Eye EYE!!

Your eyes are the gateway to so many things. They allow you to process information before ever using any of your other senses. Eyesight is needed for multiple everyday things like driving and distinguishing colors. However, not everyone has perfect vision or sight at all. It can be something that many of us

take for granted. February puts a focus on Low Vision Awareness. Low vision tends to affect older people and can make everyday tasks, like reading, difficult to impossible. Although low vision can be corrected, there are other eye-related disorders that cannot. 

So what should you do if your vision starts to become impaired? First, consult an optometrist or an ophthalmologist to be sure you receive an accurate diagnosis. Learn about the difference between the two types of doctors here. Then, you should take it easy and rest your eyes. It sounds easier than you think but considers the amount of screen time you get each day for various activities or being in the sun without sunglasses. 

Helpful Links:

• A Picture of the Eye
• Low Vision Awareness Month
• What is low vision?
• Optometrist vs. Ophthalmologist: What’s the Difference?
  
  

Paramount Advantage Medicaid Connecting Members to Vaccines

Ohio has started distributing safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines statewide to those who choose to be vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccine development process included steps comparable with those used to develop previous vaccines, such as the flu or measles vaccine. While vaccine supply is limited, Ohio will follow a phased approach to vaccine administration. In the first vaccination phase, priority will be given to individuals at the highest risk, as well as essential health care workers and personnel caring for COVID-19 patients.

As supply increases, COVID-19 vaccines will be available to all Ohioans who choose to be vaccinated.

·        Phase 1 (Supply Limited): Vaccine is available in limited supply and will be available only for specific critical populations. Ohio will focus on vaccinating those most at risk, as well as essential healthcare workers and personnel caring for COVID-19 patients.

·        Phase 2 (Supply Increasing): Vaccine availability is increasing and can be offered to a larger group of specific critical populations who choose to be vaccinated.

·        Phases 3-4 (Widely Available): Once the vaccine is widely available, Ohio will continue to strategically vaccinate Ohioans if they choose to receive vaccine.

Ohio is now beginning Phase 1B. Phase 1B will provide vaccines to Ohioans age 65 and older and those living with severe congenital, intellectual or developmental disabilities, or early-onset medical disorders. Also included in Phase 1B are K-12 school employees as part of a plan to resume or continue in-person learning or hybrid models by March 1.

·        Week of Jan. 19: Ohioans age 80 and older

·        Week of Jan. 25: Ohioans age 75 and older; those with a developmental or intellectual disability AND specific severe congenital or developmental disorders listed above.

·        Week of Feb. 1: Ohioans age 70 and older; employees of K-12 schools that have committed to remain or return to in-person or hybrid models

·        Week of Feb. 8: Ohioans age 65 and older.

·        Week of Feb. 15: Those with specific severe congenital or developmental disorders listed above.

As supply increases, COVID-19 vaccines will be available to all Ohioans who choose to receive the vaccine.

Paramount Medicaid will help its members with transportation to and from their COVID-19 vaccination appointment, as long as they are not ill. They must wear a mask during all points of transit.

For the latest Paramount Medicaid COVID-19 information, please visit paramounthealthcare.com/covid-19.

Go Red for Heart Health!

It's American Heart Month! 2021 marks the 57th anniversary of this month's recognition. Did you know that heart disease is the number one cause of death for all Americans? This month put emphasis on heart-related concerns like hypertension. Hypertension can lead to other serious ailments like heart disease or stroke. 

Hypertension is classified as primary and secondary. Primary does not necessarily have any underlying causes but secondary could be from a number of health-related issues. This includes but is not limited to kidney disease or thyroid issues. Hypertension can also be the culprit of other personal issues. For example, family history can play a big role in your diagnosis. 

Heart disease affects one in three women every year. The first Friday of every February is marked as Go Red for Women Day or National Wear Red Day. You and others you know can show your support of the heart-healthy initiative by adopting a healthy lifestyle and promoting healthy habits. For more information on American Health Month and heart-related diseases, check the links below. 

Helpful Links:

• The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Control Hypertension 
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• U.S. commemorates 57th consecutive American Heart Month in February

How Does Radon Affect Your Health?

January was National Radon Action Month Information. Did you know that radon can be found essentially anywhere and had been known to cause cancer? Radon levels can vary from location to location and it is important to do frequent testing. Kits to test radon can be found in a lot of hardware stores, online or you can have a company come out and test for you. 

So what is radon? According to the CDC, it "is a radioactive gas that forms naturally." Anyone can be exposed to radon by simply breathing in the gas that emanates from cracks in the foundation of a home or business. 

What now? If your home or business has a high level of radon (anything higher than 4.0pCi/L) then you should have it mitigated. Mitigation can be done by a company that specializes in it by achieving ventilation and sealing any cracks in the foundational structure in which the gas may have seeped through. Check out the links below for more information on radon. 

Helpful Links:

• National Radon Action Month Information
• Radon Mitigation
• Radon.com
• Find a Radon Test Kit
• Protect Yourself and Your Family from Radon
• The EPA debunks 10 myths about Radon

Work work work work work.

Due to the pandemic, more people are working from home than ever before. According to Stanford.edu, from June 2020, about 42% of the US workforce is now working from home. With many schools being completely virtual now, being able to work from home is a privilege for some while may be difficult on mental health and relationships for others.  

Many people are suffering from "Zoom Fatigue" due to the constant virtual meetings for not only themselves but their children as well. In order to cope with this, it is important to stay organized and to find a life balance. An article from USA Today from May 2020 says that "having an outline of your responsibilities will guide your actions through the day and leave you with a sense of accomplishment when you are ready to 'clock out.'" 

When being cooped up in one place for a long period of time, it is important to have mindfulness too. Be aware of not just your feelings, but check in with your other housemates to make sure everyone is doing ok. 

Helpful Links:

• Stanford research provides a snapshot of a new working-from-home economy
• Working from home during the coronavirus pandemic: How to cope
• Employees: How to Cope with Job Stress and Build Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Winter Safety!

 You can never be too careful during the wintertime!

As Ohio wades its way through the winter, we are in a constant state of not knowing whether or not to bunker down for snow or prepare to wear socks with sandals in 55-degree weather! Because the forecast is constantly changing, it is important to know how to handle any conditions that may be thrown our way. 

Some of the weather conditions we may experience between now and the spring include snow and ice storms, low temperatures, and the early sunset due to daylight savings time. Be sure to plan your outdoor activities accordingly ie; wearing reflective gear when outside at night or dusk, dressing in layers, and giving your car ample time to warm up.

Helpful Links:

• Be Prepared to Stay Safe and Healthy in Winter
• Winter Safety Tips
• Winter Weather: Plan. Equip. Train.
  
  

Every dog has its day!

During the pandemic, pet adoption has risen exponentially. According to the ASPCA, an estimated 3 million shelter animals were adopted last year. As more and more people were sheltering in place, people were wanting companions due to the lack of human interaction. Being home more and more can feel very isolating and take a toll on one's mental health. 

In an article by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), they discuss how dogs can contribute to your happiness in several ways. Dogs (or pets in general) can help you become more social (ie; taking your dog to dog parks, walks, and aiding in conversation with new people). Pets can help you get exercise too as many dogs need to be walked quite a bit! Also, having a pet causes you to have a sense of responsibility. Just like a human, pets need to be fed, they need to be interacted with to reduce boredom and they need love in order to survive.

For more information on pet adoption and how animals can have a positive impact on your well being, check out these links:

• Rescue Animals Are TIME's 2020 Pet of the Year
• How Dogs Can Help with Depression
• ‘Dogs have a magic effect’: how pets can improve our mental health
• ASPCA - Adopt a pet!