5 Ways Quality Time Can Improve Your Health This Summer The warm, sunny days of summer offer welcomed chances to spend quality time with loved ones. Studies show that making regular time for family members and close friends offers lasting health benefits, and can even prolong your life. The bonds formed with loved ones lower stress, stave off depression, inspire better eating habits, and can even help you quit smoking. Quality time with your kids is especially beneficial, as it promotes good emotional health and development, and discourages risky behaviors such as drug use. There’s no need for a summer vacation to fit in quality time. Even as little as one hour per day of undivided attention, free of smartphones and video games, can make all the difference. Here are some ideas for spending quality time: ✔ Go for a walk. Whether it’s once around the block, or a hike in the woods, going for a walk with a child or loved one offers the perfect opportunity to connect.
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✔ Eat a meal together. Put time in your schedule for a consistent family meal time. It gives you the chance to teach children about healthy eating and cooking basics.
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✔ Organize a “sports day.” If your friends love a particular sport, or your child is looking to learn something new, set aside some time at the local park to play basketball, have a catch, or kick around the soccer ball. You’ll have fun and get some healthy exercise!
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✔ Make the most of quiet time indoors. When the weather doesn’t allow for outdoor activity, it can be tempting to just park in front of a TV or mobile device. Instead, listen to music, work on a puzzle, or play a board game together. ✔ Celebrate life’s small victories. We are all striving for something, whether it’s a fitness milestone, completing a project, or simply having a great day at school or summer camp. Acknowledging your loved one’s accomplishment with a thoughtful gesture will do wonders for their mental wellness.
Fidelis Care wishes you a safe, happy, and healthy summer with the ones you love!
IN THIS ISSUE Let’s Get Every Child Covered
5 Steps to Prevent Injuries This Summer
Work With Your Doctor to Control Asthma
Let’s Get Every Child Covered
We’ve come a long way in getting kids covered and giving them a healthy start in life - with regular checkups, dental and eye care, immunizations, and a doctor who knows their name. But today, there are still more than 100,000 children in New York State who do not have health insurance – or the care they need to grow up happy, healthy, and strong.
If you know a child who needs health insurance, call Fidelis Care at 1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547). Coverage through the New York State-sponsored Child Health Plus program may be FREE or as little as $9 each month for each child under the age of 19, based on household income. For families at full premium level based on income, Fidelis Care offers some of the lowest rates available.
It’s a troubling statistic that we can change.
To learn more, visit fideliscare.org/everychildcovered
That’s why Fidelis Care is asking you to join with New Yorkers everywhere to tell parents that learning about quality, affordable health insurance is just a call, click, or visit away.
5 Steps to Prevent Injuries This Summer
1
Take time to stretch.
It loosens your muscles, which helps to prevent sprains and strains.
2
Take breaks.
Don’t overdo it. Allow your body time to rest and restore. this helps to prevent injury and exhaustion, and can let you savor the beautiful summer weather.
3
D rink plenty of water.
In the summer sun and heat, drinking water keeps you from overheating, lubricates your muscles, and prevents dehydration.
4
Ease into activity.
outdoors, and help your body get used to increased levels of activity.
5
W ear the right gear.
Always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle or motorcycle. Remember protective eyewear, gloves, and close-
To prevent overuse injuries, don’t do
toed shoes when operating outdoor
too much all at once. Walk before you
power equipment.
Visit us online at fideliscare.org or call 1-888-FIDELIS for more information. 2
run, strength train before you work
Fidelis Care Member Newsletter ISSUE 2 • SUMMER 2017
Ready to Quit Smoking? Ask Yourself These 3 Questions DO I REALLY WANT TO QUIT SMOKING?
AM I READY TO MAKE CHANGES TO MY DAILY ROUTINE?
AM I READY TO PUT UP WITH TEMPORARY DISCOMFORT?
Make a list of all the reasons in your life to quit smoking, and keep it in a place where you can see it when you feel the urge to smoke.
Changing up your daily habits, such as increasing exercise and finding new places to spend free time, will help you stay on track and avoid temptation.
Symptoms of withdrawal, such as anxiety or frustration, are very common in the first few weeks after quitting. With the right support, you can get through it, and the symptoms will subside.
Did you answer YES to these questions? If so, you are on your way! Talk with your primary care provider, and call the New York Smokers Quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487) for free coaching and support. To learn more about how your health benefits can help you quit, visit fideliscare.org and type “smoking” in the search engine.
Work with Your Doctor to Control Asthma Asthma can’t be cured, but its symptoms can be controlled. Because asthma often changes over time, it’s important that you work with your doctor to track your signs and symptoms, and change treatment as needed.
know the things that trigger your allergy and asthma symptoms and learn how to stay away from them as much as possible. Work with your doctor to find the best treatment to manage your symptoms.
Severe asthma attacks can be life-threatening. Work with your doctor ahead of time so that you know what to do when your signs and symptoms worsen – and when you need emergency treatment. Contact your doctor if you think you have asthma, to monitor your asthma after diagnosis, if your symptoms get worse, and to review your treatment on a regular basis.
The Allergy - Asthma Connection Allergies and asthma often occur together. Things that trigger your allergy symptoms may also cause asthma symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, etc. It’s important to
Visit us online at fideliscare.org or call 1-888-FIDELIS for more information. ISSUE 2 • SUMMER 2017 Fidelis Care Member Newsletter 3
Domestic Violence: Help is Available Domestic violence isn’t just mentally and physically harmful, it can also be deadly. Domestic violence is abuse that usually involves a partner or spouse, but it can also include children, the elderly, and other family members. A domestic abuse attack can range from a physical or sexual attack to emotional putdowns and threats. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, help is available. Hotlines can give you information about emergency shelters or safe houses, transportation, legal information and advocacy, emergency child care, and help coming up with a safety plan. New York State Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-942-6906 (English); 1-800-942-6908 (Spanish) National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) (TTY: 1-800-787-3224)
Fidelis Care can also give you more information about domestic violence and help you come up with a safety plan. Call 1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547) and follow the prompts to reach Behavioral Health.
Always call 911 if there is an emergency.
Chemical Dependence
Be Smart. Get Tested.
Chemical dependency refers to the abuse of alcohol, illegal drugs, or prescription medications.
AIDS is a chronic, potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body’s ability to fight the organisms that cause disease.
Coming to terms with the possibility that you or a loved one might be chemically dependent is not easy, but there is help available. Talk to your primary care provider. You can also call us at 1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547) and a Fidelis Care Representative will be happy to connect you with the right resources. The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services also offers resources at www.oasas.ny.gov/treatment
There is no cure for HIV/AIDS, but there are medications that can slow its progress. Symptoms of HIV and AIDS vary, depending on what phase the infection is in. There are other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that also have a range of symptoms. Vaccines may protect against certain types of STDs. It’s important to be regularly tested, and talk with your doctor if you have any questions, or if you think you may have been infected.
Visit us online at fideliscare.org or call 1-888-FIDELIS for more information.
Fidelis Care complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Fidelis Care cumple con las leyes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo. Fidelis Care 遵守適用的聯邦民權法律規定，不因種族、膚色、民族血統、年齡、殘障或性別而歧視任何人。 ATTENTION: If you speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-800-247-1447 (TTY: 1-800-695-8544). ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-800-247-1447 (TTY: 1-800-695-8544). 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電1-800-247-1447 (TTY: 1-800-695-8544)。 4
Fidelis Care Member Newsletter ISSUE 2 • SUMMER 2017