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MEDICAREBLUEPRINT.COM Health Matters
MAY/JUNE 2023
The Powerful Role of Teachers in Our Lives Beyond the Blackboard
My sister was a special education teacher. She spent much of her time teaching students life skills like using a cash register or ironing their clothes by themselves. In fact, the state has adopted much of her curriculum to teach other special education students those same life skills. When I was an adolescent, I used to go to work with my sister and spend time with her students. Sometimes, we played basketball, and other times, we just enjoyed each other’s company. But every time I visited her class, I saw the immeasurable impact she had on those kids.
From when I was 15 until around 17, I worked in a restaurant cleaning the big cooking pots for $1.98 an hour. In that same kitchen was an older cook who was around 70 years old named Mary. Mary was a strict enforcer, making sure everyone in the kitchen pulled their weight. When we did, she’d cook us all dinner at the end of the night as a reward for our hard work. And while she could be scary, Mary helped me learn everything about the importance of a work ethic. She showed me what it meant to earn your keep and enjoy the rewards of your labor, no matter how far
you have to reach your arm into a pot or how long you have to stay to finish your shift. You show up, give your most earnest effort, and work until you finish the job. These individuals, my physics teacher and Mary, shaped me in ways I still recognize today, many years later. Witnessing my sister in the classroom shaped me, too, showing me what it means to give extraordinary effort to help others and pass on the knowledge
“And while she could be scary, Mary helped me learn everything about the importance of a work ethic.”
And later, in high school, I had my own experience with a teacher who profoundly impacted me. My physics teacher was quite the influencer and went out of his way to help his students learn to love physics. He was also my track coach. This may sound funny, but there was a show on TV at the time called “Bewitched,” and one of the characters was
named Dr. Bombay. My teacher looked just like Dr. Bombay, so much so that we called him that. Regardless of his resemblance to a TV character, he was a monumental influence on my development as both a student and an athlete. But teachers come in many different forms in our lives, and they don’t necessarily always exist within the walls of a classroom. The second person to profoundly shape my life existed in a kitchen.
and skills you have to make someone’s life better. That’s what they all did, really. My teacher passed on his love for physics and track and Mary her work ethic. May is National Teacher Month, and to honor the holiday, I think it’s first important to remember the people who helped influence and shape us into who we are today. Next, I think it’s also worth
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As we said on Page 1, teachers come in all forms in our lives, but the one thing they have in common is how much they impact us for years to come. They don’t all need teaching degrees or lesson plans, only the desire to spread knowledge to a younger generation to help them navigate life just a little easier. And, as an older adult who has been through life’s ups and downs, you have a lot of wisdom you can share with others, too — especially your children and grandchildren. And no, we’re not talking about ABCs or counting, either! Sharing some “softer skills” can go a long way if you have young people in your family or community. So, put on your teacher cap and consider sharing what you know on some of the following topics. PATIENCE Many children, teens, and even young adults struggle with understanding that some things take time. In our world of instant gratification, having patience for something to come to fruition is a hard skill to come by. However, most older adults are well- versed in working hard, staying dedicated, and having patience when achieving a goal. CONSIDERATION Sometimes, kids have trouble understanding how their words or actions can affect someone else, either now or in the future. So, as someone ahead of them in life’s journey, consider sharing why being polite, gracious, and restrained can go a long way. Maybe even share a time in your life when you were — or weren’t — considerate and what happened because of it. COOKING Some of the best recipes are those passed down through families for generations, and they can only continue if kids learn how to cook! So, if you have a recipe your parent or grandparent shared with you, teach the young person in your life the importance of being able to cook for themselves and offer a few family recipes they can practice their skills on. HONESTY Some adults never learn the importance of being truthful, but you can prevent that from ever happening to a young person in your life. Explain that telling the truth is always right, even when it seems like the most challenging thing to do in certain situations. BE A TEACHER! How YOU Can Guide the Next Generation
“Jason contacts me every year to review and update all my Medicare needs. He always seeks to obtain the best coverage at the lowest cost.” –Ricky Watkins “You contacted me when it was time to renew and explained and showed me the benefits for me to make a decision. Your advice on the drug plans helped me in making my final decision. Your company being on top of everything really helped me, and I certainly appreciate it. Thank you, and I would recommend Blueprint for insurance needs.” –Carol Ducote “Jason was very helpful in explaining the confusing world of Medicare; he helped make a decision much easier. I would recommend Medical Blueprint Advisors to anyone trying to navigate Medicare and the various health care options.” –Philip Osterhout “Your blueprint helped us take the guesswork out of our choices. And your analytics, graphs, and explanations were very helpful. You gave us all the time we needed at our appointment and no question was ‘a stupid question.’” –Karen Bostick What Our Clients Think!
Be the guiding force in someone’s life this month by sharing the valuable skills you’ve refined through life!
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Beginning this year, Medicare enrollees won’t have to wait for their Medicare coverage to start, regardless of when they apply during enrollment periods. This new rule also opens up a few new enrollment windows for people who, through no fault of their own, didn’t sign up during the correct enrollment period. We know many of our clients have already registered during the correct enrollment period. However, one of the most powerful ways information spreads is through a community. So, if you have any friends, family, coworkers, or acquaintances who missed their proper enrollment period, we urge you to share these changes with them so they can still receive Medicare benefits for the 2023 year. Spread the Word! NEW MEDICARE RULES REDUCE COVERAGE GAPS
Next, for those who missed the seven-month initial or general enrollment period, the government is now offering special enrollment periods (SEPs). These special enrollment periods are for people whose unique and unusual circumstances prevented them from meeting the original Medicare deadline. Examples of unusual circumstances include: • Failure to enroll in the initial period due to a natural disaster or other government-declared emergency • Failure to enroll because someone’s employer gave them incorrect information, which led them to miss the deadline • Missed enrollment due to being formerly incarcerated • Failure to enroll due to previously qualifying and being on Medicaid On top of these main changes, the government will also accept special enrollments on a case-by-case basis as long as the enrollee can prove something beyond their control prevented them from enrolling during the normally prescribed period. Feel free to pass along this article to someone who may benefit from these new special enrollment periods; you may just help someone receive health care who thought it was impossible.
So, what are the changes?
First, as long as you apply for Medicare during the seven-month initial or general enrollment period, coverage will take effect at the beginning of the following month. So, for example, if you apply in April, benefits will start at the beginning of May.
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SALMON CROQUETTES WITH DILL SAUCE
This dish is light and refreshing, making it perfect for spring! The crispy salmon patties pair perfectly with the cool dill sauce dolloped on top.
remembering that not all teachers are in schools and that you can play the role of a teacher in someone’s life, too. We’ve all benefited from a mentor’s help, and now it’s our turn to return the favor. So this month, become that influential person to someone in your life. Maybe it’s your child or grandchild, someone in your community, or the new hire at your job. Whoever it is will benefit immensely from your accumulated knowledge and wisdom, just like you did from so many others.
Inspired by Epicurious.com
DIRECTIONS
INGREDIENTS •
1. In a small bowl, whisk together yogurt, Dijon mustard, and dill to make the dill sauce. Set aside. 2. Drain the salmon, then remove and discard the bones and skin. In a large bowl, mix the salmon, celery, onion, eggs, salt, and pepper. Form the mixture into 8 patties. Coat a medium skillet with olive oil and heat it over medium- high heat. Cook the patties until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. 3. Put a dollop of the dill sauce on top of each patty and serve.
1 1/2 cups plain yogurt or fat-free sour cream
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1/4 cup Dijon mustard
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6 sprigs fresh dill, chopped
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2 14.75-oz cans salmon packed in water
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4 celery stalks, finely chopped
—Tim Hanbury
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1 large white onion, finely chopped
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4 large eggs, beaten
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1/2 tbsp salt
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1 tbsp pepper
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2 tbsp olive oil
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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A TRIBUTE TO LIFE-CHANGING TEACHERS
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YOU CAN BE A TEACHER, TOO! WHAT OUR CLIENTS THINK
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NEW RULES EXPAND ENROLLMENT OPTIONS SALMON CROQUETTES WITH DILL SAUCE
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POTBELLIED PIG TERRIFIES BURGLARS
A HAM-FISTED ATTEMPT AT ROBBERY Intruders Flee From Ludwig the Pig
On the night of New Year’s Eve in 2014, a group of burglars experienced the fright of a lifetime. Expecting to rob a quiet home in Derby, England, the intruders instead came face to snout with Ludwig, a 240-pound potbellied pig. Abandoning all thoughts of crime once they spotted the pig, the burglars instantly fled the scene and ran for their lives. The “hero ham” had already become a popular figure in his town and was well-loved for his gentle demeanor. In fact, Michael Maughan, Ludwig’s owner, is confident that Ludwig wouldn’t have harmed the intruders, even if he does
fabricated web stories made Ludwig sound more dangerous than he is, so Maughan spoke to the Toronto Star to dispute any defamations against Ludwig’s kindness. “He’s being painted as a vicious creature when he’s actually quite a sweet animal,” he explained. “He didn’t exactly bare his tusks and charge, I don’t think. I think he got absolutely, ‘Arrgh,’ and they just ran for it.” In fact, Maughan detailed that after a two-month separation during their move to England, the pig shed tears during their reunion. Adorable and affectionate, Ludwig would have probably become friends with the intruders in no time.
look quite intimidating. Local officers believe the robbers must have heard Ludwig’s Rottweiler-like “growl” and immediately hit the road, leaving the door wide open behind them.
Even if his “bark” is worse than his bite, Ludwig succeeded in keeping his owners safe while also protecting their home. This 240-pound potbellied pig continues to enjoy his comfortable home in Derby and is considered a town hero. Anyone looking for a guard dog may want to consider a hefty hog instead!
The story of this heroic potbellied pig became a sensation throughout Europe. Countless fans
have applauded the Canadian-born hog for his loyalty to his owners. But the owners want to ensure people understand that Ludwig would never hurt anyone. Some
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