Senior Concerns in Thousand Oaks Awarded Grant from SCAN

Health Plan to Support Emergency Assistance for Seniors in Need

(THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF. – June 22, 2011) — Senior Concerns in Thousand Oaks has been awarded a $15,000 grant from SCAN Health Plan to establish an emergency assistance fund. The money is to be used to provide one-time financial support to local seniors faced with unexpected expenses.

"Especially in these difficult financial times, money problems can interfere with seniors' ability to remain independent and in their own homes as they age," said Lena Perelman, director of community outreach for SCAN, a senior-focused not-for-profit health plan. "With these emergency assistance funds, locally based organizations such as Senior Concerns can work directly with seniors in their communities who are facing immediate challenges."

The funds may be used to cover expenses such as: transportation; food assistance; respite; housing assistance; adult daycare programs; utility payments; adaptive devices, such as ramps, bath benches and grab bars; home repairs; or support for other basic necessities.

This is the second year in a row that SCAN has awarded emergency assistance grants. In 2010 Human Services Agency (HSA) in San Joaquin received a $15,000 emergency assistance grant from SCAN. In one example of how the money is used, HSA was able to help out a gentleman in his seventies who lost everything he owned due to fire. HSA helped him acquire clothing and replaced his destroyed bicycle – his primary mode of transportation.

"We are honored to have Senior Concerns recognized by SCAN as worthy of carrying out this program," said Senior Concerns President Lori Litel, MSW. "This is an incredible opportunity to serve seniors in our community who may be in urgent need."

Serving the community since 1975, Senior Concerns is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the senior community and especially frail and special-need seniors, caregivers and families by providing quality programs, appropriate resources and educational outreach. More information may be obtained at seniorconcerns.org.

For more than 30 years, SCAN Health Plan has been focusing on the unique needs of seniors and is now the country’s fourth largest not-for-profit Medicare Advantage plan. SCAN's community-giving program is focused on helping to meet immediate needs – and assist with closing gaps – in community services. For more information, visit scanhealthplan.com.