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Enrich home design with a timeless sense of style

2020-12-16T08:01:01

(BPT) – The worlds of fashion and interior design intersect in more ways than one. From thoughtful details to bold palettes and shapes, both disciplines play an important role in evoking personal style. In order to ensure home design demonstrates a bespoke sense of style that lasts, one must consider how all elements involved work together to create a cohesive look for a unified and timeless aesthetic.

Enduring elements

Taking cues from the fashion industry, approach interior design with an eye for timeless infusions to create an aesthetic that will stay forever au courant. For instance, borrow inspiration from past eras, allowing for additions such as velvet-upholstered furniture to bridge the gap between past and present for a modern, yet classic look. Introduce intriguing materials like wood, leather and marble into a living area, as they can transition through decades while remaining staple elements.

Streamlined statement

For an elegant interpretation of minimalistic design, utilize high-contrast color pairings. A Jason Wu for Brizo™ kitchen faucet, exclusively available in a stunning Matte White finish, pairs well with a multitude of marble countertops — choosing black marble creates a dramatic, contrasting statement, whereas a white, neutral marble brings forth a striking, monochromatic look. The faucet’s timeless, yet neutral, Matte White finish adds an elegant and modern appeal to any kitchen, while still establishing contrast against other distinctive pieces within the space. Subtle details complement the monochromatic faucet, such as the polished nickel handle, inspired by the look of fashion designer Jason Wu’s mannequins.

Styled motif

A purposeful melding of patterns and texture brings a sense of balance and depth to a room, just as it does in fashion. Consider an integration of stone and pale terra-cotta tile to establish a mosaic aesthetic for a wall, backsplash or floor. Add a sense of individual style with favorite, à-la-mode patterns and prints, such as florals and fringe, on decorative pillows or other easily transitioned accent elements.

Embellished accessories

Complete a space with adornments, such as a striking photograph or abstract art, drawing attention similar to that of a piece of statement jewelry. Further accessorize with mixed materials, adding metal accents to a plush chair or a teak wood table to bring a fresh perspective. When selecting furnishings and décor, marry sweeping curves and bold shapes throughout the home for a harmonized overall design that will withstand the test of time.


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Cozy calorie-conscious dishes and cooking tips for celebrations

2020-12-16T07:01:00

Although the holidays might look a bit different this year, you can still find joy in beloved seasonal traditions. For many people, this means indulging in tasty treats and favorite comfort foods. Fortunately, celebrating with delicious bites doesn’t mean you need to abandon healthy eating altogether. With a few simple steps and recipe updates, you can enjoy many holiday dishes that are deliciously healthy, and continue these habits into the New Year.
Smart ingredient updates
When looking at creating recipes, consider healthful ingredient swaps. For example, in some recipes for baked goods, unsweetened applesauce or ripe mashed bananas can be used as a substitute for butter. Another example is adding additional spice such as cinnamon or nutmeg for flavor in order to cut some of the sugar content. For dishes that require bread, opt for Sara Lee® Delightful® White made with Whole Grain Bread. This new option is healthy and delicious, high in fiber and 45 calories per slice, without sacrificing flavor.
Go for lean proteins
Make lean proteins a staple for your celebratory meals this season. Some examples might include turkey, chicken, beans, lentils and fish. If cooking meat, trim the fat and consider alternate preparation methods such as baking, sauteing and steaming. Finally, consider skipping sauces and gravies that are often high in saturated fat and sodium. If you want to add flavor, try fresh herbs that add a bit of zest without many additional calories.
Try new recipes
In addition to your favorites, consider new recipes for your winter festivities. And remember, celebrations can happen any time of day. For example, this recipe for Avocado, Egg and Spinach Sandwich is excellent for a joyful brunch or as a staple in your “new year, new you” eating regimen. Another option is an afternoon gathering featuring appetizers. Consider these stuffed mushrooms for the perfect savory appetizer or starter for any meal!
Avocado, Egg White & Spinach Sandwich
Servings: 1
Time: 11-20 minutes
Ingredients:
2 slices Sara Lee® Delightful® White made with Whole Grain Bread
1/2 avocado
1 lime
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Ground black pepper
1/4 cup fresh spinach
1 egg white
1 teaspoon sweet pepper, minced
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Parmesan cheese, grated
2 cherry tomatoes, sliced
Directions:
1. Toast bread.
2. In a small skillet over medium heat, saute sweet pepper in oil for two minutes and remove from pan. Place spinach and egg white in same oiled pan and continuously whisk over medium heat for about three minutes until egg is cooked through, and spinach is tender. Set aside.
3. Mash avocado with crushed red pepper flakes, garlic powder, Parmesan cheese (reserve a pinch), sauteed sweet peppers, a squeeze of lime juice and black pepper to taste. Blend together.
4. Spread avocado mixture on 1 slice of toast. Top with egg and spinach mixture, sliced tomatoes, reserved pinch of Parmesan cheese and ground black pepper.
5. Cap with second slice of bread. Enjoy!
Stuffed Mushrooms
Servings: 10
Time: 30+ minutes
Ingredients:
6 slices Sara Lee® Delightful® White made with Whole Grain Bread, cubed
1-2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more to drizzle
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
20 button mushrooms, stemmed and chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup roast turkey, chopped
1 1/2 cups spinach, chopped
1 (5.2-ounce) block herbed cheese
1/2 cup breadcrumbs, plus more for sprinkling
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
Pinch salt
Pinch pepper
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 300 F.
2. Combine bread cubes, olive oil and garlic powder in a food processor and pulse into fine crumbs. Arrange on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Toss carefully and bake another 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
3. Turn oven up to 350 F. In a large skillet, melt butter. Add onion, mushroom stems, garlic and turkey. Once onion is translucent, add spinach and cook just until wilted.
4. In a small bowl, mix together herbed cheese, breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan and mushroom stem mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Stuff mushroom caps with bread mixture, sprinkle with more breadcrumbs and drizzle with olive oil.
6. Bake until mushrooms are deeply golden and cooked through (approximately 20 minutes).
Sara Lee Delightful Bread comes in three delicious varieties: Honey Whole Wheat, Healthy Multi-Grain and White made with Whole Grain. For more festive and calorie-conscious recipe ideas, visit www.saraleebread.com.

(BPT) –


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10 ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home

2020-12-16T09:01:00

(BPT) – This year, New Year’s Eve celebrations might not look like they normally do. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still celebrate with family and friends! In fact, given how difficult this year has been, a party might be exactly what is needed. The good news is that there are plenty of fun, safe ways to ring in the new year as a family right from the comfort of your own home.

Here are a few ideas for making your New Year’s Eve celebration a fun event for all:

1) Have a dance party: With a little planning and spirit, any room can be transformed into a dance space. Turn on some tunes, get the family moving and raise the roof to ring in 2021. You could even turn off the lights and use glow sticks or LED light-up wands for added ambiance.

2) Set up a photo booth: Make it a night to remember by setting up a photo booth for the kids to enjoy. Pick a corner, pull out old Halloween costumes or find some festive props, and let your kids get creative. The photos can be great to share on your social channels to wish friends a happy new year.

3) Look through old photos or home movies: As we head into a new year, take a trip down memory lane by looking through old photos or watching home movies. This is sure to put a smile on everyone’s face and is a great reminder of how far they’ve come this past year.

4) Create a family time capsule: Ask each family member to write down their wishes and dreams for 2021. Then, seal responses in a box or jar with other memorable items to open next New Year’s Eve.

5) Board games, anyone? Get the family energized with a little competition. Find a few games everyone can enjoy or host a tournament of your family favorites. Consider giving out some fun prizes to keep everyone engaged.

6) Glam up everyday objects: Kids love sparkle! Add glitter to playdough or slime and let them play. Use number cookie cutters to spell out 2021.

7) DIY dessert bar: Set up a dessert bar, and let your kids create a confetti-themed treat with some pre-made cupcakes topped with frosting. Have a variety of confetti colored toppings, like sprinkles, decorating icing, and colorful Fruity Pebbles cereal or candy pieces, on hand for everyone to use to make their own masterpiece.

8) Have a virtual hangout: Carve out some time and say hi to family and friends you haven’t been able to see. This is a great way to keep the kids occupied and get some face time with grandparents or others who might be isolated.

9) Watch an early countdown: Nothing says New Year’s Eve like a good countdown. To help families everywhere ring in 2021, Pebbles cereal is hosting a New Year’s Eve countdown on Dec. 31, featuring Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble from Bedrock leading into the 9 p.m. EST hour during “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2021,” which airs live beginning at 8 p.m. EST on ABC. Tune in and join Fred and Barney for an epic countdown to 2021, which happens to be the cereal’s 50th birthday year.

10) Make party favors: Pick up some party favors at a local store or better yet, make them at home. There are plenty of great tutorials online for fun party favors the kids will enjoy. Try your hand at making confetti poppers, a fun take on a celebration staple. What better way to ring in the new year than with some fun party poppers the kids will enjoy making and eating.

Whatever you end up doing, don’t forget to take some time to reflect on this past year and celebrate the year to come. 10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1… Happy New Year!


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How a young woman became empowered to improve her rheumatoid arthritis care

2020-12-15T14:01:00

(BPT) – At a young age, Randi learned the importance of self­-advocacy and honest conversations in the face of health struggles. Like most kids, she enjoyed sports and being active. When she was 10 years old, she started having pain in the joints of her knees, shoulders, and ankles. Doctors and coaches told her she was experiencing tendonitis. Randi would live silently with this pain for six more years.

At the age of 16, Randi started playing basketball. She noticed that she was regularly “jamming” her fingers and they weren’t healing. When it got to the point that Randi couldn’t turn a doorknob without pain, her mother thought there was something more serious going on. It was time for Randi to seek out help from specialists.

After six months of seeing various doctors, and thanks in part to the persistence of her mother and a blood test, Randi was finally diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic and potentially debilitating autoimmune disease that is estimated to affect over 1.3 million people in the U.S. alone. And while RA most often begins between the ages of 30 and 50, RA can start at any age, according to the World Health Organization.1-­3

Be your own advocate

At the beginning of her RA journey, Randi struggled to communicate about the symptoms associated with her disease and advocate for herself. The pain and discomfort in her joints – including her knees, shoulders, and ankles – was real, but those around her couldn’t fully grasp it or understand why it persisted. She often felt like she couldn’t express herself or her symptoms to doctors. “I went through a stage where I was scared to advocate for myself. I was just going to say that I wasn’t in pain because looking at me you couldn’t tell that I was. I didn’t want to be rejected and told that I was crazy.”

After years of feeling rejected, and with the help and support of her mother, Randi knew it was time to be her own advocate. She explains, “No one knows the pain I am experiencing but me and I have to be mentally OK with that before I can talk to my doctor and others about it. I know that my care needs to start with self­care first.”

Randi encourages other people living with RA to track their symptoms to foster productive conversations with their physicians. “It speaks volumes to doctors if you have a diary, journal or log of all the symptoms you have been experiencing over the course of time. I think when you are able to articulate your symptoms and experiences, you and your doctor can put together a treatment plan best suited to you.”

Topics and questions she encourages others living with RA to think about and openly discuss with their doctor include:

  • “What are the signs that my RA may be getting worse?” Share with your doctor any changes in your symptoms day to day.
  • “How might I know if my current treatment is no longer providing me with the symptom relief I need?” Monitor symptoms like pain levels and joint stiffness to determine if your treatment is helping.
  • “When might it be time to start talking about other options?” If you are still experiencing severe symptoms or side effects from treatment, be open with your doctor and talk about if it is time to consider changing treatments.

Communicate with your doctor

This open communication approach helped Randi meet and overcome a major milestone in her RA journey. After living with the chronic disease for years, and despite various treatments, she still lived with pain that made it difficult to go about her daily routine. “In my senior year of college, I was in so much pain I didn’t want to walk across campus to get to class,” said Randi.

She went back to the doctor and learned about a different treatment option: Kevzara® (sarilumab), an injectable prescription medicine called an interleukin­6 (IL­6) receptor blocker. Kevzara is used to treat adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after at least one other medicine called a disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) has been used and did not work well or could not be tolerated. To learn more about Kevzara, including the risk of serious side effects, visit Kevzara.com.

Randi has been sticking to her regular treatment schedule and is happy with the results. “Switching to Kevzara has allowed me to experience less pain associated with my RA. I am grateful for the positive changes it has brought to my day­to­day life.”

To help others living with RA become more educated and empowered, Randi is collaborating with Sanofi as an Emerge from RA ambassador to share her personal experience in virtual and live events throughout the year. To learn more about her story, please visit: https://www.emergefromra.com/people­living­with­RA.

Important Safety Information

KEVZARA® (sarilumab) can cause serious side effects including:

  • SERIOUS INFECTIONS: KEVZARA is a medicine that affects your immune system. KEVZARA can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Some people have had serious infections while using KEVZARA, including tuberculosis (TB), and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that can spread throughout the body. Some people have died from these infections. Your healthcare provider should test you for TB before starting KEVZARA. Your healthcare provider should monitor you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with KEVZARA.
    • Before starting KEVZARA, tell your healthcare provider if you
      • think you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection, with or without a fever. Symptoms may include sweats or chills, muscle aches, a cough, shortness of breath, blood in your phlegm, weight loss, warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body, diarrhea or stomach pain, burning when you urinate or urinating more often than normal, if you feel very tired, or if you are being treated for an infection, get a lot of infections or have repeated infections
      • have diabetes, HIV, or a weakened immune system
      • have TB, or have been in close contact with someone with TB
      • live or have lived, or have traveled to certain parts of the country (such as the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and the Southwest) where there is an increased chance of getting certain fungal infections (histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, or blastomycosis)
      • have or have had hepatitis
    • After starting KEVZARA, call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of an infection.
  • CHANGES IN CERTAIN LABORATORY TEST RESULTS: Your healthcare provider should do blood tests before and after starting KEVZARA to check for low neutrophil (white blood cells that help the body fight off bacterial infections) counts, low platelet (blood cells that help with blood clotting and stop bleeding) counts, and an increase in certain liver function tests. Changes in test results are common with KEVZARA and can be severe. You may also have changes in other laboratory tests, such as your blood cholesterol levels. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests 4 to 8 weeks after starting KEVZARA and then every 6 months during treatment to check for an increase in blood cholesterol levels.
  • TEARS (PERFORATION) OF THE STOMACH OR INTESTINES: Tell your healthcare provider if you have had a condition known as diverticulitis (inflammation in parts of the large intestine) or ulcers in your stomach or intestines. Some people using KEVZARA had tears in their stomach or intestine. This happens most often in people who also take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), corticosteroids, or methotrexate. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have fever and stomach (abdominal) pain that does not go away.
  • CANCER: KEVZARA may increase your risk of certain cancers by changing the way your immune system works. Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had any type of cancer.
  • SERIOUS ALLERGIC REACTIONS: Serious allergic reactions can happen with KEVZARA. Get medical attention right away if you have any of the following signs: shortness of breath or trouble breathing; feeling dizzy or faint; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; moderate or severe stomach (abdominal) pain or vomiting; or chest pain.
  • Do not use KEVZARA if you are allergic to sarilumab or any of the ingredients of KEVZARA.
  • Before using KEVZARA, tell your healthcare provider if you
    • have an infection
    • have liver problems
    • have had stomach (abdominal) pain or a condition known as diverticulitis (inflammation in parts of the large intestine) or ulcers in your stomach or intestines
    • recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine. People who take KEVZARA should not receive live vaccines
    • plan to have surgery or a medical procedure
    • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if KEVZARA will harm your unborn baby
    • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you use KEVZARA. It is not known if KEVZARA passes into your breast milk
    • take any prescription or nonprescription medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements. It is especially important to tell your healthcare provider if you use
      • any other medicines to treat your RA. Using KEVZARA with these medicines may increase your risk of infection
      • medicines that affect the way certain liver enzymes work. Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure if your medicine is one of these
  • The most common side effects include:
    • injection site redness
    • upper respiratory tract infection
    • urinary tract infection
    • nasal congestion, sore throat, and runny nose

These are not all of the possible side effects of KEVZARA. Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

WHAT IS KEVZARA?

KEVZARA is an injectable prescription medicine called an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor blocker. KEVZARA is used to treat adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after at least one other medicine called a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) has been used and did not work well or could not be tolerated.

To learn more, talk about KEVZARA with your healthcare provider or pharmacist. The FDA­approved Medication Guide and Prescribing Information can be found below, or by calling 1­844­KEVZARA (1­844­538­9272).

Click here for full Prescribing Information including risk of SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS and Medication Guide for KEVZARA.

References

  1. World Health Organization. “Chronic rheumatic condition.” Available at: http://www.who.int/chp/topics/rheumatic/en/
  1. Gibofsky, A. Overview of epidemiology, pathophysiology, and diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Am J Manag Care. 2012 Dec;18(13 Suppl):S295­302.
  2. American College of Rheumatology. “Rheumatoid Arthritis.” Available at: http://www.rheumatology.org/I­AmA/Patient­Caregiver/Diseases­Conditions/Rheumatoid­Arthritis.

MAT­US­2022954­v1.0­12/2020


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Top ways to vacation responsibly in 2021

2020-12-16T05:01:00

(BPT) – After months of cautionary travel and shelving vacation plans, people, especially those with families at home, are researching how they can indulge their wanderlust safely again in 2021. The goal is to enjoy a vacation in a responsible manner, creating memories while keeping yourself and others safe.

Heading to Coastal Mississippi: The Secret Coast is a good option as its location in the Southern United States brings warm weather throughout the year, plus access to the Gulf and plentiful opportunity to explore outdoors. Travel interest is up for The Secret Coast as its 62 miles of scenic shoreline dotted by unique coastal communities boast Southern charm and hospitality. Many people are choosing to discover this destination based on the Coastal Mississippi Promise of Health and Safety, which pledges that visitors can expect all hospitality partners to follow recommendations from leading health agencies and regional health care authorities to ensure everyone’s safety.

“Travel will likely still look different in 2021. While we welcome visitors to explore Coastal Mississippi and safely create lasting memories, we encourage travelers to make informed decisions when planning their vacations,” says Milton Segarra, CEO of Coastal Mississippi.

In addition to visiting a destination that prioritizes public health, it’s wise to take additional steps to keep your travel group and others safe. To help you do that, here are some of the most effective ways to vacation responsibly in 2021:

Mask up

Everyone 2 years and older should wear masks while in public, per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation. This includes when you’re on vacation, so pack extra masks and plan on wearing them indoors — such as at shops or attractions — as well as outdoors if you’re within 6 feet of another person not in your household. You might even consider ordering special masks that commemorate your group trip rather than the traditional T-shirt. They make for great vacation photographs!

Know and follow local restrictions

Although the federal government has provided best overall practices for staying safe during the pandemic, specific regulations may vary depending on where you travel. Take the time to research your destination and what specific protocols they may require. Then talk with your travel group ahead of time so you can all be proactive in following these rules and keeping everyone safe.

Sanitize frequently

Keep hands clean by washing regularly and avoid touching your face. Wash with soap and water for 20 seconds, or about the length of time to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. When soap and water aren’t available, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is a good option. In addition to hands, consider sanitizing surfaces before use, such as the tray table if flying on your vacation. It may have been sanitized already, but this gives you peace of mind and limits germ-spread even more.

Enjoy outdoor spaces

When planning your itinerary, consider ideas that are outdoors. Fresh air and space to social distance is safer and can make your vacation more enjoyable. From beautiful bayous and bays to the longest man-made beach in the nation, Coastal Mississippi offers an array of outdoor adventures, including exploring the Gulf Islands National Seashore at Davis Bayou, water paddling along scenic blueways, fishing trips, sunset boat excursions and much more.

Explore accommodations

You want to be comfortable where you stay and confident it’s clean, so spend some time researching what different accommodations are doing to keep guests safe. Then, book what feels right for you, whether that be a sprawling resort, private bed and breakfast, or unique boutique hotel. Featuring four modern, floating cabins complete with wet bars, and private, lush outdoor showers, Hotel Beatnik in Mississippi’s Ocean Springs Creative District offers a fun new option for travelers.

Book tickets early for attractions

Many attractions are altering procedures and rules to keep wellness top of mind. Call and ask about what they’re doing to keep everyone safe and if there are new occupancy limits. You may want to book tickets early because fewer are being sold so less people are in a particular attraction at once. The newly opened Mississippi Aquarium in Coastal Mississippi is adhering to all recommended guidelines and provides an opportunity for visitors to explore more than 80,000 square feet of exhibits connected by landscaped walkways with plantings representing all seven Physiographic Regions of Mississippi.

Stay home if you feel sick

Finally, if you feel sick, stay home. Many accommodations and attractions will refund your money or offer vouchers for use in the future. That way you can go when you’re feeling well and can fully enjoy your trip while also helping to limit the spread of illness.


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This new Alexa feature allows families to safely care for loved ones at a distance

2020-12-15T11:01:03

(BPT) – This year, more Americans are providing ongoing caregiving, with many having started their role as caregiver since the COVID-19 outbreak or providing care specifically because of the pandemic. Caregivers are looking to strike that balance between ensuring their elderly friends and family are safe and healthy while letting them maintain their independence. Yet, the need to limit contact by social distancing or self-quarantining has disrupted the ability to provide the hands-on care our loved ones deserve.

For that reason, families are looking for ways to help make remote caregiving easier. There’s now an option for both the family member providing support and their loved one leveraging the simplicity of Alexa.

The Care Hub helps families stay connected, no matter if they’re 3 or 3,000 miles apart. And, it’s available on Alexa-enabled devices that many customers already have, like Echo Dot and Echo Show. Once set up and approved by both the family member and loved one, they both simply go about their day as normal. The family member can get alerts and use the Alexa app to see their loved one’s recent activity at a high-level, so the aging loved one still has privacy while the person providing support has the information they need in order to know their loved one is OK. And their loved one has the added comfort of knowing they can ask for help at any time by just asking Alexa.

Care Hub offers a simple, unobtrusive way to care for loved ones remotely and stay connected at a time when many of us are not able to be with the ones we love. Here’s a quick look at how the Care Hub works.

It alerts you when something’s amiss: As the person providing support, you can set up alerts to get notifications when your loved one has their first interaction of the day with Alexa, or if no activity is detected by a designated time, such as 10 a.m.

Non-intrusive visibility on your loved one’s day: The goal of creating Care Hub was to give people only a high-level view of their loved one’s activities. When you look through the activity feed of the Care Hub, it shares only the basics. If your loved one streams a movie, asks for information or listens to music, you can see they were using Alexa for Entertainment or Information, but it won’t reveal the details like what your loved one asked Alexa. And, the loved one can always view this same information from the Care Hub in their Alexa app, too.

Convenient connection: When both parties have an Alexa-enabled device and grant permission to connect via the Care Hub, staying in touch is easy. With the Care Hub, you can initiate a hands-free call over morning coffee or use the Drop In feature as a two-way intercom for a quick check in. Daily contact is effortless.

Help is just a call away: Care Hub makes it easy to access help when your loved one needs it. As part of the Care Hub set up process, they can enable Alexa Communications and select you as their emergency contact. If your loved one selected you as their emergency contact, when they simply say, “Alexa, call for help,” you’ll get a call on your Alexa-enabled device, and you’ll also get a text and push notification sent to your phone. So even if you’re out and about, you’ll know your loved one has reached out.

Care Hub is free of charge and is available with the Alexa app. To learn more, visit amazon.com/carehub.


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3 steps to better eye health in 2021

2020-12-15T13:47:00

(BPT) – January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, a great opportunity to spread the word about a disease that affects more than 3 million people in the United States. Since glaucoma often strikes without symptoms and can cause significant vision loss before a person notices changes in their eyesight, it’s critical to learn what you can do to protect your eyes.

Taking steps to protect your vision is more challenging this year because of the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our daily lives. January is also typically a time of flux in health insurance coverage with plan changes, deductible and co-pay resets, and prescription plan updates. However, despite these challenges, protecting your vision should remain a priority.

Here are three things you can do to take control of your eye health this month.

1. Schedule an annual eye exam

Early detection and treatment are paramount to managing glaucoma and other vision-threatening conditions. That’s why it’s critical to have an annual eye exam, particularly if you’re over the age of 40. Since some forms of glaucoma are inherited, it’s also important to talk with family members to see if there is any history of the disease within your family. It may not be something your family members have talked about before! This will be valuable information to share with your eye doctor during your exam.

“Glaucoma Awareness Month is a great time for a candid conversation about glaucoma within your family,” says Tom Brunner, president and CEO of the Glaucoma Research Foundation. “If you have a family history of glaucoma you may be at higher risk for developing the condition. The earlier glaucoma is detected, the more manageable the disease may be to treat.”

2. Maintain your current eye care plan

While the pandemic has caused many people to consider delaying in-person medical appointments, it’s very important to keep scheduled office visits if you have been diagnosed with glaucoma. Your eye doctor needs to see you periodically to ensure that your vision is stable and adjust your treatment plan if needed.

If you are concerned about the safety of in-person office visits, you may be pleasantly surprised by the comprehensive steps your eye care provider has taken to help keep you safe. When you make your appointment, the office staff will let you know about any new safety protocols and requirements.

“Social distancing and other protective measures are changing the in-office patient experience,” says Dr. Richard Lewis, a practicing glaucoma specialist and chief medical officer at Aerie Pharmaceuticals. “Among the steps we have taken at my practice are plastic shielding on the instruments, requiring staff and patients to wear masks, and minimizing waiting room and exam room ‘chair’ time.”

It’s also important to continue taking prescribed medications as part of your ongoing glaucoma care. One common reason why people stop taking their medications is because of the cost. The key is to understand your prescription benefits, particularly what medicines are covered, as well as when annual deductible resets and co-pay adjustments occur.

When filling your prescriptions, it may also help to shop around. The price for a medication can vary from one pharmacy to the next, with preferred pharmacies associated with your health plan usually offering the more competitive price. If you are on a Medicare Part D drug plan that doesn’t cover your medication, your doctor may be able to submit a prior authorization to allow you to get it. In addition, if you have commercial insurance and are taking a brand medication, the pharmaceutical company may be able to assist you financially in the form of prescription savings programs.

3. Understand your treatment options

Ongoing scientific research and clinical development in the field of glaucoma have brought forward an array of new medical interventions. In fact, today your eye doctor has more options to treat glaucoma and provide personalized care than ever before. Become your own advocate by learning about all the treatment options that are available and discussing your specific needs with your doctor.

A valuable starting point is “Understanding and Living with Glaucoma,” a free booklet published by the Glaucoma Research Foundation. It can be downloaded or ordered at www.glaucoma.org/booklet. The foundation’s website also offers a wealth of resources to help you take control of your eye health during Glaucoma Awareness Month and beyond.


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Do you have a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan?

2020-12-15T15:06:37

(BPT) – If you’re concerned about getting COVID-19, you have good cause.

According to the latest COVID-19 Data Tracker from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. alone has already logged over 16.3 million cases and the overall weekly hospitalization rate is at its highest since the pandemic began.

While it’s critical to stay informed about the spread of the virus and know how to protect yourself and others, many people may not realize how important it is to be prepared with an action plan should an outbreak occur in your community or household.

The better informed you are, the more empowered you can feel about coping with the pandemic.

COVID-19 Preparedness Tips from a Professional Patient Advocate Who was Hospitalized

Professionally, Michelle Vogel works in patient advocacy and provider relations, helping other patients navigate the healthcare system. That experience has taught her that sometimes, patients must be proactive and push to find their best options. Preparing as much as possible in advance is paramount.

Have a testing plan. Know the symptoms and if you have been exposed or experience symptoms, know where to get tested in your area, and know how you’ll isolate or self-quarantine if necessary. Relevant information is listed and regularly updated on the CDC website.

Get to know the hospitals in your area. Look up local and regional hospitals in your area and make a plan for where you would seek treatment if you needed to be hospitalized. If you want access to investigational treatment candidates, websites like www.StopStorm.com can help you find research hospitals in your region as they may be enrolling people in clinical trials.

Ask about treatments and clinical trials. Everyone reacts differently to the coronavirus. As such, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to treatment. If you’re hospitalized with COVID-19, ask about treatment options and if you may be eligible to enroll in a clinical trial. Since eligibility criteria can change, it’s important to keep asking your hospital and doctor about clinical trials daily.

Throughout this crisis, the biotech and pharmaceutical industries have worked tirelessly to develop vaccines and therapeutics to help overcome this pandemic. However, with over 4,000 COVID-19 clinical trials listed on www.clinicaltrials.gov and the healthcare system almost overwhelmed, the burden to get access to clinical trials is now often falling to the patient or their families who may need to proactively plan, ask and engage.

Clinical trials are crucial in the development of innovative medicines and participating in a clinical trial helps advance potential treatment options for people in need.

“Typically, hospital researchers will discuss clinical trial options proactively with patients who may be eligible to enroll,” said Vogel. “I think that there is so much research going on right now, patients and their families have to be more vocal and engaged in asking about potential clinical trials than ever before.”

What Happens When the Professional Patient Advocate Becomes the Patient?

The expression, ‘when it rains, it pours,’ doesn’t even begin to capture how torrential Michelle Vogel’s experience was with COVID-19. It was the midst of Florida’s hurricane season, the virus was surging in the state and her mom was just diagnosed with COVID-19 in Boynton Beach, Florida, days prior.

While Michelle, a 53-year-old Jacksonville, Florida, resident, waited to get her COVID-19 test, delayed due to heavy storms, her symptoms were getting worse. After her test came back as positive, she went to the research hospital in her area and was admitted to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. She was diagnosed with pneumonia and was treated with convalescent plasma, remdesivir and steroids. Her condition deteriorated and she developed a hyper-response of the immune system that causes harmful inflammation, known as cytokine storm. The condition affects almost 90% of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and is a leading cause of COVID-19 progression, use of a ventilator and death.

Vogel asked about clinical trials and learned that the Mayo Clinic was one of the sites enrolling patients in a Phase 3 study evaluating lenzilumab, an investigational treatment candidate designed to combat cytokine storm. She pushed to be enrolled in the clinical trial.

The Unsung Heroes

“Patients participating in clinical trials are too often the unsung heroes in the development of innovative treatments and the pandemic has heightened the importance of patient advocacy in the clinical trial process,” said Cameron Durrant, MD, MBA, chief executive officer of Humanigen, the biopharmaceutical company developing lenzilumab as a potential COVID-19 treatment. “The global biopharmaceutical industry has made tremendous strides to develop viable COVID-19 vaccines, but we need treatment options for all patients while we wait for widespread safe and effective vaccine use and availability.”

For Michelle Vogel, her condition improved rapidly after participating in the clinical trial. She had read that lenzilumab could help normalize her C-reactive protein and that is what she experienced. Just days later, she was weaned off supplemental oxygen and discharged from the hospital.

“If I hadn’t pushed to see what other options were out there, I don’t know if the lenzilumab trial would’ve been offered,” she said. “Because of my professional experience as a patient advocate, I knew to keep on pushing to see what my options were. But there are many patients who don’t even know that they can ask what their treatment options are.”

Sadly, however, Michelle’s mom passed away from COVID-19 while Michelle was in her own COVID-19 battle. “I tried hard to advocate for the best treatments for my mom but there were no clinical trial options at her hospital and it’s difficult to even think about whether she would have survived if she had access to a clinical trial.”

To learn more and to find a lenzilumab clinical trial site near you, visit www.StopStorm.com.