health HAP’s ‘Boots for Kids’
to give the gift of warm feet to children
Homelessness is on the
rise, and with winter on its way, the statistics are chill- ing. The number of homeless children has climbed to more than 1,500 in Genesee and Saginaw counties alone, and a local non-profit health plan is asking local communities to help these children stay warm and dry this winter.
From now until the end of
January, Health Alliance Plan (HAP) will collect new chil- dren’s winter boots and dis- tribute them to Carriage Town Ministries of Flint, City Rescue Mission of Saginaw, Love INC of Greater Lapeer and Pathway Shelter of Port Huron.
“’Boots for Kids’ is an oppor-
tunity to touch lives through a simple act of kindness,” said Anita Moliterno, general man- ager, HAP’s East Central re- gional office in Flint.
“Coming from humble be-
ginnings myself, I recall how important it was to receive help in times of need. Now, when I see children trying on their new boots, I see myself through their smiles.
“It’s our way of living HAP’s
mission to enhance the health and well-being of the lives we touch.”
In 2009, with the help of
more than 20 community part- ners, HAP collected 260 pairs of children’s boots ($5,000 es- timated value).
Moliterno anticipates a
greater demand for boots this year as homeless rates contin- ue to rise. In Genesee County, for example, homelessness among families increased by 70 percent in 2009, according to Metro Community Develop-
Free
diabetes health series
St. Joseph Mercy Oakland
(SJMO) will host a series of free diabetic health seminars to improve the health of people with diabetes at its Mercy Place clinic, 55 Clinton St., Pontiac. All presentations will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Dates and topics are will include on Sept. 16, “Support Session.”
A new series will begin in fall as follows:
• Nov. 18: Diabetes and Foot Care
• Dec. 2: Diabetes and Exer- cise
• Dec. 16: Understanding Your Medications
• Jan. 6, 2011: Series Wrap- Up and Support Session Participants are strongly
encouraged to sign up for the complete series. However, individuals may attend indi- vidual sessions. It is recom- mended that participants be present for the full two-hour experience to achieve the greatest health benefit.
Podiatrists, internists, cer-
tified diabetes educators/dieti- cians and a nurse practitioner will conduct the classes/pre- sentations.
There also will be support
sessions/community forums that will be facilitated by Jac- queline Lewis-Kemp, author of “Blessed Assurance: Suc- cess Despite the Odds.”
Lewis-Kemp will talk about
her journey living with diabe- tes.
A successful African Amer-
ican female CEO of an auto- motive manufacturing compa- ny, Lewis-Kemp had juvenile diabetes, which progressed to kidney failure and organ transplants, both long-term complications of diabetes. She was insulin dependent for 33 years. Her book chronicles her history of diabetes main- tenance and what it was like growing up in the 1970s with diabetes.
The diabetes health series
is available to community members, regardless of health insurance status. Space is limited to 25 participants; in- centives are available for early registrants.
For more information, con-
tact Tatyanna Coleman, RN, NP, at (248) 333-0840, ext. 231, or visit
www.sjmercyhealth. org.
November is National Diabetes Month
Paid Actor Portrayal I feel much better knowing that
I’ve made the right choice. I chose the highest rated Medicare plan in Michigan†
– HAP.
Alliance Medicare PPO received the highest Medicare Star summary rating for health plan quality of any Medicare Advantage plan in Michigan for 2010. And no Medicare HMO plan in Michigan rated higher than HAP Senior Plus.
If you want to learn more about a leader in quality and customer satisfaction, HAP offers free Medicare workshops about the Alliance Medicare Supplement, Alliance Medicare Rx (PDP), Alliance Medicare PPO, HAP Senior Plus (HMO) and HAP Senior Plus (HMO-POS) plans:
Detroit November 18, 2010 November 30, 2010
HAP adds new workshop dates every day. Call for the latest workshop listing and to reserve your place: toll-free (800) 449-1515 or TDD (800) 956-4325. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
ment. With a goal to collect at
least 500 pairs of boots — in- cluding larger sizes for teens — HAP is partnering with local health insurance agents who have volunteered to collect boots at their offices through- out Genesee, Huron, Saginaw and St. Clair counties.
Meijer and Walmart stores
have also stepped up to sup- port the cause by donating merchandise and cash.
A list of drop-off locations
and community partners is available at
hap.org/boots- forkids. Or, stop by HAP’s Flint office, located at 1397 S. Linden Rd., Ste. C, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday though Friday.
Businesses or individuals
interested in becoming Boots for Kids community partners may contact Anita Moliterno at (810) 230-7404.
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
November 10-16, 2010 Fighting Alzheimer’s
By Larry Lucas The word “retirement” typically con-
jures images of days filled with golf, read- ing, family time and vacationing. I’m lucky to have my health to allow me to enjoy these types of leisure activities today, but I also recognize that as our bodies age, so do our minds. While it’s expected that you may forget the name of your high school class president, forgetting how to complete simple tasks like tying your golf shoes is a frightening prospect. Un- fortunately, it’s one that faces millions of Americans, including the aging Baby Boomer generation, the first of which turns 65 next year.
Already, 5.1 million Americans suffer
from dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common form of dementia among seniors, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Alzheimer’s begins by destroying brain cells and causing problems with memory, thinking and behavior severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies or social life, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. It is a condition that worsens over time and is ultimately fatal. The number of Al- zheimer’s patients will only rise with the aging Baby Boomer generation; in fact, an estimated 13.5 million Americans are expected to be living with Alzheimer’s by 2015.
A recent report from the Larry Lucas
Alzheimer’s Association found that the African- American community is twice as likely as its white counterparts to develop Alzheimer’s – potentially because we have a higher rate of vascular disease than others, which is a
suspected risk factor for Alzheimer’s. In addition, minorities’ cases of Alzheimer’s typically go undiagnosed far longer than those of white patients, allowing the dis- ease to worsen without the help of avail- able treatments to slow its progression. This is why it’s important to know the warning signs of Alzheimer’s and to visit your doctor for regular checkups.
As with other age-related diseases,
early detection is key, and being aware of the symptoms is essential for fighting Alzheimer’s. Early warning signs include severe memory loss, difficulty completing previously easy tasks, regularly misplac- ing things, confusing familiar places and drastic changes in mood or personality. If you or a family member is experiencing Alzheimer’s-related symptoms, be sure to see your doctor immediately. Early diag- nosis will provide the best chance to re- ceive the most effective treatments.
The good news is studies have shown
that by doing simple mental exercises, such as crossword puzzles, reading the newspaper and keeping a journal, you can offset the disease’s affect on the brain. There are also steps you can take around the house to help maintain your independence. The Alzheimer’s Asso- ciation suggests using memory aids like labels and reminder notes, staying active and making home safety improvements.
Although there is currently no cure
for Alzheimer’s disease, America’s phar- maceutical and biotechnology companies are developing 98 new and innovative treatments to treat and slow the effects of different forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s. This is an amazing accom- plishment, considering just 10 years ago there were no treatments for the debili- tating disease at all. These medicines are improving the quality of life for Alzheim- er’s patients and giving us hope that one day soon the disease will be a curable or a preventable condition.
It is possible to live with Alzheimer’s if
simple adjustments are made, medicines are taken as prescribed and we take care of our bodies. The golden years are to be savored – not forgotten.
Larry Lucas is a retired vice president
for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).
Page D-7
For the latest workshop listing and to reserve your place, call toll-free:
(800) 449-1515 or TDD (800) 956-4325 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A licensed, authorized representative will be present with information and applications. For accommodation of persons with special needs at sales meetings, call toll-free (800) 449-1515 or TDD (800) 956-4325.
Workshops are for Medicare-eligible individuals who do not have benefits paid for by a former employer and who pay for their own health care coverage.
†Based on Medicare’s Plan Quality and Performance Rating 2009 Survey conducted by the federal Medicare program (2008-2009).
HAP Senior Plus (HMO), HAP Senior Plus (HMO-POS) and Alliance Medicare PPO are health plans with a Medicare contract. Alliance Medicare Rx (PDP) is a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan with a Medicare contract. Alliance Medicare Rx (PDP), Alliance Medicare Supplement and Alliance Medicare PPO are products of Alliance Health and Life Insurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Health Alliance Plan. Alliance Medicare Supplement is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.
Y0076_ALL 455 2010 E Ad Rev File & Use 10092010 5191R MC
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