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MED I CAREBLUEPR INT.COM Health Matters
MARCH-APR I L 2021
Tim and I do a lot of reading. Well, what I should say is that Tim and I listen to a lot of books while we drive. As Tim likes to say, “It makes up for wasted time spent driving!” WHY I READ A LOT Don’t Underestimate the Value of the Written Word Reading is part of the work we do every day, and since March 2 in Read Across America Day, what better place to talk about our reading habits than this very newsletter? Tim and I have to read a lot to stay informed and up to date on the many changes that can happen in Medicare. But beyond wandering into the weeds about federal insurance benefits and policy updates, Tim and I frequently enjoy listening to or physically reading business or self-improvement books. Nothing expands our knowledge and skills quite like these books. And, I find listening to a book to be a much more positive experience than anything you listen to on talk radio these days. I can’t control what politicians do, but I can control myself and how I grow. Not every book we choose is a winner, but I believe there’s tremendous value in reading these nonfiction books. It’s not so much the content that I soak up but rather a shift in mindset. There have been multiple times as
“You may only get one or two nuggets from every book you read, but that information is worth the time you invested.”
I read one of these books when I find my mind wandering. I catch myself taking the author’s lessons and applying them to my life. I gain a new perspective, and sometimes it works; other times, it’s a perspective worth simply knowing. As Tim pointed out to me, you may only get one or two nuggets from every book you read, but that information is worth the time you invested. It expands your mind. One of my favorite books is “Good to Great” by Jim Collins. I own a hard copy version of this book, but I recently downloaded the audio version as well. That’s how much I enjoyed it! I was fascinated by the research Collins did examining the habits and traits of great businesses. It’s just as motivating and uplifting as it was when I first read it. I also learned a lot from “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey — even if this was one of the hardest books I have ever read. To this day, I can’t look at the book without thinking back on how difficult it was to get through, but I enjoyed that. I had to go back and reread chapters because I knewwhat I was absorbing was life-changing information. If I was truly going to implement what I was learning, I had to fully grasp it. This March, I encourage you to read a book, whether it’s fiction or nonfiction. Expand your knowledge and get lost contemplating new ideas and worlds created by talented authors. Reading is such a valuable skill — one that can open your mind to new possibilities you never knew existed.
Jason Mackey
888-335-9498
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Thank You for Your Reviews!
You Helped Our Team Reach a Big Milestone!
“Tim answered every question I could fathom about Medicare. I believe he has set me on the correct path forward for my Medicare needs. Thank you.” What Our Clients Think!
About two years ago, our team made one simple goal: We wanted more reviews. This wasn’t going to be easy, nor was it going to be comfortable. Asking people to rate us on a regular basis took some guts, but we know there is tremendous value in sharing your feedback with potential clients who are searching for help with their Medicare options. This month, we’re proud to announce that we hit a big milestone in that endeavor. Because of your support, honesty, and trust, we now have 500 testimonials! Also, we’re honored to say that many of those reviews are positive and heartfelt. We love reading what you have to say and truly appreciate each testimonial you provide for potential clients. After all, your words do so much more than boost our egos. While every review may not be perfect, each one is a necessary tool to help us help more people. Studies have shown that many consumers rely on testimonials — either from strangers or via referrals from their friends and family — to sway their decision in working with a business. That means each review could leave an impact on a stressed or frustrated adult who is trying to navigate the Medicare system alone. For us, the more clients we can attract, the more people we can guide through a complex system. That’s our ultimate goal. We want to thank everyone who has submitted a review. We also recognize the diligence and support of our team as we tackled this goal. Without their dedication to our clients and this project, we would not have hit this amazing milestone. But we’re not done yet! Hitting 500 testimonials is a feat worth celebrating, but we are excited to reach new milestones and receive more testimonials. We would be very grateful to anyone willing to provide a testimonial for potential clients.
–James Murdock, customer since 2019
“Presentation of different options was extremely helpful. The spreadsheet with all the data was very informative, and it was evident that you are truly a specialist in your field!”
–Harriet Watkins, customer since 2019
“I love the prompt and personalized service. The (apparent) expertise is also invaluable.”
–Christopher Lane, customer since 2018
“Very personalized service. We were treated like family.”
If you would like to leave a review, please contact us at 888-335-9498.
–Douglas Carnahan, customer since 2019
Thank you for your support!
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YOUR HOBBIES ARE HEALTHY FOR YOU! The Anti-Aging Benefits of Staying Active and Trying New Things
There’s a common saying that often prevents us from trying anything new — especially as we age. This idea that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is not only false, but it may also be detrimental to your well-being. Picking up a new hobby or learning something new can have many health benefits. One 10-year-old study linked engaging in hobbies for one or more hours every day with a decreased risk of developing dementia. Today, scientists still don’t knowwhy that happens, but one theory is very promising. Scientists believe your brain is a lot like your muscles. It needs “exercise.” When you learn something new or engage in hobbies, you “exercise” your brain by creating new neural pathways, which could explain why trying something new or engaging in hobbies is so beneficial for your brain. Furthermore, hobbies and learning something new are often associated with social interaction. Writers meet to discuss their plot points, while fellow craftsmen compare their finished pieces on Facebook forums and public meet-ups. This social interaction can be powerful for older adults, who are more susceptible to loneliness and social isolation due to varying factors, like being widowed, their children moving away from home, or mobility issues.
Don’t dismiss being lonely as just a “feeling.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies loneliness and social isolation as a serious health risk for older adults and
estimates that older adults who are isolated increase their dementia risk by 50%. In addition, those who are isolated tend to have more chronic health conditions, like diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. The research doesn’t lie: Staying active, trying new things, and finding hobbies are good for your health. But how do you go about doing it? Start simple. Is there something you always wanted to try? Do you have an affinity for something? Do you have a friend who could show you something? Finding your late-in-life passion doesn’t have to be overly complex. Try something and keep at it if you enjoy it. If not, try something else.
Whatever you do, your body will thank you for it.
ENGLISH GROUND BEEF PASTIES
WORD SEARCH
INGREDIENTS
• • • • • • •
3/4 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced 2 sheets store-bought puff pastry dough
1 tsp dried parsley
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/4 cup beef broth (as needed)
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat your oven to 400 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. In a large bowl, combine the beef, onion, and potatoes. 3. Roll out the pastry dough into roughly 10-inch circles or squares. 4. Spoon 1/2 of the beef mixture onto each sheet of dough, then top the mixture with parsley, salt, and pepper. 5. Fold the edges of the dough over the filling, pinching each pasty shut and tucking in both ends. 6. Transfer the pasties to the prepared
baking sheet, then cut several small slits in each pasty for ventilation. Bake for 45 minutes. 7. Remove the pasties from the oven and reduce the heat to 350 F. Spoon 1 tsp beef broth into each slit, then bake for an additional 15 minutes.
AQUAMARINE BASKETBALL BUTTERFLY CLOVER DAFFODIL GREEN
IDES LEPRECHAUN MADNESS SPRING TANGERINE WOMEN
8. Serve and enjoy!
Inspired by AllRecipes.com.
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7 GAMECOCK AVE., STE. 709 CHARLESTON, SC 29407 888-335-9498 MEDICAREBLUEPRINT.COM
Inside This Issue
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THE VALUE OF A GOOD BOOK
2
THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING US!
FROM OUR CLIENTS
TRY SOMETHING NEWAND FEEL YOUNGER (REALLY!)
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ENGLISH GROUND BEEF PASTIES
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MEET THIS LIFE-SAVING RAT FROM CAMBODIA
A metal detector can take anywhere from 1–4 days to detect land mines in the war- torn landscapes of Cambodia. However, a Gambian pouched rat named Magawa can detect them in 20 minutes. Magawa’s ability to sniff land mines has been lauded as “truly unique,” as he potentially saves hundreds of lives every day. Yet, he weighs a mere 2.75 pounds and is only 28 inches long. While that’s larger than your average rodent, Magawa is still light enough to safely step over land mines without setting them off. That’s been amazing news for Cambodians. The land mine problem began during the civil wars of the ‘70s and ‘80s, causing over 64,000 casualties and creating 25,000 amputees since 1979. But where did Magawa come from? A Belgium-registered charity named Apopo trained Magawa in Tanzania as part of the program HeroRATs where after a year of training, the animals become certified. This program has been
around since the 1990s, teaching animals how to detect land mines and tuberculosis.
AN AFRICAN RAT RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS GOLD MEDAL FOR SAVING LIVES
Magawa only works for a half-hour during the day, but as he nears retirement age at 7 years old, Magawa has sniffed out 39 land mines and 28 unexploded munitions in his career. His tremendous work has now been recognized worldwide. In 2020, the U.K. veterinary charity PDSA gave Magawa its gold medal for “life- saving devotion to duty, in the location and clearance of deadly land mines in Cambodia.” Over 30 animals have received this award so far, but Magawa is the first rat. “To receive this medal is really an honour for us,” Apopo’s chief executive, Christophe Cox, told the Press Association news agency. “But also, it is big for the people in Cambodia, and all the people around the world who are suffering from land mines.” Now that’s a real hero if we’ve ever seen one. Thank you, Magawa, for all your hard work, and we hope you have a long and happy retirement ahead of you!
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