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Managing Chronic Conditions

Learning to live with a chronic condition can be frightening and difficult, but you have help with Rocky Mountain Health Plans. We believe you are the most important member of your health care team in managing your condition and improving your health. Learning as much as you can about your condition is the best way to take control of the condition, your health, and your life:

  • Learn about yourself and your condition.
  • With your doctor, develop a personalized plan to treat your condition.
  • Make and keep regular follow-up visits with your doctor to review your plan and to discuss your progress and goals.
  • Take your medications every day as directed. Remember to take all of your medications with you, including over-the-counter medications, to each doctor visit.
  • Know your numbers (blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and weight), and know how they affect your health and condition.
  • Living with a chronic condition can sometimes cause depression. See the section below on depression and consult your physician if you feel the symptoms apply to you.

ASTHMA

Take Control of Your Asthma

Here are some things you can do to better manage your asthma:

  • Learn what asthma is. Understand that asthma can be life threatening.
  • With your doctor, develop a personalized plan for treating your asthma and keep a written asthma action plan at home. Click here to download an Asthma Action Plan and Checklist. (PDF, 1MB)
  • Take your medications every day as directed. Remember to take all of your medications with you, including over-the-counter medications, to each doctor visit.
  • Schedule asthma education:
    • Learn your personal best peak expiratory flow and how it impacts your asthma.
    • Learn your asthma triggers and how to avoid them (smoke, allergens, exercise, etc.).
    • Learn what to do when you start wheezing.
    • Learn how and when to use all medications in your treatment plan and any potential side effects of medications.
  • For children at school:
    • Have an Asthma Action Plan signed by your doctor on file at school.
    • Have an inhaler at school for child's use as needed.
    • Make an appointment for you and your child to meet with your child's teachers and school nurse to discuss your child's asthma.
  • Get a flu shot annually (if recommended by your doctor).
  • Know the effects of using tobacco and/or secondhand smoke on asthma. If you use tobacco, ask your doctor for help to quit. For free telephone counseling/support, call Colorado Quitline at 800-639-QUIT or visit their website at www.co.quitnet.com .
  • If you are a member and have questions about asthma, contact the Rocky Mountain Health Plans Chronic Disease Health Educator, Jean Juskie, R.N. at 970-248-5106 or 800-843-0719, extension 5106.

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CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

Take Control of Your Cardiovascular Disease

Here are some things you can do to better manage your heart disease:

  • Learn about your heart disease.
  • See your doctor regularly for your heart. Discuss your goals and review your progress at each visit.
  • Take your medications every day as directed. Remember to take all of your medications with you, including over-the-counter medications, to each doctor visit.
  • Know your numbers (blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and weight) and know how they impact your condition.
  • Take an aspirin every day if you are at least 21 years of age and if your doctor says aspirin is safe for you.
  • Limit saturated fats and cholesterol:
    • Avoid foods like egg yolks, fatty meats, skin on chicken, butter, cream, fried foods and coconut, palm, and palm kernel oils.
  • Eat healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, dried peas and beans, low-fat dairy products, skinless poultry, lean meats, and whole grains.
  • Be physically active. Exercise helps control weight and blood pressure.
    • Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program
    • Start physical activity slowly and build up to 30-60 minutes daily.
  • Aim for a healthy weight. Weight reduction will help lower your cholesterol level. Avoid excess fat around the waist.
  • Get a flu shot annually (if recommended by your doctor).
  • Know the effects of using tobacco and/or secondhand smoke on heart disease. If you use tobacco, ask your doctor for help to quit. For free telephone counseling/support, call Colorado Quitline at 800-639-QUIT or visit their website at www.co.quitnet.com.
  • If you are a member and have questions about heart disease, contact the Rocky Mountain Health Plans Chronic Disease Health Educator, Jean Juskie, R.N. at 970-248-5106 or 800-843-0719, extension 5106.
  • Click here to download a Heart Disease Checklist. (PDF, 1MB)

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DEPRESSION

Take Control of Your Depression

Think about how you have felt during the past month. Then answer these questions:

  • During the past month, have you often felt “down,” depressed, or hopeless?
  • During the past month, have you often taken little interest or pleasure in doing things you used to like?

If you answered yes to either question, Rocky Mountain Health Plans recommends you make an appointment to see your doctor to talk about depression.

Feeling unhappy on occasion is a normal and natural response to the stresses and tension of day-to-day living. However, if your unhappiness doesn’t go away or if it is affecting areas of your daily life such as your job, your family relations, or your social life, you may have depression. Depression can result in serious physical problems if not accurately diagnosed and treated.

The first step in diagnosing and treating your depression is to make an appointment with your doctor. Be open and honest when talking with your doctor, give as much information as you can. Ask questions, and voice concerns.

Click here to read a brochure about Diabetes and Depression.

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DIABETES

RMHP is a proud leader in the fight against diabetes. Our Improving Diabetes Outcomes in Mesa County program received the 2006 America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) Foundation Innovation and Excellence Award: Chronic Care. The RMHP initiative is a cooperative effort between Rocky Mountain Health Plans and primary care physicians to develop a unique approach to managing patients with diabetes. After two years, it has resulted in significant improvement in the measurable health outcomes of nearly 2,000 RMHP Members with diabetes. We look forward to expanding this initiative outside Mesa County to include all of our Members.

Take Control of Your Diabetes

Here are some things you can do to better manage your diabetes:

  • Learn what diabetes is.
  • With your doctor, develop a personalized treatment plan and goals for managing your diabetes.
  • See your doctor regularly for your diabetes. Discuss your goals and review your progress at each visit.
  •  Remember to take all of your medications, including over-the-counter medications, with you to each doctor visit.
  • Have the following tests done yearly:
    • urine test to detect early kidney disease.
    • complete foot exam
    • dilated eye exam (request that a copy of the exam be sent to your doctor).
  • Know your numbers:
    • A1C (glucose average)  -  Goal: below 7%
    • Blood Pressure  -  Goal: below 130/80
    • Cholesterol (LDL) -  Goal: below 100 mg/dl
  • Schedule diabetes education to learn how to:
    • test your blood sugar and record results.
    • make the best food choices.
    • check your feet daily.
    • recognize and treat low and high blood sugar levels.
    • exercise in healthy ways.
  • Get a flu shot every year and ask your doctor if you need a pneumonia vaccine.
  • If you are in childbearing years, discuss contraception and pregnancy planning.
  • Know the effects of using tobacco and/or secondhand smoke on diabetes. If you use tobacco, ask your doctor for help to quit. For free telephone counseling/support, call Colorado Quitline at 800-639-QUIT or visit their website at www.co.quitnet.com .
  • If you are a member and have questions about diabetes, contact the Rocky Mountain Health Plans Chronic Disease Health Educator, Jean Juskie, R.N. at 970-248-5106 or 800-843-0719, extension 5106.
  • Click on the links below for additional resources:

pdf Diabetes Care Checklist

pdf Diabetes Care Flowsheet

pdf Foot Assessment Tool

pdf Patient Foot Care Contract

pdf Diabetes Resource List

pdf Diabetes Resource List in Spanish

pdf Diabetes-Depression Brochure

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