SCAN Health Plan Arizona Offers Five Tips for a

Healthier Thanksgiving

(PHOENIX, AZ – November 8, 2010) — Thanksgiving officially launches the holiday season, which can be fun and festive for some and emotionally and physically challenging for others. Since seniors are especially vulnerable to certain holiday-related health pitfalls, SCAN Health Plan Arizona offers these five tips to a healthier Thanksgiving – and holiday – season:

1. Don’t dine alone. Many senior centers and community organizations provide opportunities for people to enjoy a hearty Thanksgiving meal in the company of others. Sharing the holiday not only lifts your spirits, but provides a well-balanced healthy meal. If you’re able, consider volunteering to help prepare and serve this year’s Thanksgiving feast at your local senior center.
2. Mind your heart. Calories and fat still count during the holidays. Overeating can lead to everything from heartburn to a heart attack. Limit gravies, butter and other high-fat choices with plenty of vegetables and lean white meat. If you experience chest pain, seek medical attention immediately.
3. Drink in moderation. Besides a nasty hangover and obvious safety hazards, over-imbibing can have many negative effects – some social and some physical – including depression, an inflammation of the pancreas, hepatitis and an irregular heartbeat. Limit your intake to no more than one alcoholic drink per day for women and no more than two drinks per day for men. And never drink and drive.
4. Plan ahead. Keep an up-to-date list of medications you are taking. If you do face a health emergency during the holidays, it’s vital that your doctor knows your current medical conditions and has a list of your medications.
5. Keep your health in focus. If you feel under the weather – physically or mentally – during the holidays, don’t wait to visit your doctor. Colds, flu and depression are much more common during this season.

“This can be the start of a stressful time of year, which makes it especially important that seniors take care of themselves,” said Tom Lescault, president of SCAN Health Plan Arizona. The SCAN Connections Resource Center can provide a list of local resources and senior centers to help residents find appropriate activities and services during the holidays and throughout the year. For assistance, call 602-778-3420.

About SCAN Health Plan
SCAN Health Plan is the country’s fourth largest not-for-profit Medicare Advantage plan, currently serving nearly 130,000 members in California and Arizona. SCAN Health Plan Arizona was recently named one of the area’s best places to work by the Arizona Business Journal, one of the state’s most admired companies by Arizona Business Magazine, and one of the nation’s best places to work in healthcare by Modern Healthcare. Further information may be obtained at http://www.scanhealthplan.com.