Aging Well in Baltimore - Aetna

That’s right, it’s possible to dance yourself to better brain health 💃🏾 According to the Alzheimer's Association, there is strong evidence that maintaining a physically active lifestyle positively affects cognition and can prevent cognitive decline.

Being physically active can include many activities, including exercise, gardening, walks, and, yes, dance! 💛💜

It’s never too late to become more active. Check out other activity recommendations at https://www.alz.org/help-support/brain_health/stay_physically_active

July is , which is a time where we can shed light on unique mental health needs and challenges that minority groups can experience. 2024’s theme is all about being the source of better health by improving health outcomes through cultures, communities, and connections. This all ultimately leads to understanding how unique environments, histories, cultures, circumstances and impact mental health.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to access mental health care, check out our website: https://www.aetnamedicare.com/baltimorecity/en/index.html

What does men’s health look like to you? It’s normal for health priorities to change as we age, and it’s just as normal for new health challenges to arise. If you’re looking for new ways to take control of your health, check out the Aetna Baltimore website! You’ll find

➡️ Tips for staying healthy and connected

➡️ Ways to stay in contact with your doctor without leaving your home

➡️ Information on Medicare and its benefits

Your health is in your hands!

https://www.aetnamedicare.com/baltimorecity/en/index.html

This summer, keep cool in a swimming pool! Swimming has many draws for older adults, such as:

🏊🏾‍♀️ Improving muscle strength

🏊🏾‍♀️ Easy on the joints

🏊🏾‍♀️ A good source of cardio

🏊🏾‍♀️ Mood boosts

Make swimming a part of your summer routine!

This , it’s time to confront the facts: Preventative measures and healthy lifestyles, done early and diligently, can lower the risk of many of the most common diseases in men in the United States. For example, a healthy lifestyle with balanced nutrition 🥗, no smoking 🚭, and responsible alcohol consumption 🫗 can go a long way towards lowering some risk factors related to all five of these medical conditions!

You don’t have to do everything perfectly, all at once, all the time, but changes make a difference! It’s also important to know that many of these diseases can have genetic risk factors, which makes regular checkups with your doctor more important as you age. Keeping in touch with your health is the number one way to keep risks in check and make the best decisions for YOUR health! 💪🏽

Need to find a primary care doctor or schedule an appointment? Visit https://bit.ly/4cwqVfr

There’s nothing like a crisp, crunchy salad for dinner as the day cools into evening and that Baltimore City humidity winds down. The best thing about that salad? So many of its ingredients can benefit your heart health!

When looking to improve heart health in your diet, try prioritizing

🥬 Leafy greens

🌾 Whole grains

🐮 Low-fat dairy

🍗 Protein

For a full list of do’s and don’ts, visit https://bit.ly/3SmlV49

We’re all familiar with the winter blues: Cold weather, dark days, and limited sunlight have a negative effect on some people’s mood and mental health. But that summer can have that same effect?

Summer Depression, a rarer form of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can stem from summer breaks disrupting routines and the negative effects of hot weather. Symptoms of Summer SAD can include:

⛅ Restlessness

⛅ Insomnia

⛅ Poor appetite

⛅ Anxiety

It’s important to pay attention to these symptoms and other indicators of depression, such as feelings of hopelessness and increased fatigue.

Click the link below to learn more about summer SAD, then contact your primary care if you want to pursue mental health evaluations. Your mental health matters! 💜💛
https://bit.ly/3qMsSjt

As we age, for 1 in 9 people (or 11% of the 65+ population), the stages of Alzheimer's can come to light slowly but surely. Symptoms may not be obvious at first, but if you’re noticing frequent forgetfulness, difficulty performing tasks, or trouble with recall in yourself or a loved one, it might be time to speak to a doctor. The sooner you get a diagnosis, the sooner you can prepare for the future 👩🏾‍⚕️

Visit our website to learn more about appointment options that best fit your needs. Whether it’s a telehealth appointment or a new appointment with a primary care doctor, find the help you need at https://www.aetnamedicare.com/baltimorecity/en/index.html

Save the date, Baltimore City! Join us on September 26, 2024 for the Second Annual Older Adults Thriving in Baltimore City Summit 🎉 We’re back and better than ever with an exciting day celebrating the vitality of older adults in Baltimore City 🙌🏽

From health and wellness tips to managing your healthcare and insurance, you’ll find everything you need to thrive 💜💛 Enjoy complimentary food and refreshments, engaging conversations, and presentations by community leaders and celebrities.

We can’t wait to see you there! Follow for incoming updates, including RSVP information, celebrity guests, and more. You can also stay up to date on our website: https://olderadultsbaltimore.com/

Stomach aches, nausea, cramping, even constipation can be symptoms we’re taught to work through for relief on the other side, but what if they’re hints of a larger issue? 😬

Digestive health isn’t just in your stomach: It includes your liver, pancreas, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and your gallbladder. Digestive diseases can be short or long-term, but always worth checking out. So much of our health can be determined by the health of our digestive system, so it’s important for it all to be in tip-top shape.

When it comes to GI troubles, trust your get and get it checked out 👩🏾‍⚕️ Connect to care with virtual or in-person doctors visits at https://www.aetnamedicare.com/baltimorecity/en/index.html

Let’s get 🫀 healthy this summer! A great way to get started in this season is by starting aerobic exercise, aka, cardio, in this beautiful weather 🏃🏾 Cardio is a great workout for your heart and other muscles, which makes it great for your heart, lowering blood pressure, and blood flow.

Some examples of great cardio activities include:

🏃🏾‍♀️ Running or brisk walking

🏊🏽‍♀️ Swimming

🚵🏽‍♂️ Cycling

💃🏿 Dancing

Which one will you start this summer? For more ideas, check out https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/aerobic-exercise-examples -home-exercise

When women are post-menopausal, there’s a cultural understanding that they’re done with OB-GYN services. That isn’t always the case! Depending on your medical history, pap smears, pelvic exams, and routine checkups might still be needed to keep your health in check. When in doubt, ask your doctor!

Keeping up a relationship with an OB-GYN ensures that you’re in control of your health and you have access to care when you need it 💗

Connect to care at https://www.aetnamedicare.com/baltimorecity/en/index.html

that the biggest threats to men’s health are heart disease, cancer and injuries? As we roll into it’s important to take stock of what health complications can affect older men, and know what can and can’t be prevented by starting good habits and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Your health is in your hands! 💙 Learn about ways to start healthy habits on our website: https://www.aetnamedicare.com/baltimorecity/en/index.html

“It takes more than a sign, a fabulous outfit or a month of parades. Pride has to resonate from within; shine out to everyone around you. It has mean something to you and only you first before you announce it to the world.” — Solange Nicole

Happy Pride Month, Baltimore City! 2024 is all about the power of the past and the force of the future 💪🏽🏳️‍🌈 We hope everyone enjoys this season and has a great time at Baltimore Pride!

Health and wellness is often seen as something an individual does for themselves or maintains in someone they’re taking care of in some way. But what about wellness in a group, like your family?

May is Family Wellness Month, which is a great time to take stock of your family's physical, mental, and emotional health. If you’re not satisfied with the answers you come up with, here are some ways to revamp your family’s health and wellness:

🍲 Meal prep healthy meals

🗓️ Schedule intentional family time

🏃🏾 Get active

🌃 Set earlier bedtimes

While May is wrapping up, get your family wellness journey started 🙌🏿 Even the smallest changes can have a huge positive impact on your health. Just image what a handful of healthy choices can do!

It’s week, Baltimore City! The days are getting warmer and the sun is shining hotter (when it’s not covered by rain clouds, of course), which means sun protection really needs to be a part of your daily routine. While dermatologists recommend wearing sunscreen year-round, in the summertime it’s practically a non-negotiable.

But there’s more ways to protect yourself from the sun then just through sunscreen. Try these out next time you’re going for a walk in the sunshine:

☀️ Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and preserve your vision, especially when driving or outdoors for long amounts of time

☀️ Wear a wide-brimmed hat that can offer shade and neck protection. Nothing worse than a sunburn on the back of your neck!

☀️ Wear long sleeves or pants made of breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen. These offer extra protection without compromising comfort. Be aware of synthetic fabrics, like polyester and rayon: those can trap in heat and make you hotter faster.

☀️ Of course, wear sunscreen! Always opt for SPF 35 or above, and choose SPF 50 if you’ll be outside for a long time. There’s a sunscreen for every comfort level and need, so try to find the best one for you this summer!

Did you know that 1 in 5 adults in the US live with a mental illness? May is , which aims to destigmatize mental health and give support to those in need of it. Needing mental health care makes you human, and you are not alone! 💛

Learn more about Aetna’s mental health resources at https://www.aetna.com/individuals-families/mental-emotional-health.html

➡️ Unrestful sleep

➡️ Serious fatigue after routine activity

➡️ Impaired memory or trouble concentrating

➡️ Dizziness or lightheadedness when standing

If any of these symptoms resonate, it could be worth speaking to your doctor about Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, better known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Many with CFS feel shame or stigma for their symptoms, which when undiagnosed can be misinterpreted or dismissed. Over 90% of individuals in the US with CFS are undiagnosed, which shows that this illness is still misunderstood.

Speak up and fight the stigma at your next doctors appointment! Prepare with some CFS fast facts athttps://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/pdfs/Could-You-Have-MECFS_508.pdf

Happy Women’s Health Month 🗓️ As we age, taking care of your health is more essential than ever! From pursuing specialized care, to mental wellness, to advocating for health assistance, taking care of your health and being in tune with your body is an incredible source of empowerment. Here's to a month of advocating for your health and fostering a healthy community! 💜

What better day than National Women’s Check-Up Day to schedule that doctor’s appointment you’ve been meaning to schedule? Routine checkups are an integral part of health maintenance and staying in tune with your body’s needs. Click the link to find a doctor, hospital, or other provider who meets your health needs 🏥
https://www.aetnamedicare.com/baltimorecity/en/find-doctors-hospitals/find-provider.html

Happy National Nurses Week 🧑🏽‍⚕️⚕️ Nurses make all the difference when it comes to quality care, often in high-stress situations. We want to thank all nurses across the healthcare spectrum for your care, patience, and expertise!

World Immunization Week is a reminder of the importance of vaccines and how routine immunizations save countless lives every year. The World Health Organization (WHO) is taking this year to commemorate the positive impact of immunizations around the world

Are you up to date on your vaccinations? Speak with a medical professional via telehealth and learn more about what decisions are best for your health💉

Find out more at https://www.aetnamedicare.com/baltimorecity/en/for-members/telehealth.html

To put it mildly: Allergy season this year has been rough for a lot of Baltimore City residents 🤧 Due to the warm pollinators have had a longer season, which puts more pollen in the air for a longer amount of time. Which, unfortunately, means longer bouts of congestion, sneezing, itchy eyes, and coughing. If you have these symptoms but also develop a fever, be sure to book yourself a doctor’s visit: that’s a sign of a sinus infection 🦠

There are many ways to fight back against pollen this season. Over the counter medication are helpful, but they’re not the only option. Physically remove pollen from your environment by using saline rinses in your sinuses or by changing your clothes after a walk. It can also be helpful to keep windows shut at night and use masks when leaving your house.

Baltimore City, we can make it through allergy season together! 💛💜

Self-care is more than a bubble bath and taking yourself out for coffee. It’s a practice that keeps you in tune with what your body needs for physical and mental health. So while indulging in a treat or a special evening can definitely qualify as self-care, it can also look like:

🥗 Eating healthy

🧘🏿‍♂️ Meditating

🌲 Immersing yourself in nature

🙅🏾‍♀️ Regulating alcohol

🏥 Maintaining doctors appointments

🧶 Having hobbies

What’s your favorite method of self care? 💛💜

It’s common for your prostate health to change as you grow older, but it’s important to know what’s common and what’s a sign of a complication down the road.

Early signs of prostate cancer range from uncomfortable urinary changes to severe weight loss. Pain in the pelvic area is an important sign that warrants a call to your doctor⚕️

If any of these symptoms ring a bell, it might be time for a telehealth appointment. Click here to learn about your telehealth options and how you can talk to a doctor from the comfort of your home: https://www.aetnamedicare.com/baltimorecity/en/for-members/telehealth.html

You can live a happy, healthy life with multiple sclerosis (MS)! Like with any chronic disease, maintenance is key. MS can be somewhat unpredictable, with symptoms varying widely from case to case. Learn the signs, then learn how Aetna can help you get he care you need 💜💛 Check out our offerings at https://www.aetnamedicare.com/baltimorecity/en/index.html

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a serious health risk for older adults. Older adults are more likely to be hospitalized from a TBI compared to all other age groups 🧠 Even so, TBIs may be missed or misdiagnosed in older adults because symptoms overlap with other conditions that are common among older adults, such as dementia. It’s important to stay vigilant and advocate for yourself to make sure you get an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

You can learn more about TBIs and how to treat them athttps://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/pdf/CDC_TBI_Health_Disparities-508.pdf

On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your kidney health?

Kidneys are a part of so many healthy bodily functions, so their own health is critical. You can keep your kidneys healthy by

🥑 Maintaining a healthy diet

🏋🏾‍♀️ Routine exercise

💧 Staying hydrated

Learn more about keeping your kidneys health and happy at https://www.kidney.org/