Category: Brandpoint

2023-10-30T08:01:00

(BPT) – An often silent condition that can steal vision, diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that may have no noticeable symptoms in the early stages and is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in working-age Americans. The condition affects nearly 8 million Americans, and that number is expected to double by 2050. Thankfully, people with diabetes who recognize their risk of vision complications and get regular dilated eye exams, learn the signs and symptoms to watch for, and seek expert treatment from a retina specialist can protect their sight.

A 2023 survey of 1,000 Americans 40 and older commissioned by the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) revealed a frightening lack of knowledge about diabetic retinopathy that could put millions at risk for vision loss. In fact, nearly two-thirds of Americans 40 and over (64%) did not know that one of the causes of spots or floaters in their vision is due to diabetic retinopathy. And more than half who took the survey (51%) did not know that people with diabetes who have high blood pressure are more likely to develop diabetic retinopathy.

“A diabetes diagnosis means many aspects of a person’s health may be impacted including vision, yet awareness about the risk factors for and symptoms of diabetic eye disease remains too low,” said ASRS Foundation President Judy E. Kim, M.D., FASRS. “Everyone with diabetes and those at risk for the condition should pay special attention to their vision. Since there are usually no symptoms at the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, getting regular dilated eye exams is extremely important to detect early signs of disease, and seeking care with a retina specialist at the first sign or symptom of diabetic retinopathy may preserve vision.”

America’s retina specialists urge people with diabetes, those who may be at risk or have prediabetes, and their loved ones to pay close attention to their eyesight and consider adopting lifestyle changes to help safeguard their vision.

To get started, learn the ABCDE and S of healthy habits to prevent vision loss from diabetes. This six-letter range of lifestyle practices can help ease or end retina damage from diabetic retinopathy.

A: Keep track of your A1C and work to manage your levels, as poor blood sugar control over time can worsen diabetic retinopathy.

B: Control Blood Pressure as much as possible. High blood pressure affects the blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the retina.

C: Rein in high Cholesterol to avoid a build-up of plaque that can clog blood vessels and damage eyes.

D: Commit to Disciplined Eating or healthy eating, with an emphasis on colorful fresh vegetables, fatty cold-water fish, nuts rich in omega-3 fatty acids and foods high in fiber.

E: Stay active and make regular Exercise part of your routine. Being active improves insulin resistance and helps control obesity, high blood pressure and cholesterol, which benefits eye health.

S: Just say No to Smoking. Smoking can lead to vision loss and blindness and quitting can significantly improve eye health.

Awareness of diabetic retinopathy risks and symptoms is also crucial to protecting vision. Anyone who has diabetes — including Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes — is at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Additional factors that can increase the risk include:

• Disease duration: the longer you have diabetes, the greater the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy
• Poor control of blood sugar levels over time
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Kidney disease
• High cholesterol levels
• Pregnancy

Many people have diabetic retinopathy for a long time without symptoms. By the time symptoms occur, substantial damage may have occurred. Symptoms may include:

• Blurred or distorted vision
• Difficulty reading
• The appearance of spots — commonly called “floaters” — in your vision
• A shadow across the field of vision
• Eye pressure
• Difficulty with color perception

For more information about diabetic retinopathy, visit SeeforaLifetime.org/DiabeticRetinopathy. To find your retina specialist, visit FindYourRetinaSpecialist.org.

2023-10-30T08:01:00

(BPT) – Whether you’re enrolling for Medicare for the first time or you’ve had it for years, it’s important to know that Medicare Advantage plans — which include more benefits than Original Medicare, like prescriptions, dental, vision and hearing — can change from one year to the next. On top of that, your own medical needs may change from year to year, too. For these reasons, it’s a good idea to evaluate your current healthcare needs and take a look at available health plans from your carrier and others during the 2024 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period: Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2023.

All of the major health insurance carriers providing Medicare Advantage plans include a variety of benefits that may be just what you’re looking for to help keep you healthy — and help you save.

Here are just a few highlights from six major carriers that have updated plans for the 2024 plan year.

UnitedHealthcare^®:

• All standard Medicare Advantage plans will offer $0 copays for: virtual visits, mammograms, colonoscopies and routine dental, vision and hearing exams
• UCard^®, which serves as a traditional plan ID card as well as rewards card, has been enhanced to let members shop with the card for covered products and services
• Standard plans cover over 2,000 hearing aids and devices not covered by Original Medicare, with new coverage for OTC devices added in 2024
• Members with a vision benefit will maintain $0 annual eye exams and an eyewear allowance for frames or contacts with standard lenses covered in full

Cigna Healthcare:

• Every service market has a $0 premium plan, and most plans feature a $0 copay for primary care
• Most markets offer a plan with a rebate toward your Medicare Part B monthly premium
• All plans offer dental, vision and hearing benefits, plus home delivery of meals following hospitalization and access to fitness benefits
• An enhanced hearing benefit covers hearing aids with predictable copays, and routine hearing exams

Elevance:

• More affordable access to care, with 9 out of 10 plans at a $0 monthly premium
• Nearly all Medicare Advantage Plans will offer a $0 copay for Primary Care Provider visits
• More plans with improved prescription drug coverage — with more top drugs at a $0 copay
• An allowance toward the purchase of over-the-counter hearing aids on many plans

Humana:

• 100% of Medicare Advantage plans include dental, vision and hearing coverage
• 100% of Dual-eligible Special Needs Plans include $0 copays on prescriptions
• 100% of Humana USAA Honor plans are designed with veterans in mind, and include a $0 premium and Part B giveback
• 100% of Medicare Advantage plans that offer preferred mail order have $0 Tier 1 and Tier 2 prescriptions for a three-month supply

Wellcare:

• New Wellcare Spendables card, a single card with preloaded funds available to use at over 55,000 nationwide retailers across Wellcare’s 37-state footprint
• Express Scripts will be Wellcare’s pharmacy benefits manager for 2024, bringing increased value to members to provide quality at the lowest cost
• Most plans offer dental, inclusive of preventive services members need most
• All plans cover Telehealth for many in-network key services with no out-of-pocket cost to members

Aetna:

• 84% of the country’s population will have access to a Medicare Advantage plan with a $0 monthly premium
• All Medicare Advantage plans will include dental, vision and hearing benefits
• All Medicare Advantage plans will provide $0 copay for preventive and diagnostic colonoscopies at in-network providers
• All MAPD plans will offer $0 copays on Tier 1 drugs and a $0 deductible on all Tier 1 and Tier 2 drugs

If you find sorting through the new 2024 Medicare Advantage plans confusing, you’re not alone. Consider consulting with a caring, trained and licensed insurance agent at ClearMatch™ Medicare, who can check to see what plans are available in your area — and if you’re already in the right plan, they will tell you!

ClearMatch Medicare helps you find the right Medicare plan for you. Visit ClearMatchMedicare.com 24/7, or call 888-441-7031/TTY: 711, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-10 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. for a free, no-obligation Medicare review.

2023-10-30T11:01:00

(BPT) – As the seasons change and the nights grow longer, it’s natural to start looking for new and exciting ways to light up the night, both indoors and out. Whether you’re planning to create a festive holiday atmosphere, enhance your gaming experience or improve the ambiance of your living room, the latest options in strip and rope lighting offer creative solutions. Not only do they make lighting easy, but they also introduce energy efficiencies throughout your home.

“Today’s lighting options have evolved beyond their functional purpose and are now an integral element in accenting, decorating or setting the perfect mood,” said Bethany Wood, senior merchant of light bulbs at The Home Depot. “The Home Depot’s exclusive strip and rope light brand, EcoSmart, offers a variety of color choices, captivating effects, user-friendly remote controls and an array of seasonal options for year-round use — perfect for DIYers looking to transform their spaces.”

Here’s a look at some of the most innovative and dynamic lighting solutions for both inside and outside your home that are sure to brighten any occasion.

1. Embrace the holidays by showcasing architectural features

It’s easy to light up your home in a joyful and celebratory way by using strip or rope lights. Consider highlighting elements of your house such as columns or pillars, porch railings, stairs or windows. Rope lights are generally a better choice for rounded surfaces like columns and pillars, while strip lighting works best on flat, even surfaces.

To make decorating easier, measure the areas you want to decorate before purchasing your lights. The good news is that today’s lighting, such as EcoSmart rope and string lights, are both cuttable and linkable, with sleek right-angle connectors, making it easier to achieve the right length for any space you wish to decorate. You can also rest easy with LED lighting that’s eco-friendly, energy efficient and Energy Star rated — making it better for the environment and your energy bills.

For outdoor applications, like your porch or patio, consider the EcoSmart 32.8 foot Plug-In Bright White LED 360° Outdoor Dimmable Linkable Rope Light with Remote Control. This option allows you to effortlessly customize brightness, light modes and timing. The ability to change colors and brightness levels adds a new dimension to your decorations, making it easy to match your lighting to the holiday spirit.

You can also opt for colorful options, whether that’s RGB (red, green and blue) or RGBW (red, green, blue and white) lighting — or even rainbow or color-changing lights to create the exact look you want to achieve.

Pro tip: Use string to simulate how you want to decorate winding or spiral areas, like columns or pillars, then measure the string to determine the length of lighting you’ll need.

2. Use creative lighting techniques to transform any space into an unforgettable party setting

For any occasion, lighting up your celebration with strip lights is an easy way to get the party started! The easy-to-use EcoSmart 16.4 foot RGBWIC Dynamic Color Changing Dimmable Linkable Plug-In LED Strip Light with Remote Control makes it easy to decorate along the edges of windows, bookshelves, ceilings, doorways and more — and customize the lighting any way you want it.

3. Enhance your movie-viewing experience

Want to amp up movie night? Look no further! You can create a captivating cinematic effect using the EcoSmart 55″ to 65″ TV RGB Color Sensing Dimmable Plug-In LED Black TV Backlight with Remote Control. The installation process is a breeze, thanks to its self-adhesive tape. It also offers dimmable features, allowing you to adjust the brightness to your liking. And if you’re aiming for a truly immersive experience, the lighting can sync with music too. This innovative backlight doesn’t stop there. It’s equipped with a TV detect mode that synchronizes color changes with the hues on your screen. This lighting option is ideal for 55-65″ TVs and includes a remote control for added convenience.

4. Level up your gaming space

Gamers, take note! Nothing will make your gaming room more fun and exciting than adding creative, colorful lighting for a unique experience. By installing the EcoSmart 6.5 ft. Smart RGWBIC Dynamic Color Changing Dimmable Plug-In LED Strip Light Powered by Hubspace behind your gaming setup, you can create a dynamic backdrop that syncs with in-game actions or music. You’ll even be able to connect the lighting to the Hubspace app via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, allowing you to easily customize colors and brightness, set schedules and choose from dozens of preset modes. This not only adds to the visual appeal but also immerses you deeper into the gaming world.

5. Great lighting for any space or occasion

Have you ever thought about using lighting to enhance every room in your home? Now, you can! Strip and rope lighting options are not just functional but also creative tools to add more color and light to any room. With their ease of use and energy efficient design, there’s no limit to how you can elevate your space and enhance your mood.

Consider the possibilities for decorating your home inside and out with EcoSmart, available in a wide assortment of colors, lengths and styles, exclusively at The Home Depot.

2023-10-27T09:25:00

(BPT) – George Washington is the “father of our country” yet, ironically, he didn’t have any children of his own. If you are like many others, you’ve probably wondered why he didn’t leave any children as his legacy.

As author Steve Yoch described in his book “Becoming George Washington,” at 19, Washington traveled to Barbados with his brother who was dying of tuberculosis in search of a cure. The trip was a failure. Not only did his brother’s condition continue to deteriorate, but Washington contracted smallpox.

Although he survived — and only half of those with the disease were so lucky — it was not without long-term ramifications. He showed the telltale signs of the disease: pockmarks on his forehead and nose and a prolonged fever that likely made him sterile.

A dedicated stepfather

At 27, Washington married Martha Custis, a widow who had already given birth to two young healthy children — Jacky and Patsy. Thus, Washington’s lack of offspring can’t be attributed to Martha. Washington was a loving stepfather to the young children he’d inherited with his marriage. Unfortunately, both children met early, tragic ends.

Patsy died in his arms in an epileptic fit before the Revolution. The day after her death, Washington wrote to his brother-in-law, “It is an easier matter to concede than to describe the distress of this family, especially that of the unhappy parent of our dear Patsy Custis, when I inform you that yesterday removed the sweet, innocent girl into a more happy and peaceful abode than any she has met in the afflicted path she hitherto has trod.”

Jacky was a dandy — a man who valued style and sophistication — and did not fight in the war. With Martha’s encouragement, Washington brought Jacky with him to the siege at Yorktown that ended the war. Jacky, who was inexperienced in unsanitary camp life, promptly caught cholera and died at age 26.

Alone after tragic deaths

By the time the Revolution ended, the “father of our country” was father to no one. In a draft of Washington’s first inaugural address, he wrote: “Divine providence hath not seen fit that my blood should be transmitted, or my name perpetuated by the enduring, though sometimes seducing, channel of immediate offspring. I have no child for whom I could wish to make a provision — no family to build in greatness upon my country’s ruins.”

As Yoch noted, “This may have been a fortunate happenstance, as many called for him to be America’s new king. His lack of children allowed him to truly act in the country’s best interests and sealed his legacy as ‘first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.’”

To learn more about George Washington, including his trip to Barbados, visit Amazon.com. Here you can also access Yoch’s newest book, “Becoming Benedict Arnold,” which explores the complex first-person experience of the infamous American traitor.

2023-10-27T09:15:00

(BPT) – School children are taught that after a life of action and harrowing battles, George Washington died peacefully in his bed at Mount Vernon. In reality, the nation’s first president died a slow and bloody death that was far from a pleasant end of life.

In his book “Becoming George Washington,” author Steve Yoch says the founding father was a lifelong believer in the efficacy of bleeding as a medical treatment. “Because of this, Washington and his physicians virtually guaranteed his death by excessive bleeding,” explained Yoch.

Washington’s last days

Yoch says that on Dec. 12, 1799, Washington ignored a blanket of snow and hail and mounted his horse for a five-hour tour of his farms. He chose not to change out of his wet clothes when he arrived home because dinner was ready and he did not want to inconvenience his guests.

The next morning, even though the snow had fallen even harder and he was starting to feel sick, Washington went down to the Potomac River to inspect another part of his sprawling plantation. That night, he retired for the evening in a cheerful mood and said the best treatment for the cold was to “let it go as it came.”

His wife Martha thought he looked terrible, but Washington chose to sit up late in the library reading. In the middle of the night, he woke Martha with throat pain and shortness of breath. Once again, he rejected medical treatment and wanted to rely on his body’s restorative powers.

In the morning, Martha would wait no longer and called for Dr. James Craik, one of Washington’s oldest friends and a trusted physician who had served with him since the French and Indian War 40 years earlier.

”Washington always believed that bleeding improved his health,” said Yoch. “As a young man, he frequently turned to bleeding to address his repeated illness throughout the French and Indian War and it’s only through sheer luck that his physicians didn’t kill him then.”

Unfortunately, he wasn’t so lucky in December of 1799. While waiting for Craik to arrive, Washington ordered Albin Rawlins, a local clerk, to bleed him. When the clerk hesitated, Washington gently but firmly pressed him. When the cut was not large enough Washington told him to press on, over Martha’s protests, until nearly a pint of blood had been drained.

When Craik finally arrived, he immediately drew more blood and applied a treatment of dried beetles to Washington’s inflamed throat. Craik summoned another doctor, Elisha Cullen Dick. As soon as Dick arrived, he and Craik siphoned off even more blood, which “came very slow, was thick, and did not produce any symptoms of fainting.”

Sealing Washington’s fate

Historians estimate that Washington surrendered five pints of blood all together, or about half of his body’s total supply. Washington probably suffered from a virulent bacterial infection of the epiglottis. As it swells, the epiglottis closes off the windpipe, making breathing and swallowing extremely difficult and eventually impossible.

Yoch said that while Washington may have died anyway, “the loss of blood guaranteed his death.” When Washington finally ordered the bleeding to end, he reportedly said, “Doctor, I die hard, but I am not afraid to go.” His last words were: “Tis well.”

For more information on George Washington’s life as well as the life of other important historical figures like Benedict Arnold, visit Amazon.com.

2023-10-27T09:15:00

(BPT) – It’s easy to find out what George Washington looked like. But what did he sound like?

There are many well-known paintings of Washington, and the museum at Mount Vernon displays a painstakingly accurate facial reconstruction to definitively show his appearance during his lifetime. He was a big, strapping guy and 6 foot 3 inches tall (which makes him equivalent to 6 foot 9 inches today), with large shoulders and legs.

Knowing this you likely imagine him having a commanding, masculine voice. However, according to Steve Yoch, author of “Becoming George Washington,” America’s first president didn’t sound like he looked.

“We all imagine Washington as a strapping guy who had a voice to match,” said Yoch. “But Washington suffered from pleurisy — a viral infection that causes an inflammation in the lining of the lungs — as a child and because of this he spoke in a high, weak and breathy voice.”

Washington’s contemporaries often described him as soft-spoken. Yoch says this undoubtedly came from his unexpectedly high voice and from his notoriously bad teeth, which gave him the habit of keeping his mouth closed to hide their unsightly appearance and the bad breath that comes with tooth decay.

As is so often the case with past presidents, Washington would have struggled in the modern era. “Certainly his dental problems could be corrected,” said Yoch, “but his quiet demeanor and high voice would not have played well in our modern 24/7 news cycle.”

For more about George Washington’s early life and his rise to prominence, visit Amazon.com. Here you can also access Yoch’s newest book, “Becoming Benedict Arnold,” about one of America’s most infamous traitors.

2023-10-27T09:15:00

(BPT) – You’ve probably heard the story of George Washington chopping down a cherry tree and later admitting the act to his father, claiming he “cannot tell a lie.” It’s a story meant to show the impeccable early character of one of America’s most beloved Founding Fathers. It’s also a complete lie.

According to author Steve Yoch, not only is this story made up, but it’s also in direct contrast to young Washington’s behavior.

Yoch said Washington didn’t have the loving father concocted by Parson Weems, the biographer who created the story. His largely absent father died when he was only 11 and he was raised by an oppressive mother.

“Washington didn’t grow up with a caring, doting and loving mother,” said Yoch, author of the book “Becoming George Washington.” “Mary Washington was a harsh, unforgiving and overly demanding mother with whom Washington had a difficult relationship during his entire life. He certainly didn’t benefit from a home where honesty was rewarded with kindness and understanding.”

Deception into adulthood

Yoch said Washington may have “stretched the truth to the breaking point” while he was a major in the Virginia Regiment. While leading a small troop of men in response to a French incursion into the American colonies, Washington’s party encountered a French diplomatic mission under the command of Captain Jumonville.

Unfortunately, said Yoch, Washington lost control of the Native Americans under his command. Things got so out of hand that a Native American chief lopped off the top of Jumonville’s head and reached into the dead man’s skull pulling out his brains and extorting his braves to massacre the disarmed French. A significant number of the French soldiers were slaughtered in the ensuing chaos.

According to Yoch, rather than taking responsibility for his actions, Washington downplayed the carnage and wrongfully asserted in letters that the Native Americans under his command led the attack: “This little skirmish was by the … Indians, we were auxiliaries to them, as my orders to the commander of our forces [were] to be on the defensive.”

Washington went on to claim that, despite being on a diplomatic mission and having papers to confirm their peaceful status, the French were “spies of the worst sort” who “ought to be hanged.” Any assertion that the French were on an “embassy” mission was a “mere pretense,” and the French “never designed to have come to us but in a hostile manner.”

Yoch said that Washington’s careful lies and exaggerations allowed him to avoid responsibility for the error and maintain his military position. In fact, Washington was congratulated by the local Masonic Lodge and was given a letter of congratulations by the governor.

Yoch also said that Washington’s actions so enraged the French, they led directly to the French and Indian War. In response to the murder of their comrades, an experienced and well-equipped French force confronted Washington. In short order, Washington’s troops were surrounded and on the verge of annihilation in a fort badly designed by Washington and aptly named Fort Necessity. With little choice, Washington was forced to surrender and retreat in disgrace.

Once again, rather than taking responsibility for the defeat, Washington attacked his superiors for inadequate support and even went so far as submitting a report with a false claim that they had killed “300 number of the enemy” and marched out with their “beating drums and colors flying.”

A pattern of lying

Yoch said there’s a pattern throughout Washington’s life of claiming victory but blaming others for defeat. “It’s difficult for many people to accept this reality given the legend concocted by Parson Weems relating to the cherry tree,” said Yoch. “But the truth that Washington lied and blamed others for his own failure is irrefutable. His lies and willingness to blame others moved his military career forward.”

When the revolution began, Washington was immediately recognized as a logical choice to lead the fledgling Revolutionary Army. Ironically, it may have been Washington’s lies, not telling the truth, that helped position him to become one of America’s Founding Fathers.

To learn more about George Washington and his early years, visit Amazon.com. While there you can also learn about Yoch’s newest title, “Becoming Benedict Arnold,” which explores the complex experience of one of America’s most legendary traitors.

2023-10-27T14:01:00

(BPT) – Do you throw birthday parties for your dog? Include them in family photos? Maybe you have matching outfits you don for special occasions? If you enjoy spending time with your pup through fun activities like these, you’ll love the next big thing in bonding with pets: shared mealtime experiences.

This isn’t just eating at the same time. Shared mealtime experiences mean pet owners are creating human dishes for themselves that are inspired by the ingredients in their pup’s food bowl. Once the dish is ready, you can both enjoy meals that mimic each other while spending quality time together. It’s an activity that fills your belly and your cup at the same time.

Shared meal inspiration

Your dog is one of your most beloved companions, so it makes sense that as a dog owner, you may want to better understand your dog’s mealtime experience. Through a new program called ‘Share A Bowl with Beneful,’ dog owners feeding their dogs select Beneful formulas can explore tasty complementary human recipes that highlight some of the colorful, wholesome and natural ingredients found in the formulas.

To make this possible, Beneful created a free downloadable cookbook that includes four easy-to-follow human recipes inspired by your dog’s favorite Beneful products. Sharing meals in this way encourages pet owners to take an active, empathic approach to what their dog experiences at mealtime. Learn more at Beneful.com/Bowl.

For example, while your pup relishes a bowl of Beneful Originals With Beef, you can make and enjoy a complementary dish of Beef Bulgogi Bowls inspired by the ingredients found in this formula. With delicious beef, rice, peas and spinach it’s a wholesome, satisfying meal that comes with an extra helping of joy because you are sharing the moment together.

Another inspiring recipe is for Parchment Baked Salmon and Sweet Potatoes, served over vegetable rice. This recipe reflects the quality ingredients in Beneful Originals With Salmon. Bake this dish for yourself before sitting down and serving your pup’s food so you can both enjoy your respective dishes at the same time.

Signs of enjoyment

As you savor the tasty ingredients in your dish, you can look for signs your dog is enjoying his bowl as well. Positive reactions like tail wagging, perked ears and general mealtime excitement indicate he’s digging his dish.

Want to enhance your shared dining experience even more? If you’re in the mood for tunes, play some music during mealtime. Once you’re both finished with your respective meals, spend some additional time together either relaxing, cuddling or getting outside for a post-meal walk.

Shared mealtime experiences create joy, because when people and pets bond, life becomes richer. Building a bowl for yourself inspired by the ingredients in your dog’s favorite pet food formula can make you feel closer to your pet and sets the stage to better understand each other. Meals together may soon become the favorite time of day for you and your pet.