Many people find themselves paying too much at the pharmacy. Whether or not you have insurance, our free card may get you a better price on prescription medicine or durable medical equipment. As Houston NBC affiliate reporter Bill Spencer reports, one Texas grandmother was shocked to realize how much she was able to save by using RefillWise when buying her prescription medicine.
A free RefillWise card has helped people save up to 80% on prescriptions, and we are the only pharmacy discount provider offering cash rewards. Text JOIN to 22822 for a free card and let us know how much it saves you.
This week we celebrate Valentine’s Day, a day filled with love and hearts, which makes it the perfect time to remember to check your own heart health, and the heart health of your loved ones. February is also National Heart Month; what if instead of handing out Valentines, this year you express your love by encouraging your friends and family to focus on their heart health?
Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for Americans. The most common type of heart disease is coronary heart disease which is when the arteries in the body become narrow with plaque build up. This increases the likelihood of a heart attack.
Some people are prone to heart disease based on their genetics. If you have family members with heart disease, you are more likely to get heart disease too. But there are other risk factors based on lifestyle such as being overweight, not exercising, eating a poor diet, and smoking. High cholesterol and high blood pressure are also signs that you are at risk.
Whether you are at risk due to genetics or lifestyle choices, it is important to know that there are things you can do to lower your risk. Losing weight, exercising, healthy eating, and quitting smoking will all reduce the risk of heart disease. You can also take medications that will help lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
Heart Healthy Valentines
Changing your lifestyle can lower your risk so consider giving your valentine something that will help them be healthier.
Some heart healthy gift ideas are:
a gym membership
a date at a local nature preserve
a heart healthy meal such as salmon and roasted vegetables
a pact to quit smoking together
a heart healthy cooking class
See a Doctor
You should also encourage your loved ones to check with their doctor about their heart health. Regular screenings with a physician can help you learn about problems in time to make a change. A doctor will be able to check blood pressure and order a cholesterol screening and other tests. The results will help them determine your heart health and what options you have to lower your risk of heart disease. They may be able to prescribe medications that will help lower your cholesterol or blood pressure and can give you specific advice about lifestyle changes that will help you.
Sometimes people avoid seeing their doctor because they of the cost of medications they may need. If you or a loved one need a prescription but don't have insurance or can't afford it, use a free RefillWise card to save up to 80% at the pharmacy and earn cash rewards. You can save on medicines that lower blood pressure and cholesterol or help you quit smoking, and your cash rewards maybe used for anything in the store — like heart-healthy dark chocolate for your sweetie. What's not to love?
RefillWise has partnered with Dallas' Aberg Center for Literacy, whose mission is to build richer lives, stronger families, and better communities through programs in English fluency, preparation for high school equivalency in English and Spanish, early childhood education, and family literacy.
Aberg also offers GED classes available to native English speakers as well as ESL students who have reached proficiency level in English. Students can earn their high school diplomas and take classes in reading, writing, social studies, science, and math. The Aberg Center for Literacy enrolls students in Intermediate through Advanced Level English classes. The classes are free – students are only asked to pay a $40 materials fee per semester (fall and spring) for textbooks, binders, and supplies. Daily attendance is required and classes take place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. All ages are welcome. To ensure that adults can attend, Aberg offers an early childhood program for children three months to five years of age.
For Dallas-area residents who want to improve their Spanish, Aberg Center also offers community classes taught by university professors. The spring semester classes begin the week of Jan. 23.
To learn about more ways to get involved with The Center, click on this link for more information. You can also like Aberg Center on Facebook and LinkedIn, follow them on Twitter, subscribe to their newsletter, donate online, and show support in other ways.
Carrying out our mission of helping our neighbors and partners, the RefillWise team volunteers at The Senior Source, Dallas' go-to nonprofit for aging services. For more than half a century, The Senior Source has assisted, protected and connected older adults to resources, opportunities, and independence. Its mission is to enhance the overall quality of life and empower ALL older adults to thrive. This December, RefillWise donated items needed by a nursing home near our headquarters, making spirits bright, and participating in games with residents — including Bingo!
There are many nonprofits that help older people, so what distinguishes The Senior Source?
Longevity. Originally called The Senior Citizens Foundation of Dallas, The Senior Source has been serving the community since 1961, a time when Dallas had a population of about 700,000. The population of the Dallas area is nearly five times the size now, and at about 3.3 million, the fourth largest metropolitan area in the nation. The Senior Source's presence and commitment has made a real, long-lasting impact in the community.
Efficacy. The Senior Source has kept pace with Dallas’ growth and corresponding needs and serves more than 30,000 older adults and their family members every year in Dallas and Collin Counties.
Diversity of Programs. The Senior Source offers several programs and life-changing services, from a senior employment program to a guardianship and money management program.
Elder Support Program – specialists provide case coordination, supportive counseling and problem resolution to older adults and their caregivers.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program – staff and volunteers work to improve the quality of life in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Guardianship and Money Management Program – trained volunteers and staff help manage the personal and financial affairs of frail, vulnerable elderly.
Senior Employment Program – professionals provide mature job seekers with job search techniques, seminars, job leads, networking opportunities and computer training.
Senior Companion Program – older adults serve as in-home companions to elderly with special needs so they can remain independent.
AGE (Advocacy Group for Elders) – community members come together to address issues affecting older adults such as housing and healthcare.
Foster Grandparent Program – seniors are paired with children in early education settings, homeless shelters, community centers and hospitals.
RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) – volunteers help people look for a wide variety of volunteer activities for older adults.
ElderCare Partners – an arm of The Senior Source, this fee-based program delivers a level of expertise to the elderly and their families that no other geriatric care management service can match.
Elder Financial Safety Center - A unique collaborative partnership between The Senior Source, the Dallas County Probate Courts and the District Attorney’s Office, The Elder Financial Safety Center helps older adults to avoid the dangers of financial uncertainty and exploitation. The partnership is the only one of its kind in the nation dedicated specifically to older adults.
Relevance. The number of Americans aged 45-64 who will reach 65 over the next two decades has increased by 31 percent during this decade. By 2030, there will be about 72.1 million older persons, more than twice their number in 2000. RefillWise recognizes the needs of this growing aging population, which is why RefillWise serves so many who fall in this category.
Inclusivity. The Senior Source does not discriminate and offers life-changing services for older adults at all income levels, from the most active to the very frail.
To learn more about volunteering at The Senior Source, click on this link for more information. You can also like The Senior Source on Facebook and LinkedIn, follow them on Twitter, and donate online.
Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016 marks the 28th anniversary of World AIDS Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection, and mourning those who have died of the disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1.2 million Americans are living with HIV. And while the annual number of HIV diagnoses has declined 19 percent over the last decade – representative of a true decline in new infections – one in eight Americans don't know they have the disease. That's why the CDC encourages you to ask your healthcare provider for an HIV test. No one is immune to HIV, and everyone should get tested.
The RefillWise team recognizes the seriousness of this pandemic, which is why we are proud to partner with The Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse, which offers testing, prevention, case management, and support services to the public. For more than seven decades, the Council has been improving the health, safety, and productivity of communities by preventing problems with drug and alcohol abuse before they begin, intervening when they do, and promoting recovery for those already affected. The Council also focuses attention on HIV & AIDS. Among its services and resources, The Council offers:
Early Intervention program — provides services to people facing the unique set of challenges of living with chemical dependency and HIV.
HIV Outreach and Prevention program — locates and supports people affected by substance abuse and who are already HIV positive and don’t know it, and those who are at risk for contracting or spreading HIV infection.
HIV Resource Guide that publishes services and resources about HIV / AIDS available in North Texas.
Information Helpline — provides telephone assistance to North Texas callers matching their unique needs with local community alcohol and other drug prevention, intervention and recovery resources 214.522.8600 or Toll Free at (800) 246-HOPE (4673).
If you have contracted HIV or know someone who has, you can use your free RefillWise prescription discount card to save money and earn cash back on medicines needed to manage HIV, including PrEP. Prescription PrEP medicine like Truvada is used with other medicines to treat HIV and, with safe sex practices, prevent HIV transmission in high risk persons. PrEP medicine is not a cure for HIV. You can use our Find Your Drug page to see if RefillWise provides discounts and savings on any prescriptions you may need to manage chronic illnesses like HIV. But before considering purchasing any PrEP medications, including Truvada, consult with your healthcare provider about what medicines and preventative measures work best for you.
To learn about more ways to get involved with The Council, click on this link for more information. You can also like The Council on Facebook and LinkedIn, follow them on Twitter, and donate online.
