4 Tips to Live a Healthy Senior Lifestyle

SCAN Desert Health Plan Senior Advocates and Peer Advocates are SCAN members who also work part-time for SCAN. These SCAN insiders share what matters most when it comes to their health.

“Walking is a life saver for me—the sunshine, fresh air and change of scenery,” says SCAN Peer Advocate Evelyn McDonald. But Evelyn knows that a fall could keep her from her favorite pastime, so she is taking steps (literally!) to be able to do what she loves for as long as possible.

“The thought of a broken bone is not inviting,” she says. “That’s why, before sitting down at my part-time job, I walk around the block for 10 to 15 minutes. I like knowing I have some sort of muscle reflex to catch myself in case I happen to stumble.”

Healthy Lifestyle Tip #1: Find Your Focus

Knowing your “why” can be a helpful guide for “how” to meet your health goals. When figuring out your why, ask yourself, “What matters to me in my life?” Is it being independent, spending time with family and friends, feeling good about yourself—or something else?

Answering these questions can help you decide what to focus on for exercise, diet and other health and wellness efforts. And when you’re tempted to let up, having a clear idea of what health goals you’re working toward can help you stay the course on your journey to better health.

Healthy Lifestyle Tip #2: Find Your Way to a Healthy Lifestyle

For many people, being able to interact with others is closely tied to their health and happiness. SCAN Senior Advocate Judy Velarde found this was true for her during the COVID-19 pandemic, which left her feeling disconnected and lonely. Now that the pandemic’s restrictions are mostly behind us, Judy is finding her way back to social connections and increasing her health and well-being.

“What’s really helped me to feel more positive again is doing simple things, like walking in a park where I see other people,” she says. “Regular walks aren’t only good for our bodies, but they also really affect mood and attitude.” Staying in touch with friends—talking by phone, meeting for lunch, and sharing books to read—has also helped her come back from the blues.

Healthy Lifestyle Tip #3: Use Your “Why” to Drive Healthy Decisions

Recovering after an injury or illness, dealing with a chronic health condition, or feeling the effects of aging can also prompt you to take stock of what’s important to your health and then set new routines and goals.

One of our SCAN Advocates spoke with SCAN member Julio M., who was facing a tough decision. He explained it was getting hard to walk, even with a walker, and he knew he was slowing down his friends and family.

So, when his doctor and family recommended he start using a wheelchair, he had to really think about what mattered most to him. Was it to be able to move under his own power, without a wheelchair? If so, that would mean a real commitment to long-term physical therapy. Or was it to be able to keep up with his family now?

He ultimately decided on both. He uses a wheelchair when going out—and says the grandkids love it! But he also does exercises to maintain his strength and has installed grab bars at home for safety.

SCAN Senior Advocate Robert Guzman agrees that you need to know your limits. “It’s important to recognize when I’m doing too much. There’s the right amount of exercise, working around the house, working at the job, and eating well. But it can become hard to balance. Mental health and physical health go hand in hand, so you have to know when enough is enough.”

Healthy Lifestyle Tip #4: Make the Right Choices for Your Health and Well-being

SCAN Senior Advocate Susanne Perez knows what it’s like to have a change in health prompt a change in lifestyle. After experiencing a serious medical condition last year, Susanne overhauled her daily routines. She uses her Fitbit fitness tracker (included in her SCAN Medicare Advantage plan) to track her steps. She credits her Fitbit with helping to build her lung capacity and endurance. She’s also eliminated sugar from her diet to help manage other conditions.

While each of the SCAN Advocates we spoke with has their own “why,” they agreed that a healthy mindset is key. They say that choosing to think more positively helps them to take the steps needed to maintain their health, happiness, and independence. And isn’t that what matters most?

If you have don’t have a Medicare Advantage plan, take a look at the benefits, comprehensive coverage, award-winning service, and more, offered by SCAN Desert Health Plan.