 your feelings with a close friend or family member. Sometimes just talking about your stress can help you feel better. It may also help you take a fresh look at your problems and find new solutions. If you need more serious help for stress, talk with your doctor. Practice Deep Breathing Sit still and place one hand on your stomach. Slowly breathe in and feel your stomach rise. Hold your breath for a moment then breathe out. Repeat a few times. Spot the Differences Solution: 1. Price on tag is different. 2. Bbox of apples in back changed to tomatoes. 3. Ssmall tag in upper left corner removed. 4. Bbox handle in upper right corner removed. 5. Sstrip of blue paper in upper right corner removed. 6. Pplastic handle on tomato box removed. 7. Box front is solid wood. 8. Ggreen tomato in front is changed to red. VIP Healthy Views 6 Fall 2015 Member Services TTY

7 A Spot the Differences Can you spot the 8 differences in the puzzle below? Golden Apple Oatmeal 1 golden delicious apple, diced 1/3 cup apple juice 1/3 cup water Dash of cinnamon Dash of nutmeg 1/3 cup quick-cook rolled oats, uncooked Directions: Combine apples, juice, water and seasonings; bring to a boil. Stir in rolled oats; cook 1 minute. Cover and let stand several minutes before serving. Serves 1. Per serving: Calories 200, Total fat 2 g, Saturated fat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 300 mg, Total carbohydrate 45 g, Dietary fiber 6 g, Sugars 23 g, Protein 4 g B Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fruits and Veggies: More Matters VIP Healthy Views 7 Fall 2015

8 FIRST-CLASS MAIL US POSTAGE PAID LONG PRAIRIE MN PERMIT NO Stevens Drive Philadelphia, PA MB Member Information Contact Us We re here to answer questions and provide the information you need. Contact us to check your membership status, check a claim, or ask a question. Contact us by phone or by mail: Phone Call Member Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Members TTY: Hours of Service October 1 to February 14: Seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. February 15 to September 30: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mail Keystone VIP Choice (HMO SNP) Member Services 200 Stevens Drive Philadelphia, pa Keystone VIP Choice is an HMO-SNP plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the Pennsylvania Medicaid program. Resursos en Español Para informacion en español, por favor llame al department de atencione al cliente de Keystone VIP Choice (HMO SNP). Resursos en Español? Multi-Language Interpreter Services If English is not your first language, we have free interpreter services to answer any questions you may have about our health or drug plan. To get an interpreter, just call us at (TTY: ). Someone who speaks English and your language can help you. This is a free service. Tenemos servicios de intérprete sin costo alguno para responder cualquier pregunta que pueda tener sobre nuestro plan de salud o medicamentos. Para hablar con un intérprete, por favor llame al (TTY: ). Alguien que hable español le podrá ayudar. Este es un servicio gratuito. Member Rights and Responsibilities We are committed to treating our members with respect and dignity. Keystone VIP Choice and its network of doctors and other providers of services do not discriminate against members based on race, gender, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, or any other basis. More information about member rights and responsibilities can be found in the Evidence of Coverage book you received when you became a member, and anytime at