Having “low vision” is not the same as being “blind.” For example, your doctor may tell you that you have a blind or blank spot in the center of your vision that limits your ability to read or see people’s faces; nevertheless, you can still get around using your side (or peripheral) vision. What Low Vision Means As we age, our eyes change too. In most cases, regular eyeglasses or contact lenses can correct many of these vision changes. However, if your eye doctor tells you that your vision cannot be fully corrected with ordinary prescription glasses, medication, or surgery and you still have some usable vision, you have what is called “low vision.” Having low vision means that even with regular glasses, contact lenses, medication, or surgery, you may find it difficult to perform everyday tasks, such as reading your mail, shopping, preparing meals, and signing your name. Why is it important to raise awareness about age-related eye diseases? Many people think that vision loss is a normal part of aging and are unaware of what they can do to protect their sight. Lifestyle factors—such as not smoking; maintaining a healthy weight; engaging in physical activity; controlling diabetes; eating a healthy diet that includes fish high in omega-3s and dark, leafy greens; and protecting eyes from the sun—can all help prevent the onset or delay the progression of eye disease. Comprehensive dilated eye exams should also be a part of a person’s routine health care, especially if he or she is over age 50. What are the most common age-related eye diseases and conditions? The most common eye diseases and conditions that affect older adults include age-related macular degeneration(AMD), cataract, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye, glaucoma, and low vision. Many of these diseases and conditions do not have noticeable symptoms in their early stages. They can be detected through a comprehensive dilated eye exam. Treatment is most effective when an eye disease is diagnosed early. Learn More:Download Your Vision is important to your health! Contact The Benefits Store today for you and your families Vision Insurance needs! #healthawareness #Californiahealthtips #lowvisionawareness #LowVision #Californiahealthinsurance

Monitoring your home’s indoor radon levels is extremely important to the health and safety of you and your family. Although radon is naturally occurring and will be found in every home at some level, you need to make sure it doesn’t build up to a dangerous level. That is because radon is an invisible, scentless gas that can lead to the development of lung cancer as a result of over-exposure. To help spread awareness about the dangers of radon, January has been designated as National Radon Action Month. The California Indoor Radon Program The California Indoor Radon Program was established by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to collect and maintain information about the presence of radon throughout the state. The following are a few things you should know about the program: The goal of the program is to reduce human exposure to radon in both residential and school structures. The program helps spread awareness to residents of the state about the risks of radon and encourages radon testing. The CDPH collects information from the California Geological Survey to identify areas with excessive indoor radon levels. Various maps and reports are prepared to identify low, moderate, and high radon potential areas. The program has been in place for more than two decades. Testing for Radon It’s estimated that the average concentration of radon is around 1.3 picocuries per liter. Outside, it’s around 0.4 picocuries per liter. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns people to avoid long-term exposure to radon levels of over 4 picocuries per liter. Radon testing can be done using a radon level detector. A short-term detector uses activated charcoal to absorb radon from indoor air. It takes upwards of a week to complete such a test. Long-term tests take up to three months or longer and are done using alpha-track detectors. Test Your Home’s Radon Levels According to the EPA, around 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the Unites States are caused by radon exposure every year. As such, be sure to check your indoor radon levels. For more health awareness information, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #indoorradon #indoorradonawareness #indoorradonprogram

More than 12 percent of the U.S. population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime. An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. Up to 60 percent of those with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition. Women are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid problems. One woman in eight will develop a thyroid disorder during her lifetime. Most thyroid cancers respond to treatment, although a small percentage can be very aggressive. The causes of thyroid problems are largely unknown. Undiagnosed thyroid disease may put patients at risk for certain serious conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis and infertility. Pregnant women with undiagnosed or inadequately treated hypothyroidism have an increased risk of miscarriage, preterm delivery, and severe developmental problems in their children. Most thyroid diseases are life-long conditions that can be managed with medical attention. January is Thyroid Disease Awareness Month Most people have heard about the thyroid gland but may not have been taught about the huge importance this gland plays in our bodies. The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland that is located at the base of the neck. This gland influences the function of our most essential organs in the body: brain, liver, heart, kidneys and skin. The thyroid’s primary job is to make hormones that are secreted into the blood stream and carried to every tissue in our bodies. The body uses this hormone for metabolism, digestion, regulating body temperature, and much more. It is vital to ensure your thyroid gland is healthy and functioning to its proper capabilities. The only sure way to be diagnosed with this disease is to have a blood test performed that measures your thyroid hormone levels. It is highly recommended that if you or the individual you serve is a senior over 60 that a thyroid-stimulating hormone test be administered. This test measures if the gland is working properly or not. Anyone can develop a thyroid problem; however, it is more prominent in older women.   There are various forms of treatment for Thyroid Disease: medication, iodine, hormones, therapy and surgery. This all depends on the type of disease that is occurring. These treatments can help greatly improve a person’s quality of life. Caregivers and loved ones should know the signs/ symptoms of thyroid disease and contact a medical professional for assistance as needed. Learn more:Download Your Health and Safety Matters! Contact The Benefits Store for you and your families health insurance needs! #Californiahealthinsurance #healthawareness #HealthNews #ThyroidDisease

Preventing birth defects is more important than most people realize. People rarely want to think about the possibility of their baby being born with birth defects, but it happens more commonly than you might think. It’s estimated that around 120,000 babies are born every year with birth defects — and that’s in the United States alone. That amounts to roughly one in 33 babies being born with birth defects. Because of this, January has been designated as National Birth Defects Prevention Month. The Importance of Prevention Birth defects can affect every part of the body, from the foot to the brain. Some birth defects can easily be addressed and won’t affect the baby’s life or their quality of life, such as a cleft lip. Others can be much more serious, such as heart defects or hearing loss. To prevent such birth defects, you have to know what causes them. The following are some of the common causes of birth defects: Drinking alcohol, doing drugs, or smoking during pregnancy Having uncontrolled diabetes before and during pregnancy Being obese during pregnancy Being infected with certain viruses during pregnancy, such as the Zika virus Certain medications Experiencing an elevated body temperature during pregnancy Being of an older age during pregnancy (which can increase the risk of chromosomal abnormalities) How to Prevent Birth Defects First of all, live as healthily as possible during your pregnancy — stop smoking and drinking and don’t take any drugs. Make sure that you see your primary healthcare provider in California routinely. They can advise you on what medications you can and can’t take. Finally, make sure to introduce plenty of folic acid into your diet. Folic acid contains folate, which helps ensure that your cells function properly and is necessary for forming your red blood cells and DNA. Folate can also help prevent various birth defects as well as prevent heart disease and anemia. Spread Awareness on Preventing Birth Defects This Month If you’re planning on having a baby, take precautions to prevent birth defects. For more health advice, be sure to contact us at The Benefits Store today. #birthdefects #healthybabies #healthypregnancy #preventingbirthdefects

There are several types of eye disorders that are referred to as glaucoma. However, they all cause vision loss in the same way. The disorder occurs due to the buildup of fluid around the front of the eye. This buildup causes pressure that damages the eye’s optic nerve and can result in eventual blindness. Fortunately, there are ways to treat glaucoma, which is why generating awareness is so important. January was designated National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Why Is Glaucoma Awareness So Important? Glaucoma can lead to permanent blindness. In fact, it’s the leading cause of blindness in people over 60 years old. There is no cure. It’s vital that you catch glaucoma in the beginning stages if you have it. One of the reasons why it can be successfully treated before permanent blindness sets in is because glaucoma only affects one eye at first. Although you can’t restore lost vision, there are medications, surgeries, and laser treatments available that can help by slowing down the progression of glaucoma. Diagnosing the condition in its beginning stages can help prevent you from going blind. What Are the Signs of Glaucoma? There are two kinds of glaucoma: open-angle and acute angle-closure. Open-angle glaucoma symptoms include blind spots and tunnel vision. Acute angle-closure glaucoma has many symptoms, including: Blurred vision Eye pain Eye redness Headaches Light halos Nausea If you begin experiencing any of these symptoms regularly, you must go to an eye doctor right away for an eye exam. The sooner your glaucoma can be diagnosed, the sooner it can be treated. Not all cases of glaucoma result in symptoms right away, which is why you should schedule a regular checkup with your eye doctor in Southern California as you grow older. January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month Increasing glaucoma awareness is critical to making sure people maintain their eyesight, especially as they grow older. Be aware of glaucoma symptoms and schedule regular visits to the eye doctor. For more about health awareness, visit us at The Benefits Store today. #eyehealth #glaucoma #glaucomaawareness #HealthNews

It’s a silent disease Open-angle glaucoma, the most common type, has no symptoms. Without treatment, those affected will slowly lose their peripheral vision. As glaucoma remains untreated, people may miss objects to the side and out of the corner of their eye. It gives others a voice National Glaucoma Awareness Month helps patients cope. It’s a time to let them share their stories. It’s important to spread the word The main objective of this month is to keep people in the know about this disease. Not everyone is aware of how easily they can be affected. Eye care organizations use this month to address the risks and provide treatment tips. Glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the United States. Glaucoma has no early symptoms — that’s why half of people with glaucoma don’t know they have it. The only way to find out if you have glaucoma is to get a comprehensive dilated eye exam. There’s no cure for glaucoma, but early treatment can often stop the damage and protect your vision. Anyone can get glaucoma, but those at higher risk include: Everyone over age 60, especially Hispanics/Latinos African Americans over age 40 People with a family history of glaucoma Join the National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP) in encouraging people at higher risk for glaucoma to make eye health a New Year’s resolution by getting a dilated eye exam. Your Health and Safety Matters! Glaucoma Awareness:Download Contact The Benefits Store today for your Free Vision Insurance Quote! #Californiahealthinsurance #Californiahealthtips #healthawareness

Birth defects are health conditions that are present at birth. Birth defects change the shape or function of one or more parts of the body. They can cause problems in overall health, how the body develops, or in how the body works. There are thousands of different birth defects. About 120,000 babies in the United States are born each year with a birth defect. The most common birth defects are heart defects, cleft lip and cleft palate, Down syndrome and spina bifida. While there’s been lots of research, we still don’t know the causes of some birth defects. Some birth defects are caused by genetic conditions. Genetic conditions are passed from parents to children through genes. The baby could get something from his mother, his father, or both parents that can cause a birth defect. Saving babies through birth defects prevention and research Every 4 ½ minutes, a baby is born with a major birth defect in the United States. That’s 1 in 33 babies. Birth defects are structural changes in one or more parts of the body that are present at birth. Examples include heart defects, neural tube defects, microcephaly, and gastroschisis. 1 in 10 pregnant women report using alcohol during the past 30 days, and 9 in 10 women report using one or more medications in pregnancy, despite the fact that we lack sufficient evidence on safety for 9 out of 10 medications. The majority of the world’s population today is not covered through folic acid fortification and efforts to implement fortification in lower-resourced countries face complex obstacles. Popular diet could increase risk of birth defects New research demonstrates that consuming a low-carbohydrate diet during pregnancy may increase the risk of certain birth defects by 30 percent. A new study finds a link between low-carb diets and birth defects. Neural tube defects (NTDs) are malformations of the brain, spine, and spinal cord. They develop before birth and include spina bifida, wherein the spinal column does not close completely, and anencephaly, wherein large portions of brain and skull are missing. Research carried out over decades conclusively demonstrated that folic acid can reduce the risk of babies being born with NTDs. As soon as the fortification began, cases of birth defects plummeted. Adding folic acid to food prevents more than 1,300 NTDTrusted Source cases each year in the United States. Learn more:Download Your Health and Safety Matters! Contact The Benefits Store for you and your families Health Insurance needs #Californiahealthinsurance #Californiahealthtips #healthawareness

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