Learn about 4 diabetes management tests that can keep you healthy, the cancer screenings you should know about, and how to make tasty turkey sloppy joes.
Living Well
at Home
WHAT’S INSIDE: Meet member Nereida, who cherishes her community, hobbies, and Puerto Rican roots Care partner Shannon loves helping our members improve their quality of life
Get help with your utilities this winter
Make tasty stuffed peppers that are good for your health
SPECIAL FEATURE Try something new this year: Learn how fun activities can benefit your mind, body, and soul
A message from Brian Keane, CCA Health Michigan General Manager A word of thanks to our members
At CCA Health, we appreciate the trust our members place in us, day in and day out. For that, we offer a heartfelt thank-you. To our new members, we say welcome—and we look forward to serving your healthcare needs for many years to come. CCA Health is not your typical health plan. We work with you— and your caregivers, primary care providers, and community organizations—to help you receive high-quality care, when and where you need it. That means we break down barriers and help you live well. That’s what we call uncommon care ® .
Providing uncommon care also means sharing important information you need to stay healthy. That’s what the Living Well at Home Magazine is all about. Throughout the year, you receive new issues, full of health tips and program updates. You’ll also get the chance to meet some of our team members, try delicious recipes, and learn about important news and trends that may impact your health and well-being. If you prefer to get this information online, you might enjoy reading our Living Well at Home blog at ccahealthmi.org/living-well-at-home . From all of us at CCA Health—thank you for the opportunity to serve you. Brian Keane Brian Keane, CCA Health Michigan General Manager
Have questions about your benefits? CCA Health Member Services is your central resource to connect you to what you need. Our team is trained to support a wide range of questions and requests and can direct your calls to the right team. Save this number in your phone! 734-984-4537 (TTY 711), 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
Meet Nereida Member Nereida has been receiving care from her CCA Health care partner, Marilyn, for nearly four years. They are so close, and their rapport is so easy, that they have been mistaken for family. “People ask me if she is my daughter,” Nereida said, laughing, during a recent visit with Marilyn. Nereida is most comfortable speaking Spanish, which she does with Marilyn, who translated for this interview. The two talk about what Nereida needs to feel her best on any given day. They have the common goal to improve Nereida’s health, and along the way, they’ve shared many details about their lives.
Nereida is from Puerto Rico and still has family there, but she has grandchildren and great- grandchildren who live close by, too. They cook for her, help decorate her apartment, and drop by often just to spend quality time. She’s from a family who loves food—one of her grandsons is even a chef. She talks about one granddaughter’s cooking with pride, commenting that she had a good teacher. It was Nereida. Since enrolling with CCA Health, Nereida has learned to better manage her diabetes and arthritis. Marilyn has helped her with medications, equipment, and arranging her furniture and belongings for accessibility. It is important to Nereida to be able to continue doing the things she enjoys. Besides enjoying family visits, her favorite pastimes include singing, salsa and merengue dancing, and sewing. Her faith is also very important to her, and she is active in her church and values her religious community. Nereida says a healthy life, for her, means living a life of love. She focuses on the positive even if she is not feeling well. I am a happy person. I’m grateful for the good things in my life. Learn from home with CCA Health’s online health library Staying informed is important to help you stay on top of your health. CCA Health members have access to an online library of articles, self-management tools, videos, and other information to help you better manage your conditions or improve your well-being. You can learn about diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and much more. To get started, visit ccahealthmi.org/living-well-at-home/ and click on the CCA Health Online Health Library.
Meet Shannon, a CCA Health care partner CCA Health care partner Shannon is a nurse who has worked with people of all ages throughout her career. After spending years working as an administrator in a pediatric office, she was inspired to go to nursing school and surprised herself by taking a job in a hospital. While she always thought she would go back to an office setting, she loved the challenge, fast pace, and variety of the work. At CCA Health, she is still in a dynamic environment. But now, she gets to form closer relationships with the members she helps,
rather than parting ways once her patients are discharged from the hospital. Shannon loves this aspect of her job. She has more time with members, which she spends getting to know them and their unique situations. I really like talking to our members and learning their stories. I’ve learned a lot about the struggles they face. My favorite part about the job is being able to advocate for them and help them. Shannon joined CCA Health in the middle of the pandemic. Despite working remotely, she has made amazing connections with her coworkers and learns a lot from them. To de-stress, she loves baking, golfing, and spending time with her family. Shannon also forges in-person connections by doing home visits with members. This is important to identify any risks that could be present in their environment and help address them.
There’s so much opportunity to provide education and resources. It’s super rewarding to see how things improve for our members.
CCA Health care partners are nurses who oversee care coordination for our members. They support your general well-being by working with you and your providers to make sure your healthcare needs are met.
Don’t let the winter blues get you down Did you know that the seasons can affect your moods? You may have noticed that you sometimes feel a bit down during the
winter. If so, you’re not alone. Many people suffer from a condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Symptoms of SAD include: • Feeling sadness (for most of the day) • Oversleeping • Appetite changes • Weight gain • Tiredness or low energy
Fortunately, there are many simple ways that people with SAD can beat the winter blues. Here are four steps you can take to boost your mood: Soak up the sun. One cause of SAD is a lack of vitamin D due to less sunlight exposure. When the sun is shining, bundle up and get outdoors for a short walk if you can. You can also check with your primary care provider about taking an over-the-counter vitamin D supplement. Take “comfort” in food. Eating more protein can enhance your mood and even prevent cravings between meals. (Check out the recipe in this newsletter!) Also, foods high in vitamin D—such as fish, dairy, orange juice, and cereal—can help boost your spirits. Stay active. Physical activity has the dual benefit of helping you sleep better and improving your mental health. Even just 30 minutes a day can help. If you can’t go outside for a walk, try some simple indoor exercises, such as chair aerobics and stretching. Keep busy. When you’re feeling down, turn to your favorite hobby—or try a new one. Activities like crafting, knitting, playing games, listening to music, or reading can do wonders for your mood. People with SAD can sometimes experience more severe symptoms, such as depression or hopelessness. If you’re feeling down for days or weeks at a time, and you no longer enjoy doing the things you love, check in with your healthcare provider.
Don’t forget your flu shot! It’s important to stay up to date with vaccines, especially the annual influenza (flu) vaccine. The CDC recommends annual flu shots for anyone six months or older. There is also a high-dose flu shot recommended for people over 65, especially those with chronic health conditions.
Get help with your winter utilities The combination of cold temperatures and rising energy costs can result in high utility bills. We understand this is a true barrier to safety for many individuals and families. The Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) helps residents across the state pay for utilities. Low-income households could be eligible for a home heating credit. The State Emergency Relief program can provide an intervention during a crisis, such as when a household’s heat has already been shut off. Visit Michigan.gov/BeWinterwise to view a list of services and resources available to help. You can also call 211 or visit mi211.org to find out about your options. The Michigan Public Services commission offers these and other tips to help with high energy bills during the winter months: Be proactive. • Don’t be afraid to speak with your utility company, and don’t wait until you receive a shutoff notice to tell your supplier that you won’t be able to pay your bill • Ask your utility company if they offer payment plans to help you spread out your peak winter heating costs throughout the year • Find out whether you qualify for shutoff protection from your utility company by visiting Michigan.gov and navigating to the Department of Attorney General. Use energy wisely . • Unplug nonessential appliances, like your microwave, coffee machine, or phone chargers, when they are not in use. This stops them from wasting energy • Turn your thermostat down when you are not home Consider weatherization. • Insulation and measures to reduce air leakage keep heat inside your home and save you money. Michigan’s Weatherization Assistance Program helps eligible low-income homeowners and renters access these options. This program is run by local partners. Visit michigan.gov/mdhhs/ assistance-programs/emergency-relief/heatutilities to learn more
You can play a role in helping your community stay safe and warm this winter by sharing these tips and resources with others who may need them.
Try something new! Fun activities for the new year It’s a new year! It’s time to break away from your everyday routine. Below are some ideas for adding a bit of healthy fun to your life in 2023.
Journaling Did you know that journaling helps reduce stress levels and anxiety, improves memory, and can slow down dementia? To get started, all you need is a pen and paper. Set aside a few minutes each day to write down your thoughts. If you get stuck, ask yourself some questions. What did I enjoy most about my day? What am I grateful for? Arts and Crafts Tap into your creative side. Take up knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, painting, or coloring. Studies have shown that arts and crafts can relieve stress, boost your confidence, strengthen your brain, and even improve quality of life. And an added bonus: When you’re done, you can proudly display your masterpiece in your living space. Singing Everyone should try karaoke at some point in their life. Why not now? After all, singing has health benefits. It helps blood circulation by exercising the heart and lungs. This increases oxygen flow to all parts of the body— including the brain. Plus, singing makes you feel good! It reduces stress hormones and releases happy hormones called endorphins. Walking It’s no secret that exercise helps to keep you healthy in many ways. But that doesn’t mean you have to become a marathon runner or do aerobics every day. There are plenty of low-impact exercises that can benefit your overall health. Just taking a walk every day can do wonders for your overall health. Consider starting a walking club with friends or neighbors. Make it a social event that you’ll look forward to every day.
Since these activities can help improve your physical and/or mental health, make them part of your 2023 New Year’s resolutions. It’s not too late to start! Set a goal to try one of these activities 2–3 times per week for a month. If you love it after a month, keep going!
Stuffed peppers
Ingredients 4 large bell peppers 1 ½ teaspoons canola oil 1 clove garlic, minced 1 pound ground turkey 1 ½ cups cooked brown rice
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce, divided 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley 1 teaspoon salt (optional) ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Turn the page for cooking directions
Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving Protein 25.4g Carbohydrate 30.8g Dietary Fiber 5.5g
Saturated Fat 2.8g Cholesterol 83.9mg Potassium 805mg Sodium 354.4mg
Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper
327 Calories
Sugars 7.1g
Fat 12.3g
Source: eatingwell.com
Directions Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Step 2: Cut out stem ends of bell peppers and discard. Scoop out seeds. Bring 8 cups water to a boil in a large pot and blanch the peppers until tender-crisp, about 1 minute. Drain and cool under cold running water. Set aside. Step 3: Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add turkey and cook, crumbling with a wooden spoon, just until it loses its pink color, about 2 minutes. Drain the fat. Step 4: Transfer the turkey mixture to a medium bowl and mix in rice, ½ cup tomato sauce, parsley, salt (if using), and pepper. Stuff the peppers with the mixture and place them in a 2-quart casserole dish. Spoon the remaining ½ cup tomato sauce over the peppers. Cover and bake until the peppers are tender and the filling is heated through, 30–35 minutes. Got calcium? It’s not just in milk! When you think of calcium, you might picture a glass of milk. But there are many good sources of calcium, including some green vegetables. Broccoli, kale, spinach, and cabbage all add a bit of calcium to your plate. So do whole grains, salmon, beans, and tofu. And while most types of dairy have more calcium than other food, yogurt and mozzarella cheese have even more calcium per serving than milk. Calcium is important for bone health in all adults. In particular, postmenopausal women are at risk of bone loss and should consume 1,200 milligrams of calcium per day. That’s almost three servings of yogurt! But if you plan to consume a variety of foods containing calcium, you’ll be setting goals to help your bones. Be sure to talk to your doctor about the best way to achieve a balanced diet for your needs.
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© 2023 CCA Health Michigan
Living Well
at Home
Living Well
at Home
H9861_23_330_C
© 2023 CCA Health Michigan
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