Read Issue 4 - 2019

If you’re caring for a spouse or other family member, taking care of your health and well-being is as important as the care you give your loved one.
Caregivers who readily give their time and energy to caring for a loved one are often the people who find it hardest to accept support so they can be healthy and happy, too.
“In many cases, we are seeing that caregivers end up sacrificing their own well-being when they should be able to live their best life,” says Eve Gelb, SCAN senior vice president.
If you’re a caregiver who’s used to being independent and self-sufficient, it may not be easy to admit you need help, and even harder to ask for it. Being there for a spouse or family member can be rewarding, but providing care 24/7 can take its toll on your physical and mental health. And if you get sick, it can prevent you from being able to care for the person you love. Being honest and open about your challenges and accepting help from people who care can keep you healthy. And that can mean a better life for both you and your loved one.
CEO Message: It’s Good News All Around
I’m happy to get to share some good news with you: For the third year in a row, Medicare has awarded SCAN a 4.5-Star rating*. And, for the second year, U.S. News & World Report named us one of the “Best Insurance Companies in California for Medicare Advantage 2020” (10/15/2019). This makes your health plan one of the highest-rated Medicare Advantage plans for quality of care and service.
Ask Member Services
How often does the Formulary change?
Cold or Flu? How to Tell, and Why It Matters
Sneezing and got a sore throat and a cough? It could be that you’ve come down with a cold or the flu. Both can make you feel much the same way so telling them apart can be tricky. But they’re actually very different, and knowing which it is will help you know what to do next.
Growing Older Doesn’t Have to Be a Pain
“I’m 84 and just assume pain is part of aging.”
Ways I Keep Upright: Three Things to Prevent Falls
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a lack of balance and have been prone to falling. I once spent a night with my daughter counting all of the times I have fallen; we stopped counting at 20!
Two New Scams Are Afoot
SCAN keeps an eye out for schemes that target seniors. Here are two of the most recent ones.
Working on All Fronts for Better Senior Care
SCAN regularly supports seniors in need through grants to community-based organizations that help older adults be healthy and stay independent. Most recently, SCAN provided grants totaling $150,000 across 14 organizations in our focus areas of emergency assistance, nutrition and general operations.