Take Advantage of Your Preventive Health Benefits

Even though many preventive screenings and measures have been available for years, many people do not take advantage of the health service that they provide.  Millions of people’s lives are shortened, are unnecessarily sick, are less productive, and incur expensive medical costs because these screenings aren’t performed. Closing the gaps in the use of just five preventive services would save 100,000 lives annually in the United States. Racial and ethnic minorities are getting even less preventive care than the general population.

Screenings allow early detection of many health conditions, providing the individual an opportunity to receive treatment before a condition progresses. Early detection also saves millions of dollars by providing early treatment, as opposed to very expensive procedures and treatment for highly-progressed cases. Screening tests and counseling sessions have a proven track record and should be used as definite benefits to individuals who might be at risk for expensive and debilitating conditions.

Under the Affordable Care Act, several preventive services are covered at 100% for adults, pregnant women and children. Examples of adult preventive services include:

• Screenings such as: Blood pressure, cholesterol, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, depression, HIV, tobacco use, syphilis, chlamydia
• Screenings and counseling for conditions such as: alcohol misuse, obesity
• Aspirin use for men and women
• Type 2 diabetes screening for adults with high blood pressure
• Wellness visits/Annual check-up
• Immunizations
• Sexually transmitted infection prevention counseling

Other clinical preventive services include pneumococcal vaccination, diet counseling, and hearing screenings. All of these services mentioned, as well as additional cancer screenings, are safe, effective and well tolerated with low rates of false positive and false negative responses.

Some of these services have age or gender guidelines, so be sure to check your specific benefit plan and coverage before scheduling any of these preventive services. Also, always remember that your doctor is a resource to see what screenings are recommended for you.

 

Submitted by Physicians Health Plan.

Biomet Donates Hundreds of Ortho Implants

Biomet, Inc. is changing hundreds of lives — one implant at a time.  A Biomet, Inc. leader shares the story of a monk who recently immigrated to the U.S. with only his prayer shawl and bible, but was debilitated by a painful knee ailment that left him unable to kneel for prayer.

Read full story HERE.

1st Source Bank to Offer Free Will Preparation Assistance

Warsaw, IN – 1st Source Bank announces it will help the public with free will preparation during “Write-A-Will Week,” September 24-28. An area attorney will be available by appointment during the week to answer questions and help with will preparation. The meetings are free and confidential.

“It’s estimated that as many as 60% of U.S. adults do not have a will outlining what will happen to their assets and property upon their death,” said Rob Patrick, 1st Source Personal rust Administrator. “It’s better to outline a plan now, rather than let the courts decide for you.”

1st Source launches “Write-A-Will Week” as a part of Legacy Partners, the bank’s initiative to provide free financial education and services to the community. Will preparation is one of many topics that the bank will feature as a free service to the Warsaw area in the coming months.

Those interested in a free appointment should call (574) 268-1222.

1st Source Corporation, parent company of 1st Source Bank, has assets of $4.49 billion and is the largest locally controlled financial institution headquartered in the northern Indiana-southwestern Michigan area.  The Corporation includes 75 banking centers in 17 counties, 23 1st Source Bank Specialty Finance Group locations nationwide, nine Trust and Wealth Management locations and nine 1st Source Insurance offices.

1st Source common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under “SRCE” and appears in the National Market System tables in many daily newspapers under the code name “1st Src.” Since 1863, 1st Source has been committed to the success of the communities it serves.  For more information, visit www.1stsource.com.

Kosciusko FIT 2012 Concludes

Kosciusko FIT 2012 came to its conclusion last Thursday evening with the final opportunity for participants to weigh-in and potentially claim their remaining winnings.  They were required to maintain their percentage of weight loss from June in order to receive their prize.  Pictured above are the last men and women standing along with some very proud Kosciusko FIT Committee Members.  The Committee commended them on their success at having made many lifestyle changes that have “stuck” since January.  These participants plan to continue their healthy eating and fitness and activity changes as their way of life.  The Committee hopes to recognize them as a source of inspiration for the next group of participants at the Kosciusko FIT 2013 Kick-Off.  The Committee has already begun planning for the 2013 season, and is looking forward to helping the community get fit and healthy.

CenturyLink Offers Back-to-School Internet Basics Program to Indiana

WARSAW, IN – As students head back to school, CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) is spearheading efforts to help get more families online by offering its Internet Basics program to economically disadvantaged families in Indiana and throughout the nation.

“CenturyLink believes that in order to succeed at school and in life, students need to be able to go online at home. Having home Internet access is an important part of a child’s education outside the classroom and helps parents stay in touch with their child’s progress at school,” said Michael D. Brill, vice president and general manager for CenturyLink in Indiana.   “CenturyLink’s Internet Basics program is designed to bridge the digital divide by bringing economically challenged families online.”

CenturyLink’s Internet Basics program supports the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s National Broadband Plan to expand broadband adoption and use by low-income families. In addition to discounted high-speed Internet service, an affordable Internet-ready computer and free computer classes are being offered to eligible families in CenturyLink’s local service areas.

Since implementing its program almost a year ago, CenturyLink has found that many educational systems, employers, government agencies and financial institutions are shifting more of their services online. This has been creating challenges for some low-income students, parents, and tribal families who cannot afford to have Internet access at home. CenturyLink believes its Internet Basics program and involvement with local schools, service agencies and organizations will help remove traditional barriers to high-speed Internet usage for many area residents.

CenturyLink’s Internet Basics program is available to anyone who qualifies for FCC’s Lifeline program or federal assistance programs — such as Food Stamps, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Head Start, the National School Lunch’s free or reduced lunch program — and who doesn’t currently have Internet access at home. For the back-to-school time period, CenturyLink is streamlining the approval process to make it easier and faster for eligible families to get online.

To help get more low-income families online, CenturyLink is offering discounted high-speed home Internet service starting at $9.95 a month, plus applicable taxes and fees, to eligible consumers in Indiana and 36 other states where the company has local operations. The service provides access to up to 1.5 Mbps downstream capability. Higher bandwidth services, where available, are offered at a comparable discount.

CenturyLink also is offering program participants an Internet-ready netbook computer for $150, plus taxes, shipping and handling. The new equipment includes access to CenturyLink@Ease™, a comprehensive suite of backup, security and support services. The company also offers free technology training and computer classes to help eligible families in local service areas get online.

According to a study on broadband adoption by the Federal Communications Commission, 60 percent of low-income households, which are defined as having annual incomes of less than $20,000, do not subscribe to high-speed Internet service compared to 35 percent of the entire U.S. population. Among those Americans who do not have broadband at home, 36 percent said it was because of the cost of the service and equipment, and 22 percent cited a “lack of digital literacy.”

For more information about CenturyLink Internet Basics, please call 800-257-3212 or visit http://www.CenturyLink.com/InternetBasics or contact a CenturyLink retail store.

About CenturyLink

CenturyLink is the third largest telecommunications company in the United States and is recognized as a leader in the network services market by technology industry analyst firms. The company is a global leader in cloud infrastructure and hosted IT solutions for enterprise customers. CenturyLink provides data, voice and managed services in local, national and select international markets through its high-quality advanced fiber optic network and multiple data centers for businesses and consumers. The company also offers advanced entertainment services under the CenturyLink^TM Prism^TM TV and DIRECTV brands. Headquartered in Monroe, La., CenturyLink is an S&P 500 company and is included among the Fortune 500 list of America’s largest corporations. For more information, visit http://www.centurylink.com.

A Wholistic Approach to Grief

After a significant loss, many aspects of one’s life can be impacted.  Routines tend to change, relationships and roles with friends and family often shift; energy levels spiral downward; and the ability to focus and concentrate may seem nearly impossible.  As a result of these changes, you may notice a judgmental inner voice saying that you can never be a whole, competent, capable person again.  This inner critic might also be telling you that you are unattractive, a burden to others, and if you lost a spouse, that you will always be alone.

Remember that most of these internal messages are distorted in some way.  They are either unrealistically harsh or simply not true.  They create anxiety, loneliness, and an increased likelihood for depression.  Thinking you are “damaged goods” can also cause you to push friends and family away because you feel unworthy of their love and care.  As a result, they may feel abandoned by you, even thought they are hurting too.

Stopping this downward spiral of negativity is important.  Start to challenge your negative thoughts and feelings of inadequacy with positive “self-talk” and plenty of nurture.  When you treat yourself kindly and with respect, slowly you will build self-confidence and a sense of worth again.

There are several ways to take a wholistic approach to grief including:

Physical Care                                                                                            

• Exercise the stress away.
• Eat small amounts of food often – lower intake of caffeine and sugar.
• Drink plenty of fluids – 8 glasses a day is usually recommended
• Limit use of mood-altering drugs and alcohol.
• Break tasks down into small parts
• Sleep, nap, rest, relax several times a day when possible

Emotional Release

• Talk it out as often as needed, even if it’s to the one who died.  Say the anxieties and fears aloud.
• Write your innermost feelings – expressing yourself in writing can help you heal.
• Cry – tears wash away the emotional debris.
• Relax by breathings slowly and deeply.  Inhale peace and calm; exhale anxiety and stress.

Social Support

• Let someone else be strong sometimes.
• Don’t wait for other to guess your needs.
• Make use of available resources including friends, pastor, and support groups.
• Try to enjoy others as they are despite their imperfections or insensitive remarks.
• Socialize even if you’re not great company – people will understand

 

Intellectual Help

• Read for self-insight or just for diversion. Short, easy reads may be best.
• Take note of self-critical thoughts and counter with positive or reassuring ones.
• Put positive statements about yourself on your bathroom mirror.  Say them aloud each day.
• Refrain from intellectually challenging projects when feelings are intense.
• Avoid hasty decisions.  Put major decisions off as long as possible.

 

Spiritual Assistance

• Realize the pain of grief can cloud perceptions of God’s love and comfort.
• Accept the humanness of pain.  This does not imply spiritual weakness.
• Utilize inspirational readings and prayers that bring comfort.
• Seek guidance from your pastor or spiritual mentor

 

The professional grief counselors at the Center for Hospice Care specialize in helping people cope with the profound emotions and reactions associated with the death of someone they love.

Center for Hospice Care provides, individual grief counseling for all ages, multiple grief support groups, grief education, an annual youth camp, and grief art therapy.  All these services are provided at no charge to anyone living in Kosciusko, Fulton, Marshall, Elkhart, LaPorte, Lagrange, and St. Joseph counties.

Submitted by the Center for Hospice Care.  They can be reached at 1-800-HOSPICE (1-800-413-9083).

ENS Employees Earn Certifications

ENS Group announces that Like Weisenberg, Infrastructure Consultant at ENS Group, has earned his Cisco Design Associate Certification.  Additionally, Nick Spoltman, Market Development Manager at ENS Group, has earned his Veeam Sales Professional Certification.

ENS Group’s team possesses more than 185 certifications in Microsoft, Cisco, HP, and VMware.  Our engineers use this unparalleled expertise to bring you the latest solutions in data center design, network technologies, managed services, business continuity, and training.

Visit ENS Group at ensi.com.

New CEO of NIPSCO

NiSource Inc. has appointed Jim Stanley executive vice president and group chief executive office of Merrillville-based Northern Indiana Public Service Co.  He most recently served as senior vice president and chief distribution officer for Duke Energy’s U.S. electric business.

Read entire story HERE.

Grace College Part of Affordable Care Act Lawsuit

Grace College, in Winona Lake, is taking the federal government to court over the Affordable Care Act.  Grace College is part of a lawsuit claiming some aspects of the law are unconstitutional.  A Washington D.C.-based organization filed the lawsuit last week on behalf of Grace College and Biola University in California.

Read the entire story HERE.

Slocum Joins SYM Financial

Chamber member SYM Financial is pleased to announce that Jonathan T. Slocum has joined the firm as Office Manager.

Read entire story HERE.