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News of interest to ARCRA members

  • 12/28/2020 11:39 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Get ready for 2021 by completing five simple tasks before January 1.

    1. Self-Review. Understanding that 2020 was unusual and unpredictable, assess whether or not you accomplished the goals that you set out for yourself at the beginning of 2020.  Reviewing what went well, needs improvement, or just did not get done at all, will help you prepare for a great 2021.
    2. Tie up Miscellaneous Ends.  Identify what you can quickly and easily knockoff of your list before the New Year.  End the year with a sense of accomplishment and a fresh to-do list.
    3. Re-Connect with Loved Ones and Friends.  COVID-19 restrictions left us all disconnected from family and friends.  The beginning of 2021 doesn't look to be much different with quarantine and social distancing restrictions still in place.  So set aside more time to text, call, email and virtually strengthen or rebuild those important connections.
    4. Declutter your Space.  Look around your bedroom, kitchen, office, closet, and  basement to declutter, the polite term for get rid of the junk you don't use, need or want.  A good place to start is by throwing out food products with expired dates.  I found cake mixes with pull dates of 2015. Research shows that people are happier in a clean and organized space.
    5. Set your 2021 Goals.  Go back to your Red Cross training and set SMART GOALS-specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-based. Click here for more tips
  • 12/17/2020 9:03 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    COVID-19 has changed how we live, work, and celebrate in 2020, and like everything else this year, the holiday season doesn’t look the same. Normally free Zoom accounts have a 40-minute limit. For the holiday season, Zoom is  removing the 40-minute limit on free Zoom accounts for all meetings globally for several upcoming special occasions.

    Whether coming together on the final day of Hanukkah, celebrating Christmas, ringing in the New Year, or marking the last days of Kwanzaa, those connecting with friends and family won’t get cut short.

    Here are the dates and times for unlimited meetings:

    • 10 a.m. ET Thursday, Dec. 17, to 6 a.m. ET Saturday, Dec. 19
    • 10 a.m. ET Wednesday, Dec. 23, to 6 a.m. ET Saturday, Dec. 26
    • 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Dec. 30, to 6 a.m. ET on Saturday, Jan. 2

    What do you need to do?

    Follow these steps to get started and enjoy a wonderful virtual get-together with loved ones!



  • 12/17/2020 1:28 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The blood supply in the US is critically low. As we face new surges of COVID-19 cases, AABBAmerica’s Blood Centers and the American Red Cross are urging eligible individuals to make and keep an appointment to donate blood now. The statement noted, in part:

    Since the early stages of the pandemic, the blood community has experienced unprecedented fluctuations in both supply and the need for blood. A variety of events, including multiple disasters, have led to additional disruptions to the collection of blood more hospitals resume normal surgery schedules and more patients require blood. The impact of COVID-19 as flu season approaches could further compound challenges to maintaining a readily available blood supply. Blood donors are needed now to help maintain the adequacy of the blood supply and to ensure that blood is available.

    Please contact one of the following organizations to find a local blood collection site and to schedule an appointment to donate:

    AABB: www.aabb.org; +1.301.907.6977
    America’s Blood Centers: 
    www.americasblood.org; +1.202.393.5725
    American Red Cross: 
    www.redcrossblood.org; +1.800.RED CROSS (+1.800.733.2767)

    COVID-19 antibody test results will be available to Red Cross donors within one to two weeks. Antibody testing may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether an individual experienced COVID-19 symptoms. Between June 15 and September 12, the Red Cross tested more than 1.2 million donations in 44 states. Of the donations we tested approximately 2.0% showed positive for COVID-19 antibodies


  • 12/03/2020 5:02 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Next Avenue's goal is to met the needs and unleashing the potential of older Americans through media. Produced by Twin Cities PBS (TPT) for a national audience, its journalists are based around the country and uncover stories in every state.  Over 70 million people have found information and resources on the website and through other platforms and partnerships.  Check out the topics on their website ...Health, Money & Policy, Work & Purpose, and Caregiving.  Sign up for the free newsletters 



  • 11/24/2020 2:40 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    If you’re caring for someone with memory problems, these tips may help. You may be able to help the person keep his or her confidence, independence, and dignity for as long as possible.

    • Be flexible, patient, and help the person try to remember what he or she can.

    • Make it easier for the person to remember new information. For instance, keep new information simple and repeat it often. Break down new activities into small steps.

    • Provide verbal cues rather than ask questions. For example, say: “This is Jane, your cousin, who has come to see you.” Don’t say: “This is Jane. Do you remember who she is?”

    • Establish a regular routine. This will help the person feel more secure and make it easier for him or her to remember what usually happens during the day. Too much variety and stimulation can be confusing.

    • Writing down important pieces of information can be helpful.

    • Learn what to expect. For example, managing irritation may be easier if you understand your husband can’t remember how to unload the dishwasher because of his disease. It is not because he doesn’t want to be helpful.

    • Seek help from family and friends.

    Click here for more information from INOVA Hospital

  • 11/13/2020 11:30 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Friday, November 13th is World Kindness Day. Following all the recent election stress, the world could use more kindness than ever. Check out these 25 ideas on how to be kind to yourself, your family and others in your community. CNN provides 25 ways to spread goodwill 

  • 11/02/2020 3:12 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    In case you haven't been following every detail of this presidential election... only eight states think that they will be able to report 98 percent of their unofficial election results by noon on Wednesday.  So start destressing now:

    1. Plan to wait for final election results
    2. Chill out-practice yoga, deep breathing
    3. Have meaningful conversations with your family 
    4. Get more exercise-take a walk and enjoy nature
    5. Make a difference locally-teach English as a second language, tutor a student, join the garden club

    Learn how to destress during and following an election at the New York Times.

    A study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that hospitalizations for cardiovascular disease - heart attach and stroke - were 61 percent higher in the two days following the 2016 election than the same days in the preceding week.  Age, race or sex of the patient did not change the results-rate of heart attack increased by 67 percent and of stroke by 59 percent.  Read the full article in the New York Times.



  • 10/27/2020 9:46 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    You can expect Halloween to be different this year due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.  Accu Weather produced a news piece to provide updated Red Cross Safety tips and alternative ways to safely celebrate Halloween.

    Click here for Red Cross Halloween Safety tips on Accu Weather.

  • 10/12/2020 12:38 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

     A flu shot is your best protection from getting and spreading the virus and if you do get sick with the seasonal flu, your symptoms likely won't be as bad or last as long. All places offering flu shots should be following CDC guidance related to COVID-19 to ensure you have a safe place to get vaccinated. Social distancing practices in place to combat COVID-19 will also help slow the spread of seasonal flu.Medicare.gov advises that the seasonal flu shot is covered by providers that accept Medicare or your Medicare plan.

    The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases recommends that adults 65 or older ask for the high-dose or adjuvanted flu vaccine; this year’s high-dose vaccine is a quadrivalent, protecting against four strains of flu. 

    Visit CDC.gov for more information on how to safely get your flu vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional resources are available from AARP and NFID.


  • 10/12/2020 12:19 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    by Michael Carroll

    According to Medicare, plans for 2021 have historically low premiums — dropping an average of 34% over the last 3 years. This makes it even more important to explore your options for Medicare Advantage, Medicare supplement plans and “Part D” coverage for prescriptions. Staying with your current coverage could mean that you miss these savings. Starting October 1, you'll be able to take a sneak peek at plans available in your area.

    If you're among the 1 in 3 people with Medicare who has diabetes, many, but not all,  participating drug plans will offer a 30-day supply of insulin for $35 or less!

    More Info

    Need help comparing plans during Open Enrollment? Check out these resources:

    • Find Plans at Medicare.gov, where you can see estimates for all your prescriptions.
    • Look at the eHandbook you received in the mail.
    • Call us at 1-800-MEDICARE during Open Enrollment.

    Red Cross retirees can also get help from Aon Retiree Health Solutions at1-877-458-9657. Aon also offers an online tool for comparing one’s coverage needs and purchasing coverage at www.retiree.aon.com. Aon does not broker all plans and more suitable options may be available in your area. But remember: retirees who qualify for and want to continue their Health Reimbursement Account/Premium Supplement Fund benefit must continue to purchase coverage through Aon


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