Did you know? More than one third of adults age 65 and older fall each year and half of all falls happen in and around the home. Pretty scary statistics- but there are simple changes you can make so you don’t become a fall statistic.

• Talk to your primary care physician. Take all your medications, supplements, and vitamins with you. Ask if any of your medications put you at higher risk for falling. If yes, see if any can be changed to something safer.
• Use one pharmacy to fill all of your prescriptions. Your pharmacist can compare new and existing medications to alert your doctor of any unsafe combinations.
• Have your vision checked. Make sure you are seeing as clearly as possible.
• Ask your doctor if you are well enough to begin a daily exercise or walking program. Exercise will make you stronger and improve your balance. If you are not able to exercise, ask if physical therapy is a good option for you.

Use these tips to make your home safer:

• Install night lights so you can see clearly at night.
• Rearrange furniture to make a clear path from room to room.
• Secure or remove area rugs from high traffic areas.
• SLOW DOWN - Don’t rush to answer the phone.
• Store frequently used items low and close-by so you can reach them without using a step stool or reaching over your head.
• Install grab bars next to your toilet and in your shower.
• Improve the lighting in your home.
• Wear shoes at all times both indoors and outdoors.

Taking care of yourself will ensure that you maintain your independence for a long time to come.

View the October Savvy Senior podcast on Falls Prevention and download the Personal Falls Prevention Checklist at www.capitalhealth.com/Members/Live-Healthy/Savvy-Senior-Podcast.

Capital Health Plan wants to help seniors stay savvy on the latest in health care, wellness and prevention. We’re pleased to offer The Savvy Senior, a monthly lunch and learn program now in its fifth year.

And, there’s good news! We have added a second monthly (repeat) program in Leon County due to increased attendance. We also have meetings quarterly in Gadsden, Wakulla, and Jefferson counties. And in 2011, we are excited to plan programs in Calhoun and Liberty.

The events are free and open to anyone. Call 850-523-7333 to RSVP or to find out about dates and times for programs in Calhoun, Gadsden, Jefferson, Liberty or Wakulla County.

Below are upcoming Savvy Senior Programs held at Capital Health Plan’s Governor’s Square Health Center, 1491 Governor’s Square Blvd., Tallahassee.

• Friday, March 4, 2011, and Friday, March 18, 2011 Noon to 1 p.m. Topic: Osteoporosis
• Friday, April 1, 2011, and Friday, April 15, 2011 Noon to 1 p.m. Topic: Urinary Incontinence
• Friday, May 6, 2011, and Friday, May 20, 2011 Noon to 1 p.m. Topic: Staying Healthy and Out of the Hospital

If you are unable to attend a Savvy Senior program in person, you can download and view a podcast recording of each presentation on capitalhealth.com. Podcasts are posted the first Friday of each month for the previous month’s program. Check out what you have missed at www.capitalhealth.com/Members/Live-Healthy/Savvy-Senior-Podcast.

Capital Health Plan presents Savvy Senior programs each month for older adults who want to learn more about how to live healthy, happy and active lifestyles.

We repeat the programs each month in Leon, Gadsden, Wakulla, and Jefferson counties. The events are free and open to anyone. Call 850-523-7333 to RSVP or to find out about dates and times for programs in Gadsden, Wakulla, or Jefferson County.

If you are unable to attend in person, check out the podcast of these events on our website, capitalhealth.com/Members/Live-Healthy/Savvy-Senior-Podcast.

Below are upcoming Savvy Senior programs held at Capital Health Plan’s Governor’s Square Health Center, 1491 Governor’s Square Blvd., Tallahassee.

Friday, October 1, 2010

• Noon to 1 p.m.
• Preventing Falls
• Mary Goble, R.N.

Friday, November 5, 2010

• Noon to 1 p.m.
• Medicare Advantage Update
• Melissa Dancer-Brown

Friday, December 3, 2010

• Noon to 1 p.m.
• Five Wishes
• Mary Goble, R.N.

Listen to what seniors are saying about The Savvy Senior:

“Outstanding program for general public!”
“Excellent - I always come away with some new information.”
“Very helpful and informative”
“I give you five stars for this program. You said it like it is.”
“As always, I am pleased to report that your programs are superb.” “The Savvy Senior program is an excellent educational tool.”
“The information was very helpful and understandable.”

Now Available on Podcast

Are you one of our Savvy Seniors? If so, I know you are interested in keeping up with the latest in health care, wellness and prevention. You may have attended one of our monthly Savvy Senior programs. If you have been unable to attend a Savvy Senior program in person, you can now view and hear the presentation through a Podcast on capitalhealth.com. Check out what you have missed at www.capitalhealth.com/Members/Live-Healthy/Savvy-Senior-Podcast.

The Savvy Senior programs are health related and geared toward older adults. Each program is thoughtfully prepared and presented by a CHP physician or other health care professional. The programs are held monthly in each county of our four-county service area – Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon and Wakulla. For upcoming programs, visit the Community Events Calendar on our Web site or call Member Services at 850-523-7441. We can give you the time, location and topic of our next program and add you to our mailing list. Or just go to capitalhealth.com, and view the Podcast in the comfort of your home.

RECENT PROGRAMS:

Join the Trend with Colon Screening by Tara Loucks, ARNP-C

Communicating Effectively with your Physician by Mary Goble, RN, BSN

Depression and Older Adults by Dr. Esaias Lee

Get Smart: How to Improve Your Brain Health as You Age by Dr. Nancy Van Vessem

A Healthy To-Do List for 2009

Do you know that CHP is offering a new benefit, Posit Science InSight®, to members 65 and older in 2009? Do you remember the many other benefits of your membership? A good way for Capital Health Plan members, both new and old, to begin 2009 is to look over the following list. Take advantage of these benefits and tools, maximize your membership, and Live Well!

• Health Coaching: For questions and educational materials, you can telephone a health coach 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 850-383-3400 or 1-888-372-6608 (TTY users call 1-888-277-1586).
• Primary Care Physician: The most important decision you can make is choosing a Primary Care Physician (PCP). If you have not chosen one yet, please check here for a list of those currently accepting new patients.
• CHPConnect: Sign up for your secure online electronic personal health record (see instructions for new users).
• Savvy Senior Programs: Attend one of CHP’s four monthly Savvy Senior Programs, which meet in Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson, and Wakulla counties. See the Medicare Event Calendar for more information.
• Posit Science InSight®: Sign up now to receive your brain fitness benefit, exclusively for members age 65 or over, at no extra cost. Call toll-free 1-877-582-1852, 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, to order your copy of the software (TTY 850-383-3534 or 1-800-955-8771).
• Eyeglasses: Schedule your annual routine eye exam. Take advantage of the $150 eyeglass benefit available to Medicare Advantage members every two years.
• Fitness Reimbursement: Join a health and fitness center. Medicare Advantage Plan members can receive a $150 per year reimbursement for health and fitness center membership.
• CHP Urgent Care: If you want to avoid long wait times and high copayments and do not have a debilitating or life-threatening injury, consider calling CHP’s Urgent Care Center. Urgent Care is open 11 a.m to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the weekends. Call for an appointment at 850-383-3382.
• Medicare Advantage Plan Meetings: If you are not yet a member of CHP Retiree Advantage, CHP Advantage Plus, or CHP Preferred Advantage, come to an informative meeting. See the Medicare Event Calendar for dates and RSVP by calling 850-523-7333.

For more information about Capital Health Plan’s programs, contact Member Services at 850-523-7441 or 1-877-247-6512 (TTY 850-383-3534 or 1-800-955-8771), 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Capital Health Plan is a health plan with a Medicare contract. Benefits, formulary, pharmacy, network, premium, and/or copayments/coinsurance may change each year. Please contact Capital Health Plan for details.

Check out these upcoming free, informative seminars. Call 850-523-7333 for more information or to RSVP.