Five Tips to a Healthier Thanksgiving for Seniors
Posted on: Thursday, 19 November 2009, 11:27 CST
PHOENIX, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Thanksgiving 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 offers these five tips to a healthier Thanksgiving - and holiday - season:
- Don't dine alone. Many senior centers provide opportunities for people to enjoy a hearty Thanksgiving meal in the company of others. Sharing the holiday with others not only lifts your spirits, but provides a well-balanced healthy meal. If you're able, find out how to volunteer to help prepare and serve this year's Thanksgiving feast.
- 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, don't delay seeing a doctor.
- 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.
- Plan ahead. Be sure to have an up-to-date list of medications you are taking. If you do face a health emergency during the holidays, it's important for your doctor to know your current medical conditions and have a list of your medications.
- 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.
"Thanksgiving can be a joyous start to the holiday season, but it is especially important that seniors take care of themselves during this time," said Tom Lescault, president of SCAN Health Plan Arizona.
As part of an ongoing commitment to improving the lives of seniors, SCAN Health Plan Arizona is an exclusive sponsor of "Healthy Tips for Successful Aging" with ABC 15. Each week, the station airs 30-second health tips provided by SCAN. The health plan also is the exclusive studio sponsor for KOY radio and co-hosts "Senior Focus," a broadcast dedicated to senior-related issues.
About SCAN Health Plan
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. The company currently serves 110,000 members in Southern California. In Arizona it offers a Medicare Advantage Plan in Maricopa County. Further information may be obtained at scanhealthplan.com.
SOURCE SCAN Health Plan Arizona
Source: PR Newswire
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