Monthly Webinar • Tuesday, April 17th

Exclusively for Health Advocate Members

Wellness, assistance and work/life support for the whole family

Real-Life Helpget to the right place with Benefits Gateway™

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April 2012

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Teenagers and AlcoholAlthough giving alcohol to teenagers is illegal and school principals plead with parents not to do it, many parents still feel pressure, or believe it to be proper to supply alcohol to their underage children. Teaching the “proper use” of alcohol or deglamorizing it is the commonly stated goal. There is no evidence that condoning alcohol consumption by minors reduces the incidence of alcohol abuse now or later in life. However, research does exist to show just the opposite.1

New data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health suggests that approximately 709,000 youths between the ages of 12 and 14 drank alcohol in the past month, and of these underage drinkers, 44.8 percent obtained the alcohol from their families or inside the home. The upside of these statistics is the opportunity for family members to curb underage drinking. Ensuring the prevention of underage drinking greatly reduces access to alcohol overall and alcohol problems later on. To further reduce the likelihood of adolescents seeking out alcoholic beverages, parents can start early to discuss the dangers and pitfalls of underage drinking and any family history of alcohol disorders.

Consider enlisting the help of qualified medical professionals if you believe your child is abusing alcohol, and visit www.StopAlcoholAbuse.gov, the leading portal for advice on preventing underage drinking. (1 Source: www.tiny.cc/not-for-teens)

Are you getting excited about spring? Take advantage of this time of renewal and increased energy to plan events or participate in activities that cause you to look forward, create healthy distractions from work stress, and give you more balance in your life. Whether it is indoor germinating of garden seeds prior to planting, getting rid of stored junk in a weekend garage sale, or arranging short getaway trips so you avoid last-minute planning and lost weekends that fly by, these spring “tune-up” activities will lift your mood and provide feelings of accomplishment you will be thankful for later.

Getting Excited About Spring

Try doing some spring cleaning to improve your mood with a fresh start!

Healthcare HelpYour Personal Health Advocate can help untangle medical bills, find qualified doctors, locate eldercare services and much more.

EAP+Work/Life ProgramTalk to a counselor to learn coping skills. You may be referred to the appropriate professional for in-depth, long-term help.

Use self-search provider databases, get 4,000 updated and authoritative articles, view video clips, attend monthly online seminars and more.

Wellness CoachingYour personal Wellness Coach can help you lose weight, eat better or reach other health goals.

Benefits GatewayBenefits experts can quickly guide you to the benefit you need, including medical, dental and pharmacy.

Just call866.799.2691

Your All-in-1 Benefit

Monthly WebinarTuesday, April 17th12 pm, 2 pm and 4 pm ET

“Getting Prepared Before a Disaster Strikes”Learn how to develop an action plan before a disaster strikes.

You can register at HealthAdvocate.com/members

• Enter the name of your organization and click “Submit”

• Click on the umbrella icon at the bottom of the page under “EAP+Work/Life”

• Click “Online Services”

• Scroll to online seminars, choose “Getting Prepared Before a Disaster Strikes”

• Select your registration session

• Click “Register” on the “Welcome to e-learning center” page

• Enter your name, other information and submit

*Please note: Webinars are available only in English.

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Suspect Substance Abuse? What you can do

Suspecting that a loved one is abusing drugs or alcohol can leave you feeling scared and powerless. These tips can guide you toward getting the right help:

• Learn the facts. Substance abuse can lead to addiction, which is a disease of the brain, not a sign of weakness. Over time, drug use can affect decision-making and self-control skills.

• Look for behavioral signs. These include: frantically seeking and using the substance despite serious consequences (job loss, debt), slurred speech, appetite loss, trouble sleeping, irritability, trouble paying attention, a drop in performance.

• Encourage getting help. Tell them where they can find help, or make the call yourself. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is a good resource. Call 800.662.4357 or go to www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov.

Teaching Children to Summon Help We’ve all heard marvelous stories about children who save a loved one’s life. But would your children be able to rise to the occasion?

It’s all about preparation. Teach your children how to dial 911 as soon as they can play with the phone. Make sure they know their first and last name. Instruct them to speak loudly and clearly, and to listen carefully for questions and instructions. Go over emergency scenarios, providing more details the older they get. Be sure they understand that calling 911 is not a game, but when in doubt, they should make the call. Routinely review this information with your children.

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Going to a gym is a great way to stick with your fitness goals. Here’s how to keep your workouts healthy and safe:

• Get the go-ahead from your doctor. You may learn which exercises are best for you and which to avoid.

• Ask the gym staff how to properly use the equipment. This will help you get the benefits without the injury.

• Warm up first to prevent strain. Start at a slow pace on the treadmill, for instance.

• Increase the intensity of your workouts gradually. Add heavier weights only after you can easily lift the lighter load.

• Wipe down the equipment. Most gyms keep antibacterial wipes handy for your use to help protect against germs that may be on handles or gym mats.

Gym Safety Tips

Remember… you can always talk to your Health Advocate Wellness Coach about reaching your fitness goal—or any other health goal.

Stick to Your Health Goals Don’t get sidetracked

It really is possible to break through those pesky roadblocks and reach your health goals! Some tips:

• Set yourself up for success. Dropping 50 pounds by summer is less realistic than losing 2 pounds a week.

• Write, write, write. Studies show that keeping a food diary can double weight loss.

• Switch it up. If you’re a track walker, switch to the city park or a wooded trail.

• Forgive slip-ups. No one is perfect. Just start again today.

• Keep yummy temptations out of sight. Banish high-calorie foods from the house. Find a route home that doesn’t pass your favorite fast-food restaurant.

Your personal Wellness Coach can help you develop even more strategies to overcome your stumbling blocks. Best of all, you can communicate with your Coach as often as you like by phone and email.

To contact your Coach, call 866.799.2691 or go to: HealthAdvocate.com/members

• Click on to the Wellness icon

• Log on to the Wellness portal

• Choose “Wellness Coaching”

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Independent. Confidential. Convenient. Health Advocate is not affiliated with any insurance or third party provider. Health Advocate does not replace health insurance coverage, provide medical care or recommend treatment.

Help is Only a Phone Call Away

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Email: answers@HealthAdvocate.comWeb: HealthAdvocate.com/members

Estimate healthcare costs Know what to expect

Worried that you can’t afford a treatment or medical procedure? Talk to your Personal Health Advocate, who can help estimate your out-of-pocket costs and:

• Tell you more about your test/procedure and answer your questions

• Review your insurance plan details, including deductibles, coinsurance and co-payments

• Find doctors and facilities who participate in your network

• Provide an easy-to-read cost summary

Call your Personal Health Advocate today for expert help making smarter, cost-effective decisions!

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The Health Advocate member website will tell you how your FREE benefit can help you and your family with healthcare and insurance-related problems. You can activate features of your benefit, as well as view online health tools. You can always talk to a Personal Health Advocate for one-on-one help.

Log on to the website:

HealthAdvocate.com/members

• Download member essentials

• Access your Wellness program

• Select your Wellness Workshops

• Take your Health Risk Assessment

Your Health Advocate member website is available 24/7Online Health Information on demand

Connect to us

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