| health care costs rising much faster than the | | | | get everyone's commitment to developing |
| general rate of inflation, it is vital that we do | | | | healthier habits. Ask for suggestions, and write |
| everything in our power to keep these costs for | | | | them down. Even younger children may surprise |
| our own family as low as possible. There are | | | | you with their ideas! Schedule a family meeting |
| many areas that are within our control, making it | | | | once a week to see how everyone is doing. |
| easy to take advantage of all of them. | | | | In the family meeting, here are some suggestions |
| Here are some suggestions for helping lower | | | | of what you might want to cover: |
| health care costs for the whole family: | | | | · Make sure everyone knows to cover |
| · If you don't already have a family | | | | their mouths when coughing or sneezing. |
| doctor, primary care physician or | | | | · Discuss the importance of hand washing, |
| nurse-practitioner, find one. Trips to the | | | | and the proper way to wash. Most germs are |
| emergency room are expensive, and may not be | | | | spread by the hands. Use plenty of soap, and |
| necessary if you have a relationship with a | | | | wash long enough to sing the "Happy Birthday" |
| healthcare provider. Ask friends for referrals, or | | | | song or one verse of "Old McDonald Had a Farm". |
| call several doctors' offices in your area to find | | | | · Make sure everyone in the family gets |
| out who is taking new patients, and schedule a | | | | plenty of Vitamin C every day. An orange or a |
| visit with one or two of them to establish | | | | small glass of pure orange juice will help the |
| yourself as a patient with that office. | | | | immune system fight illness. A diet high in fruits, |
| · Take advantage of all free health-care | | | | vegetables and whole grains will also help the body |
| screenings provided in your town. Free blood | | | | resist disease. |
| pressure and cholesterol screenings, | | | | · If your family members are overweight, |
| mammograms and other services are often | | | | do something about it. Stop frying your foods and |
| available once or twice a year. Call your county | | | | switch to baking or other healthier cooking |
| health department to see when these screenings | | | | methods. Turn off the TV during dinner and get |
| will be offered, or look for local health fairs which | | | | to know each other. Plan two healthy snacks a |
| often provided these services. | | | | day for everyone. Put sensible portions of food |
| · If you are ill and the doctor prescribes | | | | on your plates instead of serving family-style, and |
| medicine, request the least expensive drug | | | | eat slowly. Follow the USDA food pyramid |
| available for your condition, and ask for free | | | | suggestions when planning your family's meals. |
| samples. Your doctor may often give you as | | | | · Exercise is also very important for |
| much as you need. | | | | healthy bodies. Take the whole family for a walk |
| · If you smoke, stop. If you can't | | | | every day, or just get out and shoot hoops, play |
| motivate yourself, call the American Lung | | | | freeze tag, throw a Frisbee, ride your bikes, or do |
| Association for assistance. As a last resort, sit | | | | whatever it is you like to do. If the weather is |
| down and write your own obituary, assuming you | | | | bad, put on some music and dance, or work out |
| died today of a heart attack or stroke. List your | | | | to an exercise video. Take turns letting each |
| survivors, and then stop and think how their lives | | | | family member choose the exercise activity for |
| would be without you. Think about all the events | | | | the day, and get everyone to agree to do the |
| in their lives that you don't want to miss such as | | | | chosen activity without complaining. |
| graduations, weddings, the birth of grandchildren, | | | | · Make sure everyone gets enough sleep. |
| etc. Carry a copy of your obituary with you at all | | | | Children need nine hours or more every night, and |
| times, and take it out and read it whenever you | | | | adults usually need seven or eight hours. If your |
| crave a cigarette. | | | | children are involved in too many outside activities, |
| · Call a family meeting to discuss ways to | | | | eliminate the ones they enjoy the least. A rested |
| be healthier, even if you have never had a family | | | | body fights illness better than a tired body. |
| meeting before! Explain to everyone that money | | | | Be proactive about your family's health, and you |
| spent on doctors and medicine is money that | | | | can save big money on your health care |
| won't be available for family fun. It is important to | | | | expenses! |