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