November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes research, education, and advocacy plays a crucial role in helping those at risk prevent diabetes and treat those who have diabetes more effectively. Talk to your doctor about getting a baseline hemoglobin A1C blood test, the only test that can determine if you are diabetic. Diabetes is a serious disease but it can be managed through incorporating healthy lifestyle habits into your daily routine and taking doctor prescribed medications.
Reminder: Annual Benefits Open Enrollment ends Friday, November 11, 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.
My Health Coach
National Diabetes Month: Tips for Healthy Living
Health Coach Gerry Pierre, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist & Certified Diabetes Educator, from My Health Coach, will lead a discussion focused on nutrition, exercise, and stress reduction to help manage your diabetes or reduce your risk of developing diabetes. Plus, a healthy food demo!
Thursday, November 17, 11:00 a.m.
Register through Zoom
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.
"Health Coaching has dramatically improved my life. I did not feel like I had the willpower to make smart and healthy choices before meeting Coach Gerry, but she has taught me how to get back on track and create healthy life habits. Always a cheerleader for my success, she encourages me to work harder to be a better version of myself – a version I thought was long lost! I am proud and grateful to be a part of the My Health Coach process, and hopefully an inspiration for someone like me out there – who just needs a little hand on the shoulder to push them forward!” — LeeAnn Coleman, Human Resources
Benefits of Quitting Smoking/Smoking Cessation
After you quit smoking, your body begins to heal almost immediately. Enjoy these improvements to your health beginning as soon as 20 minutes after your last cigarettes and learn tips on improving your chances for success.
It’s Flu Season
Since flu season typically begins in the fall and runs through the winter, now is a good time to ask your doctor(s) which immunizations you need and how often you need them based on this checklist. Additionally, you can speak with a TrestleTree Health Coach about your risks or any health concern.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
November is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Lung cancer screenings can detect 80% of lung cancer at an early stage when it is easier to treat. Learning about the risk factors associated with developing lung cancer, such as smoking history, age, family history, and exposure to toxic substances, can help lower fear and uncertainty commonly associated with this disease. MSK Direct encourages you to learn more about lung health and early lung screening.
Join Carebridge this month for the following virtual offering:
Stress Management for the Holidays
Learn practical tips for dealing with stress that occurs around the holidays so the holidays can be a joyful and peaceful time.
Tuesday, December 6, 10:00 a.m.
Register through Zoom
QuitSmart™ Mindfully: A Purpose-driven Mindfulness Solution to Help You Stop Tobacco Use
Taught by an expert teacher, this live, virtual, 10-session mindfulness program will help you build strategies to cope with cravings and address the emotions behind the addiction.
UnitedHealthcare
Sanvello™ is a mental telehealth app that uses clinically backed principles and mindfulness meditation to help you with anxiety, depression, and stress. Connect with the tool on-demand, which is designed to help you stay engaged every day for benefits you can feel. The app is available to you and covered family members aged 13 and over enrolled in UnitedHealthcare (UHC) at no extra cost as part of your plan’s behavioral health benefits.
Aetna
If you or your dependent are struggling with substance abuse, Aetna’s Institutes of Quality® can help you find top rated, inpatient addiction facilities to assist with withdrawal management, treatment options, and much more. To locate an in-network substance abuse facility call Aetna at (800) 535-6689 or use the provider search tool on aetna.com.
2023 Annual IRS Contribution Limits for the Retirement Savings Plan 403(b)
The annual 403(b) contribution limits for 2023 have changed from 2022. If you are under age 50, the annual contribution limit is $22,500. If you are age 50 or older in the calendar year, you may contribute an extra $7,500 “catch-up” contribution, for a total annual contribution limit of $30,000.
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.
One-hour Financial Seminars on Wednesday, November 16
Preparing for Retirement, 9:00 a.m.
Princeton University Retirement Plan Basics, noon
Frick Chemistry Room #281
Register through Zoom
Isles
Insurance Ins and Outs
Join Isles for a virtual presentation on automobile, homeowners, and renters insurance. An industry representative will explain how insurance works, how much you need, and what factors affect the price you pay.
The webinar is free but you must register to attend.
Wednesday, November 9, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Register through Zoom
TIAA
Keep your financial goals on track with TIAA’s live webinars, including “Inside Money: Managing Income and Debt” and “The Power of Savings.” 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.
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.