PAGE 3 What is Preventive Care? PAGE 5 Fall Prevention PAGE 6 Protection Against Scams StayingHealthPreventiveCareontopof every aspect of your health LIVIO CARES | EDITION 8
As we manage an existing chronic or serious illness, it’s easy to forget about taking care of other aspects of our health, like annual vaccinations or screenings. These are classified as preventive health care measures that can prevent complications from occurring and help avoid making your current health obstacles worse or more difficult.
Thank you for trusting us with your care, Jackie Guetzko Jackie Guetzko, DNP, APRN, C-AGNP Clinical Care Manager Planning for your future health 1 Advance care planning is having conversations about your values, beliefs, and goals for your future. These conversations help you learn about the different care options, allow you to consider what options align with your personal preferences, and inform your family and healthcare providers about your wishes. When you clearly establish your preferences, it equips everyone with the knowledge and assurance, so you get the care you want. Ask your Livio care team about scheduling an advance care planning discussion by calling 612-398-7000 or talking with your care team at your next visit.
Welcome, we’re glad you’re here
In this edition of Livio Cares, we will focus on preventive care and how it is a vital part of all our health, plus how you can take action.
Learn more about your Livio Nurse Navigator by calling 612-398-7000 or asking at your next visit.
LIVIO SPOTLIGHT
• Triage urgent or emergent health needs
• Provide education and assistance to find proper resources
Nurse Navigators at Livio Callie Pribula, a Nurse Navigator at Livio, works to do just that. She acts as a patient’s guiding force through all their health needs. She is involved in scheduling, implementing, and planning around each individual patient.
As a Nurse Navigator, I help bridge the gaps in care between patients and providers. I help my patients communicate with their providers so they can get the important information they may need to make decisions about their health care. Our role in helping you Callie acts as an advocate and additional layer of support. As a Nurse Navigator, Callie can:
2 Managing all aspects of your health can be difficult. Keeping track of all your appointments, different specialists, and most recent medical information can feel like too much to handle on your own. This can be a bit easier when you have a dedicated care team member who helps you navigate your health care journey with you. An expert to guide you That’s where Nurse Navigators step in. Nurse Navigators are registered nurses at Livio Health who are your main point of contact to help empower you to take control of your health and better navigate the complexity of the healthcare system. They work with your existing doctors and specialists and act as an extension of their care. Nurse Navigators help you make the most of your extensive Livio care team by pulling in the right person to fit your needs at any given moment.
Nurse Navigators
• Work with other Livio providers, existing primary care providers and specialists to make recommendations to maximize individual patient health care needs
HEALTH EDUCATION
What is preventive care?
Sometimes staying on top of your health can seem like an overwhelming task, especially as you age or have other health concerns taking the front seat. But the reality is, it’s extremely important to stay in the know with your health no matter your age or current health conditions through preventive care measures. Preventive care is routine health care that can include screenings, check-ups, and immunizations that help prevent future illnesses or diseases. Why is preventive care important? Being proactive with your health through preventive care can prevent complications from occurring and help avoid making your current health obstacles worse or more difficult. Catching things early can prevent health issues from becoming major–and can stop them from even occurring at all. When you pay attention to these things early on, more favorable health outcomes are typical.
How can Livio help? Livio will work with you and review your health history to recommend specific screenings, provide counseling, and review your immunizations. If a necessary screening is identified, Livio can explain the rationale and work with your primary care provider to get screenings scheduled, or in some cases, order the screening ourselves. Most health screenings usually occur on an annual basis, but can be more frequent if needed, like some immunizations.
Taking preventive care actions allows you to be as healthy as possible. Remember that early detection leads to better health outcomes. It’s our job at Livio to assist you throughout your health journey. If you’re not sure what preventive care you’re due for, or how to start taking preventive care measures, ask your Livio care team at your next visit and we can help schedule what’s best for you.
Routine Immunizations
Most people who are diagnosed with cancer do not feel symptoms when the disease is at its earliest, which can be the most treatable stages. Yearly screenings are recommended at various stages of life and to be kept up with annually.
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Preventive care comes in many forms, including but not limited to: Annual check-ups Annual check-ups should be scheduled on top of physical exams. These visits can be used to screen cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and other health related needs.
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Livio can provide counseling on topics that you may not have previously considered as preventive care such as diet, exercise, smoking cessation, and alcohol consumption. Livio can also help find specialized providers if any of which are identified as a wellness opportunity or area for intervention. All of which can be directly related to long-term health concerns and should be considered in your preventive care journey. OK, so now what? The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions in health care across the board, including preventive care screenings. Have a conversation with your Livio care team or primary care provider about what preventive care screenings and measures may be beneficial for you and your health.
Adult immunizations include Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis boosters to protect both yourself and others against shingles, pneumococcal conjugate, or even the seasonal flu. Colonoscopies Colonoscopies can help detect precancer and colon cancer. Cancer screenings
HEALTH & WELLNESS 5 tips for preventing falls
Talk to your Livio team Your Livio care team will review the medications and supplements you’re taking to check if their side effects or interactions may contribute to your risk of falling. Tell your care team about any issues with your feet or legs, joint or arthritis pain, issues with dizziness, or anything else you feel may affect your movement. Stay active Work with your Livio care team to find activities to help you stay active while staying safe. Exercising improves balance and coordination as well as keeping you flexible and improving 5 strength. Regular physical activity can also improve cognitive function and mental health – all important components when it comes to fall prevention. Get good sleep When you do not get enough sleep or suffer from sleep disturbances that wake you frequently throughout the night, your body and mind tend to move more slowly. Getting uninterrupted sleep can help you stay focused and moving more steadily. Invest in grippy shoes Walking around in stocking feet, wearing high heels, shoes with chunky soles, flip flops, or backless slippers are frequent culprits in falls. Choosing house slippers with backs, non-skid soles, and proper fitting outdoor shoes with laces (or flexible elastic closures) are much safer options. Your Livio care team can work with you to help assess your home and identify areas to focus on for fall prevention. We will then incorporate that into your care plan. Staying aware of what causes falls helps prevent them from happening – keeping you safe and healthy.
As we age, falling becomes more common and dangerous. Falls can cause injuries and can impact quality of life. The consequences could also involve higher levels of hospital care, long-term injuries, increased pain, and cognitive or physical disabilities. The following tips can help you prevent falls: Adapt your living space Work with members of your family and care team to assess your living spaces and make small modifications to help mitigate risk. Make sure all areas are well lit, especially stairways, and always turn on the lights when it’s dark.
DO know the warning signs Some common signs of a scam include mentions of a prize, threats if you don’t comply, use of unusual payment methods, or it just seems too good to be true. Other helpful resources to educate yourself include ncoa.org or annuity.org .
It’sauthenticity.important to protect yourself, be alert and always report a scam if you encounter one to the Attorney General Fraud Hotline at 651-2963353 or to usa.gov. Livio is here to support you. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns regarding scams at 612-398-7000 .
Scams, identity theft, and other fraudulent activity continue to be a large problem, and many times it is focused on older adults. It’s important to be aware of this problem and know what actions to take to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of a scam. There are many ways in which you can be vigilant in staying away from scams, here are a few important DO’s and DON’Ts to remember.
DON’T give out information to unexpected requests
Legitimate organizations will not call or text and ask for How can I prevent myself from becoming a victim of a scam?
You’ve asked, we’ve answered confidential information like your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card numbers.
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DON’T act immediately Any pressure to pay or give confidential information is most likely a scam. Slowing down to think logically about the situation can be helpful.
DO stop & talk to someone you trust If you ar e skeptical, stop and ask the individual for a callback number. It’s a red flag if they aren’t quick to give you a number to call back. Before doing anything, tell someone like a friend, family member, or other trusted individual. Talking about it can help you identify
THE DO’S AND DON’TS TO KEEP YOURSELF SAFE FROM SCAMS
401 Harding St NE Suite Minneapolis,#100 MN 55413 At Livio Health, we believe in the power of community resources. Help should be easy to find and obtain. Whether you need help paying bills, hiring a maintenance person, or finding a specialist to help you with your treatment plan, Livio has got your back. Find free or reduced-cost resources online or connect with a member of your Livio care team if you have questions about getting started with your search. Discover free or reduced cost resources in your area START YOUR SEARCH AT LIVIOHEALTH.COM/FINDHELP