Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. It is a brain condition that slowly alters memory, thinking, and daily tasks. In its early stages, Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are often referred to as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Forgetting or losing things from time to time is normal. But if it starts to get in the way of your daily life, it may be an early sign of Alzheimer’s.
Most people with Alzheimer’s are age 65 or older. Early care can help you stay safe and supported. It can also help prevent or slow disease progression.
5 Signs that it might be time to talk with a doctor:
- Asking the same questions over and over again
- Getting lost in places you used to know well
- Having trouble following recipes or directions
- Becoming more confused about time, people, and places
- Not taking care of yourself, like eating poorly, not bathing, or acting unsafely
If you notice these signs, talk to your primary care provider (PCP). Your PCP is your personal doctor if you need a check-up, want advice about a health problem, or get sick or hurt.
Schedule Your Annual Wellness Visit
Routine visits help catch changes early. At your yearly wellness visit, your PCP may:
- Ask memory and thinking questions to better check your health
- Review your medicines to see if any may be adding to your symptoms or if more medicine may help you
- Help you to care for conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes which will lower the chance that Alzheimer’s will happen or worsen
- Link you to helpful services, like healthy food, housing, social support, or transportation
SFHP Care Plus (HMO D-SNP) Benefits
SFHP Care Plus combines Medicare and Medi Cal. It includes:
- Annual wellness visits and cognitive (memory) screening.
- Doctor visits and specialist care like neurology.
- Prescriptions for treatment and symptom support.
- Over-The-Counter SFHP Plus Card* gives you $150 every 3 months to spend on health items like aspirin, cold medicine, and bandages.
- Dental, Vision, and Hearing Care for $0 routine exams.
- Care coordination to help you plan health visits.
- Mental health care for mood or stress.
- Covered transportation to health visits and the pharmacy.
- Health education and wellness classes to learn healthy habits with others and enjoy social time.
- Acupuncture and Chiropractic with $0 copay.
- 12 chiropractic visits per year
- 24 acupuncture visits per year
- SFHP Care Plus &more™ Card** gives monthly to your groceries and rent/utilities if you have a chronic condition.
- $20/month for heathy foods/groceries per year
- $20/month for utilities (electric, water, heating, etc.)
- 24 one-way trips (church, recreation centers, grocery store, etc.)
**The SSBCI benefits are part of an additional program for the chronically ill. Not all members qualify.
Schedule Your Checkup Today
Call your doctor today to make an appointment. When you call, ask for interpreter services if you need it. Make sure to write down any worries or questions you have.
Small steps today can help protect your health tomorrow!
If you need help making an appointment or have questions, please call Customer Service at 1(415) 547-7800 or for SFHP Care Plus (HMO D-SNP) at 1(833) 530-7327 or 711 (TTY).
