November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. The focus of this year’s campaign is on prediabetes and preventing type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes is a serious health condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Approximately 88 million American adults, that’s 1 in 3, have prediabetes and many are unaware of their condition. It is important to get a baseline hemoglobin A1C blood test at age 45 or earlier if you have one or more risk factors.
Reminder: Annual Benefits Open Enrollment ends Friday, November 12 at midnight. See the webpage for complete details.
Taking care of your physical, mental, and financial wellness is extremely important. We hope this monthly benefits newsletter will make it easy and convenient for you to do just that.
PHYSICAL WELLNESS
My Health Coach
A hemoglobin A1C test is a simple blood test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. Getting a baseline test can diagnose prediabetes, which can help you delay or prevent type 2 diabetes. The test also provides a long-term look at your glucose levels, which is crucial information since high blood sugar can lead to serious complications, including heart disease, kidney disease, eye problems, nerve damage, and other health issues. Consult with your doctor about whether you should be tested.
If you are living with diabetes it is imperative you are educated on how to manage the disease, so you can lead a happy, healthy life. Princeton offers a Diabetes Management Incentive Program for those diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes, which provides a $250 taxable cash incentive and a copay waiver through OptumRx for certain drugs and supplies related to diabetes care.
Watch this video about National Diabetes Awareness Month, featuring Health Coach Gerry Pierre.
Get more details on the My Health Coach program.
Health Advocate
While diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy, the encouraging news is you can actually slow or reverse the progression of the disease by making healthy lifestyle changes.
Learn more about Health Advocate.
MENTAL WELLNESS
Carebridge
Carebridge Onsite Counseling Program at the New Employee Wellness Center
Confidential, in-person counseling sessions through Carebridge, Princeton’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), are available at the new Employee Wellness Center located at 350 Alexander Street. If you would like to speak confidentially with a Carebridge counselor, schedule a free consult on their appointment website.
Personal Life Coaching with Carebridge
Life coaching can assist you in figuring out your strengths, your personality, your values, and developing a personal vision to achieve your goals. This benefit offers six free personal life coaching consults, by phone, provided by certified life coaches.
Be kind to your mind! Discover the ways Carebridge, our Employee Assistance Program, can support you and your family.
FINANCIAL WELLNESS
CAPTRUST
CAPTRUST’s number one mission is to connect participants with timely, relevant, and actionable content to help you make smarter financial decisions and ultimately retire with confidence. This benefit is free, completely confidential, and provided by a company that has no products or services to sell you.
CAPTRUST Financial Advisors will be conducting virtual and phone consultations on November 17.
Topics covered in the 45-minute individual advisory sessions include retirement and general financial planning and investment education and advice. Schedule your appointment.
To speak to a counselor about the University’s retirement plan and/or other financial issues, call the Retirement Advice Line at (800) 967-9948. For more information, including articles, videos, and other valuable resources, visit the CAPTRUST website.
Managing Credit & Fraud Prevention
This webinar will explain how to get information about your credit, as well as what credit reports contain and why it is important to review them. It will also cover steps that can help you avoid fraud and identity theft.
Wednesday, November 17, 1:00 p.m.
Register
TIAA
Keep your financial goals on track with TIAA’s live webinars, including “Financial Housekeeping for Now and Later” and “Strategies for Staying on Track.” For the complete listing of this month’s TIAA webinars, visit the registration page.
TIAA offers individual retirement counseling sessions, either online or by phone, which provide in-depth planning assistance. To schedule an appointment, register online.
Isles
Isles is dedicated to helping people manage everyday money issues such as budgeting, saving, and reducing debt. They also provide HUD-certified housing counselors who can assist those looking to purchase a first home, as well as those having difficulty meeting their mortgage or rent obligations. Counseling is available in English and Spanish.
Learn more about the programs and services provided by Isles.
The Employee Wellness Center @ 350 Alexander is Now Open
In our new space, you’ll find support to help you care for yourself and your family, so you can thrive at work and at home. Whatever challenges you’re facing, help is available. Get more details on the HR website.
Questions?
For questions about physical or mental wellness resources, contact Lynn Herbine. For financial wellness inquiries, contact Jane Edgar. The Benefits Team is available to assist at (609) 258-3302 or [email protected]. For complete details on all wellness resources and programs, visit the HR website.