FALL 2023
News from your Primary Care Team and eBrightHealth ACO
at home! OUTSMART SCAMMERS! KNOW HOW TO SPOT FRAUD
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DOCUMENTS EVERYONE OVER 65 SHOULD HAVE
VISIT COVIDTESTS.GOV TO ORDER YOUR FREE TEST KITS
Hit me with your best shot!
Breathe easier this winter protected by flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines Roll up your sleeves! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone over the age of 60 receive a flu shot and an updated COVID-19 vaccine. Ask your doctor/clinician whether you should also be protected against the respiratory illness RSV — especially if you are immunocompromised or have chronic conditions such as congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease or lung diseases. Don’t wait to vaccinate. Peak season for respiratory season is already here.
While experts say it’s safe to get all three vaccines at the same time, you may want to schedule your flu and COVID-19 shots for the same appointment, and then return for your RSV vaccine about two weeks later. Talk with your doctor/clinician to make a plan that’s best for you. Medicare covers all three vaccines, so be sure to pace the rhythm of your good health with this important trifecta of coverage. It will be music to your Primary Care Team’s ears!
Check out our new insert inside! 1
Try a Telehealth Visit
Washing Hands
Name a Health Care Proxy
THE THREE DEGREES, 1973
JACKSON FIVE, 1970
BRUNO MARS, 2010
When Will I See You Again
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.
A-B-C…Easy as 1-2-3
Count on Me
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 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.
Tune in to eBrightHealth’s Greatest Hits
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.
Don’t Skip your Annual Wellness Visit High Blood Pressure – Know Your Numbers
FLEETWOOD MAC, 1987
SONNY BONO, 1967
Little Lies
And the Beat Goes On
Follow these tips to outsmart pesky scam artists:
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.
• 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 2
Turn! Turn! Turn!
Stay Safe from Fraud and Scams
police right away.
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.
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
Fall Prevention
JAMES TAYLOR, 1971
ELVIS PRESLEY, 1970
You’ve Got a Friend
Can’t Help Falling in Love
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.
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.
• Get physical – The more you move, the better you’ll feel.
• Keep in touch – Go out for lunch or visit a friend.
Palliative Care and Hospice – Not the Same Thing
• 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.
Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)
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.
DIANA ROSS, 1970
Care Coordinators keep your entire care team—including specialists, Palliative care and hospice provide community providers, and hospital, comfort and support for patients and home care and skilled nursing their loved ones, but they happen at very different stages of the care process. staff— up-to-date about your health. They’ll also help you schedule follow• Palliative care is an extra layer of up visits, answer questions about support to help relieve symptoms and medication side effects and connect stress and improve quality of life for you with needed community services. patients and families who are going Most importantly, they take the through treatment for a serious illness time to make sure that you really or injury. understand your condition(s) and care • Hospice care offers support once plan, and guide you through steps you patients and families choose to focus can do at home to on comfort and not curative care. 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.
“Changes in latitudes.
Changes in attitudes.”
— J I M M Y B U F F E T T, 1 9 7 7
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WORD FIND
Oldies, But Goodies
https://worksheets.theteacherscorner.net/make-your-own/word-search/#top
Whether you crank up your favorite tunes for exercise, whistle while you work, or hum a little ditty to keep your mind sharp as you go about your day, the sound of music is a great way to lower anxiety, Name: blood pressure and pain, and improve memoryCreated and mental alertness. SeeWord how many of these with TheTeachersCorner.net Search Maker musical terms you can find. W
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Band Beat Blues Chorus Country Dance Disco Harmony Hits Jazz Lyrics Melody
Oldies Pop Rap Reggae Rhythm Rock Sing Soul Swing Tempo Tune Volume
Important Documents for Everyone Over 65 Write This Down
GEORGE STRAIT, 1999 Advance Directives allow you to spell out your wishes for treatment should you become physically or mentally unable to communicate with your care team. Review your documents every 2-3 years, or whenever you have a major life change (married, divorced, widowed).
• Living Will – expresses your wishes about lifesaving treatments and procedures in the event you are too ill to communicate.
• Medical Power of Attorney – names someone else to make decisions about your health care when you are not able to do so yourself.
Give a copy of your Advance Directives to your Primary Care Team, take copies with you for planned hospital stays, and make sure family and friends know where to find a copy. Download free Advance Directives documents from eBrightHealthACO.org or Fivewishes.org.
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KNOW WHERE TO GO Make Primary Care your primary call for checkups, new symptoms, management of chronic conditions, or when you just don’t feel well. Need help right away? Urgent Care Centers are a great option, but still call your Primary Care Team first. Remember, Emergency Departments (ED) are for life-threatening injuries and illnesses, such as head injuries, heart attack or stroke — never for sore throats, stomachaches or sprained ankles. For a printable guide to help you know where to go, visit eBrightHealthACO.org
What’s cooking Easy Apple Crisp Piping hot apples with a spiced maple crisp topping are the ultimate shareable and quick-to-make healthy fall dessert. INGREDIENTS SERVES 6 SERVING SIZE 1/2 APPLE 3 gala apples or ann y favorite variety that holds its shape while cooking 1-1/4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant), divided 1/4 cup maple syrup 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
CHEF’S TIP
Use certified gluten-free oats to keep this tasty treat gluten-free.
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350° and prepare a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or a very thin layer of oil. 2. Pulse ¼ cup of the rolled oats in a food processor until it resembles a course flour.
TOP TIP: Be sure to call your Primary Care Team BEFORE you visit an Urgent Care Center or ED. If you can’t reach them, notify them as soon as you can after to keep them up-to-date on your care.
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3. In a large bowl, combine oats, oat flour, maple syrup, melted butter and spices. Stir until well-mixed. 4. Slice apples in half vertically and carefully scoop out the seeds and central core, leaving the rest of the apple intact. 5. Place apples in the prepared baking dish and top each with 2 mounded tablespoons of oat mixture. 6. Cover pan with a lid or tinfoil and bake 15 minutes. Bake uncovered for an additional 20–30 minutes, or until apples have softened and crisp topping is golden brown. Serve immediately. NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION: CALORIES 177; TOTAL FAT 5G, SATURATED FAT 3G, MONOUNSATURATED FAT 1G, POLYUNSATURATED FAT 1G, TRANS FAT 0G; CHOLESTEROL 10MG; SODIUM 2 MG; POTASSIUM 180 MG; TOTAL CARBOHYDRATE 31G; DIETARY FIBER 4G; SUGARS 19G, PROTEIN 2G.
Thank you to eBrightHealth ACO partner ChristianaCare for this recipe. To find more, visit our website at eBrightHealthACO.org.
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
WILMINGTON DE PERMIT NO. 357
4000 Nexus Drive, Suite NW2 Wilmington, DE 19803
Doctor, doctor, give me the news
Now you’re talking... Beneficiary to Beneficiary
Share your favorite Be Well. Stay Well. tips with Evelyn, and she’ll send you our 2024 Health & Wellness Planner to help you record important dates. Bonus track! Include your favorite song, a feelgood musical memory or suggestions for what you’d like to see in a future issue, and Evelyn will also send you a pill organizer so you’ll never miss a beat in staying on top of your good health.
January 2024
Greeting resolutio s 2024! Make you Be Well. Stan of the new yea r first y Well. r to SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY
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Schedule dental and eye visits for 2024!
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Be Well. Stay Well.
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Health & Wellness Planner
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Your Annua l Wellness talk about Visit is a good tim your medic e to ations, lea to preven t falls and rn ways lower you sick. You r risk of get ’ll get lots of tips to ting your best! keep you at WEDNESDA Y THURSD AY FRIDAY 3 SATURDAY 4
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Email Evelyn at info@ebhaco.org. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.
January 2024
This newsletter is from your Primary Care Team and these partners that make up eBrightHealth ACO. Be sure to stay in touch with your Primary Care Team throughout the year to help you Be Well. Stay Well.
Dover Family Physicians; Curtis A. Smith, D.O.; Westside Family Healthcare Visit eBrightHealthACO.org to learn about accountable care organizations. Medicare information: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227); TTY: 1-877-486-2048 or medicare.gov 24ACO66