{Guest post} Plan for unexpected emergencies at home

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas partners with New Directions to provide behavioral health screenings, resources and support to our members. Over the past year and a half, we’ve all spent quality time in the comfort of our own homes. While your home may be a safe place to quarantine during a pandemic, it’s still possible for the unexpected to happen. And if it … Continue reading {Guest post} Plan for unexpected emergencies at home

{Video} Caregiving: The Sandwich Generation

In 1981 the term “sandwich generation” was coined to describe a group of Americans who are caring for children under the age of 18 and older relatives at the same time. Today, millions of families are facing the dual challenge of sandwich caregiving as the population ages and Americans are having children later. This episode focuses on these caregivers. With an aging population and a … Continue reading {Video} Caregiving: The Sandwich Generation

Keeping your skin safe from summer rays

As we head into peak sunscreen season, it’s a good time to review how to best protect our skin from the dangers of sun exposure. We know we need sunscreen, but with so many lotions, potions, creams and sprays, how do we know if we are really protecting ourselves against burns or worse…cancer. The following tips can help reduce risk and maximize your protection. Choose … Continue reading Keeping your skin safe from summer rays

Get moving while dinner is cooking

Regular physical activity and healthy home cooking are two of the best things you can do for your body. But how do you find more time for both? Combine them! With these cook-friendly exercises, you can squeeze in some extra activity while waiting for the veggies to steam. Soup-Can Arm Raises Grab two cans of soup (or use 2- to 5-pound bags of dried beans … Continue reading Get moving while dinner is cooking

The new, healthy kind of midlife crisis

A shiny red sports car. Bottles of supplements. Even a bit of plastic surgery. These are the stereotypical signs of what’s long been known as the midlife crisis.   In truth, only about 10 to 20% of adults in their 40s, 50s and 60s revisit their youthful rebellion. But the middle years are undoubtedly a time of transition—and opportunity. Here’s how to make changes for the … Continue reading The new, healthy kind of midlife crisis

{Video} Alzheimer’s: A Public Health Crisis

Alzheimer’s disease is an under-recognized public health crisis with the number of people expected to be diagnosed doubling every 20 years. Watch this episode of Second Opinion with Joan Lunden to hear about the disease and its emotional toll from a caregiver and public health perspective. Continue reading {Video} Alzheimer’s: A Public Health Crisis

When to go to the doctor’s office, telemedicine, urgent care or emergency room

The emergency room can save your life if you’re seriously sick or injured. But for less severe complaints, you may get faster and less expensive treatment elsewhere. Knowing when you should go to your doctor, urgent care or the emergency room can save you a lot of money. Continue reading When to go to the doctor’s office, telemedicine, urgent care or emergency room

Do your part during PTSD Awareness Month

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas partners with New Directions to make sure our members and employees have access to the behavioral health resources they need. More than 5 million people experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) each year Unfortunately, many of us will experience trauma in our lifetime. A traumatic event could be anything from assault or combat to childhood neglect. Traumatic events can … Continue reading Do your part during PTSD Awareness Month