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Better Balance with Dr. Saria: Stay Strong, Step Confidently
Join us for a live webinar with Dr. Saria, Essence’s Chief Medical Officer—Thursday, June 12 at 9:30 a.m., Central Time. Get expert tips on improving balance, preventing falls and making the most of your Essence benefits—plus a live Q&A.

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Select a category to learn why it’s important, tips for talking with your doctor and how your Essence plan can help.

Lowering Your Fall Risk

Why It’s Important

The right support and lifestyle changes can help you stay steady, stay strong and stay independent. A great first step? Talk to your doctor. They can help you understand your risk and connect you with the right resources. Here’s how that conversation can make a real difference:

  • Identifying the root causes. Falls can be linked to vision changes, balance issues or other health conditions your doctor can help pinpoint.
  • Adjusting medications if needed. Your doctor can identify if your prescriptions are causing dizziness or drowsiness and make adjustments to help.
  • Getting referrals for support. Your doctor can connect you with physical therapy, balance programs or specialists.
  • Checking your strength and stability. A quick in-office test can reveal if your balance needs improvement.
  • Preventing future injuries. Addressing small issues now can help avoid more serious falls later.
  • Creating a personalized prevention plan. Your doctor can help build a plan that fits your lifestyle and health needs.
  • Staying independent longer. Preventing falls helps maintain confidence, mobility and quality of life.

Starting the Conversation: Tips for Talking to Your Doctor

A conversation with your doctor can lead to helpful changes or even small adjustments that make a big difference. Your doctor is there to help you stay well, not just treat you when you’re sick.

You might say something like:

  • “I’ve fallen recently. How can I prevent it from happening again?”
  • “I’ve noticed I feel a little unsteady lately. Could it be my medication?”
  • “I’ve had a couple falls recently. Could it be my vision or hearing?”
  • “Could my diet or hydration be affecting my balance?”
  • “I’m not as steady as I used to be. Am I losing strength?”

Essence Has You Covered

Your Essence benefits can help you stay well and steady on your feet. Take advantage of the following benefits, included in your Essence plan.

  • SilverSneakers® fitness benefit provides free gym membership plus online or in-person workouts and classes for all fitness levels. Visit SilverSneakers.com to learn more.

    • You’ll need to get your 16-digit member ID from SilverSneakers by visiting SilverSneakers.com/Card or calling Customer Service at 1-888-423-4632 (TTY: 711).
    • To find participating gyms and fitness centers that accept SilverSneakers, visit SilverSneakers.com/Locations. You can visit any of the thousands of locations nationwide.
    • Set a date to visit a location and remember to write down your SilverSneakers member ID number and take it with you. You can tour the location to see what they have to offer.
  • Low or no copays to see your primary care physician
  • Coverage for physical therapy to improve strength, mobility and reduce pain if needed
  • Hearing and vision care to identify or manage related issues that can be affecting your balance

Focusing on Mental Health

Why It’s Important

Making your mental health a priority can benefit your overall health. Start regular check-ins with your doctor, especially if thoughts and emotions interfere with your daily activities. They can help address your concerns and meet your health goals.

  • Protecting your physical and cognitive health. Mental health is just as important as your physical health, and the two are closely connected. Chronic conditions can get worse or can develop because of poor mental health. You can also experience a decline in your cognitive health, including memory loss and increased confusion. Talking to your doctor as soon as your mental health changes can help prevent other health problems.
  • Staying independent. If your mental health issues begin to affect your ability to function in daily life, you could become less independent. Sharing with your doctor about how you’re feeling can lead to a treatment plan that helps you stay independent.
  • Keeping social connections. Mental health issues can increase the risk of loneliness and isolation, which could make your mental health worse. If you’re participating less in social activities because of your mental health, discuss this concern with your doctor. Your social connections are a valuable part of staying healthy.

Starting the Conversation: Tips for Talking to Your Doctor

If you’re uncomfortable or unsure how to start the conversation about your mental health, try one of the questions below.

  • “Are there changes I should expect in my mental health as I get older?”
  • “I’ve been feeling down/anxious lately and I don’t know why. What can help change my mood?”
  • “Can my current physical health affect my mental health?”
  • “How can I tell the difference between normal aging memory loss and signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s?”
  • “I’ve experienced a recent loss and I’m feeling lonely/sad. What do you recommend that can help me move forward?”

Essence Has You Covered

  • Access to mental health services
  • Coordinated care between your primary care physician and a mental health professional
  • Prescription drug coverage if your doctor prescribes medication as part of your treatment plan

Improving Bladder Control

Why It’s Important

Improving bladder control can contribute to better overall health and prevent other potential health concerns. Are any of these topics already a concern for you? Talking to your doctor is your first step to getting back on a healthy path.

  • Reducing your fall risk. If you’re rushing to the bathroom, it could increase your chances of falling. Addressing your urgency can lead to a solution that will help reduce your fall risk.
  • Identifying other health issues. Poor bladder control can sometimes be a sign of diabetes or other medical conditions. It also increases your risk of getting a urinary tract infection. Making an appointment to talk to your doctor can lead to early detection/prevention and better management of any health-related issues.
  • Improving sleep. Frequent trips to the bathroom during the night interrupt your sleep. Getting a good night’s rest is important for your overall health. Discussing bladder control and loss of sleep with your doctor is a good way to get help for both concerns.
  • Staying active and engaged. Feeling embarrassed or having anxiety about your bladder control could lead to skipping exercise or social activities. Both are important for you to stay physically and mentally fit. Regain your confidence by communicating with your doctor to find the treatment option that’s best for you.

Starting the Conversation: Tips for Talking to Your Doctor

If you’re uncomfortable or unsure how to start the conversation about improving your bladder control, try one of the questions below.

  • “What could be the reason for my frequent bathroom visits?”
  • “Is there medicine to help with feeling an urgency to get to the bathroom?”
  • “Can diet changes help reduce trips to the bathroom?”
  • “How can I control the number of nighttime visits to the bathroom?”
  • “Are there exercises to help cut down on the need to go to the bathroom so often?”

Essence Has You Covered

  • Access to specialists, like a urologist
  • Coordinated care between your primary care physician and a specialist
  • Prescription drug coverage if your doctor prescribes medication to help with bladder control
  • Coverage for physical therapy

Boosting Your Physical Activity

Why It’s Important

Regular physical activity can reduce your risk of chronic disease and certain cancers, improve balance, flexibility and mental health, and help you stay independent longer.

The key is finding what works for your body and your lifestyle—and your doctor can help you get started. Here’s how talking to your doctor can make a real difference:

  • Finding the right starting point. Your doctor can help you understand what level of activity is safe and effective for your health.
  • Addressing any health concerns. If pain, fatigue or medical conditions are holding you back, your doctor can help manage them.
  • Getting referrals for support. You may benefit from physical therapy, exercise programs or a personal fitness plan tailored to your needs.
  • Discussing medication effects. Some medications may affect your energy, mobility or coordination—your doctor can help you identify them.
  • Setting realistic goals. Your doctor can help you define small, achievable steps to increase your activity without overdoing it.
  • Preventing injury. Moving safely means fewer injuries. Your doctor can provide guidance on how to ease into exercise and protect your joints.
  • Supporting long-term wellness. Staying active is one of the best ways to stay independent, healthy and mentally sharp as you age.

Starting the Conversation: Tips for Talking to Your Doctor

Talking to your doctor can help clear up confusion, calm concerns and spark new motivation to move more. You might say something like:

  • “I want to be more active—where should I start?”
  • “I’ve been feeling stiff and less mobile lately. What can I do to improve it?”
  • “Are there exercises that are safe for someone with my health conditions?”
  • “I’m interested in classes like yoga or tai chi. Are those right for me?”
  • “How much activity should I aim for each week?”

Essence Has You Covered

Your Essence benefits can help you stay well and steady on your feet. Take advantage of the following benefits, included in your Essence plan.

SilverSneakers® fitness benefit provides free gym membership plus online or in-person workouts and classes for all fitness levels. Visit SilverSneakers.com to learn more.

  • You’ll need to get your 16-digit member ID from SilverSneakers by visiting SilverSneakers.com/Card or calling Customer Service at 1-888-423-4632 (TTY: 711).
  • To find participating gyms and fitness centers that accept SilverSneakers, visit SilverSneakers.com/Locations. You can visit any of the thousands of locations nationwide.
  • Set a date to visit a location and remember to write down your SilverSneakers member ID number and take it with you. You can tour the location to see what they have to offer.
  • Low or no copays to see your primary care physician and talk about your activity goals
  • Coverage for physical therapy to improve strength, mobility and reduce pain if needed

Build a Relationship with Your PCP

Your primary care physician (PCP) can support you in keeping your health on track, coordinating your care with other specialists and serving as a resource for all your health-related questions. Together you can take proactive steps for your health.

PCP-relationship@2x

THE POWER OF PREVENTIVE CARE

Staying on top of your health is one of the best ways to prevent potential issues before they start. If you haven’t already, check in with your doctor about the preventive care that’s right for you. Based on your health needs and age, they may recommend certain screenings, vaccines and other preventive care options.

Essence covers many preventive services, screenings and vaccines for a $0 copay. For more information on preventive services, see Chapter 4 of your Evidence of Coverage.