(NewsUSA)  – The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a long list of unprecedented challenges, including the way it has caused food insecurity to rise. Food insecurity is defined as the lack of access to enough nutritionally adequate foods to live an active and healthy life. Fortunately, there are some benefits that can help qualifying members of Medicare Advantage Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNP) address this issue.

In fact, a benefit including a monthly food card allowance can assist people in purchasing food and beverages at a varie-ty of well-known, national stores.During this Medicare Annual Election Period, which runs from October 15 through Decem-ber 7, individuals who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, also known as dual-eligible individuals, should consider enrolling in a D-SNP. If you are eligible for Medicare — meaning you’re age 65 or older or are living with a disability — and meet the requirements to have Medicaid, be sure to look into a D-SNP as some plans may include:*

Convenience of a debit card: Qualifying members of D-SNPs with a food benefit may receive a food-card like a credit card. Once the card is activated, you can purchase qualifying items, such as milk, eggs, bread, juices, waters, yogurts, fruits, vegetables and more, utilizing the available balance on your card. However, it’s important to keep in mind that certain items, such as pet food, may not qualify and would need to be purchased with another form of payment.*

Monthly allowances: Some D-SNPs have a monthly stipend, for example $25 – $75, that would be loaded to your card on the first day of each month. Members should aim to use their allotment before the end of each month, as the balance may not be able to be carried over.* Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—For many Boomers, retirement may involve taking vacations, taking up a new hobby, and spending more time with family, friends and the grandchildren.

In anticipation of these activities, Boomers work diligently to build up their next egg. But as Boomers age, and as healthcare costs rise, one item they must account for is care in retirement. Unfortunately, too many are failing to prepare.

According to the Center for Secure Retirement and Bankers Life, 79% of middle-income Boomers have no money set aside specifically for their retirement care needs.

With this in mind, they should take the following steps to help protect their nest eggs:

1.Keep moving. Good physical health can lead to a more active life, improved mental and emotional health, and reduced medical expenses. By keeping yourself healthy and fit, you may be able to lower your premiums and potential future costs. Set time aside each day to stay active—your health and your bank account will thank you.

2.Save, save, save. It’s never too early to start financially planning for retirement care. Recent data from the Center for a Secure Retirement and Bankers Life shows that more than half (54%) of working adults say their retirement planning has taken a hit amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Protect yourself from further unforeseen impact by taking advantage of tools and resources that can help you better prepare for the high costs of long-term care. Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—When it comes to succeeding in business, it’s important to know what not to say and how not to say it. Fortunately, a recent survey can help you and your firm avoid these pitfalls.

What Not To Say

For example, people have a low tolerance for work jargon. When asked what work phrases they hate the most, respondents replied:

1.Per my last e-mail: 32%

2.We’re all in this together: 32%

3.Blue sky thinking: 29%

4.Did you get that thing I sent you?: 28%

5.Let’s touch base: 27%

6.Let’s circle back: 23%

7.Can you get this to me EOD?: 23%

8.Let’s table that: 21%

9.Let’s get this offline: 12%

Essentially, the key to getting people to read and respond to a message is to keep it simple, keep it short and avoid clichés. The clearest communicators write the way they talk.

How Not To Say It

According to the research, respondents estimated they get 44 e-mails a day and 32 of them aren’t worth paying attention to. That comes to over 16,000 e-mails a year with 11,680 of them deemed a waste of time.

The survey from SizzleDeck, a software application that makes it easy for businesses to build, share and track phone-friendly landing pages, found more than half of Americans polled have difficulty clearing their work e-mail inbox.

Sending a text, however, is still an effective way to get attention. On average people check their phones 18 times during a day and are more than three times more likely to prefer to read text messages than open e-mails. In fact, three-quarters admit checking their phones first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

Learn More

For further facts and tips, visit www.sizzledeck.com.

(NAPSI)—Imagine this: consuming a few small bites a day can help you manage your weight and reduce your risk of diabetes, gallstones, heart disease and cancer. It’s not some new miracle drug, it’s that long-time favorite of kids and adults alike—the peanut.

Large population studies show that small amounts of peanuts and peanut butter in your daily diet can help reduce the chances of developing a chronic disease. Peanuts are a superfood because just a small handful delivers 19 vitamins and minerals that contribute to your overall good health.

Here’s more good news. Peanuts are both tasty and versatile and you can enjoy them in a variety of delicious dishes that are easy enough to make any day but special enough for the holidays, such as this one:

Peanut Butter Sweet Potato Casserole with Peanut Streusel Topping

Prep time: 25

Cook time: 1 hour 30 mins

Total: 1 hour 55 minutes

Servings: 10 Continue reading →

(NAPSI)—Experts of all sorts now say face masks are a must to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Someone you meet could have the coronavirus and not realize it. Not all masks work equally well, however, researchers have discovered. Here are some of the most important features to look for when choosing a mask, according to the latest conclusions.

Mask Types and Filtering Effectiveness

When it comes to what types of masks are best, there are different levels of protection. A Lancet study shows 96% protection from N95 masks with single layer cloth masks offering as little as 5% protection.  N95 masks are considered the best of the best but they may be hard to find because healthcare workers are the top priority due to their high exposure to COVID. Where does that leave you? Masks with an FDA 510k approved N95 substantial equivalent mask which passes and even exceeds all the FDA tests required for an N95 mask.

“There is no reason for consumers to have such a low level of protection with a cloth mask when N95 substantial equivalent masks are now becoming available in the 100s of millions and bring an average of 97% protection to consumers,” says COVID Educator and former TV Chief Medical correspondent Bob Arnot, MD.

“N95 and surgical masks are the most effective at preventing the spread of coronavirus—that’s why everyone should reserve them for healthcare workers,” adds Dr. Arnot. “The good news is, saving N95 masks for healthcare workers doesn’t leave you vulnerable: you just need to choose a mask that’s designed to deliver the protection and filtration properties of these masks.” Continue reading →