LIVIO CARES | EDITION 6
Managing a health condition Helping you understand
your diagnosis & live well
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Managing Medications PAGE 5 Life with COPD PAGE 6 Coping with Seasonal Depression
Welcome, we’re glad you’re here Managing your own healthcare can be confusing and even overwhelming. It’s tough to know what questions to ask, which treatments are right for you, and who to turn to when you need help. You deserve to have the information and support you need to make the right choices about your health. Livio is here to help connect the dots and provide you with that support. We work with you and your loved ones to create a personal care plan that keeps you at the center. This plan is based on your values and goals—the things that matter most to you. It addresses the challenges that keep you from doing the things you love. In this edition of Livio Cares, we describe how our approach to caring for you is about more than your diagnosis – it is about understanding you as a person.
Thank you for trusting us to care for you,
Dr. Sumair Akhtar Sumair Akhtar MD, MHCDS Chief Clinical Officer
Connect with your care team online Livio Health makes health care convenient. We offer video visits and a personalized online health account that allow you to connect with your care team with a few clicks. With video visits, you can still see your care team, even if you can’t meet face-to-face. Plus, you can share the link with friends or family. If you’d rather send a message to your care team, you can do so securely using your online health account. Ask your care team about setting up a new profile or scheduling a video visit. 1
LIVIO HEALTH SPOTLIGHT
Meet our new pharmacist Introducing John
John Sellner is a graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy. He grew up in rural Minnesota, seeing firsthand the differences in access to care as well as the opportunities to serve entire communities. He has worked in health systems, community health, long-term care and specialty pharmacy settings as well as working with hospice and home infusion home care. When he’s not working with the Livio Team in supporting patients, families and caregivers, John spends his time with his wife and three children. He enjoys woodworking, running, hockey, hunting, fishing, and geocaching.
A valuable team addition
The team at Livio recognized the value that pharmacists can provide to help support patient-centered goals in medication management. A pharmacist can provide targeted clinical interventions in addition to provider education. Pharmacists have a great understanding of not only medications, but also common prescribing trends, insurance-related issues and how they impact patient access to care, as well as unique knowledge into patient financial assistance.
Helping you stay healthy
Pharmacists can create a customized, detailed medication calendar to help guide patients and caregivers. Have questions about medication side effects? Drug interactions? Vitamins and supplements? A pharmacist can help with evidence-based answers. While you’ll often get guidance on prescription medications, over-thecounter (OTC) medications may be a big question mark. Pharmacists have a wealth of knowledge on OTC medications as well as prescription medications. 2
PRESCRIPTIONS, PHARMACIES, AND PILL INTERACTIONS
Taking your medications safely Managing multiple medications can get confusing: Which prescriptions to take at which times? Can I take over-thecounter medications as well, or will they interact with my prescriptions? What happens if I forget to take a pill? Can I take any vitamins or supplements or are those not recommended? Can I stop taking any of my medications as long as I’m feeling well? The care experts at Livio answer some important and common questions about how to safely manage multiple medications.
Start with your doctor
When your doctor prescribes a medication, it can be helpful to prepare a list of questions. Write them down before your visit and be sure to jot down your doctor’s answers so you can easily refer back to them. If you are at all concerned you may not be able to afford one or more of the medications prescribed to you, mention that to your doctor right away. They can help refer you to resources to ensure you won’t need to skip or reduce doses and are able to take the medications precisely as instructed.
Ask your Livio care team
If you have questions about medication instructions, interactions between prescription medications and over-thecounter medications, or possible side effects, your Livio care team can provide guidance. Your nurse practitioner can break down what each medication is doing for you, how it aligns with your goals of care, and what dosage adjustments might be appropriate as your health changes. Your team can also engage with our knowledgeable Livio pharmacist to support medication needs.
Stay on top of refills
If a prescription needs to be refilled, keep track of refill dates. Don’t wait until a prescription runs out to refill it. Keep refill reminders as part of your medication organization system. This will help ensure you can stay on track and, if the prescription is to help manage pain, you’ll stay ahead of any potential discomfort.
Enlist assistance
If you’re finding that medication management is confusing or overwhelming, enlist the help of a friend, family member, or caregiver.
Store medications accordingly
Some medications must be refrigerated, others cannot be stored in a warm, humid environment (such as a bathroom medicine cabinet). Be aware of proper storage for your medications.
Your Livio care team can help you organize and manage your medications. If you have any questions or are experiencing medication side effects, your care team can be a valuable resource.
Stay organized
Prescription medications often come with detailed printed instruction sheets. Use a binder to file them and refer to them when needed. It can be easy to miss doses or mix up medications, so set up a system that works for you to organize your various prescription and nonprescription medications. You can use medication organizers or smartphone apps that can help with reminders.
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HEALTH EDUCATION
Managing life with COPD Most of us feel a bit winded after we climb a flight of stairs, but Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) can make you feel short of breath after doing just about anything. Wheezing, frequent coughing, excessive phlegm, and having trouble taking deep breaths are all common symptoms of COPD. Life with COPD can be challenging to manage, but your Livio care team can provide tailored care to help make things easier. Not only does this include helping you manage your condition and related symptoms, but your care team is also here to guide, support, and encourage you through challenging transitions like smoking cessation programs. From the time you receive a COPD diagnosis, your Livio care team can help you understand what the diagnosis means for you, assist in making plans to help manage and potentially improve your COPD, work with you to define success steps and support you and your caregivers every step of the way. COPD is treatable and manageable. You can have more good days and live comfortably. Having the support and care in place can make a world of difference.
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Protect your lungs
Quit smoking, avoid secondhand smoke, and stay away from air pollution.
Preventative measures
Stay up-to-date on recommended vaccines such as pneumonia, flu and COVID-19, and encourage anyone in close contact with you to do the same.
A healthy diet
Create a nutritional plan to help you maintain a healthy weight.
Exercise regularly
Maintain physical activity (at whatever level you can) that can help your heart pump oxygen through your body, increase blood circulation, and make your respiratory muscles strong.
Identify your support system Rely on the people you trust. They can help you with stress, emotional wellbeing, smoking cessation plans, and other needs.
Have an emergency plan
Know what to do and who to call if anything happens. If your symptoms suddenly become worse, a Livio provider is available 24/7 to take your call and guide you through next steps.
You’ve Asked, We’ve Answered Sometimes I find it hard to get out of bed in the winter months. How can I take care of myself when I feel that way? The colder months can be gloomy, lonely, and difficult to enjoy. Less sunshine and shorter days during the winter often bring feelings of deep sadness, loss of interest in activities, withdrawing from social interactions, heightened anxiety, trouble falling asleep, lack of energy, or trouble concentrating. If you find yourself experiencing any of these, you might be dealing with seasonal depression.
Strategies for coping Fortunately, there are things that might be able to help. Find what works best for you: Get outside and enjoy the sunshine Create a routine and stick to it: consistent bed times, regular physical activity, and self care time Talk things through with a professional or a trusted friend Keep a journal, practice daily gratitude, or utilize spiritual practices like prayer Prioritize social activities like outdoor walks with friends, shared meals, or regular phone calls
Livio is here for you Always talk to your health care provider about how you’re feeling with the change of seasons. They may recommend vitamin D supplementation or even antidepressant medications to help alleviate your symptoms of seasonal depression. Your Livio care team can help you come up with a plan to recognize and address seasonal depression. We can keep you on track with your nutrition and exercise goals and help you manage any additional treatments or medications that may accompany your diagnosis.
Call on your support system Seasonal depression is common, affecting millions of people around the world. Know that you are not alone. Lean on your friends, loved ones, health care providers and your care team to support you through seasonal changes. And remember, just as the winter months are inevitable, so is the dawn of spring in a few months.
Answered by Social Worker Rachel Walding 6
401 Harding St NE Suite #100 Minneapolis, MN 55413
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