April 2026

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April 2026: Life, Health, and YOU

Healthy Aging for the Older Adults in Your Life

If you have older family members or loved ones, you may worry about their health as they age. As a family member, encouraging positive lifestyle choices can make a big difference, and it’s never too late to start.

Prevent social isolation and loneliness
As people age, they may spend more time alone due to health issues, the loss of a partner, or other life changes. Families can help by scheduling regular phone or video calls, encouraging participation in social activities like clubs or volunteer work, and helping them connect with community resources.

Encourage physical activity
Older adults who stay active often live longer and enjoy a better quality of life. Encourage activities such as walking, stretching, gardening, or light strength training.

Promote healthy eating
Eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can boost immunity and lower the risk of conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke. Families can help by grocery shopping together, preparing healthy meals, adapting traditional recipes to be healthier, and checking that food in the home is fresh and safe.

Schedule regular health checkups
Routine doctor visits and health screenings help identify potential problems early and manage conditions. Family members can help by reminding loved ones about appointments, offering transportation, helping track medications, and communicating with healthcare providers when needed.

Encouraging healthy behaviors may take time, but patience and support can help older loved ones stay healthier and more independent as they age.

Tips for Caregivers

Caregiving can be overwhelming, and it’s easy to neglect your own needs.

Here are some simple ways to care for yourself:

Reduce stress. Relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, or tai chi can help you unwind.

Make time for yourself. Set aside time each week to do something you enjoy.

Keep up with your health. Schedule regular checkups and let your doctor know you are a caregiver.

Ask for support. Talk with friends or family, consider counseling, or join a caregiver support group.

Take breaks when needed. Ask someone to help, hire a part-time aide, or look into adult day care programs.

Be kind to yourself. It’s normal to feel sad, frustrated, or guilty at times. Sharing your feelings with someone you trust can help.

National Health Observances

Each month, we feature select National Health Observances (NHOs) that highlight important health & life issues affecting people every day.

Alcohol Awareness Month was created discuss the stigma around alcohol and substance abuse.

Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month: The National Sexual Violence Resource Center coordinates this campaign to reinforce the need for more awareness and prevention around sexual assault.

Stress Awareness Month: The Health Resource Network sponsors this campaign to highlight causes of and cures for modern-day stress.

Mental Health Minute

Enhance Your Emotional Wellness

To develop a more positive mindset:

  • Remember your good deeds. Give yourself credit for the good things you do for others each day.
  • Forgive yourself. Everyone makes mistakes. Learn from what went wrong, but don’t dwell on it.
  • Spend more time with your friends. Surround yourself with positive, healthy people.
  • Explore your beliefs about the meaning and purpose of life. Think about how to guide your life by the principles that are important to you.
  • Develop healthy physical habits. Healthy eating, physical activity, and regular sleep can improve your physical and mental health.

Live Monthly Webinar

Caring for Aging Loved Ones

April 8, 2026

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Eastern

Register for this webinar in MY Portal. All webinars are recorded and saved in MY Portal about two to three days after the event.

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Supervisor Orientation Test

Welcome to your Supervisor Orientation Test! There are a total of 12 questions and you need to get at least nine correct to receive a passing grade. You may refer back to the Supervisor Orientation training materials if you need a refresher.

Which statement most closely describes an EAP?

A supervisor is not allowed to dispense a disciplinary action while an employee is being seen by the EAP, even if performance problems are continuing.

EAPs can reduce the risk of lawsuits by helping troubled employees resolve personal problems before they face adverse actions such as termination that can lead to expensive legal challenges.

Many professionals in the workplace may consult with supervisors, but the profession founded on the basis of helping troubled employees and consulting with supervisors in managing and intervening with troubled employees is:

Your employee says she has marital problems after you confront her about coming in late and calling in sick. As a result, you recommend that she call the EAP. The attendance problems stop. However, two months later, attendance problems return. Your prior discussion and recommendation to use the EAP was a "supervisor referral"?

Some employees have personal problems, but no performance problems. How would you respond: Your employee tells you she is having financial problems. She says if things get worse, she might have to file for bankruptcy. She has no performance problems. What would you do?

Your employee has a problem with absenteeism. When confronted, he says he will seek help from the EAP. A month later the absences continue. At this point, there is no need to make a supervisor referral because the employee has already gone.

Which one of these interactions with a troubled employee would most likely be perceived as serious and motivate change?

If you refer an employee to the EAP, but do not consult with the EA professional and do not provide written information concerning performance problems, all of the following are likely to happen EXCEPT:

If the employee is referred to the EAP, but refuses to sign a release of information, the supervisor will have no way of knowing if the employee followed through with the referral.

Meeting with an employee after referral to the EAP, and planning specific dates and times for other follow-up meetings is a powerful way of helping an employee feel a constructive sense of urgency to follow-through with the EAPs recommendations and reduce the likelihood of a return to performance problems.

You are concerned with your employee's continued absenteeism and problematic behavior on the job. You decide to refer your employee to the EAP. Unfortunately the employee does not go after agreeing to do so. How should you respond?