Audio version

27

HEALTH & HABITAT

October/November 2013 www.esb.ie/em

CREDIT UNION NEWS UPDATE

ST PATRICK'S CREDIT UNION (ESB STAFF) LTD
By Simon Dunne

INTERNATIONAL CREDIT UNION DAY

ICU Day will be celebrated this year on Thursday October 17th.The theme this year is ‘Credit Unions Unite for Good -A Better Way'. Look out for our website competition and the chance to win a fantastic prize!

VALERIE HAND MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

We are delighted to announce that the Valerie Hand Memorial Scholarship for 2013 has been awarded to Tony Hughes of Macroom Credit Union. We wish him every success with his studies.

NEWSLETTER

The next edition of our Newsletter will be sent out with the October statements and also available online from mid-October. Be sure to read your copy - as well as a competition to win a €250 One4All voucher we have helpful hints for cutting the cost of Christmas and sound investment advice from Warren Buffet.

EXTENDING GREEN LOAN

Did you know that you will soon be able to apply for our Green Loan at a fixed rate of just 5.5% p.a. to help fund the purchase of an electric vehicle? Further details will be available soon.

NOT YET A MEMBER?

Thinking of joining the Credit Union? In the current climate banks are reducing staff and as a result customer service is suffering. At St Patrick's Credit Union we are committed to delivering a personal service to all our members. In addition, with standard loan rates from as little as 7.5% variable and one-year loans at only 5.9% fixed; plus the convenience of deduction at source, there's never been a better time to join. See our website www.stpat-rickscu.ie or call us on Freephone 1800 94 00 77.

St Patrick's Credit Union Competition

Win an iPod nano!

To be in with a chance of winning please answer the following question and text your answer to 087 985 8238 in the following format:

“CUCOMP followed by your answer (i.e. a, b or c) and your name”

What is the Green Loan fixed rate?

a) 5.5% b)11.2% c)9.9%

Important: Only one entry per person, no mail entries acceptable, and the closing date is the November 29th 2013.

Last issue's winner was Eadaoin Farrell, working in Stephen Court.

Congratulations Eadaoin -youriPod nano is on the way out to you.

Will you take the SPORTSCO Leaderboard challenge?

NOW ON!

No matter what your favourite exercise, we have a challenge for you! From squats to swimming, from TRX to rowing, test yourself this month and set the bar for everyone else! Use our Leaderboard and challenge yourself to be the best you can be in September. Choose from the following events;-

• Gym events: TRX 40/40 challenge; squat challenge; bench press challenge; 2,000m rowing challenge

• Pool events: swim any style 50m, 200m, 800m

You can take a challenge as often as you wish throughout the month, however, only the best score/ time will be on the board. All participants must complete a health screening before participating in a challenge. The challenges are open to SPORTSCO members only.CREDIT UNION NEWS UPDATE

YOUR HEALTH & WELLBEING

CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
IT'S IMPORTANT TO TAKE SOME TIME TO CHECK YOUR OWN HEALTH.

>>CHOLESTEROL AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

CHOLESTEROL ISA LIPID or fat, occurring naturally in the body. However, if there is too much cholesterol in the blood, it sticks to the artery walls to form atheroma or plaque. This process is called hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis.

If an artery supplying the heart muscle becomes blocked completely, the heart muscle becomes damaged. This is known as a heart attack. If the artery to the brain is completely blocked, it damages the brain. This is called a stroke. High levels of cholesterol in the blood are caused by too much saturated fat in the diet. The main sources of saturated fat are foods like butter, hard margarine, lard, cream, cheese, fatty meat, cakes biscuits and chocolates.

There are two main types of cholesterol - HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) and LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein).

HDL cholesterol, also called ‘good’ cholesterol, protects against cardiovascular disease. It travels through the arteries to the liver where it is broken down and passed out of the body. Regular physical activity can help increase HDL levels.

LDL cholesterol, also called ‘bad’ cholesterol, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. It travels through the arteries to the liver where it is broken down and passed out of the body. Regular physical activity can help increase HDL levels.

Triglycerides are another type of fat in the blood. High blood levels of triglyceride can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Being overweight, drinking too much alcohol, eating too many sugary foods and being inactive all contribute to high triglyceride levels.

The only way to know if an individual has a high cholesterol level is to have a blood test. Total cholesterol levels should be less than 5mmol/l (the measurement used for cholesterol in the blood is mill moles per litre)

• LDL cholesterol (bad) should be less than 3mmol.l

• HDl cholesterol (good) should be greater than 1mmol/l

• Triglycerides should be less than 2mmol/l.

For more information log on to www.irishheart.ie

ESB HEALTH CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH SCREENING

Cardiovascular health screening is available to all employees (and spouses/civil partners) on a three yearly basis as part of ESB's commitment to your health and wellbeing. The overall purpose of this programme is to improve your health so that you can enjoy a better quality of life. The screening programme covers physical tests (height, weight and BMI), laboratory tests, cholesterol tests and triglycerides, plus a glucose/diabetes test, blood pressure and finally, lifestyle (comment on nutrition, overall health, etc.) A cardiovascular risk score is calculated on the basis of all the results which predict the chances of any individual having Cardiovascular disease within the next ten years.

Watch out for cardiovascular health screening which is due to start on the October 29th, covering Head Office, Leop-ardstown, Naas, and Dundalk. This year a more detailed report will issue to you to guide you on how best to improve your own personal cardiovascular health.

FLU VACCINATION PROGRAMME 2013-2014

What is flu?

Flu is a highly infectious acute respiratory illness caused by the flu virus and affects people of all ages. Outbreaks of flu occur almost every year, usually in winter and hence it is also known as seasonal flu. While most people recover within a week, flu can cause serious illness and death, especially in the very young and in the elderly and in those suffering with certain chronic medical conditions.

How can flu be prevented?

Flu can be prevented by vaccination. Flu vaccination is an effective way to help prevent flu infection, avoiding hospitalisation, reducing flu related deaths and illnesses.

ESB Health Services has teamed with Boots Pharmacy to provide the winter flu vaccination to all staff again this year.

Each member of staff will receive a letter in the internal post which will invite them to avail of the service by presenting the letter at their nearest Boots Pharmacy.

• This service is free of charge for active, VSS and retired staff.

• VSS and retired staff can avail of this service by contacting ESB Health Ser vices at esbhealthservices@esb.ie or by calling a designated phone line 01 702 6261.

• If you have a Medical Card or GP Visit Card the vaccine and consultation are free.

• If a staff member wishes to receive a voucher for their spouse/civil partner they can request same through ESB Health Services and €25 will be de ducted from the staff member's salary.

(This service is available until the end of January 2014).

Where it is not possible for a staff member to attend a Boots Pharmacy, they may be considered for a GP refund of up to €25. Spouses/civil partners are not eligible for this refund.

How do I avail of this service?

Once you receive your letter in the internal post, you can present same at your nearest Boots Pharmacy.

• Make appointment with your Boots Pharmacy to avoid delay.

• Produce a photographic ID, preferably your staff ID.

• Spouses/civil partners must have some form of ID and know their ESB partner's staff number.

• To meet the requirements of the HSE you will also need to bring your PPS number.

Do I need a flu vaccination every year?

Yes, the World Health Organisation monitors the strains of flu circulating every year. Annual vaccination with the most recent strains is recommended. The 2013-2014 flu vaccine will protect against the three flu viruses that research indicates will be most common during the season.

Who should not be vaccinated?

The vaccine should not be given to persons with known severe allergic reaction to eggs or to some people who have had previous reactions vaccinations. It should also be postponed in individuals who are suffering from a high temperature. Stay flu-free this winter and get vaccinated early.

For further information on the seasonal Flu visit: http://esbnet/sharedservices/health/medical_cond/

HEALTHYTIPS

• Make an appointment with your GP if you have a health problem

• Think about small changes you can make to your diet and exercise

• Promise you'll go to the next health screening when invited.

HEALTH & WELLBEING COMPETITION

Win a €50 One 4 All voucher

To be in with a chance of winning one of the vouchers, please answer the following question:
What is the name of the Pharmacy that all ESB staff can avail of the free flu vaccine?

(a) Boots (B) Dolan’s (C) Flaherty’s

Please email your answer to: kathleen.mcdonnell@esb.ie.
Closing date: November 8th

Congratulations to Aoife Keenan, working in ESB Staff Insurance who was the lucky winner in the last draw.