Living Well in Retirement, is an e-newsletter providing retirees and their eligible dependents with benefits and wellness resources. Based on your plan enrollment, benefits and wellness resources may vary.
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New Safety Measures at the Dental Office
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We’ve all done what’s needed to keep ourselves healthy and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. These extra steps include washing our hands more frequently, using sanitizer regularly and keeping our distance from one another to avoid spreading germs. As we’ve made these adjustments to our everyday lives, dental offices have made similar changes to continue protecting patients.
The health of patients and sanitization of the dental office have always been priorities. Steps typically taken to ensure health and safety include: - Cleaning and sterilizing dental tools like teeth scrapers, dental mirrors, and suction devices after each use.
- Disposing of single-use items such as patient bibs, gauze, syringe needles and the rubber cups used to hold tooth polish.
- Disinfecting chairs, lights, handles, countertops, and other surfaces before new patients enter the exam room.
- Washing hands and putting on new masks and gloves between patients.
During the pandemic, additional steps may be taken by dental offices to maintain safety, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Learn more.
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Ask the Pharmacist: Traveling with Prescriptions
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Express Scripts Pharmacist Susan Peppers shares tips for members to manage their medication during winter travel.
As many snowbirds prepare to head to sunnier climates, Express Scripts’ home delivery pharmacies, pharmacists, web resources and network of retail pharmacies make it easy for you to seamlessly manage your medications regardless of your location.
Considering that more than 15% of seniors use at least 10 medications at the same time, Express Scripts’ services are more than just convenient – they help keep members adherent to their therapy and protect them from potential adverse events that can arise if patients visit physicians who are not always involved in their care.
If you plan on escaping the cold winter months in a sunny location, find more tips to help protect you during your trip and manage your medications on the go.
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Causes and Symptoms of Heart Disease
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In the U.S., the most common form of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD). This can cause serious events like chest pain, irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), heart attack, and heart failure. If you are age 65 or older, you are at more risk of CAD than a younger person.
What are the main causes of heart disease?
Over time, plaque can build up inside the walls of the arteries. This is called hardening of the arteries, or arteriosclerosis, which causes high blood pressure.
Other heart disease causes include: - Heart attacks
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Chronic alcohol use
- Thyroid disease
- Chemotherapy
- Family history
- Advanced age
What are the main symptoms of heart disease?
Heart disease is a major threat to senior health. It may be present without symptoms. That’s why regular checkups are important. Seek help immediately if you have any of the following heart disease symptoms: - Pain, numbness, or tingling in the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back
- Shortness of breath when active, at rest, or while lying down
- Chest pain that gets better with rest
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Headaches
- Sweating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, stomach, or neck
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Understanding Glaucoma’s Symptoms, Causes and Treatments
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Living with glaucoma can be frustrating because of its effect on your sight. Glaucoma’s impact on your vision can change the way you live your life. It’s important to know why glaucoma is called the “silent thief of sight.”
What is glaucoma? Glaucoma damages the optic nerve in your eye. The optic nerve carries information from the eye to the brain, allowing you to see clearly. Glaucoma occurs when fluid builds up in your eye, increasing the eye’s pressure. This increase in pressure slowly damages the millions of fibers that make up your eye’s optic nerve.
Learn more.
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Financial Wellness Spotlight
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Spend like there is a tomorrow Being smart about spending doesn’t have to mean sacrificing enjoyment. It’s about identifying ways to spend on what you truly want and can afford, and deciding where your money goes rather than wondering where it went.
Where does your money go? Think about types of expenses and how you might address them - Small, day-to-day expenses
- Less frequent, larger expenses
- Really big expenses
- High, fixed expenses
- Unexpected expenses
Read more in this article._______________________________________________________________________ Sign Up for a Financial Planning Webinar
MissionSquare Retirement is hosting financial planning webinars that can help you in retirement. Planning for Long-Term CareWednesday, February 16, 2022 at 1 p.m. Eastern timeAccording to the federal government, a majority of people over age 65 will need some type of long-term care, with a significant number of people needing care in a nursing home. Social SecurityWednesday, February 23, 2022 at 1 p.m. Eastern timeOne of the biggest financial decisions you'll need is when to begin receiving your Social Security retirement benefits. Social Security remains the major source of guaranteed lifetime retirement income for most Americans, so it's important to take the time to explore your options and make an informed, well-reasoned decision. Register Here
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Loudoun County requires you and your Medicare eligible dependents to enroll in both Medicare Part A and Part B, if entitled, when you first become eligible to qualify for enrollment in the Cigna Medicare Surround Plan and CIGNA Rx Medicare. This means that Medicare will become your primary insurance while the Cigna Medicare Surround Plan becomes your secondary insurance. You must provide proof of Medicare enrollment to the Loudoun County Benefits Division 45 days prior to your Medicare coverage effective date; otherwise, you may become responsible for expenses Medicare doesn’t pay. Contact the Loudoun County Benefits Office for questions related to Medicare enrollment.
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Stay up to date with benefit updates and resources by visiting the retiree website – loudoun.gov/retirees. All notices and updates are posted on the site throughout the year! Benefits Resource List (PDF) MissionSquare Retirement Education CenterCheck out MissionSquare’s Retirement Education Center for more helpful tips for living well in retirement. Retirees can continue to connect with MissionSquare Retirement’s specialist, Habib Mbye. Contact Habib at hmbye@icmarc.org or click here to schedule an appointment. Virginia Retirement SystemDid you know that every VRS retiree has a myVRS account? If you’ve never claimed your account, or if you haven’t used myVRS since before you retired, you’re missing out on the convenient services available by logging into myVRS for Retirees at myVRS.varetire.org. Medicare ResourcesView resources that help cover the ins and outs of Medicare, as well as wellness information on healthy aging! Coronavirus Care Resources
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Contact Us!If you have benefit related questions, please contact the benefits team at benefits@loudoun.gov or 703-777-0517. Loudoun County Human Resources
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