focus on health
:::for the family:::
Combat New-School-Year Stress
Heading back to school can be an exciting time for many teens. However, readjusting to a busy school schedule can cause anxiety.
Here’s how to help if your teen is stressing about the new school year:
• Be supportive. Ask how the school day went during dinner or when you get home. Discuss any new projects at school or ask about current challenges or fears.
• Reinforce good study habits. A great deal of school stress is related to starting homework or projects at the last minute.
• Reset the schedule. End the cycle of staying up — and waking up — late. Get your teen back in the school groove by setting curfew earlier or limiting socialization with friends to Friday nights and the weekends.
Your Teen, the Workplace and Safety
The US Department of Labor reports that nearly 60 percent of American teenagers ages 16 to 19 are employed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), young workers are at higher risk for occupational injury than adult workers.
The CDC attributes the higher risk of injury to lack of experience and training. Many severe injuries in this age group involve cooking and kitchen appliances and electrical hazards.
Advise your teen to:
1. Avoid back injuries by lifting heavy objects with the legs while keeping a straight back.
2. Avoid burns by keeping a stove burner’s flame only as large as the bottom of the pot.
3. Avoid cuts by placing a damp cloth under cutting boards when chopping, slicing or dicing food to help stabilize the board.
4. Avoid falls by wearing lace-up shoes with slip-resistant soles.
New Insurance Plan Available October 1
The New York State Department of Financial Services has approved the North Shore-LIJ Insurance Company Inc.’s application for an insurance license. Under the name North Shore-LIJ CareConnect, the North Shore-LIJ Insurance Company Inc. will begin offering a wide range of commercial insurance plans on and off the New York Health Benefit Exchange to individuals and families in Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, Staten Island and Manhattan.
Members of North Shore-LIJ CareConnect will experience the benefits of New York’s largest integrated health system, known for high-quality care, accessibility, and a range of programs and services across the metropolitan area. Member access will include:
• inpatient care available at 15 hospitals;
• outpatient and specialty care offered at nearly 400 physician and ambulatory practices;
• after-care services, home care and rehabilitation; and
• thousands of medical specialists and caregivers.
Starting in October, consumers can purchase North Shore-LIJ CareConnect insurance through the New York Health Benefit Exchange, an online marketplace to purchase health insurance and compare benefit plans, premium prices, subsidy amounts, tax credits and other related information. Plans will also be available at storefront locations. The health insurance plans will take effect January 1, 2014.
Learn more about North Shore-LIJ CareConnect at 1-855-706-7545.
