Omaha Insurance Solutions - September 2021

Omaha Insurance Solutions - September 2021

Club MED

September 2021

HOW I SURVIVED MY FIRST DAY IN PARIS B y the time you read this, I’ll be back home after taking my wife to France for the first time. I imagine it’ll go much, much better than the first time I went to Paris. name: Maison de Redemptorist. “Walla,” as the French say. When I arrived at the train station in Paris, I looked for the subway and found the map. There was the street: Montparnasse. But Paris is a city of several million people, and the street is longer than Dodge St. in Omaha. But I had gotten that far, so I kept asking my angel for help. No Money, No Luggage, No Clue

The first time I went, I was in my 20s as a young priest. I had very little money, no luggage, and no clue where I was supposed to be staying. Honestly, I only managed to get by because of the grace of God and my guardian angel. Let me explain. About 25 years ago, I was a young priest and decided to visit friends who were living and studying throughout Europe. A priest friend (who’s now a bishop) was working on his doctorate in theology at the Sorbonne Université, which is like the Oxford of French universities — very old and prestigious, operating since 1257, if you can imagine. Anyway, after spending some time in Ireland with friends, I hopped a ferry from Rosslare Harbour to Le Havre, France. The sea turned rough, and everyone hugged the railing or the porcelain goddess. I didn’t realize the length of the trip until I ask an attendant with a green complexion — 24 hours! When I arrived on solid ground in France, I discovered I had left my bag in a locker at the Rosslare Harbour; I thought I was checking my bag onto the ferry. It would be a week until they could get my bag to me, and I only had my passport and wallet on me. My address book was in the bag, and my friend expected me in Paris the next day. (This was before internet or even the idea of a cellphone.) I had no idea what to do. I had nothing. I was in a foreign country thousands of miles from my family. I didn’t speak the language. I was screwed. So, I got on the train and headed to Paris. During the next five hours, I prayed — hard! I always had a great devotion to my guardian angel, so I asked him for some help. While riding the train south, I suddenly remembered a friend who had visited as I got ready for my trip. She had asked where I was staying in Paris since she’d been there many times. Like a light coming on, I remembered the street — Montparnasse — and the house

Montparnasse is one of the loveliest boulevards in Paris. I walked and walked and walked. I stopped an asked gendarmes where the “Maison de Redemptorist” was, but they had no idea. After several hours of despair, I saw some nunny bunnies walking down the street. Their distinct penguin garb made them stand out from the very chic Parisians. I ran over and asked them where the “Maison de Redemptorist” was. The shortest of the nuns reached up and grabbed my shoulders. She turned me around and pointed. There was the House of the Redemptorist. A miracle! I have been in some very dark places in my life. Never doubt the grace of God and the ministry of his angels to save your ass. As I walked up to the house, I saw a rough looking man going in. I asked in pathetic French if he lived there. He looked at my dilapidated self and almost sneered. Then, he said in the most beautiful Irish brogue, “And how is that any business of yours, laddie?” I told him my sad story and that I was a friend of Bob Barron’s. He put me in Bob’s room; I wore his underwear and used his toothbrush until he showed up. I was so happy to see Bob. I don’t think Bob shared the same enthusiasm considering I was wearing his clothes.

My trip to Paris was less adventuresome this time around. I’ll share more about that next month.

Have any crazy, lucky travel stories of your own? I’d love to hear them. Thanks for reading, friends!

Christopher J. Grimmond

Medicare Insurance Made Easy

402-614-3389 • 1

DON’T FALL THIS FALL! September marks the start of fall, but it also serves as an important reminder about falling.

3 Tips for Fall Prevention

can better illuminate walkways. Even something as simple as moving a table or decor item out of the hallway can be beneficial! Review Your Medicines Sometimes medication can influence balance and movement. Talk with your doctor about the side effects of your medication and adjust accordingly. You may need to consider

you age, your muscles and joints can become weak and stiff. The best way to strengthen your reactions and improve your balance is to move your body. A physical therapist can help you develop a routine that targets your balance while strengthening your muscles and joints. Improve Your Home when it comes to falls, so improve it with a few changes! Install grab bars and railings on steps and in the bathtub for extra support. Grips on the bottom of the bathtub and on slippery surfaces can give you a secure footing, while lighting along the hallway and in stairwells Your home just might be your biggest threat

Falling is one of the greatest dangers seniors face. As adults age, take more medication, and lose some mobility, it becomes increasingly difficult to stay upright or regain balance — even when tripping over the smallest object. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 out of 5 falls cause serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries. Falling can also increase a senior’s chance of falling again. But for as common as it may be, falling doesn’t have to be your norm. You can lower your risk of falling and injury with a few simple steps. Move More Your body was designed to move! When you don’t move your body enough, which can happen when

alternatives, but if that’s not possible, physical therapy can

provide assistance. It’s designed to help you improve your balance and get stronger — which can

lower your risk of falling.

You can learn more about fall prevention and risks online at CDC.gov.

KNOW YOUR PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN IN MEDICARE

the next, which is why it’s important to work with licensed insurance agents (like us!) who can assist you in determining which to choose. The ‘Donut Hole’ in Prescription Drug Plans It’s also important to note that most Medicare drug plans have a coverage gap (also called the “donut hole”). After your Part D coverage has paid a certain amount for prescription drugs, you may have to pay all costs yourself, up to a yearly limit. However, under the Affordable Care Act, that coverage gap was closed in 2020. Omaha Insurance Agents can help find the plan that’s right for you that suits your needs — just give us a call!

a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. With Medicare Part D coverage, if the plan has a deductible, you pay the full amount of your prescription drug purchases until the deductible is met. After the deductible is satisfied, you will pay a share of the costs according to the terms of your plan. Your share, which you typically pay to the pharmacy at the time of pickup, could be a flat amount (copayment) or a percentage of the total amount (coinsurance). Once you have paid a certain annual maximum amount out of your own pocket for prescription drugs, you automatically get “catastrophic coverage.” This means for the rest of that particular year, you would only pay a small copayment or coinsurance amount for prescription drugs. Of course, specific coverage varies from one plan to

Prescription drugs for many are vital in maintaining or improving health, but they can be prohibitively expensive, especially for those with a chronic illness — which is why having coverage is so important. There are two ways to get Medicare Prescription Drug coverage: You can join Medicare Part D or you can join a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage. Whatever plan you choose, Medicare drug coverage can help you pay for brand-name and/or generic drugs at pharmacies convenient for you. About Medicare Part D Coverage Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage is available from private insurance companies to those also eligible for original Medicare and who permanently reside in the service area of

2 • OmahaInsuranceSolutions.com

Testimonial

3 Easy Exercises for Lower Back Pain Relief If getting up from a chair is becoming an increasingly painful task, and your lower back hurts all day, it’s time to strengthen your core and lower back muscles. Why? Because in order to prevent back pain, your body needs to have the strength to properly support and hold up your body weight. Not only will it help you decrease your daily pain, but it’ll keep you in great shape, too! Note: Start with a low number of repetitions. New workouts can cause a little pain and mild discomfort, but any pain that lasts longer than 15 minutes requires medical attention. Exercise No. 1: Partial Crunches By building strength in your lower back and related stomach muscles, this is an ideal exercise for people with spondylosis! First, lie on your back, keeping your feet flat on the floor with your knees bent. Put your hands behind your head (or cross them across your chest), and then raise your shoulders off the floor while breathing out, holding for one second. Then, lower yourself and breathe back in. Keep your stomach muscles tight as you raise your shoulders. This might remind you of doing a sit-up, but it’s actually better for your core than a sit-up! Exercise No. 2: Hamstring Stretches These stretches are important to relieve the back of the leg, where the muscles that support your lower spine are found. First, lie on your back with one knee bent. Then, thread a towel beneath the ball of your foot on the unbent leg. Pull the towel up very slowly, keeping your unbent knee straight. When there’s a gentle stretch along the back of your leg, you’re doing it right. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds. You may be tempted to do leg lifts instead of this exercise, especially because you won’t need a towel, but leg lifts can cause injury especially when you’re older. Be careful! Exercise No. 3: Wall Sits It’s like a supported, easier version of squatting! Just put your back to a wall, slide down into a sitting position, hold for 10 seconds, then slide back up. Be careful not to hurt yourself

“Chris has been a gift to my husband and myself when it was time for us to look into the options for Medicare insurance coverage. He is patient and willing to answer all questions to educate those new to this phase of their lives. Not only have I used him for insurance for ourselves, but also for my elderly sister. I completely endorse his business!” —Trisha B.

One-Pan Apple Cider Chicken

Inspired by WellPlated.com

Bring the taste of fall into your kitchen with this sizzling skillet meal.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs • 1 tsp salt, divided • 1/2 tsp black pepper, divided

• 1/2 cup apple cider • 2 tsp Dijon mustard • 4 tsp olive oil, divided • 3 sweet apples, cut into 1/2-inch slices • 2 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped, plus more for garnish

Directions

1. Sprinkle chicken with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Set aside. 2. In a small bowl, combine apple cider and mustard. Set aside. 3. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 2 tsp olive oil. When shimmering, add chicken thighs top-side down. Cook for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for 4 more minutes. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil. Wipe the skillet clean. 4. Heat the remaining oil in the skillet, then add sliced apples, remaining salt and pepper, and rosemary. Cook for 5 minutes. 5. Return the chicken to the skillet and add apple cider- mustard mixture. Cook for 5 minutes, then serve sprinkled with rosemary!

by trying to sit down too low. Maintain a height that you know you can come back from. We hope these exercise ideas help make your life a little easier and more pain-free! Thanks for reading!

402-614-3389 • 3

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

11414 W. Center Rd., Suite 250 Omaha, NE 68144 402-614-3389 OmahaInsuranceSolutions.com

INSIDE This Issue

1

How I Survived My First Day in Paris

2

Celebrate Fall Prevention Month With These 3 Tips

2

How Prescription Drug Plans Work

3

3 Easy Exercises for Lower Back Pain Relief

3

Testimonial

3

One-Pan Apple Cider Chicken

4

Willie the Parrot: The Ultimate Danger Alarm

Willie the Parrot: The Ultimate Danger Alarm

Willie began squawking and shrieking, saying the words “Mama! Baby!” over and over again. In a matter

Willie the Quaker parrot was a pretty remarkable bird. Like many parrots, he had a knack for mimicking certain sounds and words, including barking

of moments, Meagan knew something was wrong. She rushed to the kitchen to find a very frantic Willie and a very blue Hannah. Meagan jumped into action. She

dog noises, human kissing noises, and a fair share of swear words. However, what made Willie a hero one day was not just what he said, but also when he said it.

grabbed Hannah and performed the Heimlich maneuver until the Pop-Tart piece dislodged itself and shot out of her mouth.

Meagan Howard, Willie’s owner, brought him over to her friend Samantha Kuusk’s house while

Meagan may have been the one to stop Hannah from choking, but she insists that Willie was the real hero of the story. If he hadn’t used his unique mimicking skills to get Meagan’s attention, she doesn’t know what would have happened. It’s worth noting that before that incident, Willie had never used the phrase “Mama! Baby!” before. He knew something was wrong, and he knew how to get help.

she babysat Kuusk’s little daughter, Hannah. Hannah and Willie were both in the kitchen while Meagan prepared a Pop-Tart for Hannah’s breakfast. After placing the Pop-Tart on the table, Meagan stepped away to use the bathroom.

While she was away, however, Hannah got her hands on the Pop-Tart and began to scarf it down, lodging a piece in her windpipe. She started choking and was unable to signal to Meagan that something was wrong. Luckily, Willie came to the rescue.

Shortly after the incident, Willie received the local Red Cross chapter’s Animal Lifesaver Award for his heroic actions.

4 • OmahaInsuranceSolutions.com