SeniorHealth Medicare Plans for Hawaii - July/August 2022

Agents For Life

Jazz, Stars … and Maybe Love A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

Most people latch onto the music they listened to in their formative years. It’s the same for Irma and me. We attended high school from 1972 to 1976, and we mostly listened to the rock music of the day. Some of the top artists in our circle of friends were Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Pink Floyd, the Doobie Brothers, Eagles, Aerosmith, and the Rolling Stones. But in the privacy of my bedroom, I was exploring another musical interest. My friends didn’t know about it, and they probably wouldn’t have understood it if they did. After exploring different musical genres, I developed an affection for jazz and listened to artists like Tom Scott, John Klemmer, Jeff Lorber, and Jean- Luc Ponty. It was nothing like what they were playing on the radio, but I loved it and still listen to a lot of that music today while I’m working. In the summer of 1975, I saw an advertisement for a George Benson concert. Benson is known for smooth jazz guitar, and the Los Angeles ballet

was joining in his performance. That was certainly different. I’d never seen ballet before, and I had no idea what it was doing at a concert, but I loved George Benson, so I had to go. I invited Irma to join me. We were friends throughout high school and went on a few dates here and there. I thought she was cute and easy to be around, but we weren’t involved in anything serious. She had never heard of George Benson, but one of the things that drew me to her is that she’s always open to a new adventure. (Later, she told me that she appreciated my unexpected interests and willingness to do something that wouldn’t appeal to our friends.) I polished every bit of chrome on my 1963 VW Bug, and it sparkled as much as a $300 car can shine. Then I picked Irma up and drove her into the Hollywood hills. It was long before the days of GPS, so I’d studied maps in advance to ensure I

David Bennett (808) 392-7515 [email protected]

Irma Bennett (808) 799-0399 [email protected]

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July/August 2022

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Irma had never heard anything like George Benson, but she was enjoying his music, and I was having a great time. Then, several ballet dancers came on stage to dance. My jaw dropped as they performed. I’m not sure who had the idea to marry jazz and ballet, but it was an incredible experience. I couldn’t believe how athletic the dancers were. They could lift their entire body on a single toe! You’d have to be pretty hard-headed not to be impressed by that. We had a wonderful evening enjoying two not particularly hip art forms. As we walked back to the car after the show ended, Irma held tightly onto my arm. She was probably just cold, but I like to think she was falling in love with me. It’s a night I’ll never forget.

wouldn’t get hopelessly lost. We had a lot of fun on the drive, but the real joy of the evening was still to come.

The Hollywood Bowl was built in 1922, and it’s an intimate venue with art-deco architecture nestled in the Hollywood hills. It was odd being outdoors and under the stars rather than in a giant sports stadium, and that wasn’t the only thing different about this concert

experience. We were both 17, and everyone else at the concert was 10-20 years older than us. There was also no giant cloud of smoke hovering over the audience.

–David Bennett

HOW A VISION BOARD CAN SHAPE YOUR FUTURE You’ll Believe It When You See It

Have you ever heard of manifestation? How about the laws of attraction? In the simplest terms, both essentially argue that “if you think about it, it will come.” There’s a lot more to it than that, and you won’t achieve your goals by daydreaming. But to create the life you want, you first need to know how it looks. That’s where vision boards come into play. A vision board is a visual representation of your goals, usually laid out on a poster board. It’s like a collage you made in school, but the topic is your future. It’s up to you to decide what that means. You might be looking for a fulfilling relationship, financial security, improved health, physical fitness, or something else entirely. Spend some time thinking through what you want before starting because a dispassionate vision board won’t work. Once you’ve clarified your dreams, it’s time to get creative. You’ll need scissors, glue, and maybe a printer. You might find images for your vision board online or in magazines, and they can be literal or figurative. If your goal is wealth, you may represent it with an image of money — or you might choose an image that evokes how

you want to feel once you’ve met your financial goals. Also, don’t be afraid to selectively use words like “fearless” or “confident” to evoke your dreams. There are plenty of online tips and tools for making your vision board look fabulous, but don’t let a lack of artistic chops hold you back. The goal here isn’t aesthetics; it’s to create a compelling visual representation of your goals. You want to look at your vision board and feel an emotional connection to your future. Once your vision board is complete, place it somewhere you’ll see it several times a day. It could be your home office, dressing area, or even next to your TV. The goal is to receive regular reminders of what you want to achieve. Just looking at your vision board alone won’t result in the changes you’re looking for, and you’ll also have to take action. But a daily reminder of what you’re working towards can be a powerful motivator and provide clarity in confusing times. Are your behaviors working towards the future you’ve envisioned? A vision board can be your guiding light.

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If you’ve ever attended an event with older adults, digestion is bound to come up at some point! As we age, our guts sometimes have a difficult time keeping up, causing stomach issues and complications. When people talk about having a “healthy gut,” they are talking about having a good balance of beneficial bacteria and microbes within their digestive tract. Here are some natural ways to keep things healthy and moving along properly: Eat foods rich in fiber. Fiber, found naturally in many foods, including sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, fennel, beans, broccoli, berries, and whole grains, stimulates the growth of the good bacteria that keeps your gut performing in a healthy way. Fiber is also a great way to relieve or prevent constipation! Get moving. Exercising regularly helps to ensure that everything else in your digestive system moves along regularly too! Research shows that regular exercise promotes the growth of different types of beneficial bacteria within both animal and human digestive systems. Reduce stress levels. Did you know that when you’re stressed out, your mental state is affected as well as your stomach and gut, as they are intimately connected? By keeping your cortisol levels low, you can eliminate and prevent some uncomfortable gastrointestinal complications. Stress, research suggests, increases the risk of irritable bowel syndrome, so managing stress can lead to better intestinal health. Drink plenty of water. Hydration plays a key role in both softening and bulking up stools, making them easier to pass through the digestive system. It should be noted that liquids that contain caffeine, such as coffee or tea, can actually have the opposite effect on your body. Take your probiotics. Probiotics occur naturally in your gut. They help to reduce adverse symptoms of digestion, such as pain, discomfort, bloating, and gas. Ask your doctor to recommend a beneficial probiotic to incorporate into your daily lifestyle. A healthy gut yields a stronger immune system, comfortable and effective digestion, and an overall better mood! With these tips, you’ll be on your way to a healthier digestive system! TIME FOR A GUT CHECK 5 Ways to Naturally Improve the Health of Your Stomach

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If you’re unsure how to stretch correctly or don’t know which stretches will serve your body best, don’t go it alone. You don’t need to be injured to visit a physical therapist. Schedule a few visits, and they’ll be glad to identify areas where you need improvement, demonstrate good techniques, and provide you with stretches that match your current fitness level. You’ll soon feel more flexible and energetic than you have in years.

Broccoli and Grape Salad

Inspired by EatingWell.com

INGREDIENTS

• 3 1/2 cups small broccoli florets • 1/2 cup red onion, chopped • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt • 3 tbsp mayonnaise • 1 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar • 1 1/2 tbsp honey • Salt and pepper, to taste • 1 cup seedless grapes, halved • 1/4 cup sliced almonds

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium pot, bring water to a boil. Add broccoli and onion, cooking until the broccoli is tender. 2. Once broccoli is cooked, drain water and add the vegetables to a bowl filled with ice water. After 2 minutes, drain water and pat vegetables dry. 3. In a medium bowl, combine yogurt, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. 4. Fold in the broccoli mixture, grapes, and almonds. Serve immediately.

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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1326-C Alewa Dr. Honolulu, HI 96817 (808) 392-7515 hawaii.seniorhealth.pro

Inside This Issue

1 David’s Most Memorable Concert 2 See the Future You Want with a Vision Board 3 Naturally Improve Your Digestive Health 3 Broccoli and Grape Salad 4 How Stretching Can Improve Your Health

Flexing Some Muscle THE BENEFITS OF STRETCHING

You probably know that maintaining an active lifestyle is necessary for your overall health. But while cardiovascular exercise and strength training are crucial, you still might be missing an essential step in your fitness routine. Stretching produces both unique and complementary benefits, and skipping it can be a big mistake. The positive effects of stretching are well-documented. It relaxes tense muscles as a part of stress relief, improves posture, reduces aches and pains, and enhances blood flow to muscles. But the most pronounced benefit of stretching is probably its ability to improve flexibility, which has both practical and holistic effects. It feels good to bend down and pick something up without too much effort, and an improved range of motion will help you stay independent. As our bodies get older, stretching becomes increasingly important. Osteoarthritis affects more than 33% of adults aged 65 and older. The condition causes stiffness, lower

back pain, and sciatica, but stretching can help improve patients’ pain levels. Falling is also a significant concern for people of a certain age, and stretching boosts balance and stability, making a tumble less likely to occur. If you’re not as active as you’d like to be, stretching is also a great way to start moving. While it won’t take the place of running or weight lifting, consistent stretching will result in many positive effects. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good! You can still see benefits from stretching, no matter how much (or how little) you exercise. Before starting your new stretching regimen, you should know some safety tips. Research now says it’s best to exercise after (not before) light exercise. Stretching should not hurt, so stop if it does. And while you should hold each stretch for about 30 seconds, you should not bounce or rock because doing so can pull a muscle.

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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!

David Bennett (808) 392-7515 [email protected]

Irma Bennett (808) 799-0399 [email protected]

Lower Your Drug Costs

We get lots of questions and concerns about lowering drug costs, so we want to share our top five strategies.

1. Apply for Extra Help. Extra Help is a program run by Social Security that provides up to $5,100 for drug costs based on your income and assets. You can either apply online or call Social Security to apply by phone. It can make a huge difference in your drug costs if you qualify for Extra Help. 2. Ask for samples. Drug companies want to promote their products so they give samples to doctors. And the doctors give them to their patients. So, ask your doctor for samples. The worst that can happen is they say no. 3. Ask for less expensive alternatives. Doctors don’t always know the cost of a medication because every Medicare plan is different. And there’s usually more than one option to treat your condition. So, ask your doctor which other medications are available for you, then check with your pharmacy to see how much they cost. 4. Compare other pharmacies. Your favorite pharmacy may not be the least expensive. It’s possible your prescription drugs cost less at another pharmacy or by mail order. Talk to other pharmacy options to see if you can save money. 5. Check out GoodRx.com. You just enter your prescription and zip code, then GoodRx.com searches for prices at pharmacies in your area. It displays their list price and offers you a discount coupon. It’s easy to use and the savings may surprise you!

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