Living Power Poised to Be Bigger and Better

Tracie Eubank on December 12, 2023

LivingPower November/December 2023

Army General James Van Fleet once said, “I’m always willing to accept change, as long as it isn’t change for the sake of change. If that change will result in a better way of doing things, then I’m all for it.” NCRGEA feels confident he would have agreed with the changes coming to Living Power.

Starting in January, Living Power has a completely new look and feel with a different publishing schedule — in its new quarterly magazine format. While continuing to keep members informed on matters that are important to them, Living Power will have more in-depth articles, more photographs, and a more user-friendly layout.

“The new magazine will provide us with a great format for telling the story of the positive impact that those who have worked in local and state government continue to have on North Carolina and our economy,” said Tim O’Connell, NCRGEA Executive Director. “It will allow us to better inform our members, recent retirees, and lawmakers on the ins and outs of pensions and healthcare plans.”

He added, “In addition, the magazine will allow us to present information in a more visually appealing format and provide content that complements our digital communications.”

In her role as Community Liaison at NCRGEA, Deryl Davis-Fulmer focuses on the many ways NCRGEA members are active in their local communities and in state-wide organizations. Regarding the new magazine, she is excited about the opportunity it provides to “shine a light on their accomplishments and maybe inspire others to get involved with their communities.”

Current feature columns along with new content enabled by the expanded format include:

  • NCRGEA Executive Director and Board of Directors President columns
  • State Treasurer’s column
  • Contributions from various Council of State members
  • NCRGEA member profiles
  • District Community Connections column
  • Calendar of upcoming NCRGEA events
  • Puzzles and games that will provide opportunities to engage and win prizes

To complement the new quarterly schedule of the magazine, other communications channels including social media, email, and the NCRGEA website, will be used to provide late-breaking news and timely information to members. The magazine will be available in both print and digital formats, so look for the print version to arrive in the mail and sign up for the digital version if you have not already done so. The digital magazine can be accessed via email or on our website.

Look for these exciting changes to Living Power coming in January and be sure to read to stay informed about all the ways that NCRGEA is advocating for and informing you. Get ready for change — not for the sake of change, but for a better way of doing things!

Be on the Lookout for These Gender-Specific Warning Signs of a Heart Attack

Tracie Eubank on December 11, 2023

Early intervention can make a significant difference in heart attack outcomes. Half of those who suffer cardiac arrest experience a symptom 24 hours before the incident. However, new findings indicate the warning symptoms can be different for women and men.

Sudden cardiac arrest outside a hospital has a ~90% mortality rate. Likewise, approximately half of the individuals who endure cardiac arrest experience at least one telltale symptom before the incident. Recognizing early warning signs can literally save lives.

A recent study highlights that heart-related symptoms might manifest differently in men and women. For medical practitioners, this news was pretty much expected. Men and women have differences in their anatomy and physiology, from the lungs and brain to muscles and joints. Similarly, men and women have differences in their cardiovascular systems. For example, women have smaller hearts and narrower blood vessels.

When it comes to cardiac arrest, both genders experience sweating and seizure-like activity. However, in addition to those symptoms, there can be significant differences in what men and women experience.

Gender-Specific Warning Signs

MenSymptomWomen
✅Chest Pain
Shortness of Breath✅
✅Nausea and Sweating✅
Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, abdomen, or back✅
✅Pain or discomfort in one or both arms or shoulders

For both patients and medical practitioners, identifying gender-specific symptoms that precede such a critical event has notable implications for the future of public health. If these findings can be used in clinical practice, the research can contribute to improved patient outcomes.

In addition to understanding symptoms, patients should understand the risk factors for heart disease. These include family history, high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, lack of physical exercise, and smoking.

While doing your best to limit or avoid these risk factors, it also makes sense to be prepared. We all have a risk of having a health issue, whether it be a heart attack, a stroke, or even cancer. A Cancer/Heart/Stroke policy from NCRGEA and AMBA is a smart investment. This plan pays money directly to you in one lump sum payment upon diagnosis of internal cancer or malignant melanoma, heart attack, or stroke. Use the money to cover the costs of hospital care, travel, out-of-pocket expenses, or however you want. To learn more call AMBA at 800-956-1228 or click to request a free Benefits Review.

Source: https://give.brighamandwomens.org/7-differences-between-men-and-women/#:~:text=Keep%20in%20mind%20that%20heart,symptoms%2C%20contact%20your%20healthcare%20provider

https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/heart_attack.htm

Santa Is Coming Down the Chimney. With AMBA Discounts, Prices Are Coming Down Too!

Tracie Eubank on December 8, 2023

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – and with AMBA Discounts, it’s even more wonderful! Getting into the fun and spirit of the gift-giving season is even more jolly when you can take advantage of all the thoughtful savings available through NCRGEA and AMBA. Get ready to save a Ho Ho Whole lot of money!

Electronics – The latest tech can be expensive, but not with AMBA Discounts on your side! We’ve got all the biggest and best brands, including Apple, Samsung, Lenovo, and Dell. We also offer big savings with Anker, the maker of the industry’s best chargers, power banks, and cables.

Curated Gifts – Our new partner Knack has the perfect gift for all your loved ones. One of our favorites from them is the “A Cold Winter’s Night” set. This gift set includes a cozy fringe throw blanket, super-warm (and soft!) socks, and a Swiss Cocoa Mug Candle. And that’s only one of their holiday-themed offerings. Snuggle up to 15% off your order with AMBA Discounts!

Family Vacations – Nothing brings us together like getting away together. There’s no better way to create lifetime memories and bond with the whole family than with a family vacation. AMBA Discounts partners include Adventures by Disney (AMBA Discounts members earn 4% cash back on your ultimate family enrichment vacation), Villas of Distinction (which gives members 2.5% cash back and $100 credit at hundreds of luxury vacation villas worldwide), and Bellagio Las Vegas (with up to 20% off room rates), and so many more options.

There are so many more savings to explore, including car rentals, hotels, clothing, dining, and more. AMBA Discounts provides great savings for the perfect gift for everyone on your holiday wish list.

Best of all, your membership is absolutely FREE! Start saving today!

Explore More Discounts

Members, if you don’t have your activation code, please call our office at 919-834-4652 or 800-356-1190.

Using AI and the Eyes to Achieve Insights into Alzheimer’s

Tracie Eubank on December 7, 2023

What if you could detect signs of Alzheimer’s disease 20 years before symptoms develop? With an incredible innovation harnessing Artificial Intelligence, researchers say they could unlock a new era in the diagnosis of this neurological disease that afflicts more than seven million Americans.

That number is predicted to rise, mainly because one of the biggest risk factors for dementia is age. For example, most people who develop dementia are over the age of 65. Dementia will become more common as the “baby boomer” generation ages into their 80s and 90s.

Researchers have studied individual hallmarks of Alzheimer’s, including brain inflammation and neurodegeneration, but the exact causes of the disease remain elusive. While there’s still a significant amount that remains to be understood about the brain and how it works, the power of AI can help connect the dots.

How AI Can Recognize Alzheimer’s Disease

One possible solution is to use machine learning to develop retinal scans and blood tests to identify people at risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. The AI model analyzes eye scans for anomalies like the buildup of certain proteins or blood vessels with a twisted shape, that are associated with Alzheimer’s.

Currently, medical professionals typically use diagnostic tools like PET scans or spinal taps to help detect early signs of Alzheimer’s. However, these diagnostic tools can be invasive and expensive.

With AI, not only can the process of getting a diagnosis be sped up, but it can also be made non-invasive and significantly cheaper.

The AI reads scans from a camera that can be attached to machines already available in most optometrists’ offices. The optometrist would instruct the patient where to look and scan four or five images in each eye.

The camera measures a wider range of the spectrum than the human eye can see, allowing the AI to detect unique optical signatures that correspond with the presence of amyloid in the brain. In a recent study, the model delivered impressive results in seconds: an 80% accuracy in detecting signatures of Alzheimer’s.

AI and the Future of Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis 🤖

However, there are still obstacles to overcome. The more information AI has, the more powerful it becomes. Medical data is comparatively scarce with a more limited sample to learn from. That means AI’s results can be easily thrown off. The goal would be to make the procedure part of an optometrist’s routine eye exam. And though the future will reap the benefits of this research, taking care of our eyes today is still essential. A good eye doctor can evaluate your eyes and catch issues early when they’re easiest to treat.  That’s why the Vision Plan from NCRGEA and AMBA is so important. The plan covers annual WellVision exams, 100% coverage for most lenses (even progressives!), and has thousands of nationwide in-network providers. Sign up today – acceptance is GUARANTEED! – at www.AMBAdentalvision.com/NCRGEA or call 800-956-1228.

Source: https://www.livemint.com/ai/is-the-eye-the-window-to-alzheimers-11696934785822.html

NCRGEA Virtual Lunch and Learn Webinar: January 2024

Tracie Eubank on December 7, 2023

January 10, 2024 @ 7:30 am – 8:30 am

Free virtual webinar Lunch & Learn Series: “Navigating NC’s Local Government Retirement System,” with panelist Tim O’Connell, Executive Director of NCRGEA and NCRGEA’s lobbyist Jessica Kozma Proctor.

This Lunch and Learn will cover:
• the founding of the local government retirement plan
• its current status
• the laws and rules related to cost of living adjustments, bonuses and more

Registration by Friday | January 5 is required for this FREE event. You will receive the Zoom link by email on Monday, January 8 and you don’t need a computer to participate! Join the virtual session using either the Zoom link, or the Zoom long distance phone number provided. If you have any questions, please email info@NCRGEA.com or phone 919.834.4652 or 1 800.356.1190.

Previous NCRGEA 2023 Lunch and Learn Series recordings can be found on our YouTube channel.

RGEA

(919) 834-4652

View Organizer Website

FREE

NCRGEA Lunch and Learn Webinar: DECEMBER

Tracie Eubank on November 17, 2023

December 6, 2023 @ 6:30 am – 7:30 am

**TIME HAS BEEN CHANGED FROM 12:30p.m. TO 11:30a.m.**

Free virtual webinar Lunch & Learn Series: “Social Security Changes in 2024.” 

This session will not be recorded at the request of Social Security Administration.

Hear directly from Lisa Wallace, a Social Security Public Affairs Specialist with the Social Security Administration.

    Registration by Friday | December 1 is required for this FREE event. Click the Register Now button at the top. Space is limited so please register soon. INVITE A FRIEND! You will receive the Zoom link by email on Monday, December 4 and you don’t need a computer to participate! Join the session using either the Zoom link, or the Zoom long distance phone number provided. If you have any questions, please email info@NCRGEA.com or phone 919.834.4652 or 1 800 356 1190.

    Previous NCRGEA 2023 Lunch and Learn Series recordings can be found on our YouTube channel.

    RGEA

    (919) 834-4652

    View Organizer Website

    FREE

    UNC Healthcare and ECU Health Weaken Pension

    Tracie Eubank on November 9, 2023

    November 8, 2023
    by Tim O’Connell

    dollar bills

    The decision to no longer extend State pension and health plan benefits to new employees of UNC Healthcare and ECU Health is detrimental to all North Carolinians.

    NCRGEA will continue to work with elected officials to move to a more fiscally sound solution to protect the pension and health plans so as not to increase the risk of retirement insecurity among healthcare workers and their retirees, especially its lowest-paid.

    Click to read article

    NCRGEA Lunch and Learn Webinar: November

    Tracie Eubank on November 8, 2023

    November 8, 2023 @ 7:30 am – 8:30 am

    Free virtual webinar Lunch & Learn Series: “Estate Planning.” 

    Our speakers will be Katie Kerns and Blake Agnew, District Managers from the Financial Advisory Services group of State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU). This webinar will discuss general estate planning topics, including:

    • Wills
    • Trusts
    • Powers of attorney
    • Advance health care directives
    • Estate planning and trust services offered to members by SECU through Members Trust Company

    Trust Services offered through Members Trust Company, a federal thrift regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Trust products are not credit union deposits, are not insured by the NCUA or any other federal government agency, are not obligations of or guaranteed by the credit union, Members Trust Company or any affiliated entity, and involve investment risks, including the possible loss of principal.

    Registration by Friday | November 3 is required for this FREE event. Click the Register Now button at the top. Space is limited so please register soon. INVITE A FRIEND! You will receive the Zoom link by email on Monday, November 6 and you don’t need a computer to participate! Join the session using either the Zoom link, or the Zoom long distance phone number provided. If you have any questions, please email Deryl@NCRGEA.com or phone 919.834.4652 or 1 800 356 1190.

    *This session will not be recorded at the request of our presenters with SECU*

    Previous NCRGEA 2023 Lunch and Learn Series recordings can be found on the NCRGEA YouTube channel.

    RGEA

    (919) 834-4652

    View Organizer Website

    FREE

    The inaugural Digital Holiday Dessert Cookbook is here, presented by your peers!

    Tracie Eubank on November 2, 2023

    It’s the holidays and time for good food and lots of desserts!

    NCRGEA members are spreading a little joy and comfort during this holiday season by sharing some of their best dessert recipes with you. Just click this link for the flipbook or download a copy. Then, heat up the oven and click on the music!

    Thank you to all who submitted your amazing recipes to help jumpstart the holidays and bring a little warmth into the season!!

    Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

    Deryl Davis Fulmer, PhD.
    NCRGEA Community Liaison