Medicare Blueprint Advisors - May/June 2021

Medicare Blueprint Advisors - May/June 2021

MED I CAREBLUEPR INT.COM Health Matters

MAY-JUNE 2021

It all started when I was in fourth grade. As Earth Day would roll around each year, the prospect of summertime freedom got closer and closer. I only had to endure weeks of recess and mindless end-of-the-school-year activities before enjoying weeks of summer fun. GET A TASTE OF FREEDOM THIS SUMMER! Tim’s Advice as We Prepare for a Post-Pandemic World

“The bell is about to ring on this whole COVID-19 mess, and soon, we’ll all be able to do whatever we want again.”

I had planned a trip for March 2020, but that was canceled at the last minute. I’ve been itching to get back to those cabins for a while now, and as we return to a more normal state, that freedom and seclusion are so close! I’m really looking forward to making the trip to Blowing Rock this year. I’ve had many conversations with clients who have similar perspectives and plans. After all, I’m sure this wasn’t the plan anyone had for retirement. It’s been difficult for retirees who have grand plans for their “golden years” and have faced nearly a year in seclusion, sometimes glued to TV. I think my friend said it best when he said to me, “Tim, I’ve got all the time in the world, and it’s driving me crazy!” So, let’s stop wasting time. We have an opportunity to get back out into the world again, so don’t waste your freedom this summer. I know some of you already have big plans! You are planning river cruises, and others just can’t wait to see extended family under normal circumstances again. If you don’t have plans yet, might I suggest doing something simple? Go somewhere local, try a new hobby, or book that vacation you’ve always wanted to take. Heck, find one of those cabins in the mountains and enjoy the tranquility of nature. Whatever you do, let’s remember to stay safe. Masking and proper social distancing are still necessary at the time of writing this cover article in early April, and I would encourage you to only do what you feel comfortable doing.

That’s how this upcoming summer feels.

As vaccination rollouts continue and more people are returning to school, work, and vacations, we’re all getting a little taste of freedom again. The bell is about to ring on this whole COVID-19 mess, and soon, we’ll all be able to do whatever we want again. I can’t wait. Personally, I try to escape for weekend getaways a few times each year, but it’s been over a year since I’ve been able to do that. There is a spot in North Carolina where I like to escape on the weekends. Blowing Rock, North Carolina, is a quiet, secluded little town that offers affordable cabin rentals. It’s the perfect spot for unplugging from the world, relaxing, and enjoying some quiet. A rooster crows at 6 a.m., and the birds sing all day long — otherwise, it’s quiet and peaceful.

But whatever it is you do, get a little taste of freedom this summer. We all deserve that end-of-school feeling again.

Tim Hanbury

Enjoy and stay safe!

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Pedal Forward

This month, our very own Tim Hanbury is encouraging you to find freedom again, and we can’t think of anything that embodies freedom more than biking. If you haven’t ridden a bicycle in years, don’t worry. Not only will you likely still remember how to do it, as the old saying goes, but it also might be one of the best things you can do to age gracefully. 3 Reasons Why Biking Is the Ultimate Hobby for Anti-Aging

The plans that were offered were tailored specifically for my needs. When it was time to choose the plans, it was done in-person, one on one, so that all of my questions were answered. All of the paperwork was taken care of for me. I really felt at ease with the whole process. What Our Clients Think!

Check out some of these benefits of bike-riding as you age!

It’s a joint-friendly way to exercise. Exercise is an essential component of any healthy lifestyle, but the normal aches and pains that come with aging can make working out increasingly difficult. Biking can offer the perfect solution! Riding your bike can get your heart rate up and is a great full-body workout. Your core, legs, back, and arms all feel the effects of bicycling. Plus, the force you exert while biking is absorbed by the bike and not your joints. You can move freely knowing your joints aren’t feeling the full weight of this powerful workout. It’s a social opportunity. You can stay active and bike in many ways. Join a local club, practice for a road race, or go for rides with your family! These biking activities offer older adults a chance to connect with others in a way that may be vital to their health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified social isolation and loneliness as a major health concern for older adults. It’s often a contributing factor in the worsening of chronic diseases and cognitive decline. Biking can get you out of your house and foster those necessary social opportunities. It can improve your balance. Innovators and experts have made bicycling accessible for nearly anyone, and that may include those who struggle with balance issues. Because bicycling improves your muscle strength and endurance — and inherently requires you to stay upright — it can be a great way to strengthen your body, which can reduce your chance of falling. While a formal causal connection has yet to be made, several studies suggest that bicycling can improve your balance and lower your risk of falls.

–Alan H., customer since 2019

Jason treated my wife and myself like family. Medicare is the most confusing process I have ever tried to understand. Jason is an expert. He breaks it all down into different, easy-to-learn options. So glad we got to know him.

–Edward E., customer since 2018

I really felt that you were looking out for my best interest! You were so patient in explaining everything that it was easy to pick up a plan based on your recommendations. I really felt like you were an expert on Medicare and supplemental plans!

–Thomas A., customer since 2019

If you’re ready to ride again, grab your friend and a helmet and get going!

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DO YOU HAVE SLEEP APNEA? How to Identify It and How Medicare Can Help

The Sleep Association estimates that anywhere from 50–70 million adults in the U.S. are living with the obstructive airway disorder sleep apnea. This occurs when the position of the mouth and nasal cavity restrict airflowwhile a person sleeps. While also being a nuisance to bed partners and a strain on relationships, sleep apnea can have potentially deadly consequences. When you have sleep apnea, your body runs through a constant cycle of falling asleep and jolting awake to induce breathing. Unfortunately, this strain can lead to heart conditions, fatigue, weight complications, sinus problems, headaches, and in cases of prolonged exposure without treatment, death. The most obvious sign that you may be one of the 50–70 million sleep apnea sufferers in the U.S. is snoring or labored breathing while you sleep, but many people — especially women, who are often underdiagnosed with the condition — can experience other symptoms. These include needing a nap in the afternoon or drowsy driving, chronic headaches, moody behavior, and increased appetite. But there is good news both for patients and Medicare enrollees. Sleep apnea is perfectly treatable, death can be preventable, and Medicare may cover the costs.

Here’s how it works!

An at-home or in-office sleep test can determine if you have sleep apnea and to what degree you

have it. (This is covered by Medicare!) After receiving a diagnosis, you and your physician will discuss which treatment

is best for you. This may include using a nightly oral appliance, which will shift your mouth into the correct position as you sleep, or a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which pushes air into your body as you sleep. Each form of treatment has its benefits and drawbacks — including cost, efficacy, and lifestyle impacts — but Medicare coverage can help. Medicare Part B insurance can cover up to 80% of the costs for CPAP equipment, cleaning, and rental. This coverage may also cover some of the costs of an oral appliance, too. With the help of Medicare, testing and treatment for this deadly disease is affordable and accessible. If you would like more information on how Medicare can help you with your sleep apnea, give us a call today.

SHAVED ASPARAGUS SALAD

WORD SEARCH

INGREDIENTS

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1 lb asparagus spears

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1 tbsp lemon juice

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1 tsp Dijon mustard

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3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

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3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

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1/2 tsp kosher salt

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1/8 tsp red pepper flakes

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Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. With a vegetable peeler, shave each asparagus spear from tip to base. This is easiest to do if the asparagus is on a flat surface. 2. Place shaved asparagus in a bowl and blot off excess moisture with a paper towel. 3. In a separate bowl, make a

BLOOM CINCO COMIC DERBY EMERALD GEMINI

GRADUATION LILY MEMORIAL MOTHER PARANORMAL VETERANS

4. Pour vinaigrette over shaved asparagus and add Parmesan

cheese, salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings.

vinaigrette by whisking together lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and olive oil.

Inspired by ACoupleCooks.com

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Inside This Issue

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ENJOY YOUR FREEDOM THIS SUMMER

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THE ANTI-AGING SECRET ANYONE CAN DO!

FROM OUR CLIENTS

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOWABOUT SLEEP APNEA

SHAVED ASPARAGUS SALAD

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AUSTRALIANWOMBATS ARE SAVING THE DAY!

AUSTRALIAN WOMBATS IN CHARGE

Remember the Australian wildfires of 2019–2020? These fires ravaged large areas of the country, displacing and leaving countless animals to fight for survival. To make matters worse, swaths of the country have been dealing with drought. It’s one challenge after another for humans and animals alike. But one species has taken matters into its own “hands.” Numerous wombats have been discovered digging holes in search of water — and they found it! According to Australia’s ABC News, one group of wombats was discovered on a farm in New South Wales, which was situated over a large underground reservoir. So, the wombats went to work. One farmer, Ted Finnie, reported that wombats dug a hole roughly 4 meters deep by 20 meters wide (or about 65 feet). Their incredible work made this source of water remarkably accessible.

camera — birds, emus, possums, echidnas, and monitor lizards — congregating around the wombats’ creation. What isn’t known is how, exactly, the wombats discovered the water, but they surmise the animals likely picked up on environmental clues and dug until they found what they were looking for. Interestingly enough, wombats have been known to help other animals in the past. During the Australian fires, countless animals were left searching for refuge, and they found it in wombat burrows. While the wombats weren’t exactly welcoming other species into their homes with open arms, they seemed to “tolerate” the visitors, as one ecologist with the University of Adelaide noted. It was a case of accidental heroism, much like their search for water, but it was heroism nonetheless.

Saving Lives One Hole at a Time

At this particular watering hole, Finnie captured all sorts of creatures on

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