SCAN Health Plan Arizona Urges Seniors to Stay Safe During the Holidays
(PHOENIX, Ariz. – December 9, 2011) — Along with all of the fun and festivities, the holidays also bring increased dangers and more visits to the emergency room. Hospitals see as much as a 20 percent increase in emergency department visits among the elderly during this time of year. Many holiday pitfalls can be avoided with increased awareness and some safety precautions.
SCAN Health Plan Arizona urges seniors to be extra cautious, especially when it comes to these five prominent safety concerns:
- Slips and trips – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 39,000 people are hospitalized each holiday season due to trips and falls. Seniors face increased risk of falls when traveling or visiting relatives because these environments may not have the same safety considerations as there are at home. Watch out for throw rugs, uneven walkways and steep stairways.
- Holiday decorations – Another 17,000 people wind up in the emergency room for injuries sustained while putting up holiday decorations. Don’t overdo it. Lifting and moving heavy boxes can lead to back injuries. Put somebody else on the task of hanging lights from the roofline.
- Car crashes – Distracted, rushed drivers contribute to a higher number of auto accidents during the holidays. Because aging results in slower reaction times, it may be best to avoid particularly busy areas during the day and limit night driving as much as possible.
- Con artists – Law enforcement sees a spike in scams this time of year, many of which target seniors specifically. Some con artists pose as charity organizations looking for donations over the phone or door to door. Another popular scheme is for a scammer to pose as a grandchild who needs the grandparent to wire them money. This scam can be carried out via phone or online. Don’t be a victim of fraud. Never give out personal information over the phone or online. Always confirm the legitimacy of any request before making a donation or offering assistance. Also, be sure to lock all windows and doors at night and when you leave the house.
- Respect Your Limits – Whether it’s drinking, eating or getting enough sleep, listen to your body. If you drink don’t drive, and be cautious of interactions between alcohol and medications. Overeating can cause heartburn and abdominal pain. Adequate sleep is especially important this time of year to help you fight infection, remain alert, and avoid some of the other holiday risks like car crashes and falls.
“The holidays represent a time of celebration and enjoying time with loved ones, but they also come with some risk,” said Elizabeth Russell, chief executive officer of SCAN Health Plan Arizona. “The entire SCAN Health Plan family encourages seniors to stay safe and healthy this holiday season.”
For more than 30 years, SCAN Health Plan has been focusing on the unique needs of people with Medicare and today is the fourth-largest not-for-profit Medicare Advantage plan in the United States. SCAN Health Plan Arizona serves approximately 15,000 members in Maricopa and Pima counties. Further information may be obtained at http://www.scanhealthplan.com.
Members of the news media may contact:
Carol Stevenson
818-597-8453, ext. 3
carols@kevinross.net.
