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Why Give Blood? You don’t need a special reason to give blood. You just need your own reason. Some of us give blood because we were asked by a friend. Some know that a family member or a friend might need blood some day. Some believe it is the right thing to do. Some do it for the free cookies and juice. Can I Give Blood? General Guidelines for Blood Donation Be in good general health and feeling well. Be at least 17 years old in most states (16 years old with parental consent in some states). Weigh at least 110 pounds. Additional weight requirements apply for donors 18 years old and younger and all high school donors. Have not donated blood in the last 56 days. Ten Frequently Asked Questions about Organ Donation: In an effort to demystify the organ and tissue donation process and encourage more Americans to become donors, the National Kidney Foundation provides answers to ten of the most often asked questions about organ and tissue donation. Are organ and tissue transplants experimental? Medication and medical advances have resulted in transplant surgeries today that are very successful, in fact as high as 95 percent. The transplantation of vital organs has become routine surgical operation and is no longer experimental. How are organs and tissues for transplantation obtained? Many organ and tissues are donated by individuals at the time of their death. Others are donated by living donors. How are organs from deceased donors distributed? Generally, donated organs are matched with individuals on an organ waiting list. Matching is based on a variety of factors including blood and tissue types, medical need, length of time on the waiting list and weight of donor and recipient. Who can become an organ or tissue donor? People of all different ages are able to donate. It is essential that anyone who wants to be a donor expresses this wish to others in the family. For more information about becoming an organ and tissue donor, click here. Do I have to register as an organ and tissue donor with any hospital or national registry? There are different ways to identify yourself as an organ donor. For deceased donation: if an online registry is available in your state, you can sign up for that. (You can also designate your wishes on your driver’s license or sign a donor card, but the online registry is the best method to use). It is extremely important to discuss your decision with your loved ones, because they will be asked to sign a consent form at the time of the donation. For living donation: you need to work with the recipient’s hospital to be tested as a donor. If you are considering donation to anyone who needs it, and don’t have a recipient in mind, you need to work with a hospital in your area. What if organ and tissue donation is against my religion? Religious leaders of most denominations throughout the world favor organ and tissue donation and consider it the greatest humanitarian act. If you are concerned, check with your religious leader. Will being a declared organ donor (to donate after my death) affect the care I receive in a hospital? Organ and tissue donation is not even considered until all possible efforts to save a person’s life have been exhausted. Which organs and tissues can be donated after death? Kidneys, lungs, corneas, livers, pancreases, heart valves, bones, tendons, skin and bone marrow can all be transplanted. If desired, a donor can specify on a donor card which organs and tissues are to be donated. Do I have to pay to be an organ and tissue donor after death? Donors and their families do not pay for any expenses associated with organ and tissue donation. Does organ and tissue donation after death cause any disfigurement to the donor? Organ removal is a sterile surgical procedure wherein the body remains totally intact. Open casket funerals are still possible if so desired. Learn more:Download Your Health and Safety Matter! Contact The Benefits Store for you and your families health insurance needs! #Californiahealthinsurance #Californiahealthtips #healthawareness

What’s New for 2021-2022 Most people who get flu will recover on their own in a few days to two weeks, but some people will experience severe complications, requiring hospitalization. Secondary bacterial infections are more common with influenza than with COVID-19. A few things are different for the 2021-2022 influenza (flu) season, including: The composition of flu vaccines has been updated. All flu vaccines will be quadrivalent (four component), meaning designed to protect against four different flu viruses. For more information: Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine | CDC. Flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time. More detailed guidance about the recommended timing of flu vaccination for some groups of people is available. It’s best to be vaccinated before flu begins spreading in your community. September and October are generally good times to be vaccinated against flu. Ideally, everyone should be vaccinated by the end of October. However, even if you are not able to get vaccinated until November or later, vaccination is still recommended because flu most commonly peaks in February and significant activity can continue into May. What is the difference between Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19? Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a coronavirus first identified in 2019, and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses. COVID-19 seems to spread more easily than flu. However, as more people become fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 should slow down. More information is available about COVID-19 vaccines and how well they work. Compared to flu, COVID-19 can cause more serious illnesses in some people. COVID-19 can also take longer before people show symptoms and people can be contagious for longer. More information about differences between flu and COVID-19 is available in the different sections below. Because some of the symptoms of flu, COVID-19, and other respiratory illnesses are similar, the difference between them cannot be made based on symptoms alone. Testing is needed to tell what the illness is and to confirm a diagnosis. People can be infected with both flu and the virus that causes COVID-19 at the same time and have symptoms of both influenza and COVID-19. While more is learned every day about COVID-19 and the virus that causes it, there are still things, such as post-COVID conditions, that are unknown. This page compares COVID-19 and flu, given the best available information to date. Similarities: Both COVID-19 and Flu can result in complications, including: Pneumonia Respiratory failure Acute respiratory distress syndrome (fluid in the lungs) Sepsis (a life-threatening illness caused by the body’s extreme response to an infection) Cardiac injury (for example, heart attacks and stroke) Multiple-organ failure (respiratory failure, kidney failure, shock) Worsening of chronic medical conditions (involving the lungs, heart, or nervous system or diabetes) Inflammation of the heart, brain, or muscle tissues Secondary infections (bacterial or fungal infections that can occur in people who have already been infected with flu or COVID-19) Learn more:Download Your Health and Safety Matters! Contact The Benefits Store today for you and your families health insurance needs! #Californiahealthinsurance #Californiahealthtips #fluseason #healthawareness

The week of December 6th to December 10th was designated as Older Driver Safety Awareness Week by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Driver safety awareness is something that everyone needs to keep in mind as they grow older. Unfortunately, everyone will begin to undergo physical, mental, and sensory changes that can make driving safely a challenge. Older Driver Safety Self Test As an older driver, it’s vital that you be aware of your driving behavior and any issues that you might be having. Many older drivers will ignore such issues, especially if they appear to be minor, because they don’t want to face the truth that it might be affecting their ability to drive. Such issues can include: Difficulty making out signage Trouble accelerating and braking Getting lost while driving Feeling drowsy or dizzy Feeling nervous while in traffic Difficulty looking over your shoulder If you have any of these issues, you should speak with your doctor in Southern California. They can help diagnose the problem and find a solution. In some cases, the issue may be caused by a medication you’re taking, which means your doctor can switch you to something that doesn’t cause those side effects. The CarFit Program CarFit is a driver safety program that helps determine if your car is a proper fit for your needs. Most older drivers will drive more carefully; however, if they get into an accident, they are more likely to be injured than younger drivers. The CarFit program involves a thorough 20-minute check of your vehicle to determine how well it fits your needs in terms of safety and comfort. It suggests adjustments and safety additions to the vehicle so that it will be safer for the driver to use. For instance, CarFit may recommend using extenders or hand controls if you’re having trouble reaching or using the car’s pedals. Older driver safety awareness will continue to be important for every driver as they grow older. For more driver safety tips, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today. #driversafety #olderdriversafety #olderdriversafetyweek #olderdrivers

Dealing with holiday stress can be a real challenge for everyone. Although the holidays are meant to be an enjoyable experience, they can be incredibly stressful for all kinds of reasons, whether it’s trying to find the time to get everything done or simply dealing with relatives that you may not get along with. Not to mention that buying gifts and traveling both cost money — and for many families, the holidays add a financial pressure that they can’t afford to take on. Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do to reduce your stress during the holidays. How To Manage The Holiday Stress The following are a few tips to help you alleviate some of the stress of the holiday season: Don’t be pressured by tradition – Just because something is tradition doesn’t mean you have no choice but to participate. If your family has a tradition you just don’t enjoy, find a different tradition that you can do every year that you’ll get more joy out of. Additionally, if you can’t afford to travel or don’t feel safe traveling this year, then don’t feel like you have no choice. “Tradition” is no reason to dig yourself into a financial hole or to risk your health and safety. Plan everything ahead – If you plan on visiting family, plan for travel well ahead of time. Don’t wait until the last minute to buy tickets if you’re flying out. The same goes for every other holiday situation. Buy all of your gifts ahead of time so you’re not rushing from store to store at the last minute. Don’t search for the perfect gift – Remember, there’s no such thing as “the perfect gift.” So don’t stress about finding it. It’s all about the “act” of giving, not the gift itself. Ask for help – Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re organizing a dinner, consider asking guests to bring something, like a bottle of wine or a side dish, to help reduce your workload. Get rest – Make sure you get enough rest. A lack of sleep will only exacerbate any stress you feel. Use these tips to help reduce your holiday stress. For more health tips and advice, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #holidaysafety #Reduceholidaystress #holidayseasonstress #Holidaystress #holidayseason

Stress in America Do your shoulders instantly tense up with the thought of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season? Does your heart skip a beat when you think about spending the entire day with your extended family during the most wonderful time of the year? Does the thought of a revolving balance on your credit card from overspending keep you up at night? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’re not alone. Money and family responsibilities are some of the top sources of stress in America. Before the stress of the holidays sneaks up on you, read on to learn how to enjoy your most stress-free holiday season yet. Tips for Managing Holiday Stress There are many simple ways to deal with holiday stress, but first you need to understand your stress triggers. Do certain situations cause you to feel stressed? When you feel stressed, pause and think about what’s causing it. The activity you’re doing at the time may not be the cause of your stress. Once you understand what triggers your stress, use these six simple tips to de-stress. 1. Plan Ahead Finding time for all of your holiday activities can be tricky. On top of your holiday commitments, you may also have to deal with increased traffic, especially around malls. Or you may feel extra pressure to get ahead of work so that you can take time off to travel. Creating an action plan can help to relieve stress. Write down all of the things you need to do so that you can prioritize the things that are most important. You will also be less likely to forget something if you have a list. 2. Put Yourself First With such a huge focus during the holidays on giving, it can be easy to forget to give back to yourself. Taking care of yourself will improve your mood and make it easier for you to take care of others. Set aside some time to do things you enjoy. Find time to exercise, plan a dinner out, or just get a few minutes of fresh air. And don’t forget the importance of a regular good night’s sleep. 3. Keep Your Finances in Check If you’re worried about your spending and how it will affect you after the holidays are over, be realistic about what you can afford to spend. The sentiment behind a gift is more important than the cost. Create a budget and stick to it. Spend only what you can afford, and if you don’t have the ability to spend anything, bake a treat or offer your talents and time to your friends and loved ones. 4. Honor Loved Ones You Have Lost It may be difficult to celebrate the holiday season if you’ve lost someone dear to you or distance makes it difficult to spend time together. Spend this holiday season reflecting on special memories and how you will honor the person you lost by doing something meaningful in their honor. If you’re unable to spend time with loved ones, volunteer your time to a local organization where your smiling face could change someone’s day. Their smile could most certainly warm your heart. 5. Indulge in Moderation Indulge in foods that you may only have once a year, but don’t forget the importance of healthy eating as well. A glass of eggnog or five sugar cookies for breakfast isn’t going to completely derail your eating plan. But it’s not a realistic way to eat every day during the holidays. Not only will it leave you feeling ill, but also the pounds will quickly sneak up on you. Everything in moderation is key this time of year. 6. Don’t Be Afraid to Say No It’s okay to say “no,” and the more you say it, the easier it will get. Say “yes” to the events and things that you know will bring you joy. Say “no” to obligations that you know will cause you heartache and disappointment. If working a few extra hours of overtime will make you happy so you can treat your mom to her first new television in twenty years, do it. But if your neighbor that you’re not too fond of invites you to a holiday party, feel free to decline. You’ll be happy that you did. Learn More about Holiday Stress and Management: Download Your Health and Safety Matters! Contact The Benefits Store today for you and your Families health insurance needs! #CaliforniaRealtors #HealthNews #Holidaystress #HolidayStressAwareness

It’s always important to keep holiday safety in mind when the end of the year comes around. The risk of getting hurt increases during the holidays for a myriad of reasons, whether it’s due to a lack of toy safety awareness or a lack of travel safety. One thing that few people think about when it comes to safety awareness during the holiday season is parking lot safety. Parking Lot Holiday Safety Risks People automatically assume that they’re in a safe area when driving around in a parking lot — most likely because the speed limit is very low to prevent accidents from occurring. However, just because people are driving slowly doesn’t mean there’s no risk. There tend to be a lot of accidents that can result in injuries in parking lots, especially during the holidays in California when stores are packed. There are numerous reasons for this: People are often on their phones while driving through parking lots and aren’t paying attention to the road. People who are leaving their parking spaces often forget to check their blind spots and back into someone or something. Parking lots are very congested with both vehicles and people during the holidays, which means the risk of an accident can increase. Holiday Safety Tips For Navigating Parking Lots To ensure that you don’t get into an accident in a parking lot this holiday season, be sure to keep the following safety tips in mind: Be careful when backing up – When leaving a parking spot, don’t just rely on your rearview mirror — look over your shoulder and check your blind spots. Back up slowly just in case a pedestrian or car passes by. Pay attention when driving through a parking lot – Besides avoiding traffic and pedestrians, you’ll want to be on the lookout for any cars that are leaving their parking spots that aren’t paying attention. Follow the law – Stop at the stop signs and stay under the speed limit when driving through parking lots. Park away from the store – The further away you park, the less congested it becomes, thereby lessening the risk of getting into an accident during the holidays. Be sure to keep these holiday safety tips in mind when driving through parking lots in California during the holiday season. For more holiday safety tips, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #holidayparkinglotsafety #holidaysafety #parkinglotsafety

Parking Lots Are Riskier Than You Think Tens of thousands of crashes occur in parking lots and garage structures annually, resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries. And, around the holidays, parking lots become even more dangerous. Key points Factors such as distracted driving, speeding, more frequent turning and higher pedestrian count are among the reasons that these incidents occur. In addition to vehicles, parking lot surfaces can play a role in injuries and incidents Auto insurers report the number of claims spike on Black Friday and run above normal throughout the holiday shopping season. The number of incidents is probably higher than insurance claims indicate, as many fender-benders go unreported. So Many Distractions In an NSC public opinion poll, 66% of drivers nationwide said they would make phone calls while driving through parking lots. Respondents also said they would: Program GPS systems (63%) Text (56%) Use social media (52%) Send or receive emails (50%) Take photos or watch videos (49%) NSC found teens (59%) were more likely to engage in personal grooming than adults (53%) while driving in parking lots, but less likely to be on the phone (60% vs. 66%). During the hectic holiday season, drivers and pedestrians also are likely to be distracted by extensive to-do lists and are hurriedly trying to get from one place to another. One way for consumers to steer clear of trouble is to pick a lot where pedestrian traffic is restricted and video surveillance equipment is used to monitor the facility. Learn More:Download Your Health and Safety Matters! Contact The Benefits Store today for you and your families health insurance needs!

Toy safety is something that you want to make sure you keep in mind as the holidays approach. If you have children, then you want to ensure that any toys that you buy for them, as well as any toys that they receive from friends or family, are safe to use. Because a lot of people don’t realize that some toys may pose a danger, they often don’t keep safety in mind when buying presents for a child. The following is a brief guide on toy safety that you should be sure to follow this holiday season. Toy Safety Risks The risk of injury as a result of a toy is greater than you might think. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were around 198,000 toy-related injuries treated in emergency rooms across the United States in 2020 alone. An estimated 75% of those injuries were to children 14 years old and younger. There were nine toy-related deaths in that same year. Toy Safety Tips Due to the potential injury risk that certain toys may have, it’s essential that you keep the following toy safety tips in mind if you plan on buying a toy as a gift for a child: If the toy uses fabric, make sure that it’s labeled as either flame retardant or flame resistant. Any stuffed toy that you buy should be completely washable. If the toy is painted, the paint should be marked as lead-free. Any art materials that you purchase should be advertised as nontoxic. If you’re buying crayons or paints, look for ASTM D-4236 on the package, which ensures that they’ve been thoroughly tested for safety. Buy new toys. Older toys may not meet current safety standards. Check the age recommendations on every toy. A toy meant for an older age group may pose a risk to younger children (for example, they could pose a choking hazard due to smaller parts). Are you planning on buying a gift for a child this holiday season? Then be sure to keep toy safety in mind. For more safety awareness advice, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #holidaysafety #holidaytoysafety #toysafety

More and more people are in need of long-term care as the years pass. The reasons for this are simple: every generation is bigger than the last, which means there are more senior citizens than ever before. On top of that, people are living longer. The downside to this is that there is a greater need for long-term caregivers. It’s estimated that there are roughly 45 million caregivers in the U.S. alone that are taking care of loved ones. What Does Long-Term Care Consist Of? Longterm care refers to personal care needs. Generally, these are not medical needs, but assistance with activities of daily living, such as eating, bathing, getting dressed, and more. Caregivers not only help with activities of daily living, but also with things like housework, grocery shopping, financial management, and more. Facts About Long-Term Care The following are a few facts about long-term care that will help you understand just how important long-term caregivers are: Long-term caregivers spend an average of 21 hours a week taking care of their loved ones. Few people in need of long-term care can rely completely on a professional caregiving service. According to the National Family Caregivers Association, it’s estimated that 78% of adults in need of long-term care rely on family members and friends. Around 37% of caregivers in the U.S. were forced to switch from full-time to part-time work in order to care for their loved ones. Around 29% of caregivers are forced to use their own savings to help provide care for their loved ones. That is because Medicare doesn’t include longterm care as a benefit. Additionally, most insurance policies have limits on any long-term benefits that are provided. The average length of long-term care is three years, according to the National Center of Health Statistics. Long-term caregivers do a significant amount of work, and it’s important to understand and appreciate the growing need we have for them in the U.S. For more information about caregivers, visit us at The Benefits Store today.

Family caregivers are often taken for granted, but the work they do to provide long-term care to family members can be very challenging and time-consuming. A caregiver takes on a lot of responsibility for helping out their loved ones, whether it’s shopping for them, cooking for them, cleaning them, or more. Because of how much personal time they dedicate to their loved ones, it’s important that we recognize their sacrifices and hard work. That’s why November is designated National Family Caregivers Month. Tips for Family Caregivers According to the Institute of Medicine, 90% of long-term care in the U.S. is provided by family caregivers. That means a staggering number of people sacrifice their personal time and effort to take care of somebody, despite not getting paid for it. Such time and effort can even conflict with their personal lives, making it even more challenging. If you’re a caregiver for a family member, then it’s important to know that you’re not alone, and there are things you can do to make life easier. The following are a few tips to keep in mind if you’re a family caregiver: There is assistance available. Country Senior Ride Services and Meals on Wheels are just a few services you can use to help ease the demands of caregiving. It’s possible to take time off. Your family member might need constant attention, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take a breather. Respite care and adult day care services are available to look after your family member for anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. You’re not alone. Not only are there many other caregivers out there, but they have support groups you can join. A support group can help with your mental health as well as help you obtain valuable advice about caregiving from others. Reduce your stress. Caregiving can be stressful. Try to reduce your stress levels by taking time for yourself, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and considering activities such as yoga. Family caregiving is crucial to the seniors living in our country. For more information about family caregiving, be sure to visit us at The Benefits Store today. #familycaregiving #nationalcaregiversmonth #unsungheroes #caregivers #NationalFamilyCaregiversMonth #familycaregivers

Understanding some of the more common diabetes facts is critical to generating awareness and helping with prevention. Unfortunately, a lot of people aren’t familiar with these facts, which is why November is National Diabetes Month. Hopefully, by spreading awareness of the following diabetes facts, people take greater care when it comes to preventing and treating diabetes. Diabetes Facts You Should Know The following are a few important diabetes facts that everybody should be aware of, as reported by the CDC in 2020: Over 34 million Americans have diabetes, accounting for more than 10% of the population. Of these 34 million people, only 26.9 million have been officially diagnosed. An estimated 7.3 million people are undiagnosed, which accounts for 21.4% of all cases. A massive 88 million Americans over the age of 18, which accounts for 34.5% of the adult population, have prediabetes. Prediabetes means that your blood sugar levels are higher than normal and that you’re at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. An estimated one out of every three Americans will develop diabetes at some point in their lives. Understanding the Risk of Developing Diabetes At-risk individuals should be particularly careful about their health and should consult with a doctor regularly to do everything they can to prevent diabetes. Risk factors include: Being older than 45 Being overweight Not being physically active Having a family history of diabetes Can Diabetes Be Prevented? By understanding the risk factors, you can make changes to your lifestyle to help prevent diabetes. But even if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, you can take steps to better manage it. These steps include: Take any medications as prescribed by your doctor Maintaining a healthy weight Getting at least 10 to 20 minutes of exercise in every day Eating a healthier diet with less sugar and salt Testing your blood sugar regularly Knowing about diabetes can help you take preventative steps. If you think you might have diabetes, be sure to speak with your doctor in California. For more diabetes facts and health tips, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #DiabetesAwareness #diabetesfacts #DiabetesPrevention #DiabetesTreatment

A caregiver—sometimes called an informal caregiver—is an unpaid individual (for example, a spouse, partner, family member, friend, or neighbor) involved in assisting others with activities of daily living and/or medical tasks. Formal caregivers are paid care providers providing care in one’s home or in a care setting (day care, residential facility, long-term care facility). A caregiver can be your family member, partner, friend or neighbor who helps care for you while you live at home. About 80 percent of care at home is provided by unpaid caregivers and may include an array of emotional, financial, nursing, social, homemaking, and other services. On average, caregivers spend 20 hours a week giving care. More than half (58 percent) have intensive caregiving responsibilities that may include assisting with a personal care activity, such as bathing or feeding. Information on caregivers show that: About 65.7 million people in the US (one in four adults) were unpaid family caregivers to an adult or child in 2009 About two-thirds are women Fourteen percent who care for older adults are themselves age 65 or more Most people can live at home for many years with help from unpaid family and friends, and from other paid community support Caregiver Tips for Beating Stress Focusing on the rewarding aspects of caregiving can also help you beat caregiver stress. We’ve compiled a short list of tips for getting in touch with positive emotions and fighting stress, gathered from the Family Caregiver Alliance: Learn to recognize warning signs of stress and frustration. Practice physical and mental relaxation techniques. Rethink a difficult situation objectively. Find your “why” and remind yourself of it. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Family Caregiver Alliance National Center on Caregiving (415) 434-3388 | (800) 445-8106 Website: www.caregiver.org Email: info@caregiver.org FCA CareNav: https://fca.cacrc.org/login Services by State: www.caregiver.org/connecting-caregivers/services-by-state/ Learn More:Download Your Health and Safety Matters! Contact The Benefits Store today for your health insurance needs! #Californiahealthinsurance #Californiahealthtips #CaregiverAwareness #healthawareness