How Caring For Her Mother Helped Care For Herself

LIVE • LAUGH • LEARN
How
Caring For
Her Mother
Helped
LEEZA
GIBBONS
Care
For
Herself
How To
Be Happy
At Home
Get Moving
With Social
Dance
INSIDE!
8 TIPS
FOR
SHARING
MEALS
WELCOME | LETTER
Did you know?
39% of American
adults care for
sick or aging
family members.
(Pew Research
Center, 2013)
LIVE • LAUGH • LEARN
How
Caring For
Her Mother
Helped
INSIDE!
8 TIPS
FOR
SHARING
MEALS
LEEZA
GIBBONS
Care
For
Herself
How To
Be Happy
At Home
Get Moving
With Social
Dance
ON THE COVER
Leeza Gibbons learned to
“slow down and be present”
while caring for her mother.
2|
TAKING CARE
None of us can be certain about what our own personal health
journeys will look like, but there is one thing we will likely have in
common: At some point, there's a good chance we will care for —
or receive care from — a friend or family member.
We're constantly inspired by stories of members who, among
many other life roles, are caregivers. Whether you're delivering
meals to sick neighbors or opening your homes to ailing relatives
for months at a time, our members are on the front lines of
providing assistance, encouragement and support to important
people in their lives.
That's why we're highlighting caregiving in this issue. From
recipes to resources, we've loaded page after page with tips, tools
and inspiring stories to help celebrate caregivers and inspire them
to seek support from others. Because, as our cover celebrity Leeza
Gibbons points out, "Caregivers need to be connected, not only to
resources, but also to each other."
–Th e Renew Team
“If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.” – Maya Angelou
contents
FEATURES
| I SS U E 6
14 READY TO EXHALE
22 MADE WITH LOVE
Leeza Gibbons talks to Renew about
her passion for giving care to caregivers.
Tasty tips for creating make-and-take
food for friends and loved ones.
18 CARE PACKAGE
Wonderful resources for
people providing care to
friends and family.
Meet
Dr. You
Look for this
symbol to find
simple tips on
becoming your own
health advocate and
helping to improve
your quality of life.
| Brought to you by UnitedHealthcare | 3
CONTENTS | IN THIS ISSUE
12
IN THIS ISSUE:
12 Family Matters: Happy at Home
26 Keep Moving: Social Dancing
28Your Health, Your Wealth:
The Financial Side of Living Wills
30 Health Check: Prediabetes
PLUS:
5 LIVE • LAUGH • LEARN
10 DR. YOU
25 THE DOCTOR IS IN
27 BRAIN BOOSTER
We’re Here For You
We want to make sure you get the information you need.
Have a question about your plan? Call the number on
the back of your member ID card to speak with one
of our friendly UnitedHealthcare® Customer Service
representatives.
8 a.m. - 8 p.m. local time, 7 days a week.
Or log in to myAARPMedicare.com.
Do we have the right address for you?
Please let us know so we can keep you
informed about your plan.
4|
“If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” – Booker T. Washington
Share Your
Thoughts
For the next issue of Renew, we'd like
to share readers' healthy-habit success
stories. In 150 words or less, please
tell us about your healthy habit: What
prompted you to adopt it? How do you
stick to it? And how do you bounce
back if you veer off track?
Also, do you have comments about
Renew or a great article idea? We’d
love to hear from you.
Submit your response or share
your feedback and article ideas at
renewMedicareRx.com.
Or write us at:
UnitedHealthcare Renew
P.O. Box 410018
Kansas City, MO 64141-0018
Correction: In the last issue of Renew, the
answer to question number seven in the Brain
Booster quiz was incorrect. The correct answer
is Nevada. We regret the error, and wish to
thank the many readers who reached out to us.
live • laugh • learn
TALKING TURKEY
It’s the bird that gets top billing at holiday feasts (close to 50
million turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving alone), but turkey
meat boasts health benefits year-round. Low in fat and calories but
high in protein, turkey is a great lean substitute for fattier meats.
It’s also rich in zinc and vitamin B, nutrients that help maintain eye
health. For a healthier preparation, roast your turkey on a rack to let
the extra fat drip off, swap out butter for olive oil when basting, and
opt for white meat (it has fewer calories than dark). When it comes
to turkey sandwiches, reach for whole grain bread, go easy on the
mayo, and add a few of these healthy sandwich toppers:
LIFE-BOOSTING
TIPS & IDEAS
Ý
tomatoes
leafy
greens
cucumbers
red onions
sweet peppers
sprouts
Eat slowly and you'll eat less. Research from the Journal of the Academy of
Nutrition and Dietetics published in 2014 found you consume less calories
when you take your time to eat.
nutes from that first bite until your brain sends out
| Brought to you by UnitedHealthcare | 5
FLU?
NOT
YOU!
WAYS TO SHARE
HOLIDAY CHEER
4 reasons to
get a flu shot:
} It is a myth that you can get
the flu from the flu vaccine.
You can’t.
} The flu virus is easily spread,
especially during “flu season.” In
the United States, this is typically
October to May.
} The flu is a serious illness.
According to the Centers
for Disease Control, on
average 200,000 people are
hospitalized each flu season.
} Most insurance will cover
your flu shot at no out-ofpocket cost to you.
Frequent hand
washing for 20 seconds
with soap and water
can help remove the flu
virus and help prevent
it from spreading.
6|
“From caring comes courage.” – Lao Tzu
Pay it Forward
u u u u u u
It’s a sweet surprise to pull up to your
favorite drive-through coffee window and
learn that the stranger in the car ahead paid
for your coffee. Start the chain or keep it going
by covering someone’s latte for the day.
GIVE YOUR
BRAIN A
BOOST
BY THE NUMBERS
Holiday Travel
’Tis the season to pack up the car
or book your next flight!
Research published earlier
this year in the Journal of the
American Geriatrics Society
shows that regular brain
“workouts” can have lasting
benefits for memory and cognitive ability. But don’t sweat it
— boosting your brain can be as
simple as playing a few online
games to test memory, reaction
time and problem-solving skills.
To get you started, UnitedHealthcare is now providing
Road Trip Reunion brain games
at myAARPMedicare.com.
Built around a road trip adventure, you will join characters
Tom and Ann on their way to
attend a family reunion, with
eight games that step up the
challenge as you pass each level.
Challenges include moving a
kayak through rough waters
to adding correct change at a
virtual toll booth. The games
may be short but they could
help energize your mind for the
long haul.
To get started playing brain
games, sign in or register at
myAARPMedicare.com and
look for the brain games image
on the my Account Home tab.
You can also download Road
Trip Reunion brain games on
your iPad today. Visit iTunes
and enter keywords "Road Trip
Reunion" to get started.
1
Visiting relatives
is the number one
reason we travel.
2
Number of hours you
should arrive at the
airport before
your domestic flight.
54
Days in advance
you should book
a domestic airline
ticket to score the
best price, according
to 2013 research by
cheapair.com.
TH E WE DN ESDAY
B E FOR E
THAN KSG IVI NG
IS TH E B USI EST
TRAVE L DAY OF
TH E YEAR.
25
Average dollar cost
to check one bag
with most airlines.
261
Average
trip distance in miles.
Did you know?
Traveling can be good for you! A 2013 study from the
Global Coalition on Aging and Transamerica Center
for Retirement Studies showed that after only a day
or two of vacation, 89% of those studied had lower
stress levels.
| Brought to you by UnitedHealthcare | 7
LIVE, LAUGH, LEARN
AGE OF
CHAMPIONS
Proof that you’re never too
old to go for the gold.
Age of Champions is an
inspiring PBS documentary
that follows five senior athletes
as they chase their dreams of
winning gold in the National
Senior Games. The event, which
takes place every two years,
draws 300,000 athletes, ages
50 to100, to compete in 19
sporting events — from track and
field to tennis and basketball.
The stories of these remarkable
men and women prove that
you can be super fit and
fiercely competitive at any age.
Mavis Albin is the 76-year-old
captain of the senior women’s
basketball team, The Tigerettes.
She says in the movie trailer,
“We are ordinary grandmothers
and people cannot believe we
play basketball. We’re going for
our number six gold medal, and
we feel like we’re the greatest
senior women’s basketball team
in the United States.”
Watch the trailer or
purchase a copy of the DVD
at ageofchampions.org.
8|
{reflections}
JUST SAY YES
One woman’s discovery that accepting
help is hard — and healing.
L
ike many Americans, I’ve journeyed through life prizing my
independence. I happily juggled
marriage, children and a career for
decades. I volunteered for this. I helped
out with that. And I did it all while
proudly standing on my own two feet.
But the day came that I couldn’t
stand on my own two feet — much
less stand at all. A medical emergency
forced me to shift gears from on-the-go
to stuck-in-bed virtually overnight.
Any modesty I possessed when I
went into the hospital vanished. So did
any fashion sense, which, as a former
women's fashion magazine editor, I
found particularly annoying.
But by far most troubling to
self-reliant me was how I suddenly
needed help with, well, everything
— from gently wetting my dry lips to
“We make a living by what we get, but a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill
getting the words of encouragement I
desperately needed to soldier on. After
my five-month hospital stay, friends
and family continued to come to my
aid for weeks.
It was difficult to give up my independence, even temporarily. I quietly
grumbled. I inwardly complained. But
I finally realized that the best thing
I could do when people graciously
offered to help me was to reply just as
graciously in return: “Yes. I appreciate
it. Thank you.”
Ultimately I learned that accepting
help didn’t just help my health, it
helped my heart. And, trust me on this,
your heart is a much more important
body part than your own two feet.
Bette Sack has written on the ups and
downs of life for more than a decade.
Just a
Phone
Call Away
As a UnitedHealthcare Customer Service Representative,
Laurie Churchill has received phone calls from thousands of
members. As you’ll see below, she has genuinely loved every
minute of it — and she hopes that she or her colleagues will
be hearing from you soon.
Q: WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?
A: The most wonderful thing is connecting with members. After
I’ve answered their question, they often share a joke or give me a
weather report from where they live. Members tell me I make their
day, but the truth is, they make mine.
Q: WHY DO MEMBERS CALL YOU?
A: Members ask us to help them schedule annual wellness visits,
update their address, walk through the details of their plan.
Anything that helps them take charge of their health care.
Q: HELPING PEOPLE IS IMPORTANT TO YOU.
WHY IS THAT?
A: I’ve always treated people the way I want to be treated, and that
includes helping members! The Customer Service team is here to
go above and beyond to answer questions, explain next steps and
resolve issues. We’re with you every step of the way.
To connect with your Customer Service Representative,
just call the number on the back of your member ID card.
 Laurie Churchill, UnitedHealthcare
Customer Service Representative.
WHAT’S AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE?
An Authorized Representative is someone you choose to help manage your health plan on your behalf.
This even includes spouses. Your husband or wife must be identified as an Authorized Representative to
speak with us about your plan, including handling your claims, payments, doctor choices and more. (Your
Authorized Representative cannot change plans for you.) To add one, call the UnitedHealthcare Customer
Service number on the back of your member ID card.
| Brought to you by UnitedHealthcare | 9
Look in the mirror and meet Dr. You.
Use the helpful tips that UnitedHealthcare offers to become
Dr. You, your strongest health advocate.
A Diabetes Success Story
Diagnosed as a “borderline” diabetic at age 13, UnitedHealthcare member
Nina Gradia has wrestled with the condition most of her life. Thanks to smart
lifestyle choices, she's winning the battle. She's leading a healthy life — and is
eager to share how other people with diabetes may be able to do the same.
Five Success Factors
Nina credits five key factors for making her life with diabetes a success story: exercise,
food choices, experience, independence and lifestyle. Daily exercise helps Nina “stay
energized and feel good,” while reaching for the right foods helps her keep her insulin
levels in check. “There is plenty to eat if we’re creative,” she says. Nina lists almonds
and sugar-free pudding as two of her favorite “diet” delights.
As a busy wife, mother of two loving daughters and three stepchildren and nana
to six grandsons, as well as a Washington, D.C. museum docent, Nina credits
experience with keeping her on track. Her girls have been her healthy choice
inspiration since their births. “I’ve had a lifetime of diabetes,” says Nina, whose
sister is also diabetic. “Anything is easier with experience.”
Sadly, Nina lost her mother “far too young” and had to start making her
own health care decisions early in life. But this independence, she realized,
is essential. “Most people want to remain independent,” Nina insists. She
encourages diabetics to develop their own personal diabetes plan that fits
their own way of life.
The fifth factor, lifestyle, is perhaps most important. “If we choose the
healthy practices of daily exercise, daily meds, and watch our diets, we
can take a needed break and indulge in something once in a while — as
long as we return to our regular health practices.”
Staying Committed
Ultimately, says Nina, her success as a diabetic is largely
determined by taking the condition seriously and knowing that
she is in control of the effect it has on her life. “Start today, not
tomorrow, and stay in there for the long haul!”
Learn more about living with diabetes with the
Diabetes Learning Center and a video message
from Dr. Reed Tuckson at renewMedicareRx.com.
DIABETES | DR. YOU
Rx for Diabetes
"People with diabetes can live longer and healthier lives by taking their medication as prescribed," says
Dr. You Health Team member Michael Anderson, Pharm.D., Chief Pharmacy Officer, UnitedHealthcare
Medicare & Retirement. That's why if you have diabetes, your pharmacist is an essential resource and key
member of your health team. They can help you learn how to get the most from your medicine so that you
can manage diabetes every day and help prevent long-term complications.
To help you live a healthier life with diabetes, Parisa Vatanka, Pharm.D., Safeway pharmacist, suggests
bringing the following list of questions with you the next time you visit a pharmacist.
 Why is it important that I take
diabetes medicine?
 Why do I need to check my
blood sugar at home?
 How often and when should I
take the medicine?
 How do I treat blood sugar
when it is too high or too low?  What medicine combinations
should I avoid?
 How do I take or inject the
medicine?
 In addition to taking my
diabetes medicine, how can
keeping active every day help
me manage my diabetes?
 What possible side effects
should I look for and what
should I do if I experience a
side effect?
 What over-the-counter
medicine is safe to take
considering I have diabetes?
"Some pharmacists have a special interest in diabetes management and have completed additional
training," says Vatanka. "You may want to build a relationship with the pharmacist who best meets your
needs. Find a pharmacist who is willing to answer questions about your medicine so they may help you
effectively manage living with diabetes."
Nutrition Needs
Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist about smart nutrition choices that can help you
manage diabetes and other conditions.
| Brought to you by UnitedHealthcare | 11
FAMILY MATTERS | HAPPY AT HOME
Happy at Home
When the weather
or an illness has you
cooped up, here are
some ways to stay
happy at home.
Julie Kendrick
12 |
life. Call that old high school friend
with whom you’ve lost touch. Jot
down a list of the 10 things you
love most about your grandchild
and send it to him or her by email
or, even better, via the mail. Make
it your mission to make someone
else’s day. By the time you hang
up the phone, click “send” or put
a stamp on the envelope, you’ll
probably be feeling better, too.
REACH OUT
APPRECIATE THE “NOW”
Think of your downtime as a gift
and use it to reconnect with people
who are (or were) important in your
“There are some benefits to
having ‘downtime,’ even if you do
feel bored,” says Mary Kutheis,
“Life is an exciting business, and most exciting when lived for others.” – Helen Keller
who consults on performance
improvement and contentment at
her St. Louis–based company, Real
Contentment. “One of the benefits
of slowing down is the opportunity
to develop an appreciation for
what is happening right now — the
meal you’re eating, the book you’re
reading or even the scenery outside
your window. Try appreciating the
good things that are happening
right in this moment.”
ORGANIZE WITH FOCUS
Assuming you’re not under the
weather, an extended time at home
STUCK
INSIDE?
ORGANIZE
YOUR
PICS!
Control your happiness. Studies show that
as people age, they believe they gain more
control over their own happiness.
can offer a good opportunity to
tackle problem spots like messy
closets,
overflowing
kitchen
pantries or disorganized home
offices. Be sure to decide which
area to target and stick to it, Kutheis
advises. “Choose a confined area,
like a drawer or a closet, and tell
yourself that you aren’t going to
wander off, but stay there until
it’s done.” If you’re ready to take
on a room that needs to be made
ship-shape, she suggests looking
at the entire room as a clock. “Start
at 12 o’clock, and don’t move on
until you’ve handled everything
in that space,” she says. Another
suggestion: “Take a before and
after picture. When you see the
results, you’ll realize you had a
very productive day.”
TRY MINDFULNESS
Spending just a few minutes a day
in quiet meditation can help you
rid yourself of occasional anxious
or unsettled feelings. You don’t
need any special equipment. Just
relax and focus on your breathing
for a few minutes. The calming
effects of even a very short period
of mindfulness can carry over to the
rest of your day and may even ease
psychological stresses like anxiety,
pain and depression, according to
research conducted earlier this year
at Johns Hopkins University.
LEARN A NEW SKILL
Neuroscientist Denise Park of
the University of Texas at Dallas
recently reported that taking on a
mentally demanding new activity,
like quilting or digital photography,
can help keep your mind sharp.
Can’t make it to the hobby shop? No
problem. Use your homebound days
to simply plan your next creative
endeavor. Check out DIY shows on
television, or visit the Internet. At
Pinterest.com, plug “easy crafts”
into the search window, and this
will yield tutorials on everything
from button bookmarks to pencileraser paintings.
MOVE TO BOOST
YOUR MOOD
Is being cooped up starting to
make you feel blue? One of the
best ways to enhance your mood
is to keep moving. Harvard Health
Publications reports that exercise
enhances the action of endorphins,
which are chemicals that may help
improve mood. So do laps around
your living room or try some bicep
curls with heavy canned goods
while you’re waiting for your
morning coffee to brew. (Consult
your doctor before starting any
new exercise routine.) You might
be surprised at how much better
even a few minutes of light exercise
makes you feel.
“Folks are
usually about as
happy as they
make up their
minds to be.”
— Abraham Lincoln
Cabin Fever
Cabin Fever n. Boredom, restlessness or irritability that
results from a lack of environmental stimulation, as from a
prolonged stay in a remote, sparsely populated region or a
confined indoor area. — American Heritage Dictionary
| Brought to you by UnitedHealthcare | 13
Ready to
Exhale
Personal experience inspired a new life mission for Leeza
Gibbons: caring for caregivers. For more than 10 years, she
has brought a breath of fresh air — and much more — to
people who comfort the ones they love. By Caralee Adams
I
f you’ve turned on a TV in
the last 20 years, chances are
you’re familiar with Leeza
Gibbons. She hosted Entertainment
Tonight, had her own talk show,
Leeza, and recently won a Daytime
Emmy Award for outstanding talk
show host on PBS’ My Generation.
The 57-year-old wife and mother of
three feels comfortable in the role
14 |
of television celebrity, to be sure.
A role that didn’t feel as
comfortable for Gibbons, at least
initially, was that of caregiver.
Leeza’s mother, Gloria Jean, was
diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in
1999. This marked the beginning
of a journey that though heartwrenching, ultimately motivated
Leeza to passionately pursue her
most important role yet. That role
being one of the nation’s most
outspoken, dedicated and wellknown advocates for caregivers.
Her goal? To do all she can to ease
the burden for caregivers, who may
sometimes feel isolated, exhausted
and emotionally drained. In 2002
she established the Leeza Gibbons
Memory Foundation, which
For more from Leeza
about her experience
as a caregiver, visit
renewMedicareRx.com.
operates Leeza’s Care Connection,
providing free services and resources for
family caregivers.
Hoping to help UnitedHealthcare
members who may find themselves
in the noble role of caregiver, Leeza
recently shared insights gained from her
own personal journey.
Renew: How did you react when
your mother was first diagnosed?
Leeza: I refused to believe the woman
who was my emotional compass could
ever be lost in something as dark as
Alzheimer’s disease. Mom could find
a way around, through or over any
problem we had ever faced. At first, I
hid in the place where I always sought
refuge when things were too hard: work.
I went into overdrive. I spent the better
part of two years spinning, searching for
ways to treat, fix or cure her — anything
but face it.
Renew: How did your approach to
caring for your mother evolve?
Leeza: I learned to slow down and just
be present with my mother. I learned
the power of a touch, how healing it
was to brush her hair or listen to music
together — to focus on what was left
instead of what was lost.
Renew: What kinds of self-care
helped sustain you during the
stress of caregiving?
Leeza: Caregivers get accustomed to
going on no sleep, an abundance of
stress and extra worry. Compassion
fatigue sets in and you’re often so
emotionally numb by the enormity of
the task or so physically compromised
by the relentless demands that you are
likely in need of a caregiver yourself.
It’s imperative that you “take your
oxygen first” — nourish your own mind,
body and soul. For me, that meant
admitting when I wasn’t handling things
well and learning to ask for help. I also
had to force myself to walk away from a
problem for 10 minutes and be aware of
my breathing.
“We can do the
best we can with
this moment and
move forward.”
Renew: What inspired you to start
Leeza’s Care Connection, and
how do you hope it is making a
difference?
Leeza: I promised my mother I would
tell our family’s story. I told her I would
do what I could to make it count. We
created what we wished we had when
we were going through our struggles.
Leeza’s Care Connection is where
caregivers can call on their courage and
summon their strength for the difficult
journey ahead.
Caregivers need to be connected,
not only to resources, but also to each
other. Even though it is much better
than when we began 10 years ago, there
is still a lot of isolation, stigmatization,
blame and shame surrounding memory
Did you know?
Caregivers spend an average of 20 hours weekly caring for loved ones,
according to the National Alliance for Caregiving (2009).
Read up!
Leeza co-authored
Take Your Oxygen First
to provide a helpful
and inspiring resource
to those giving care to
individuals with memory
loss. Available at
amazon.com.
loss. People need a place to exhale,
knowing that when they take their
next breath in, they will have a
community of support to help offer
education and empowerment.
Renew: You describe yourself
as an optimist. How did
this optimism come into
play during your mother’s
health crisis?
Leeza: We can’t go back and rewrite
the story to a time before the
disease, but we can do the best we
can with this moment and move
forward. Negativity wastes valuable
energy and blocks solutions. The
best science indicates that those
who are more optimistic tend to
fare better with overall wellness —
emotionally and physically.
Renew: What advice do you
have for people who find
themselves in the role of
receiving care? Why is it
difficult for people to accept
care from loved ones?
Leeza: Receiving care requires that
we open up, surrender control
and trust. For caregivers, it can
feel like being a failure or being
inadequate to receive help, when
it’s really a sign of great strength.
With care receivers, it’s very often
a new identity to be someone who
needs help. We fiercely hold on to
our independence. For someone
with Alzheimer’s disease there
is the added challenge of being
confused about why the help is
even being offered.
Renew: You are a champion
for caregivers. Ultimately,
what words of encouragement
do you provide to people
who might be feeling
overwhelmed caring for a
loved one?
Leeza: Everything you need to
know about caregiving comes from
feeling guilty, being scared, messing
up, feeling alone, feeling resentful
or depressed. That’s the point. This
is not the life you ordered. It’s that
bend in the road you never saw
coming, but here you are. Don’t try
to do this alone. So, your music has
changed and you’ve forgotten the
steps to the dance of your life — it
is OK. There are people who can
play your song back to you, and
you can learn new steps, but you
have to move to a new stage. Don’t
look back, unless it’s to see how far
you’ve come. n
Learn more about Leeza's
programs and resources at
leezascareconnection.org.
| Brought to you by UnitedHealthcare | 17
We’ve bundled up some of the best
caregiving tips, ideas and inspiring stories
for the people who need them the most:
friends and family members who are
helping those they love. Ready for some
great resources? Start unwrapping!
BY BLAKE MILLER
18 |
Caregiver Resources
1. TREAT YOURSELF
This November marks the nation’s second annual National Family
Caregivers Month, set forth to “reflect on the generosity, grace
and strength of family caregivers,” according to a presidential
proclamation. If you’re a caregiver, why not treat yourself to a
movie, nice dinner out or a massage? (A 2012 study published in
the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine showed
that massages lower the levels of the stress hormone in the
body.) After all, the month-long observance seeks to acknowledge
those in a caregiving role: YOU!
2. TAKE SMART FIRST STEPS
New to the role of caregiver? James D. (Jamie)
Huysman, Psy. D, LCSW, a caregiving expert for
UnitedHealthcare suggests the following as your
first steps:
P Create a Support System. Reach out first
to the agency or foundation that deals with the
medical condition of your loved one and educate
yourself. Bonus: These agencies will often
provide resources and support groups for those
in a caregiving role.
P Seek Out Support Groups. Get out and
connect with others who are in a similar position
to help you prepare logistically and mentally for
the road ahead.
P Take Care of Yourself. Yes, you are a caregiver
— but your health needs to be primary. Without
good health, both physical and psychological, you
can’t be the best caregiver to your loved one.
3. TRACK DOWN
GOOD RESOURCES
Not sure where to start when it
comes to finding long-term care,
health insurance information, or financial
and legal assistance as a caregiver? The
National Association of Area Agencies on
Aging's mission is to help older adults and
people with disabilities live with dignity and
choices in their homes and communities
for as long as possible. For help in
finding local, state and community
based organizations that serve older
adults and their caregivers in your
area, visit Eldercare.gov.
There's more online:
Check out more of Dr. Huysman’s
helpful and encouraging videos by
visiting uhc.tv and search “caregiver.”
| Brought to you by UnitedHealthcare | 19
Caregiver Resources
4.
MAKE THE MOST OF
WELLNESS VISITS
Your loved one’s annual wellness visit with his or her doctor is a prime
time for you to cover a lot of ground. During the annual wellness visit,
the doctor will check blood pressure, height and weight, and physical
and emotional well-being. This is a great chance for you to ask
questions such as:
LEARN MORE
ABOUT MEDICARE
AND CAREGIVING
hat can I do to help maintain P W
hat screenings,
PW
or improve my loved one's
overall health?
immunizations or vaccinations
do you recommend?
hat types of physical
PW
activities are right for them?
re the drugs, supplements
PA
90 MILLION
and/or vitamins they are
taking appropriate?
AMERICANS
ARE IN A
CAREGIVING
ROLE TODAY.
–Caregiver Action
Network
6. GET CONNECTED
Despite the fact that millions of Americans are providing care to
loved ones, caregivers can still feel isolated and unconnected.
The Caregiver Action Network (CAN) wants to change that. This
nonprofit organization serves caregivers with valuable resources,
from Medicare benefits explanations to caregiver testimonials. CAN
will even help you navigate some of the toughest caregiving topics,
such as starting the discussion with your loved one about long-term
care. For more, go to caregiveraction.org.
One of the biggest challenges many
face as a caregiver is learning the ins
and outs of Medicare. To help guide
members through their experience
with Medicare, UnitedHealthcare
offers the Medicare Made Clear site,
MedicareMadeClear.com. Medicare
Made Clear is an educational site
providing information, tools and resources
about Medicare.
For those members in a caregiver role,
the site also offers specific information
for caregivers in addition to valuable
information about Medicare.
The Caregiver section of the
Medicare Made Clear site blog.
MedicareMadeClear.com/
Caregiver hosts caregiving experts
who frequently post on topics of interest
specific to helping and supporting
caregivers.
For more information
about caregiving, visit our
Caregiving Learning Center,
renewMedicareRx.com, where
you'll find additional articles,
tools, videos and more.
Caregiver Resources
In Their Words:
Thanks to all of you who responded to our questions
in the last issue of Renew magazine. We received
many wonderful responses, including these three
touching stories from our members.
"It is a wonderful feeling to be needed. I was a
caregiver for my father, mother and brother. Taking
care of them was very gratifying. It took a lot of
patience and energy. I often came home tired but
very fulfilled. After my family was deceased, I felt
lost and depressed. I realized something was missing
and it was the feeling of being needed. I decided to
volunteer and work with Alzheimer's patients. So
very rewarding! Many times I drive home with tears
in my eyes knowing I made someone feel good from
the attention I gave them. These patients have filled
a huge void in my life."
– Jan G.
"I love being a caregiver for my wife. I have a chance
to help her and love her. It's an honor to be here."
– George M.
"When my husband fell ill after 50-plus years of
marriage, I wanted to make him know it was an honor
for me to care for him with love and compassion. I
wanted him to keep his dignity and not feel like he was
a burden. I planned things to do together even if it was
only going for a drive. Even his passing was OK. He
thanked me over and over, we blessed each other and
said how much we loved each other before he passed
on very peacefully. In caring for him, I am the one
who was cared for. I live very peacefully and content
knowing it is far better to give than to receive."
– Maria M.
7.
CHECK OUT SPECIAL
RESOURCES FOR VETS
The National Alliance for Caregivers (NAC)
provides extensive lists of organizations and
websites to help all caregivers. But NAC
is particularly known for assisting military
families in caring for a veteran by providing:
P Links to important documents from the
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (for
example, you can learn how to expedite a
veteran’s Social Security benefits).
P Information on the Primary Family
Caregiver stipend, a federal compensation
for caring for a veteran.
For more, visit caregiving.org/
resources/military-families.
When friends offer to help you in your
caregiving role, take them up on it.
Give yourself a break now, and you'll
have more energy for caregiving later.
| Brought to you by UnitedHealthcare | 21
SOUP'S ON!
This healthy, savory,
freezable soup is easy to
make, take and share.
BY MARIDEL REYES • PHOTOGRAPHY BY TOM THULEN
WHEN AN EMERGENCY OR ILLNESS STRIKES, PEOPLE BARELY HAVE TIME TO EAT, LET
ALONE COOK NOURISHING MEALS. HERE’S HOW TO HELP FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES BY
MAKING AND MANAGING MEALS THAT DELIVER HELP — NOT HASSLE.
PICK UP THE PHONE. Call the family
directly to discuss the meal drop-off. If
you don’t want to bother them, speak to
a close friend or relative instead. First, let
them know that food is on the way. (Don’t
pose it as a question.) Then, inquire about
allergies, strong dislikes and special diets.
Finally, figure out timing: When will they be
home? Will they eat the meal that night? This
information can help you make a healthful
main course that won’t go to waste. “There
is a reason we find comfort in food,” says
Christy Wilson, a Tucson, Arizona–based
registered dietitian. “It can help make us feel
better emotionally, and when we eat foods
that benefit our health, it can help us heal
and recover from an illness faster.”
AVOID ALLERGENS. It’s safest to bring over
a dish that doesn’t contain peanuts or soy, in
case someone in the household suffers from
a food allergy or sensitivity. Wilson advises
against strongly aromatic dishes that contain
fish, cooked eggs, bacon, Alfredo sauces, or
anything fried or greasy unless the recipient
enjoys them.
Dr. You Health Team member Amanda
Albers, M.S. in nutrition, Registered and
Licensed Dietitian, UnitedHealth Group,
suggests dropping off lean protein meals that
include skinless cuts of poultry, beans or lean
cuts of red meat.
STICK TO MAIN DISHES. Snacks and
desserts are great, but in a time of crisis,
what’s really needed are nourishing main
course meals, says Wilson. “Avoid junk foodtype meals,” she adds. “They provide calories
but are nutritionally deficient.” Consider
bringing over one-pot meals that hold well in
the fridge and taste even better the next day,
such as casseroles, lasagna and soups.
DON’T FORGET ABOUT BREAKFAST AND
LUNCH. Dinner gets all the glory, but loved
ones need fuel in the morning and mid-day,
too. “Keep it simple and real when it comes
to feeding someone who doesn't feel well,”
suggests Wilson. An easy breakfast idea is to
bring over a basket containing sliced fruit,
yogurt, cooked oatmeal and cold cereal. For
healthful lunches, she recommends vegetablebased soups and pasta dishes with a small
amount of chicken or beef.
CAN’T COOK? NO PROBLEM. If you’re not
so skilled in the kitchen but still want to help
out, drop off a bag of groceries with some
ready-to-eat foods such as bread and cheese,
cut vegetables and fruit, prepared soups or a
rotisserie chicken. As a bonus, it’s a thoughtful
touch to throw in a few extras — coffee or a
box of crackers — to help stock the pantry and
fridge.
BEFORE YOU GO TO THE STORE make sure you check out Member Perks™ for
money-saving offers on healthier foods and more. Visit UHCMemberPerks.com/magazine.
| Brought to you by UnitedHealthcare | 23
PACK IT RIGHT. Use
disposable bakeware and
containers that you don’t
need back. Include a list
of ingredients (in case
of dietary restrictions
or allergies) and give
detailed reheating and
storing instructions.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING.
When it’s time to do a drop-off,
call the family ahead of time
and let them know exactly
when you are coming, then
leave the food on the step. Try
to be sensitive, and don’t expect
a formal thank you. They’ll feel
your love and support with
every bite.
u
Men
30-MINUTE MINESTRONE
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
INGREDIENTS
4 cups water
2 cups miniature peeled carrots
15-ounce can Great Northern beans,
rinsed and drained
14-ounce can peeled Italian plum
tomatoes, cut up
1 cup chopped onion
4 teaspoons low-sodium beef bouillon granules or 2 teaspoons regular
beef bouillon granules
1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic
½ teaspoon dried basil, crushed
½ teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
¼ teaspoon black pepper
9-ounce package frozen no-salt-
added Italian green beans
1 small zucchini, halved lengthwise
and sliced
½ cup elbow macaroni, alphabet
macaroni or broken spaghetti,
uncooked
¼ cup grated or shredded
Parmesan cheese
COOKING INSTRUCTIONS
In a large saucepan, combine first 10 ingredients. Bring to a boil over high heat. Add
green beans, zucchini and pasta. Return to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for
10 minutes or until pasta is done. Spoon into bowls and sprinkle each serving with
Parmesan cheese. Serves 6; 1 cups per serving.
Approximate nutrition facts, per serving: Calories: 168; Total fat: 1.5 g; Saturated fat: .5 g;
Polyunsaturated fat: .5 g; Monounsaturated fat: .5 g; Protein: 8 g; Carbohydrates: 30 mg;
Dietary fiber: 6 g; Sugar: 9 g; Cholesterol: 3 mg; Sodium: 270 mg
Source: American Heart Association
24 |
MANAGE MEALS ONLINE.
Meal-delivery planning systems
are convenient and can help
coordinate efforts. Free sites
like SignUpGenius.com or
MealBaby.com allow
caregivers to create handy
online sign-up sheets to keep
meal deliveries organized.
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop
GOOD FATS VS. BAD FATS | THE DOCTOR IS IN
The
Doctor
Is In
The Skinny on Fats
Q: I’m trying to make healthy food choices.
What are “good” fats and “bad” fats?
A: For a long time, fats got a bad
rap. But now we know they provide
fuel for our brain and body, help us
feel satisfied, and allow us to absorb
nutrients. To keep things humming
along smoothly, you should aim to
get one-fifth to one-third of your
total calories from fat.
However, as you’ve pointed out, not
all fats are created equal. Here, meet
the whole family of fats — including
some you don’t want to invite
for dinner.
› Unsaturated fats come from fish,
nuts and vegetables, such as olive
oil, avocado, walnuts, flaxseed,
tuna and salmon. These fats may
actually lower your cholesterol,
improve your memory and protect
your heart.
› Saturated fats are found in dairy
products, red meat and tropical
oils. These fats increase your
cholesterol and harm your heart
and brain. No more than 7 percent
of your daily calories should be
from saturated fat.
› Trans fats appear in baked goods,
snack foods and fast foods. These
fats raise your LDL, or “bad”
cholesterol, and lower your HDL,
or “good” cholesterol. Steer clear
whenever possible.
So, what does this really mean for
your daily diet? As Dr. You, you can
balance out your fats by reading food
labels. Avoid foods with any trans fats
or with “partially hydrogenated oils”
in the ingredients (including some
stick margarines, frozen foods and
baked snacks). Choose those that
say they supply 5 percent or less of
the daily value of saturated fat and
cholesterol.
Did You Know?
Even when it comes to healthy fats, watch your portion sizes. If
you need 2,000 calories per day, aim for 56 to 77 grams of total fat.
Examples of healthy fats:
½ avocado = 12 g
2 tablespoons of peanut butter = 10 g
1 ounce cashews = 10 g
3 ounce salmon = 6.5 g
ƒD
r. Reed Tuckson, author of the book The Doctor in the Mirror.
| Brought to you by UnitedHealthcare | 25
KEEP MOVING | DANCE
Let’s Dance
“Earlier this year,
Brazilian researchers
found a 50 percent
improvement in balance
among seniors who
participated in 30
minutes of ballroom
dancing three days a
week for three months.”
Social dancing is a fun way to stay fit and feel young.
By Anna Befort
As a form of exercise, social
dancing has a lot going for
it. Karen DePillis knows this
firsthand. The 67-year-old was
grieving over her husband’s
death when a friend invited her
to a weekly dance class near her
New Jersey home. She fell in love
with it immediately. “I said, ‘I’ll be
back next week’ — and I’ve been
back every week for 14 and a half
years,” she says with a laugh. “It
gave me not only exercise, but
also took away the loneliness and
gave me a social life. It opened up
an entirely new world.”
Many people have experienced similar benefits. There’s
the physical, of course: Dancing
can help build stamina, lower
26 |
blood pressure, strengthen
muscles and bones, and improve
balance (leading to fewer falls as
you age). In fact, earlier this year,
Brazilian researchers found a 50
percent improvement in balance
among seniors who participated in 30 minutes of ballroom
dancing three days a week for
three months.
Often, the social benefits
are just as valuable. “It creates
camaraderie, and that’s really
important as we age,” says
Scooter Lee, founder of Dancing
for the Dream, a national
nonprofit that uses line dancing
to promote healthy aging. “All of
a sudden you have this common
ground with all these people,
and it’s a lot of laughter, a lot of
friendships.”
Social dance includes many
different styles, from polka to
salsa to square dance. That
means there’s plenty of opportunity to find a style and skill
level that’s right for you, whether
you want an active jitterbug or
gentle chair dancing. Check your
local dance school, senior center,
community center or fraternal
order to see what they offer. And
then get out there and dance!
Be sure to check with your
doctor before starting
any new exercise routine.
BRAIN BOOSTER
Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3
box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.
(Find answers on page 31.)
© 2014 Knight Features/Distributed by Universal Uclick
Difficulty Rating:
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| Brought to you by UnitedHealthcare | 27
The Financial Side
of Living Wills
Caregiving can be a two-way street. We all might find ourselves on the
receiving end of care at some point in our lives, and, if necessary, we want to
make it as easy as possible for our caregivers to make decisions on our behalf.
Living wills can help us do just that. But did you know there are also important
financial considerations to creating a living will? Read on. By Jack Gordon
28 |
“The simple act of caring is heroic.” – Edward Albert
LIVING WILLS | YOUR HEALTH, YOUR WEALTH
A
living will, also known as
a health care declaration
or directive, is a legal
document. It touches on the kinds of
life-extending measures and medical
treatments you do (or do not) want
if you become terminally ill or
permanently unconscious. A living
will exists, according to the Mayo
Clinic, to “speak for you when you’re
not able to speak for yourself.”
Any legally competent adult can
file a living will and give medical
power of attorney (POA) to a person
or agent who is chosen to make
medical decisions on his or her
behalf. The will and the POA are
the main elements of a living will.
Since none of us know when an
end-of-life situation might arise,
think about drawing up a living will
sooner rather than later. You can find
standard templates on the Internet
(see "Where to Start" below), but it’s
wise to have a lawyer at least make
sure that your living will is valid in
your state.
COST CONSIDERATIONS
While a living will can’t get rid of the
threat of long, expensive illnesses,
it can help you state the conditions
under which you want medical
professionals to try to prolong your
life — and the costs associated with
that care.
“Many people spend their lives
building estates that they want to
pass on to their families or to charity,
and they fear it could all be washed
away by end-of-life medical costs,”
says Peter Eckerline of Merrill Lynch
Global Wealth Management.
By keeping you in the driver’s
seat about your own end-of-life care,
you can outline specific wishes that
will impact your overall financial
picture. If you want, says lawyer
Anne Bjerken, an estate-planning
specialist with the law firm Gray
Plant Mooty of Minneapolis, your
living will can say something like: “If
incapacitated, I want a private room
in a specific facility and I want my
house sold to pay for it.”
Additionally, having a POA can
help avoid a court case in which a
judge appoints a representative for
you. Such court cases “are public,
rather than private family matters,”
Bjerken warns. They are also
expensive, easily costing $15,000 or
more. And once a court becomes
involved in your medical care, the
court stays involved, perhaps for
years.
Creating a living will doesn't need
to be complicated or time-consuming.
It could lift an enormous emotional
burden from your family. And it could
help your financial bottom line.
Where to Start?
Requirements for a legally valid living will vary from state to state.
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization offers
information for caregivers as well as downloadable templates
for living wills that follow the regulations in individual states.
Visit Caringinfo.org.
LET’S TALK ABOUT IT
Are you caring for a loved one?
Asking about his or her wishes
about life-prolonging medical
care may not seem easy, but
it is important, says J. Donald
Schumacher, president and CEO
of the National Hospice and
Palliative Care Organization.
Here are Schumacher’s
suggestions for initiating a
respectful discussion with a
loved one about this sensitive
topic:
» Pick a time when you
won’t be rushed.
» Sit down with the loved one
and perhaps a few interested
parties, such as siblings —
but only a few.
» Ask permission to talk about
the subject: “I want to talk about
how you would like to be cared
for if you got really sick. Is
that OK?”
» Start by asking, “Have you
ever known someone or seen
someone go through a situation
where they weren’t able to make
their own decisions?”
» Then ask, “Have you ever
thought about what kinds
of decisions you would
want made?”
However you approach the
conversation, don’t delay. “If you
wait until you’re in the crisis
situation,” Schumacher says,
“it may be too late.”
| Brought to you by UnitedHealthcare | 29
HEALTH CHECK | PREDIABETES
Could
You Have
Prediabetes?
Awareness is the first step in getting this
common condition under control.
N
ot all health issues offer
second chances, but,
happily, that’s not the case
with prediabetes. This common
condition is not only treatable —
it can also be reversed. The first
step in winning your battle with
prediabetes is to increase your
awareness of what it is and how
you can fight it.
Prediabetes means your blood
sugar is higher than normal, but
not high enough to be classified
as Type 2 diabetes. The challenge
in fighting prediabetes is that it
often has no symptoms, which is
why roughly 90 percent of those
who have it are unaware of their
condition.
Signs of Type 2 diabetes can
include thirst, frequent urination,
hunger and blurred
vision.
If you want to find
out if you’re one of the 50 percent
of Americans age 65 or older
with prediabetes, ask your doctor
about taking a blood sugar test. If
your blood sugar level is too high,
make a plan with your doctor to
bring it down to healthy levels (see
"Dr. You" below for two changes
you can implement right away).
Being proactive is essential. Gone
unchecked, prediabetes can
progress to Type 2 diabetes, which,
if not properly treated, may lead
to more serious health problems.
The good news? Making just a
few lifestyle changes can help
you reverse prediabetes — and
improve your overall health.
Prediabetes: 2 Turnaround Steps
1: E
at healthier foods, with a modest six-month goal of
losing 5 to 7 percent of your weight. (For a 200-pound
person, that’s 10 to 14 pounds.)
2: I ncrease your physical activity to at least 20 minutes
each day, with a goal of 150 minutes per week.
PATTI LABELLE SINGS A HEALTHIER TUNE
Two-time Grammy winner and bestselling author Patti LaBelle used her diabetes diagnosis to get
her health back on track. After collapsing at a concert 20 years ago, she learned that she had the
disease, which already had affected many members of her family. Keeping an upbeat attitude
and making significant lifestyle changes, she has since become the author of three healthy-living
cookbooks and is a leader in the movement to help all Americans identify and treat prediabetes
and diabetes. Calling herself a “diva-betic,” LaBelle has become a role model for those who want to
make positive changes to help improve their health.
30 |
INFO + ANSWERS | NOTEWORTHY
PASS IT ON
If you have been happy with your UnitedHealthcare
Medicare plan, pass it on. UnitedHealthcare has a range
of Medicare plans designed to meet a variety of needs and
budgets. Your friends and family can get more information
about plans in their area by contacting UnitedHealthcare.
1-855-517-3460, TTY 711
Or go to UHCPassItOn.com
BRAIN BOOSTER Answers:
Please let us know if you no longer wish
to receive Renew magazine. To remove
your name from the Renew magazine
mailing list, write us at UnitedHealthcare
Renew, P.O. Box 410018, Kansas City,
MO 64141-0018. Please be sure to
give us your name, full address and your
UnitedHealthcare member ID number.
This publication is for informational
purposes only and does not replace
the care or advice of a doctor. Always
talk with a doctor before beginning any
exercise program, therapy or medication.
Plans are insured through
UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company
or one of its affiliated companies, a
Medicare-approved Part D sponsor.
Enrollment in the plan depends on the
plan's contract renewal with Medicare.
AARP® MedicareRx Plans carry the
AARP name, and UnitedHealthcare
Insurance Company pays royalty fees
to AARP for the use of its intellectual
property. These fees are used for the
general purposes of AARP.
The products and services described
are neither offered nor guaranteed under
our contract with the Medicare program.
In addition, they are not subject to the
Medicare appeals process. Any disputes
regarding these products and services
may be subject to the UnitedHealthcare
grievance process.
© 2014 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
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| Brought to you by UnitedHealthcare | 31
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BIG
LAUGHS
Laughter is no laughing matter. In fact,
the Mayo Clinic calls it a "great form of
stress relief" that can soothe tension
and possibly even ease pain. Plus, it's
just plain fun.
That's why UnitedHealthcare
Children's Foundation (UHCCF)
released Little Book, Big Laughs Joke
Book, filled with 600 jokes submitted
by kids, for kids — but sure to make
grownups giggle, too.
Proceeds from the book will fund
grants that help families pay for
children's medical expenses not
covered, or not fully covered, by a
commercial health insurance plan.
UHCCF has funded nearly 7,000
medical grants totaling more than
$20 million since 1999. Order your
copy today!
To get more
information about
the UnitedHealthcare
Children's
Foundation, please
visit uhccf.org.
Available at Amazon.com.
Health and wellness or prevention information.