City of Los Angeles Recognizes SCAN Health Plan for Commitment to Healthy Aging and Independence

LONG BEACH, Calif., May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- SCAN Health Plan's longstanding commitment to healthy aging was recognized by the City of Los Angeles yesterday when the Los Angeles Department of Aging presented the plan with a formal Certificate of Appreciation for its efforts in supporting senior health and independence.

Also recognized for personal commitment was SCAN's Community Outreach Manager Aly Duzich who was applauded for coordinating SCAN's development of a virtual bowling program for Los Angeles-area seniors. As part of that program, SCAN provided Nintendo Wii consoles to the city's 16 Multipurpose Senior Centers and helped to implement the program.

"Our desire for a Wii bowling program was out of our reach to implement given the current budget climate," said Laura Trejo, general manager of the Los Angeles Department of Aging, who made the presentations to SCAN. "Thanks to SCAN our city's older adults now have a new and fun way to engage in light physical activity that promotes healthy aging. The program also provides an opportunity to learn about gaming technology that supports intergenerational activities.

"When we reached out to Aly, she showed great enthusiasm in seeing the project through," continued Trejo. "She asked a lot of questions, did her own research, and sat down with us to discuss how this could enrich the lives of seniors participating in the city's Multipurpose Senior Centers. She was thoughtful and fully engaged in helping to shape our vision."

Virtual bowling has become popular among seniors as it provides them a chance to engage in an activity that they might otherwise not be able to do. The game involves pressing a button on a wireless controller and moving your arm to mimic the motion of rolling a ball.

"SCAN's mission has always been to promote healthy and independent aging in the communities we serve," said Duzich. "We are happy that the virtual bowling program has been well received and is helping to keep seniors active and engaged."

SCAN's recent outreach efforts with the City of Los Angeles also include sponsoring a regional Senior Center Directors Knowledge Fair. Other SCAN community outreach programs include the SCAN Van mobile resource center for seniors and caregivers launched earlier this year; SCAN's "Trading Ages" senior sensitivity program; the SCAN Resource Centers in Ventura and Phoenix, a community-giving program; and more.

"SCAN has been most generous to the Department of Aging, the city's seniors and our provider network by including us in their community engagement programs," said Trejo.

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. The company currently has nearly 130,000 members in California and Arizona. Further information may be obtained at scanhealthplan.com.

SOURCE SCAN Health Plan