SPRING 2020
News from your Primary Care Practice and eBrightHealth ACO
at home!
How to keep in touch with family
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TIPS TO BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY
Make Primary Care your primary call
We’re getting there! As COVID-19 restrictions slowly start to lift in phases and businesses prepare to gradually reopen, we’re starting to imagine life getting back to some level of normal. That’s great news, but it doesn’t mean we should let down our guard just yet. It’s still best to avoid crowds when you can, and hand-washing and social distancing continue to be your first defense. If you need medical care — for COVID-19 symptoms or any health need — make Primary Care your primary call. A health care team member will determine if it’s best for you to come to the office, schedule a telehealth visit using your smartphone or computer, or seek help from an urgent care center or emergency department. Stay well. Stay smart. And stay in touch with your Primary Care Practice. We’ll get through this better and stronger together, one phase at a time!
COVID-19 MythBusters Don’t let rumors get the best of you
Have you tried Telehealth? Telehealth visits by phone or video chat are a great way to check in with your Primary Care Practice or Specialist without having to go to the office. It’s easy and it’s a great way to get the help you need from the safety and comfort of your own home. 1
Chronic condition? Keep on top of it!
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Don’t ignore chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, COPD or diabetes, just because there’s a pandemic going on. Continue to take all medications as prescribed, eat healthy and nutritious foods, stay active, get plenty of sleep, and monitor your condition as instructed. This may mean daily checks of your blood sugar level, monitoring your blood pressure or watching for swelling that could be a sign of fluid retention. Medicare has expanded coverage of telehealth visits during the public health emergency, so check in with your Primary Care Practice especially if something doesn’t seem right. Your Primary Care Practice is available and wants to stay in touch to keep you well. Chronic health conditions won’t wait for COVID-19 restrictions to be fully lifted. Take good care of yourself now.
Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions such as heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19. Ask your Primary Care Practice for additional steps you can take to protect yourself.
Don’t worry, be happy It’s a catchy tune, for sure, but sometimes it’s hard advice to follow, especially with what is happening in the world right now. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression or anxiety, reach out to a friend, family member, or clergy. You may also call your Primary Care Practice or mental health professional, or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 (TTY: 1-800-846-8517). You can also reach out to CareVio’s Emotional Support Program at 302-320-5600 or 1-844-227-3565.
orry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something “ W to do but never gets you anywhere.” — ERMA BOMBECK
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Does anybody really know what day it is? It may be hard to tell if it’s Tuesday or Saturday, but any day is a good day to tackle that long-overdue “honey-do” list or connect with those who are missing you.
Organize and label boxes of photos. Clean out drawers and closets — box up things you no longer need to donate later.
Learn a new skill
— look through old magazines for craft ideas or try an online language class.
Plant a garden — you remember Victory gardens! Order seeds online or ask a family member or neighbor who asks how they can help to pick up a few plants for you.
Take a walking tour of your own neighborhood. If you walk with a friend, be sure to maintain a safe distance.
Text/write/call a friend, neighbor or shut-in. Keep your mind sharp with brain games such as solitaire, crossword puzzles or Scrabble. Explore the many free online versions.
Social distancing may require us to stay physically apart from others, but coming closer together as a family is more important than ever. In fact, some families find that this pandemic is helping them do a better job of keeping in touch. ▶ Set a time for a quick daily check-in by phone, text or email. ▶ Plan a drive-by visit for a wave and to drop off a favorite family recipe or child’s drawing. ▶ Send a card. Everyone loves to get real mail. ▶ Gather for online family happy hour.
Relax with meditation and mindfulness apps. Many free options are available.
5 things to grab quickly if you need to go to the hospital:
➊ ➋ ➌ ➍ ➎
How to keep in touch with family
MEDICATION LIST (OR BETTER YET, BRING THE BOTTLES) ADVANCE DIRECTIVE DOCUMENTS MEDICARE AND SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE CARD DRIVER’S LICENSE OR OTHER PHOTO ID CELL PHONE AND CHARGER
▶ Look through old photos and family movies, then laugh together over great memories. ▶ Tell your grandchildren a bedtime story over the phone about what things were like when you were their age. ▶ If you’re not already familiar with online apps like FaceTime, Zoom, or WhatsApp, ask a neighbor — or a grandchild — to help you get started.
MythBusters
Does the new coronavirus affect older people, or are younger people also susceptible? People of all ages can be infected with the new coronavirus (nCoV-2019). Older people, and young people with preexisting medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus. WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example, by practicing good hand hygiene and covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Check out the WHO website for more MythBusters to debunk rumors you may be hearing about COVID-19 at who.int/emergencies/ diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters.
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Be Well. Stay Well. At Home! Word Find Puzzle
6 tips to brighten your day —1—
Attend a livestreamed worship service, book club or happy hour.
Beware of Scams! In the midst of worldwide tragedy, we’ve all been touched by great humanity. But sadly, there are also those who try to take advantage of good, hardworking people. Stay alert and protect yourself!
✓ Do NOT respond to any phone
calls, emails or social media messages that ask you for personal information or money.
✓ If someone reaches out to you with
an offer for a COVID-19 vaccination, medicine or treatment, it is a scam!
✓ Stay vigilant and guard your
Medicare card like a credit card. Check your Medicare claim summary forms for errors.
✓ If someone calls asking for your Medicare number, hang up!
Medicare has you covered
Medicare has temporarily expanded its coverage of telehealth services to respond to the current public health emergency. Visit medicare.gov and click on Learn More in the green bar.
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Roll back the rug and dance to your favorite tunes.
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Do something to help others. Donate to food banks and other aid organizations.
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Buy gift cards online to support local businesses.
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Create a “buddy” system to check on neighbors.
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Ask your grandchild what he or she learned in cyber school today.
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Home Sweet Home? For many of us, our home is our sanctuary. But with shelter-at-home restrictions in place to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, we may all be getting a bit more “home time” than we bargained for. How do you keep the walls from closing in until things fully phase back to normal?
What’s cooking Pea Pesto with Creamy Lemon Ricotta Flavorful pea pesto is a new twist on an Italian classic. Toss hot pasta with vibrantly colored pesto and dot with creamy pillows of ricotta cheese for a quick, delicious meal. Green peas are low in fat, packed with protein and fiber, rich in B vitamins and vitamins A, C and K, and are a good source of many minerals, including calcium, iron and magnesium. INGREDIENTS SERVES 6 1 cup fat-free ricotta cheese 1 large lemon 2 cups green peas, frozen 12 oz. rotini or fusilli pasta, dry
2. Cook peas according to package directions. Rinse cooked peas with cold water to stop the cooking process and keep them bright green. Drain well, reserve 1/2 cup of peas and add the rest to the bowl of a food processor.
1 cup packed fresh basil leaves
3. Cook pasta according to package directions. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid. Drain pasta and return to the pot.
GET OUTSIDE or at least open a window each day for fresh air.
/2 cup fresh mint 1 leaves
CALM YOURSELF with repetitive movement (painting, crocheting).
2 tablespoons olive oil
4. While pasta is cooking, make the pesto. Add basil, mint, garlic and olive oil to the peas in the food processor. Squeeze 1 tablespoon of lemon juice reserved and add to the other ingredients. Process until completely smooth, stopping to scrape the bowl as needed.
STICK TO a routine.
TAKE A BREAK from the news. REACH OUT to others to find support. KEEP A gratitude journal. Today I am grateful for:
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1. Zest 1/2 of the lemon and measure 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Reserve the rest for the pesto. In a small bowl combine the ricotta, lemon zest and juice. Set aside until pasta is ready to serve or cover and refrigerate if not immediately proceeding. Halve this recipe if you are only feeding one or two!
2 cloves of garlic
Optional: garnish with extra basil leaves
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
5. Add pesto to the drained hot pasta and gently stir to combine. If needed, add cooking water to the pasta 1 tablespoon at a time to slightly thin the sauce. Stir reserved peas into pasta and season to taste with extra lemon juice, pepper and salt. Pour into a serving bowl, dollop ricotta over the pasta and garnish with extra basil leaves. Serve hot.
CALORIES 297, TOTAL FAT 5G, SATURATED FAT 1G, MONOUNSATURATED FAT 3G, POLYUNSATURATED FAT 1G, TRANS FAT 0G, CHOLESTEROL 3 MG, SODIUM 93 MG, POTASSIUM 123 MG, TOTAL CARBOHYDRATE 52G, DIETARY FIBER 9G, SUGARS 6G, PROTEIN 13G
Thank you to eBrightHealth ACO partner ChristianaCare for this recipe. To find more, visit news.christianacare.org/category/wellness.
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
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WILMINGTON DE PERMIT NO. 357
200 Hygeia Drive, Suite 2100 Newark, DE 19713
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You have received this newsletter because your Primary Care Practice is part of eBrightHealth ACO, an accountable care organization committed to better care at lower costs through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Shared Savings Program. We know you join us in saying Thank You to all of the incredible health professionals working so hard to keep our community safe.
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COVID-19 HEALTH INFORMATION: bayhealth.org/covid-19 beebehealthcare.org/covid-19-resource-center christianacare.org/coronavirus-covid-19 peninsula.org/covid-19-coronavirus-19
COMMUNITY PRACTICES:
Abigail Family Medicine, Atlantic Family Physicians, Dover Family Physicians, La Red Health Center, Quality Family Physicians, Curtis A. Smith, DO, Trinity Medical Associates, Westside Family Healthcare For more information, visit ebrighthealthaco.org and go to For Beneficiaries, or call the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY 1-877-486-2048). 20ACO15