SCAN Health Plan Offers

Holiday Health Tips for Seniors

Depression and Stress Top the List of Holiday Health Issues

(PHOENIX, AZ – December 20, 2010) — ‘Tis the season jam packed with family gatherings, frantic trips to the mall, and an abundance of the tastiest food and drink … or not. Whether the season brings too much or too little, it can be one of the most stressful times of the year – especially for seniors.

According to Dr. Marc Lato, medical director for SCAN Health Plan Arizona, there are many strategies seniors and others can use to reduce stress and remain healthy during the holidays. “It is particularly important during the holidays to be aware of the signs of illness or depression,” says Dr. Lato. “It’s easy to get wrapped up in all the activities of the season and neglect your health or not notice when a loved one isn’t coping well.”

SCAN Health Plan offers seven tips for a healthier holiday season:

1. Set a budget. Overspending can be a great source of mental and physical stress, not to mention its long-term financial impact. “Seniors, in particular, often have a fixed income,” Dr. Lato notes. “This underscores the need to know your spending limits and stick to a budget.”
2. Be particular about your social activities. Getting together with friends and family is one of the most joyous parts of the season. However, overdoing it can lead to added stress, fatigue, and excessive eating and drinking. It’s important to balance social engagements and time alone. Too much of either is unhealthy.
3. Share tasks. It’s okay to ask for and accept help from others. With so much to do in just a few short days, enlist others to help clean, prepare meals and wrap gifts.
4. Get plenty of rest. Lack of sleep contributes to overeating, poor judgment, fatigue, depression and a lowered immune system. Maintain your regular sleep schedule as much as possible.
5. Watch your diet. Be sure to get plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats. “A good diet gives you more energy and increases your body’s ability to fight infection,” says Dr. Lato. Offset indulgences of dessert or a high-fat meal with healthy foods.
6. Drink … lots of water. Seniors should drink at least eight glasses of water every day. Limit alcohol to no more than one drink per day for women and two for men, and offset each alcoholic beverage with an extra glass of water. Alcoholic beverages also can have adverse interactions with certain medications. “Excess alcohol can lead to dehydration, fitful sleep and depression,” he warns. “And NEVER drink and drive.”
7. Know the signs of depression. The holidays can trigger depression, especially for those who are already dealing with the death of a loved one or a health challenge. Don’t face it alone. Talk to your doctor who can recommend lifestyle changes, counseling or medication.

“Above all, be realistic about the demands of the season,” suggests Dr. Lato. “If you first identify those things that are most likely to cause you stress, you can then focus on ways to reduce anxiety and increase enjoyment.”

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 nonprofit Medicare Advantage plan in the United States. SCAN serves nearly 130,000 members in Arizona and California. Further information may be obtained at http://www.scanhealthplan.com.