|
Spring is just around the corner, and millions of asthma and allergy sufferers are holding their breath in anticipation. That’s because the months of April and May are typically the most difficult for people who have to contend with these common, but often misunderstood conditions.
Allergies are an increased sensitivity to normally benign substances such as pollen, pet hair, dust, and mold. This elevated sensitivity causes the immune system to defend itself and attempt to remove the offending substance (called allergens) by sneezing, coughing, tearing and other natural processes.
Asthma, while a separate medical condition, is often triggered or aggravated by the presence of allergens. This condition, which appears mostly in children, occurs when the airways inside the lungs become irritated and swell. As less and less air is able to pass, an “allergy attack” takes place and people typically experience fits of coughing, wheezing, dizziness and a pronounced shortness of breath.
While it may be impossible to avoid all potential allergens, there are steps you can take to limit your exposure or minimize their effects:
- Maintain a clean environment. Dust your furniture often, and vacuum your floors (as opposed to sweeping them).
- Regularly clean and change the air filters on your car and home air conditioning system; use air purifiers to pull dust out of the air.
- Check the pollen count before starting any outdoor activity. If the count is too high, you may want to wait for another day.
- Use special shampoos to minimize pet dander. Use low-dust, deodorant-free cat litter whenever possible.
- Check your home for damp areas and proper ventilation. Remove old newspapers and rags that tend to collect mold.
- Avoid smoking, as smokers are generally more susceptible to allergies.
- Contact your physician. Depending on the type of allergy, he or she may be able to recommend an effective over-the-counter medication.
While the above recommendations may reduce the risk of an attack, medication is required for many asthmatics. If you or someone you know has these conditions, a qualified physician should be able to formulate an effective treatment plan. For more information, you may wish to visit the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America at www.aafa.org.
Want to keep your skin looking supple and healthy as you age? While exercise, proper nutrition and skin conditioners can help, one of the best ways to maintain a youthful appearance is to avoid exposure to the sun and its harmful ultraviolet rays.
Ultraviolet rays are a form of radiation that is emitted by the sun and absorbed directly into your skin. This radiation is extremely damaging and causes the skin to darken by creating pigment. If the skin receives too much radiation, it is unable to produce sufficient pigment and a sunburn results.
Over time, continuous exposure to the sun may result in leathery skin, wrinkles, age spots, and a higher likelihood of skin cancer.
To avoid getting burned and reduce your risk of further complications, you may want to take the following precautions:
- Avoid the sun as much as possible, especially during the midday hours when the sun’s rays are at their peak.
- Wear a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses and other protective garments.
- Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen (one that combats both UVA & UVB rays) at least 20 minutes before going into the sun. Use a minimum 15 SPF, and be sure to reapply immediately after swimming or exercise.
Unfortunately, time is the only real cure for most mild cases of sunburn; however, cool wet compresses and a variety of skin care lotions may relieve some discomfort.
A severe burn (marked by blisters, fever, nausea or disorientation) requires immediate medical attention. Be sure to consult with your physician should you display any of these symptoms.
Sunbathing Myths “Exposed”
1. I’m only exposing myself to safe UVA rays.
Unlike cholesterol, there is no “good” and “bad” ultraviolet radiation. Unless you are properly protected, any exposure to the sun’s rays will cause damage.
2. As long as I don’t get burned, I’m okay.
Even if you do not experience any redness or discomfort, there is still a chance you may experience the long-term effects of sun exposure.
3. Tanning in a booth is safer.
While tanning in a booth may help avoid sunburn, it does not filter out all radiation and is therefore harmful to the skin.
4. I’m darker skinned, so it doesn’t matter.
While dark-skinned people may be less likely to burn, their skin cells continue to suffer damage from ultraviolet radiation.
 When it comes to natural resources, nothing is more precious than plain old H2O. That’s because water is an essential element of life. In fact, the human body is made up of approximately 70% water – about 45 quarts on average.
Given these facts, is it any wonder a steady diet of water is critical to maintaining good health? And, with summer and its warmer weather approaching, paying closer attention to your fluid intake is vital to avoiding the dangers of dehydration.
Dehydration is a condition that occurs when people expel more water than their bodies take in. It can occur for any number of reasons, including over- exposure to heat or exercise, prolonged fevers, illnesses that result in diarrhea or vomiting – and, of course – not drinking enough liquids.
Depending on the severity of the condition, the effects of dehydration can vary. People with mild dehydration may feel thirsty and experience dry lips. In moderate cases, they may exhibit sunken eyes, extremely dry mouths or skin that loses elasticity. In severe cases, their symptoms may also include confusion, lethargy, and bluish lips.
To prevent dehydration under normal circumstances, it’s important for people to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, and schedule physical activity for cooler parts of the day. Since diet and medication may affect your body’s ability to retain water, it’s important to check with your physician if you exhibit any of the signs listed above.
Ah, spring! Winter’s passed. Flowers bloom. The weather warms. It’s a great time of year, and if you’re like most people, you’re anxious to begin your “spring cleaning.” Here’s a checklist of common tasks you might want to tackle:
The Yard:
- Remove mulch from flower beds
- Plant new trees and shrubs
- Turn your compost pile
- Rake leaves, twigs and debris from your yard
- Seed any bare lawn spots
- Apply crabgrass killer
- Till your garden spot
- Inspect your outdoor furniture and take care of any damage or dirt
- Clear dead foliage, weeds and branches
House Exterior:
- Repair any damage to gutters, chimney and foundation
- Paint or repair any bare, peeling or damaged spots on exterior walls
- Take down, clean and repair window screens as needed
- Have your roof examined, If you need repairs call early before contractors get busy.
- Wash windows inside and out
Inside:
- Schedule an inspection of your air-conditioning system before the heat hits
- Pack away winter clothes and get out your spring and summer wear
- Donate unneeded clothes to a local shelter or charity
- Clean and repair window drapes and shades
- Clean and change the air filters in your cooling and heating systems
- Replace smoke detector batteries
- Go through any untidy areas. Make five piles to put away, give away, sell, store, or trash.
When you’re away on vacation or business, or you’re ill or simply forget, is there a way you can ensure that your life insurance premium will arrive on time?
Nearly 350,000 certificate holders have found a solution by enrolling in our Automatic Premium Payment Plan. With this convenient plan, your premium payments are withdrawn electronically from your bank account, so there’s no need to worry about a late or missing payment.
Best of all, on most insurance plans, if you pay monthly, you can save as much as $1.00 on every payment just for taking advantage of this option.
To enroll or find out more, just call our friendly customer service representatives at the toll-free number below, or visit our customer service Web site: www.nylaarp.com and select the Automatic Premium Payment button on screen #2.
1-800-695-5164
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (ET)
Monday-Friday, and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Health Essentials catalog is available to AARP members at no charge, exclusively from AARP Pharmacy Services. Keeping pace with the changing composition of AARP’s vast membership, AARP Pharmacy Services has expanded its Health Essentials catalog to now include a broader scope of health and wellness merchandise to meet the diverse health needs of adults over the age of 50.
Each Health Essentials catalog issue contains more than 1,000 quality health-related products to aid members in taking control of their health, including:
- An exclusive line of AARP branded vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counter products, skin care, support hosiery, hearing aid batteries, and more with savings of up to 85% over leading national brands.
- A full assortment of products to support a healthy, active lifestyle, from fitness equipment to healthy eating products, as well as revitalizing skin care, bath/spa, and aromatherapy.
- Products to help support and manage heart health, bone and joint health, mobility, hearing and vision, diabetes, and more.
- Relevant messages from pharmacists to inform consumers of recent health-related issues and to assist them when making purchasing decisions.
AARP Pharmacy Services also offers access to prescription drug savings through MembeRx Choice. For only $19.95 per year, members can save on all FDA approved drugs at over 53,000 retail pharmacy locations or through the convenient mail order service.
Medicare reimbursement and home delivery of medical supplies for diabetic testing, ostomy, mobility, and respiratory needs are also available through AARP Pharmacy Services.
Interested AARP members may request their own copy of the Health Essentials catalog or information on the other Pharmacy Services mentioned above by calling toll-free (866) 534-7214, or by visiting www.aarppharmacy.com.
United HealthCare Insurance Company manages AARP Pharmacy Services through its subsidiary, United HealthCare Products, LLC and contracts with licensed pharmacy vendors, including Express Scripts, Inc. to provide pharmacy services.
|
New York Life is proud to provide life insurance products to AARP members. AARP has made it easy for members to access a variety of insurance, financial and health-related products. For information on any of these AARP-endorsed services, please feel free to call the following numbers:
|
| |
AARP General Information |
1-888-687-2277 |
|
| Life Insurance |
1-800-795-9990 |
| Health Care Options |
1-800-523-5800 |
| Auto Insurance |
1-800-932-9922 |
| Homeowners Insurance |
1-800-423-4114 |
| Mobile Home Insurance |
1-800-752-2441 |
| Pharmacy Service |
1-800-456-2226 |
| Credit Card Services |
1-800-283-3310 |
| Investment Services |
1-800-322-2282 |
| Motoring Plan |
1-800-555-1121 |
|
Entering a nursing home can be traumatic – for the resident, spouse, and other members of the family. Not only does it involve a major change in lifestyle, but there is often a significant financial impact as well.
To help our customers maintain their life insurance coverage during this time, the AARP Life Insurance Program includes a “Nursing Home Waiver” in many of our life insurance products.1 This unique provision provides the following: after being admitted to a nursing home on your doctor’s orders for more than 180 consecutive days, your life insurance premiums will be waived for the remainder of your stay.2 As long as you remain in the nursing home, your coverage will continue in full. And, no payments will need to be made, as long as you remain confined.
Your coverage is guaranteed to remain in effect, no matter how long the stay, or how many payments are waived.3
To find out if your plan contains a “Nursing Home Waiver” or learn more about this valuable benefit, please refer to your Certificate of Insurance, or call our customer service representatives at 1-800-704-6775 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday, and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
1. Feature currently not available in New York.
2. The nursing home must be primarily engaged in providing skilled nursing care under the supervision of a licensed physician. Nursing home does not include a home or facility used primarily for rest; for the care of drug addicts or alcoholics; for the care and treatment of mental diseases or disorders; or for custodial care.
3. Assuming the policy was not already scheduled to terminate during that time.
New York Life was proud to be the sole corporate underwriter of an award winning PBS documentary, The Rise And Fall Of Jim Crow. Hailed by Newsday as one of the outstanding television programs of the year, this four-part series revisited the 100-year period that followed the Civil War and gave rise to the Civil Rights movement of the 60’s. In particular, the film drew praise for its stark portrayal of post-war conditions in the South, and the heroic struggle African-Americans waged to overcome segregation and claim their rights as citizens.
Along with the documentary, New York Life also helped launch a dedicated Web site that assisted professional educators in teaching young people about this important chapter in American history. The site, www.jimcrowhistory.org contains essays, photographs, lesson plans and a variety of interactive tools that help shed new light on the impact segregation had – and continues to have – on our society.
This is the second such initiative recently undertaken by New York Life. The first was the highly successful series The American President. Also supported by Web-based technology, this series has received more than one million visits per month to its Web site, www.americanpresident.org.
For art-lovers and historians alike, the New York Life-sponsored exhibit, “Rising Above Jim Crow: The Paintings Of Johnnie Lee Gray” was a major event. Gray, a self-taught painter who grew up in the South during the time of segregation, spent the last 22 years of his life transferring his experiences as an African-American into a series of incredibly detailed canvasses.
Although his paintings have recently won critical acclaim, Gray’s work went largely undiscovered until it was incorporated into the PBS documentary, The Rise And Fall Of Jim Crow (see accompanying article). Recognizing the social and historical significance of his paintings, New York Life produced a traveling exhibit that toured prominent venues in Washington, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Columbia, South Carolina (near the artist’s home).
“As one of the oldest life insurance companies in America, New York Life has a great respect for history,” said George Nichols III, Senior Vice President, AARP Operations. “It’s an honor for us to help bring attention to this remarkable artist, his work, and the cause of equality they both represent.”
If you would like to view some of Johnnie Lee Gray’s paintings online, visit our
educational Web site: www.jimcrowhistory.org and click on the link “Online Johnnie Lee Gray Collection.”
|
