SUMMER 2019 VOLUME 15 ISSUE 3
IN THIS ISSUE SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS & ITS RELATIONSHIP TO A THRIVING CAMPUS • WELLNESS HEROES • 2019 WALKING SCAVENGER HUNT • liveWELL TRAINING • LIVWELL SENIORS: SUPPORT FOR ELDER CAREGIVERS • Q&A: TIAA FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS
UI Wellness
A UNIT OF UI HUMAN RESOURCES
UI Wellness
staff
People thrive with connection.
UI Wellness is a unit of UI Human Resources.
This newsletter highlights how connection contributes to a healthy campus. Being connected to others influences our mental and physical well-being. Research from 148 studies with over 300,000 participants, indicated that the individuals with stronger social relationships had a 50% increased likelihood of survival in the seven and a half years after the study than those who were not socially connected1.
Megan Hammes Director, UI Wellness megan-hammes@uiowa.edu 335-5424 • E119 CRWC Ilona Lichty Health Coach ilona-lichty@uiowa.edu 467-0192 • E119 CRWC Erin Litton Senior Health Coach erin-litton@uiowa.edu 353-2974 • E119 CRWC Carla Melby-Oetken Health Coach carla-melby@uiowa.edu 353-2975 • E119 CRWC Allison Hursh Health Coach allison-hursh@uiowa.edu 353-2973 • E119 CRWC Jean O’Donovan Secretary jean-odonovan@uiowa.edu 353-2973 • E119 CRWC Liz Heffner Secretary elizabeth-butler@uiowa.edu 353-2973 • E119 CRWC Diana Kremzar Family Services Manager diana-kremzar@uiowa.edu 335-3558 • 121 USB
Knowing that there are significant benefits in being connected, I challenge you to consider who comprises your support systems. Don’t fret, you don’t need a large network to reap the benefits of connectedness. Robin Dunbar, an English anthropologist, did research that suggests although we have about 150 friends at one time, all varying in intimacy, we only have three to five friends in our closest circle. All circles are important and bring different forms of social connectedness to your life; our closest circle provides deep understanding and connection, while the extended circles are filled with acquaintances that say hello at the grocery store. They all influence our happiness and interaction with the world. So if you want to be more connected, check out some ideas on pages 6 and 7 of this newsletter (my favorite is inviting someone to do a fitness class at the CRWC!). Another way to connect with others at work is to nominate a Wellness Hero to highlight how others are making a difference in well-being in the workplace (pages 8 and 9). Finally, consider asking someone to walk with you on the Walking Scavenger Hunt (page 10). However you connect and for whatever reason, a healthy campus is the sum of its parts. When we are connecting with each other, we are all better for it.
Erin Litton, Senior Health Coach Brigham Young University. (2010, July 28). Relationships improve your odds of survival by 50 percent, research finds. ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 20, 2019 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100727174909.htm 1
Layout and Design by IMU Marketing + Design Printed by UI Printing Services on recycled paper
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Human Resources provides leadership in shaping an equitable and inclusive culture that drives diversity, excellence and innovation by supporting talent, engagement, and the employee work experience.
in this issue
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SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS & A THRIVING CAMPUS
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WELLNESS HEROES
10
2019 WALKING SCAVENGER HUNT
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liveWELL TRAINING
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LIVWELL SENIORS: SUPPORT & GUIDANCE FOR ELDER CAREGIVERS
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Q&A: TIAA FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS
liveWELL @ UI At the University of Iowa, we aspire to fully incorporate health and well-being into the lives of our campus community members. This is possible through a commitment to continuous development of a healthy campus culture in the spirit of learning and discovery that is at the heart of a distinguished public university. liveWELL
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Social Connectedness A N D I T S R E L AT I O N S H I P T O
a Thriving Campus When asked about the number of people one would share a personal problem or worry, workers in the United States had a number that was most commonly reported. Zero. Over 25% of employees from all over the country do not have a single person with whom they could share a struggle. In an article in the Harvard Business Review, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, former Surgeon General of the United States, wrote, “Loneliness and weak social connections are associated with a reduction in lifespan similar to that caused by smoking 15 cigarettes a day and even greater than that associated with obesity.” Why is loneliness so harmful to our health? Studies in children show that inflammation in the body due to stress associated with feeling lonely are similar to that of not getting any physical activity in a day.
There is a growing consensus that loneliness is an invisible epidemic that poses a whole host of challenges around health and also our ability to do well at work. The Harvard Study of Adult Development, one of the longest running longitudinal studies, has concluded: • Good relationships keep us happier and healthier • It’s not the number of family or friends one has that matters; it is the quality and depth of relationships that matter. National Geographic Fellow, Dan Buettner, wrote a book, Blue Zones, after researching places on earth with the highest percentages of centarians, or people over 100 years old. Buettner’s work started a movement to modify environments to be more like these healthy regions.
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Belong, Right Tribe, and Loved Ones First are three of the Power 9 principles which all have to do with relationships. The Power 9 are common denominators amongst all of the earth’s Blue Zones that are evidence-based. move naturally
belong
purpose
down shift
loved ones first
80% rule
right tribe
wine at 5
plant slant
Image: Power 9 Principles from the Blue Zones by Dan Buettner Source: www.bluezones.com/2016/11/power-9/
Belong All but 5 of the 263 centenarians interviewed belonged to a faith-based community. Denomination did not seem to matter. Research shows that attending faith-based services four times per month will add 4-14 years of life expectancy.
Right Tribe The world’s longest lived people chose–or were born into–social circles that supported healthy behaviors. Research from the Framingham Study shows that smoking, obesity, happiness, and even loneliness are contagious. So the social networks of long-lived people have favorably shaped their health behaviors.
Loved Ones First Successful centenarians put their families first. This means keeping aging parents and grandparents nearby or in the home, committing to a life partner, investing in children with time and love, and/or having a trusted confidant. The definition of family is broad, encompassing close, trusted relationships. liveWELL
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What does this mean for us at the University of Iowa? The business of inclusion is everyone’s responsibility to help members of our community who may be feeling disconnected. Ways that we can help support our co-workers and other members of our community include: • Promoting superordinate goals (such as cheering for the Hawkeyes together) • Magnify positive events (birthday notes or events, reasons to celebrate) • Social committees, engagement committees, wellness teams, that provide a variety of events that are inclusive of many interest areas, personality types, etc. • Having a space that is available for socializing or dining together • Making efforts to collaborate with other departments and teams The number one thing you can do is simply reach out. Invite someone to do something with you – a walk, cup of coffee, a phone call, etc… We should never be too busy or preoccupied to find out if someone is craving connection. It literally could save their life. Plus, the benefits of giving social support appear to be protective against depression and have many positive effects.
Resources Healthiest State Annual Walk: October 2, 2019 Walk More. Connect More. Organize or find a walk anywhere in Iowa: www.iowahealthieststate.com/events/annual-walk/
UI Employee Assistance Program (UI EAP) Confidential counseling for UI employees and their families. Relationship and personal issues, family or parenting concerns, sleep difficulties and other areas of concern, like feeling lonely, are all ways the UI EAP can help. hr.uiowa.edu/uieap
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eaphelp@uiowa.edu
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319-335-2085
Recreational Services Offers a host of programs that can help you meet people but also promote physical activity and recreation. Check out programs at recserv.uiowa.edu/programs.
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Social Connectedness AROUND CAMPUS Every day I emphasize to our students the value of building relationships for the purpose of networking in my role at Career Services. While they are often connected to many through social media, I challenge them to seek out some of these connections in real life. I am a firm believer that ‘coffee and a conversation’ can go a long way. Garry Klein Career Services, Office of the Provost
The relationships I build at work are key to helping me thrive in my role for UI Health Care. It is always extra motivating to come to work every day when I am surrounded by people who support and challenge me to put forth my best. Jayne Nelson Human Resources Generalist, UI Health Care
I draw on the positive energy of everyone I am blessed to meet every day. This helps me be present in my work on-campus and in all areas of my life. Sonatina Fernandes University Benefits, University Human Resources
Kindness and listening truly help fuel connections. When work gets crazy, as it often does, it is a wonderful stress relief to grab a colleague for a quick walk or chat. Elizabeth Constantine College of Education More Information and Citations: Buettner D. The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the longest. Murthy VH. Work and the loneliness epidemic. Harvard Business Review. September 2017. Holt-Lunstad J, Robles TF, Sbarra DA. Advancing social connection as a public health priority in the US. Am Psychol. 2017; 72(6) Johnson, Sara S. The Art of Health Promotion: Social Connection. Am J Health Promotion. 2018; Vol 32 Waldinger R. What Makes a Good Life: Lessons from the Longest Study on Happiness. 2016. TedX (Accessed from ted.com).
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WELLNESS Wellness Heroes is a program to recognize faculty and staff members who are practicing healthy behaviors that are inspiring to others in the workplace. To acknowledge their efforts, a Wellness Hero will be awarded a certificate and a prize. liveWELL hopes to have our pages filled with Wellness Heroes in each newsletter!
Any faculty or staff member can nominate any other faculty or staff member. For more information or to nominate your Wellness Hero, visit hr.uiowa.edu/livewell/wellness-heroes. STEPHANIE RUSSELL ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND RETENTION, OFFICE OF THE PROVOST NOMINATED BY RACHEL AHERN Stephanie is the epitome of a hero in many ways, but wellness is at the top of the list! She is incredibly dedicated and diligent with her workout regimen each morning to start her day on the right foot, while being in tune with her body’s needs as she does so. I have also never met anyone with meal preparation skills like her! Each week, she never fails to have a menu option for both lunch and dinner that is full of variety and includes healthy salads and fresh produce. She inspires many people with new ideas, portion control, and menu organization. Outside of physical wellness, Stephanie is well-rounded in other aspects, such as getting adequate amounts of sleep each night, checking in to ensure her personal relationships are healthy and thriving, and striving for balance in all facets of her life.
JENNA MILLER COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES NOMINATED BY REBECCA TRITTEN
Several times a day Jenna Miller contributes to the culture of health and well-being by asking all of her co-workers up and down the hallway if they need to take a break to fill their water bottles. In a subtle but effective way, she is encouraging us to stay hydrated and also take short mental breaks, as the water filling station is on the second floor. We get a bit of exercise and the friendly reminder to drink lots of water! Go Jenna!
DENISE SCHLEICH UIHC NURSING SERVICE NOMINATED BY CAMERON BRACH Denise is always about how can she make herself and the people around her healthier. She shares healthy recipes, her daily workout routine, and other peoples’ stories of whom she had helped with their fitness journey.
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RUXTON SMITH COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH NOMINATED BY DR. PETER THORNE “It is fun to ride a bike and see the environment -- especially when compared to sitting in a box that is stuck behind other boxes. Too much traffic is not much of an issue on a bike; generally, no one is going too slow in front of me. I can optimize my route to reduce effort rather than shorten the distance. And I get sufficient exercise without having to plan to exercise.”
RYAN CARNAHAN COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH NOMINATED BY DR. PETER THORNE “I ride my bike to work year-round for health and happiness. It energizes me in the morning and helps me reset at the end of the day. For me, it is a cherished opportunity to get some exercise that can be hard to fit into a busy life. I also feel more connected to the environment and changing seasons. A bike ride in the rain or on a cold winter day can really make you feel alive.”
Congratulations to the following Wellness Heroes. Thank you for promoting health and well-being across our campus. MICHAEL HESSELTINE AMBULATORY CARE SERVICES NOMINATED BY MEGAN HAMMES KARA PRICKETT UIHC NURSING SERVICE NOMINATED BY LOU ANN MONTGOMERY MARIE KASPAREK INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS NOMINATED BY KATHLEEN MATTHES DIANE BECKLER HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION NOMINATED BY SANDY KRAY AMY FINLEY PATIENT FINANCIAL SERVICES NOMINATED BY ROBERTA HODGE JENNA HULSER & ALLISON DUNCAN UIHC NURSING SERVICE NOMINATED BY SHANNON HUNGER JENNIFER CLARK UIHC NURSING SERVICE NOMINATED BY SHANNON HUNGER KELLY BARKER UIHC NURSING SERVICE NOMINATED BY SARAH FERGASON KAITLIN SCHAVER UIHC NURSING SERVICE NOMINATED BY REBECCA TRITTEN
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WALKING SCAVENGER HUNT The liveWELL 2019 Walking Scavenger Hunt is a self-paced walking program inspired by landmarks around the University of Iowa campus. At each destination, you will find a related bonus code to enter online in My Health and Wellness on the Employee Self-Service website. For every bonus code you enter, you will receive 50 liveWELL points to put towards prizes in the wellness store. Earn up to 450 points! No registration necessary.
EAST CAMPUS
hr.uiowa.edu/livewell/walking-scavenger-hunt
#1 The Ties That Bind - In storage due to construction BONUS CODE QUESTION: What is the last name of the woman who created this statue? _____________ DEDECKER
#2 Coexist - 222 E. Washington Ave. BONUS CODE QUESTION: How many spots does the large bird on the right of this mural have? ________
#3 Sharing a Book - outside the Pomerantz Center BONUS CODE QUESTION: What direction does the front of this sculpture face? ________________
#4 Walt Whitman - UI Main Library Gallery Available until August 5, 2019 BONUS CODE QUESTION: Walt Whitman’s exhibit is a celebration of what? ________
#5 Movement and Vitality - Campus Recreation and Wellness Center BONUS CODE QUESTION: This abstract mosaic represents a swirling action of what kind of sports that are offered in the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center? (See plaque near climbing wall) ________________
WEST CAMPUS #6 Untitled - outside Hancher Auditorium BONUS CODE QUESTION: How many stones are located here? ________
#7 Blu - No longer available BONUS CODE QUESTION: Who did Jim Hetzler, the artist, create Blu to honor as a tribute to organ and tissue SISTER donation? ____________
#8 Flower Headed Man on Table - first floor of Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building BONUS CODE QUESTION: What universal themes “in an increasingly complex world” does Viola Frey’s work deal with?________
#9 Dan Gable Statue - outside Carver Hawkeye Arena BONUS CODE QUESTION: What is the final word to Dan Gable’s famous quote, “(NO) Stalling...”? ________________
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liveWELL Training
JUGGLING IT ALL:
Health Health Coaching Coaching for for Busy Busy Families Families Overwhelmed by the to-do list at work and home? Attend this four-part series on well-being to identify quick wins for wellness, fitness, and nutrition on-the-go.
WEDNESDAYS | 12:1O PM–12:50 PM
UNIVERSITY CAPITOL CENTRE (UCC) – 2520B July 10, July 17, July 24, July 31
UNWRAPPING the Science of Sugar
the Science of Sugar
WEST CAMPUS
MONDAYS | 12:1O PM-12:50 PM
EAST CAMPUS
Are you interested in reducing your sugar intake? Attend this four-part series to learn how sugar affects your body and develop strategies to reduce your sugar intake.
THURSDAYS | 12:1O PM-12:50 PM
ZOOM VIDEO CONFERENCING* September 9, September 16, September 23, September 30 *Details on how to access class via ZOOM will be sent via email before class begins.
UNIVERSITY CAPITOL CENTRE (UCC) EXECUTIVE BOARD ROOM September 12, September 19, September 26, October 3
This series is offered at no cost to UI employees as part of liveWELL Health Coach Services.
HOW TO REGISTER
Register for each session via My Training at Employee Self-Service
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Support & Guidance
for Elder Caregivers
An increasing number of University of Iowa employees are citing “caring for someone else” as a primary reason why they are unable to perform optimally at work. It is safe to assume this same reason is affecting other areas of their life and well-being. “Caring for someone else” may first make someone think of parents caring for young children, but we are finding that more and more UI employees have caregiving responsibilities for an aging family member. These responsibilities could be anything from the daily care of loved ones, financial or legal responsibilities, or making decisions that impact their living environment-decisions that are not always easy or well-received. UI Family Services is excited to announce a new community partnership to help our faculty and staff navigate the complex and often confusing world of elder caregiving. Having worked in the senior living and eldercare industry for a number of years, LivWell Seniors’ founder, Rhonda Halterman, says the concept for her company evolved as she consistently worked with individuals and families struggling with the emotional stress brought on by two primary factors: information overload and the misconception regarding the standard of living in today’s senior living communities. “I have worked with countless families faced with the challenge of finding the time to balance work and family in order to sort through the long laundry list of options.” LivWell Seniors’ Senior Resource Specialists serve as personal and professional advocates who work closely with the family to navigate the broad network of transition resources that include senior living communities, relocation and downsizing services, real estate professionals, and other resources. They understand the stress associated with life transition decisions – when is the right time, what living communities or other solutions are appropriate for me or my loved one’s situation, how do we begin this overwhelming process?
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Step One Contact a Senior Resource Specialist at 319-322-8582, info@livwellseniors.com, or chat feature on the LivWell Seniors Website: livwellseniors.com. Describe your situation, ask questions and voice concerns.
Step Two Set-up a time and place to meet, on- or off-campus. Meet with a specialist, ask questions, voice concerns, and you will be connected to resources appropriate for your needs, including senior living options, legal or financial resources.
Step Three Receive additional support, as needed. This could include accompanied visits to senior living facilities, facilitated conversations with family members – support as you need it!
My greatest joy comes when those families that I have assisted express to me that I have given them a renewed sense of hope and the guidance that they really needed to get through this journey.
– Rhonda Halterman, LivWell Seniors
I am passionate about the work I do every day. Whether people are in the planning stages or in an emergent situation, I am able to help them find the best solutions with the most ease. I enjoy going through this journey by their side.
– Marcie Durian, LivWell Seniors liveWELL
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tiaa FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS As the local TIAA financial consultants meet with University of Iowa employees, they hear some common questions. Below are six typical questions and their answers. If you need help with these items, or if you have other questions, we encourage you to schedule an appointment. The consultants are on-site at various locations at the University of Iowa, so they can easily meet face-to-face. Or, feel free to visit them at the Coralville office located at 941 E 2nd Ave Suite 201 in the Iowa River Landing area. Visit TIAA.org/schedulenow to make an appointment.
RICHIE DIAZ
I didn’t get the tax refund I had hoped to receive. Are there actions I can take now to help increase my 2019 refund in early 2020? Many people focus only on the long-term benefit of saving for retirement. However, setting money aside now—on a pretax basis—can also reduce your taxable income in the current year, meaning you pay less in taxes immediately. An easy, potential way to save for your future, while paying less tax in the current year, is to take advantage of the Voluntary Retirement Savings Program. By saving on a pretax basis, you receive a tax break on those contributions, giving you potential for a higher tax refund in 2020. Remember, retirement may seem far away, but no matter how you look at it, you can’t control the passing of time. The sooner you start saving for your future, and the more you save, the greater the likelihood you’ll meet your retirement income needs.
CHUCK FREEMAN
Are retirement savings contribution limits the same in 2019 as they were last year? You are allowed to save more in the University of Iowa Voluntary Retirement Savings plan this year! The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that retirement plan contribution limits for 2019 increased to $19,000 of your salary on a pretax basis. Employees age 50 and above may contribute an additional catch-up amount of $6,000 for a total of $25,000. Since we’re only midway through 2019, you still have an opportunity to take advantage of these higher contribution limits. This may be a great opportunity to look at ways to manage your financial plan more efficiently. There’s no better time to review your budget for opportunities to turn spending into savings.
CINDY WEBB
Am I able to change my retirement contribution at any time during the year? Or do I have to wait for open enrollment? You can change the amount you’re saving for retirement at any time throughout the year through the Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan. And that’s important because the new year or tax time is a great point to refocus on your financial goals, such as saving a bit more for retirement! Given that everyone’s situation is different, I can help you determine exactly how much you should be saving and whether you’re on track to reach your retirement goals. 14 liveWELL
MARK HAGEN
I updated my University of Iowa life insurance beneficiary through Employee Self-Service. Does that same beneficiary get applied to my University of Iowa retirement account with TIAA? Many University of Iowa employees assume that their retirement account beneficiary is updated automatically to match the life insurance beneficiary they list on Employee SelfService. However, that is NOT the case. To review or update the beneficiary on your retirement account, go to TIAA.org/beneficiary. After you log in, you can designate beneficiaries and select how much each should receive. And remember, If you have balances in multiple plans, you can easily update all of them at once by selecting the “apply to all accounts” feature as you are adding or modifying your beneficiaries.
PATRICK J. CONLON CFP ®, CHFC®
My accountant said I could not do a Roth IRA. Can I still make Roth (after-tax) contributions to the Voluntary Retirement Savings program (VRSP)? In many cases, yes. Most employees are eligible to make pre-tax OR Roth (after-tax) contributions to the University of Iowa VRSP. Voluntary contribution amounts are capped at the current IRS limits, which for 2019 are $19,000 or $25,000 if you’re over age 50. Individuals at the University of Iowa earning over $240,000 may have lower voluntary limits than $19,000 or $25,000. While Roth contributions won’t impact your current tax liability the way pre-tax contributions do, the Roth option provides tax-free earnings and withdrawals. You can also choose to split your contributions between pre-tax and Roth (after-tax). This helps give you more flexibility for taking income when you retire.
ADAM REUTZEL
I get a lot of mailing/tax forms from multiple companies and it’s difficult to keep track of everything. How can I stop receiving so much paper? Anyone who has accounts with former employers is likely to receive multiple notices, mainly because financial services companies are required to send certain communications. Another option would be to sign up for eDelivery. Even if you only have a TIAA account, opting to receive all your information electronically can reduce the clutter and make it easier to keep track of everything. To register for eDelivery with TIAA, log in to your account at TIAA.org. Once you see your account home page, select your profile (click on the icon with your initials on the top right corner). Then select Communication preferences and follow the instructions.
The TIAA group of companies does not provide legal or tax advice. Please consult your legal or tax advisor. This material is for informational or educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice under ERISA. This material does not take into account any specific objectives or circumstances of any particular investor, or suggest any specific course of action. Investment decisions should be made based on the investor’s own objectives and circumstances. Investment, insurance and annuity products are not FDIC insured, are not bank guaranteed, are not deposits, are not insured by any federal government agency, are not a condition to any banking service or activity, and may lose value. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, Member FINRA and SIPC, distributes securities products. Annuity contracts and certificates are issued by Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) and College Retirement Equities Fund (CREF), New York, NY. Each is solely responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations. ©2019 Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America-College Retirement Equities Fund, 730 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017 842118
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TIAA
On Campus
TIAA Financial Consultants visit several University of Iowa locations on a regular basis, including General Hospital, University Services Building, Iowa River Landing, and Healthcare Support Services Building. To find specific dates and locations and schedule an appointment, visit TIAA.org/ schedulenow. You’ll have the option to “meet where you work” meaning the UI campus; or meet “at a TIAA location,” which is a local office such as the Coralville location in the Iowa River Landing. You can also call 800732-8353 weekdays, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT. For other financial well-being resources, visit hr.uiowa.edu/livewell/financial-well-being.
Find liveWELL on Social Media @UIowaLiveWELL My Health & Wellness Bonus Code:
WALKCONNECT CODE EXPIRES 10/1/2019
Submit Bonus Code in Self-Service at My Health and Wellness for 50 Points. Learn more about prizes and points at hr.uiowa.edu/livewell/my-health-and-wellness.
Human Resources liveWELL program E119 CRWC, Iowa City, IA 52242 phone 319-353-2973 livewell@uiowa.edu
we welcome you Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact liveWELL at 319-353-2973.