Medicare Plans for Kentucky - May/June 2022

Agents For Life

MEET THE NEWEST BENNETT Our family was blessed in February to welcome its newest member, Shalom. In just a few short weeks, she has Welcome to the World, Baby Shalom!

MEDICARE PLANS FOR KENTUCKY

Before Shalom came along, we already felt like a big family. But somehow, going from four kids to five felt like we were entering whole new territory. We’ve worried at least a little bit that we’ll start resembling a herd of buffalo anytime we go out together. But while it was a little daunting in advance, it all felt familiar and natural once Shalom got home. Kevin grew up in a big family with five kids, so he at least had an idea of what to expect. And while Sierra was one of only two children, she always wanted a large family, and now ours feels just right. The timing certainly helped. Our second-youngest is now 6, so it’s our first time having a baby at home without any toddlers around. Since the other kids are at least mildly self-sufficient, we’re getting to enjoy the baby phase a little more than we could before. While the household is certainly busy, it’s not chaotic like we feared.

already upended our lives in the best way possible, and we’re not sure how we ever survived without her. It has been six years since we last had a newborn in the family, so we’re a bit out of practice. We knew it would be a big adjustment to go back to diapers, feedings, and sleepless nights. Our house is now suddenly full of baby things again — strollers, car seats, cribs, baby clothes, and everything else a tiny human needs. We didn’t know if Shalom would be a boy or a girl before she was born, but we had names picked out in advance. The meaning of our new baby’s name was just as important to us as the way it sounds, and the one we chose has turned out to be perfectly fitting. Shalom means “peace,” and so far, she has been extremely calm and mellow. Shalom also means “wholeness or completeness,” which is, of course, what we wish for her always.

Kevin Bennett (502) 966-7810 [email protected]

Sierra Bennett (502) 966-7804 [email protected]

And for our other kids, meeting and caring for Shalom is a whole new

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May/June 2022

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so precious,” and all of them will eagerly tell anyone they can that there’s a new baby in the house. We can’t wait to see how they react to her other phases and milestones. They say change is the only constant, and our family won’t stay the same forever. But we’re having fun enjoying this unique moment in time while it lasts. As our kids get older, we look forward to all the ways in which they’ll challenge and surprise us. Whatever comes our way, we’ll face it together as a family. –Sierra & Kevin Bennett

experience. They were too young to remember much about their other siblings being infants. They’re all absolutely smitten with their new sister, and they want to be involved in everything she does. It’s not just that they constantly want to kiss and hold her — even changing a diaper draws a crowd because they want to feel like they’re a part of it all. Thankfully, there hasn’t been any jealousy or annoyance, and they all fell in love with her instantly. Our 6-year-old is prone to saying, “She’s

SPEAK TO THE FUTURE YOU WANT HOW AFFIRMATIONS ADVANCE YOUR GOALS

Have you ever given yourself a pep talk? We can all use one now and then. There’s a reason we talk ourselves up when we’re feeling fearful or nervous — because it works. Some people build on that success by incorporating positive affirmations into their daily lives. Affirmations are all the things we tell ourselves, and many of them are subconscious. They reveal a lot about our attitudes and the lives we lead. Sometimes, they’re positive, like when we think, “I’ll figure this out,” or, “Everything will turn out fine.” Other times, the affirmations are negative, like “Bad things always happen to me.” They can also take on a meaner tone, like, “I’m lazy and stupid.”

realities and keep us from seeing the good in life. They also make us less likely to seek improvement. When we repeatedly tell ourselves that things are awful, we start to believe it. Soon, we stop seeing hope for the future. We all struggle with negative self- talk in one form or another, but you can slowly but surely create a brighter future with positive affirmations. Studies show that positive affirmations are linked to improved work, lower stress, and fewer mental health conditions. In other words, our brains eventually start to believe the things we tell them — even if they feel silly or we were doubtful when we started. But affirmations are not about lying to yourself; they’re about looking at your life, finding the good, and then

reminding yourself of it. Some examples include, “I am proud of myself” and “I am not defined by my mistakes.” Affirmations are also an excellent motivational tool, as long as your goals are realistic and achievable. Sadly, “I will be a millionaire” will probably not work — but “I am successful and capable of growth” likely will. If you’re ready to start, make your affirmations brief and specific and write them down. Try placing them somewhere prominent and take time to repeat them out loud every day with confidence and enthusiasm. It might feel a little foolish at first, but over time, replacing your negative self-talk with positive affirmations will become second nature, as will your improved happiness.

Negative affirmations, also known as negative self-talk, can shape our

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THE ART OF QUIETING YOUR MIND BEFORE BED

Write it down. Instead of letting thoughts fill your mind right before bed (such as the next day’s tasks or any worries you have), set aside time before bed to write it out. Whether you are a fan of journaling, writing letters, or simply just listing out your problems, goals, and thoughts, grab a pen and paper and make it a nightly routine. This way, your thoughts will be freed before your head hits the pillow. Try a light snack. When you can’t sleep, the last thing that you want to do is eat something heavy. In fact, when you eat a large meal right before bed, your digestive system can become overwhelmed. But studies have shown that eating a light carbohydrate snack such as crackers or popcorn when you can’t sleep may be helpful. Turn your room into a sleep haven. Keeping your bedroom neat, relaxing, and calm can help improve your sleep! Keep all televisions, computers, and screens out of the bedroom and furnish it with soft colors and textures that are tranquil and soothing to you. Pumping the brakes on worrisome thoughts racing through your mind can be tough, but trying these tips and tricks may earn you some relief and much needed sleep.

All day long, thoughts run through your mind, and by the end of the day, your head is probably ready to explode. After all, it’s estimated that in 24 hours you can have between 60,000–80,000 thoughts. At some point, your brain needs a break, and that’s especially true before you try to go to bed. Here are some ways to quiet your mind, so you can get a full night’s sleep! Keep your bed for sleeping. If you aren’t sleeping, get out of bed! Getting in the habit of scrolling through your phone, watching TV, reading, working, or even eating in bed teaches your brain that your bed is for things other than sleeping! If you find yourself tossing and turning, get out of bed and try a relaxing activity such as reading, journaling, listening to music, or meditating. When you get tired, try getting back in bed. Breathe deeply. Breathing exercises can not only help calm your mind and spirit, but they can also lower your heart rate, which is especially beneficial in relieving stress or anxiety when things are upsetting you.

HEALTHIER, LIGHTER DEVILED EGGS

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reasons for giving back saw lower mortality, but those primarily seeking health benefits did not. So, the key is to find something you really care about. Is there an injustice that gets you particularly riled up? Do you love spending time with kids or animals? Could the things you already enjoy doing — like cooking, sewing, building, gardening, or organizing — help someone else? Start by determining what inspires passion. Once you get involved, the health benefits will follow.

1. In a large pot, add eggs and cover with water. Put on high heat, and then boil eggs for 10 minutes. 2. Once boiled, peel eggs by gently tapping and removing the shell. (Adding the eggs to an ice bath after boiling can make this task easier.) 3. Cut eggs lengthwise and place yolks into a medium mixing bowl. Set egg white halves open side up on a plate. 4. In a bowl, combine yolks, yogurt, mustard, lemon juice, and hot sauce (if desired) until smooth. 5. Transfer the yolk mixture into the egg white halves. Garnish with paprika and chives if desired.

INGREDIENTS

• 6 large eggs • 3 tbsp Greek yogurt • 1 tsp Dijon mustard • 1 tsp lemon juice • Optional: Hot sauce, to taste • Optional: Paprika and chives, chopped, for garnish

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MEDICARE PLANS FOR KENTUCKY Inside This Issue 1 Sierra and Kevin Welcome a New Daughter 2 Improve Your Future With Affirmations Today 3 5 Solutions for Quality Sleep 3 Healthier, Lighter Deviled Eggs 4 The Health Benefits of Generosity

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HOW HELPING OTHERS HELPS US Being Selfless Never Felt So Good

indicated that volunteering later in life can reduce the risk of dementia. Giving back also provides an opportunity to stay physically active, improving seniors’ strength and mobility. And a 2011 study found an association between an older person’s quality of life and their level of volunteerism. But while giving back is good for you, it’s essential to keep the right reasons in mind. One study found that adults 55 or older who volunteer have a 44% lower mortality over five years. That’s excellent news. But a 2012 study

They say you get what you give, but you may be surprised to hear that science backs it up. Doing good is good for you, and multiple studies have done their part to prove it. Research has consistently linked volunteerism to lowered rates of depression, better blood pressure readings, improved heart health, and less stress. The secret may be tied to the sense of purpose giving back creates for many people. In a 2017 Northwestern study, those who felt their lives had meaning were 63% less likely to have sleep apnea and 52% less likely to have restless

leg syndrome. And in a 2014 study, participants with the greatest sense of purpose were 30% less likely to die than those who felt the lowest life meaning. On top of that, volunteering makes you feel good. When you do something nice for someone, you probably notice the warm sense of happiness it gives you. It turns out that generosity can activate pleasure in our brains, releasing feel-good chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin.

found that motivation matters — those who expressed selfless

As we age, helping others becomes even more important. A 2014 study

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Your Agents for Life Thank you for being our client! We appreciate the confidence you have in us and look forward to serving your Medicare needs in the future. Licensed Broker — What It Means for You We are Licensed Brokers, which means we are contracted to represent Medicare plans from multiple insurance companies. Our allegiance and loyalty are to you, not to any insurance company. As your Broker, we help you select the Medicare plan that best fits your needs, regardless of which insurance company it’s from. Our promise is that we’ll tell you both the good and bad about each Medicare plan so you can evaluate the tradeoffs. You’re a smart person. Once you understand the differences, you’ll know which plan is best for you. And that confidence will give you peace of mind. Family and Friends If you know someone who needs a trusted advisor for their Medicare plan, we would love to help them. Call us today. We’ll take very good care of them for you. Thanks!

Kevin Bennett (502) 966-7810 [email protected]

Sierra Bennett (502) 966-7804 [email protected]

What to Do With Telemarketers

When you’re on Medicare, you feel like you have a target on your back. Every scammer and telemarketer is trying to get to you. Whom Do You Trust? In 2018, a Gallup poll asked people how much they trust different professionals. Telemarketers were second from the bottom because 56% did not trust them. The only group trusted less was Congress at 58%. Rules for Contacting You Remember this: Agents need permission to call you. A Licensed Insurance Agent is required to have written or recorded permission from you before they can speak with you about Medicare.

If you didn’t give them permission, it’s illegal for them to call you. So, the next time a telemarketer calls you, ask them two things: 1) Do you have permission to call? 2) Can I have your name and license number? They’ll usually hang up quickly — and won’t call back. Medicare Won’t Call You Medicare will never call you unless you’ve set up an appointment for a specific day and time.

Not another telemarketer!

Beware if someone calls you out of the blue and says, “I’m from Medicare and I need to verify your information,” or “I’m from Medicare and we want to upgrade your benefits.” It’s a scam and you should hang up immediately. Medicare will never call you.

Call us with your questions. We are your Agents for Life.