Tag: SuperCare Health

Daily Habits to Reduce Flu Risk

The foundation of a strong flu-prevention plan starts with daily habits that reduce the risk of infection. Encourage your children to wash their hands regularly, especially before meals and after coughing or sneezing. Teach them to avoid touching their face, as the flu virus can enter the body through the eyes, nose, and mouth. Additionally, make sure everyone in the family is getting enough sleep, as a well-rested body is better equipped to fight off illness.

For families managing respiratory conditions, it’s also important to monitor air quality and reduce exposure to environmental triggers that could increase symptoms. Ensure that medications for conditions like asthma are taken as prescribed and that inhalers are readily accessible.

Stocking Up on Flu Season Essentials

Being prepared with the right supplies can make all the difference during flu season. Create a flu-prevention kit that includes items like hand sanitizers, tissues, disinfecting wipes, and face masks. It’s also wise to have a thermometer, over-the-counter flu medications, and plenty of fluids on hand. These essentials will help you manage symptoms effectively if someone in your family falls ill.

For those with respiratory conditions, consider adding a few specialized items to your kit. A nebulizer may be essential for administering breathing treatments and make sure you have a suitable supply of prescription medications and a plan for refills.

Monitoring and Managing Symptoms

Early detection and proper management of flu symptoms can prevent the spread of the virus within your household. Monitor your children for any signs of the flu, such as fever, cough, sore throat, and fatigue. If symptoms do appear, keep the affected family member at home and ensure they get plenty of rest and fluids. Use your flu-prevention kit to manage symptoms and consult with a healthcare professional if needed.

For those with respiratory conditions, extra caution is necessary. The flu can worsen symptoms and lead to serious complications, so it’s crucial to act quickly. Ensure that any breathing issues are addressed immediately, and consult your healthcare provider if there’s a significant change in respiratory symptoms.

By taking these proactive steps, you can create a comprehensive flu-prevention plan that will help protect your family during the school year. Whether you’re dealing with the flu or managing a respiratory condition, being prepared and alert is key to keeping everyone healthy and minimizing the impact of the flu on your daily life. SuperCare Health is here to support you on your healthcare journey. To learn more about our comprehensive respiratory care programs, visit our patients page online. To get in touch with a SuperCare Health customer service representative, call (800) 206-4880.

As many as 33 million Americans use a PAP machine to help treat their sleep disorders, yet many patients have difficulty accessing the supplies and equipment needed to follow their prescribed treatment plans. SuperCare Health is here to help with new face scanning technology that offers patients the perfect PAP mask fit on the first try! With just a few quick clicks, the technology allows patients to virtually scan their faces using their own mobile devices and matches them with a mask that fits them best from a wide selection of options. Reducing the burden of visiting a doctor’s office for a mask fitting, SuperCare Health hopes this new technology will make sleep disorder treatment easier, more cost effective, and more efficient for patients. Here’s how it works!

Fact #1

Asthma is more prevalent in females than males. 9.7% of the adult female population in the US has been diagnosed with asthma, compared to only 6.2% of the adult male population.¹

Fact #2

Each year, more than $50 billion is spent in the United States treating asthma, with more than 94,000 inpatient hospital stays and 900,000 emergency room visits. ²

Fact #3

Half of people with asthma have at least one asthma attack each year, with adults (39.6%) more likely to have an attack than children (38.7%). ³

Fact #4

Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children in the world. It is also one of the leading causes of school absenteeism. Additionally, children living in inner cities experience more emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths due to asthma than the general population.  ⁴

Fact #5

Various environmental triggers can worsen asthma symptoms, including extreme weather conditions, abrupt changes in the weather, exposure to allergens, irritants in the air, strong odors, smoke, exercise, and even common illnesses like the cold and flu. ⁵

Fact #6

When left untreated, those with asthma may experience sleep disruption, tiredness during the day, and poor concentration. This can greatly affect the ability to complete daily activities, which can have a big impact on families and their community. ⁶

Fact #7

When an asthma attack occurs, quickly accessing emergency interventions such as inhalers can be difficult, especially for children. Using a spacer device makes it easier to take medicine via an aerosol inhaler in an emergency situation. A spacer is a plastic container with a mouthpiece or mask at one end and a hole for the inhaler in the other. It traps the asthma medication in a plastic container and removes the need to time the speed of medication inhaled. This allows for more of the medication to get to the needed area in the lungs instead of in the mouth. ⁷ 

Want an easier way to manage your asthma? Need help figuring out the next steps for your respiratory care? Schedule a telehealth appointment with one of SuperCare Health’s leading clinicians, or ask your doctor how to enroll in one of our patient care programs. From state of the art asthma management, to CPAP and BiPAP resupply, to our new diabetes care division, SuperCare Health will stay by your side on your healthcare journey. Learn more by chatting with one of our patient care representatives today!

 ¹ American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology

² American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology

³ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

⁴ World Health Organization and CDC Healthy Schools

⁵ American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology

⁶ World Health Organization

⁷ Nationwide Children’s Hospital

As many as 33 million Americans use a PAP machine to help treat their sleep disorders, yet many patients have difficulty accessing the supplies and equipment needed to follow their prescribed treatment plans. SuperCare Health is here to help with new face scanning technology that offers patients the perfect PAP mask fit on the first try! With just a few quick clicks, the technology allows patients to virtually scan their faces using their own mobile devices and matches them with a mask that fits them best from a wide selection of options. Reducing the burden of visiting a doctor’s office for a mask fitting, SuperCare Health hopes this new technology will make sleep disorder treatment easier, more cost effective, and more efficient for patients. Here’s how it works!

Check out our latest video featuring five easy steps for the perfect PAP mask tailored to you!

View Video

Step #1

Receive a link via text or email from your clinical care team. Click the link and answer a few questions about your sleep condition.

Step #2

Instructions will show on your screen to begin your face scan. 

Step #3

Look directly at the camera and center your face in the green oval. A countdown will begin on your screen.

Step #4

When the scan is complete, the program will analyze your features and recommend the perfect PAP mask.

Step #5

Read all about the best fitting mask for you and watch a helpful video about your customized recommendations. 

It’s really that easy! Get started today by scheduling a telehealth appointment with one of our leading clinicians, or ask your doctor how to enroll in one of our patient care programs. From quick and easy CPAP and BiPAP resupply to our new diabetes care division, SuperCare Health will stay by your side on your healthcare journey. Learn more by visiting us online.[1]

At least 30 million adults in the United States have sleep apnea, but only 6 million have received a diagnosis. If left untreated, sleep apnea can affect the entire body, leading to reduced oxygen levels, poor sleep quality, and impaired cognitive function, as well as increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney dysfunction, diabetes, and metabolic disorders. So why are so many patients given incorrect information about this prevalent condition? SuperCare Health is here to  help you separate fact from fiction. Join our leading clinicians as we debunk the most common sleep apnea myths. 

Myth: There is only one type of sleep apnea.

Fact: There are two types of sleep apnea. 

1. Obstructive sleep apnea, often called OSA. The upper airway becomes blocked during sleep, interfering with breathing. 
2. Central sleep apnea. The muscles and nerves aren’t activated enough for breathing while asleep, causing pauses in airflow. 

Myth: Only extremely overweight people can be diagnosed with sleep apnea. 

Fact: While a higher weight is linked to a greater possibility of developing sleep apnea, people at a healthy weight can also have the condition. Other factors besides weight can put you at higher risk, including hypothyroidism, family history, menopause, heart and kidney conditions, excess alcohol consumption, smoking, and the structure of your face and neck.

Myth: Sleep apnea is more common in younger adults.

Fact: In a recent study, The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society reported that 56% of people age 65 and older had a higher risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea. 

Myth: Sleep apnea symptoms are usually extreme with no spectrum of severity.

Fact: Patients can be diagnosed with mild, moderate, or severe sleep apnea. Though less common, some may be diagnosed with severe sleep apnea yet experience few symptoms, while others may have mild sleep apnea with several symptoms. 

Myth: If you snore, you definitely have sleep apnea. Those who don’t snore do not have the condition.

Fact: For those with sleep apnea, breathing during sleep is interrupted many times throughout the night, often resulting in nighttime snoring. However, people who snore but feel refreshed the next day may just experience simple snoring and not sleep apnea. Conversely, not everyone with sleep apnea snores. In fact, up to 20% of diagnosed patients do not experience snoring.

From quick and easy CPAP and BiPAP resupply to telehealth appointments with our award winning clinicians, SuperCare Health will stay by your side on your healthcare journey. To learn more about our comprehensive respiratory care programs, visit our patients page online. Read about our newest division, SuperCare Diabetes, by clicking here. To get in touch with a SuperCare Health customer service representative, call (800) 206-4880.

Featuring the City of Industry Business Council and Regional Chamber of Commerce San Gabriel Valley

Our 50th-anniversary celebration continues! Organizational leaders from across the country gathered on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, to join the City of Industry Business Council and the Regional Chamber of Commerce San Gabriel Valley in an intimate and inspiring ceremony. Get a behind the scenes look at this special event with photos from the big day. 

John Cassar, CEO and Owner, shared heartfelt words of appreciation to his employees and executive team for helping the healthcare company reach this milestone. “As I stand before this extraordinary group of leaders, I am filled with gratitude for your hard work and unwavering commitment to our patients. Thank you for joining us today as we continue to improve lives in the communities we serve. To my executive team, you are my band of brothers. We are here today because of your perseverance and hard work.”

Cassar also bestowed special recognition to his parents, Gabe and Micheline Cassar, who founded the company in 1974 as a small retail pharmacy in Hacienda Heights, California. “To my mother and father, our original founders, who showed me that anything is possible. You instilled in me the values of hard work, integrity, and humility. You laid the foundation of our core values that exist today at SuperCare Health and demonstrated that as entrepreneurs, it’s truly possible to start with almost nothing and build something remarkable. This achievement is as much yours as it is mine.”

Representing the City of Industry Business Council, Joanne McClaskey, Executive Director, presented SuperCare Health’s executive team with a ceremonial plaque, certificate, and mementos on behalf of the City. Additional members of her team joined the presentation, including Cindy Salas, Yvette Dominguez, and Patricia Santillan. 

The Regional Chamber of Commerce San Gabriel Valley made a special appearance at the ceremony, as well, presenting Cassar and team with a plaque in recognition of their Chamber membership and service to the community. Joined by colleagues Nef Cortex and Mike Brown, remarks on behalf of the Chamber were delivered by Aziz Amiri, CEO, and Ken Liebman, President and Chairman of the Board.

As the ceremony came to an end, SuperCare Health’s Kristen Bengo, VP of Human Resources, and Kim Hoeckendorf, Executive VP of Sales and Operations, addressed the audience. Said Bengo, “On behalf of everyone far and wide at SuperCare Health, we want to thank and congratulate this team of visionary leaders, our executives who have guided us through so many challenges and triumphs. Most importantly, I want to thank every team member for your devotion and commitment to the people who matter the most to us- our patients and communities. I am so proud to be part of an organization that demonstrates such genuine care and compassion for the world around us. Congratulations, SuperCare Health for 50 years of impactful service!”  

To learn more about SuperCare Health and to enroll in one of our comprehensive respiratory care programs, visit us online. To explore our newest division, SuperCare Diabetes, check out our website. Speak with a SuperCare Health customer service representative by calling (800) 206-4880 or use our new and improved live virtual chat. 

Q: Looking back on 50 years of supporting patients, what is the proudest moment in your career?

A: As a respiratory care company facing the pandemic head on, the entire SuperCare Health team and I felt a personal responsibility to care for our communities, going into high alert in support of the healthcare systems throughout California. We set aside expenses and shipped respiratory devices in major cargo and commercial transports to help with the demand. My team and I went to the docks and small airports to unload planes and cargo containers with our own hands. We drove respiratory care supplies in our personal vehicles to the local hospitals. We did whatever we could to save just one more life. 

As the pandemic intensified, SuperCare Health was among the first organizations to establish in-home respiratory therapy and remote patient monitoring programs. At a time when everything was locked down, these virtual options allowed our partnered healthcare professionals to support symptomatic patients remotely, freeing up beds and avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations. Our respiratory therapists, technicians, care coaches, and customer service staff worked courageously 24/7 to support our community as we rolled out these programs, streamlining the discharge and follow up experience for patients and providers alike. 

When the pandemic continued through 2021 and beyond, SuperCare Health worked to increase access to respiratory care. Hospitals, clinics, and healthcare professionals still contact us to help manage their influx of patients and provide ventilators and oxygen. Ultimately, I am most proud of how we instantly mobilized to save lives. We adapted to the extreme circumstances within our communities at a time when our patients needed support the most.

Q:  How has constant change in the healthcare environment affected the way SuperCare Health serves patients?

Q: How can we continue to foster innovation and creativity within our teams?

Q: What advice can you share with people who are just beginning their careers in healthcare or looking to make their next move? 

A: No matter how much success you experience, always remain humble and hungry. Never forget where you came from. I will always push myself and my teams as though we’re still a struggling small business trying to survive. Regardless of how much our organization grows, we always make decisions from that standpoint of survival. We always think and choose like underdogs. 

There is always room for improvement. Something can be exceptional, and it’s still not good enough. When you see yourself comfortable, don’t get complacent.  Be in a mode of constant improvement, adaptation, and change.  Success is really never achieved.  It’s a continuous journey that we get to traverse throughout our lifetime. 

Be willing to pivot and stay agile. We must be willing to adapt to changing circumstances while still staying true to our vision. 

CEO & Owner, John Cassar, Shares Life Lessons in Celebration of SuperCare Health’s 50th Anniversary

Honoring SuperCare Health’s 50 Year Legacy

The story of SuperCare Health starts with my parents, Gabe and Micheline Cassar. Fresh off the plane from chilly Montreal, Canada, they landed in Los Angeles with big dreams… and even bigger winter coats. They swapped the snow for sunshine and set up a tiny retail pharmacy in the San Gabriel Valley called Super Rx. Little did I know, I was about to be enrolled in the most unconventional business school ever, taught by Professor Mom and Dean Dad.

Fast forward to my very young teenage years. Forget after school activities. My brother Tony and I had a different practice. We would scrub shelves, hand out flyers in the heat, unpack items throughout the day, deliver prescriptions at night, and do whatever we could to keep the business afloat. Our childhood memories are a unique blend of nostalgia and perpetual work. 

This taught me my first valuable life lesson: There is no substitute for hard work and grit.

In the beginning, SuperCare Rx was a David facing a whole army of Goliath-sized apothecarychains.  But we had heart, hustle, and some pretty creative marketing strategies within our community.  We offered free blood pressure checks, sponsored the local little league teams, and our church bulletin promised a prescription in under 10 minutes. And of course, there were always those flyers that conveniently needed to be distributed on the hottest days of the year. We played to our strengths and never stopped fighting for our customers. 

That’s how I learned another valuable lesson: Always think like an underdog and win with a little creativity.

My father was fiercely committed to patient care, even if it meant going toe-to-toe with doctors and insurance companies. He knew it wasn’t about the bottom line. It was about doing the right thing for the people we served. This commitment to integrity has always been a core value with me and SuperCare Health. We’ve had opportunities to partner with high-performing sales reps and contract out with certain health entities, but if their character and values did not align, the door hit them on the way out.

That’s how I learned this key lesson: Build a business with heart and integrity, and you will build a legacy.

Take Measurable Risks 

At 18 years-old and still in college, I obtained a real estate license. Later, I sold some commercial properties, allowing for a little nest egg. This entrepreneurial spirit led me to invest in assisted living facilities, a perfect blend of helping people with my newfound skills in real estate. Now, not every risk was a slam dunk. Let’s just say some of those early investments wouldn’t exactly make the cover of Forbes magazine. But hey, you win some, you lose some, and you learn a whole lot along the way. 

This is one of the most important lessons I’ve learned in business: Take measurable risks early on and doors will open in the future. 

Build Exceptional Teams

Perhaps the most valuable lesson of all is the power of teamwork. My parents showed me that success isn’t a solo act. It’s a collaborative team effort fueled by people who believe in a shared vision for success, supporting and trusting each other along the way. This lesson has been central to my own journey at SuperCare Health. As the company has transformed, I’ve come to understand the critical importance of surrounding myself with talented individuals who complement my strengths and fill my knowledge gaps. It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about building a team in which everyone’s unique skills and perspectives come together to create something truly remarkable. Each and every one of SuperCare Health’s team members – from leadership to our frontline respiratory therapists, techs, and patient representatives – play a vital role in our company’s success. Their hard work, passion, and commitment make the biggest difference in our ability to serve patients with excellence.   

Here’s the ultimate lesson: Know your weaknesses and fill those gaps with exceptional team members.

Stay True to Your Vision

Looking back, it’s clear that having a defined vision from the very beginning set me on the path to success. At our core, SuperCare Health was built upon pursuing innovation, improving lives, and reducing the cost of care. Anything outside of our vision was left in the periphery. A nice to have, but not a need. It’s a testament to the power of dreaming big, setting ambitious goals, and chasing them relentlessly to make a positive impact on the world. Through it all, I’ve learned that success isn’t just about the bottom line.

This final lesson comes from the heart: If you want to be a genuine innovator and help people along the way, it’s all about staying true to your purpose, your people, your principles, and your vision.

By John Cassar, CEO & Owner, SuperCare Health

Welcome to SuperCare Diabetes^TM, the newest division of SuperCare Health® focused on streamlining and strengthening services for patients managing coexisting respiratory conditions and diabetes. With continuous glucose monitors (CGM), insulin pumps, and other diabetes care supplies added to our healthcare services and programs, we’ve combined the latest technology with skilled patient care representatives for a supportive, convenient, and cost-effective patient experience.

Did you know that diabetes frequently coexists with chronic respiratory conditions such as sleep apnea, COPD, and diseases that require long-term oxygen therapy? For patients struggling to manage the complexities of these intersecting health challenges, SuperCare Diabetes is here to share the top three things patients should know about coexisting respiratory conditions and diabetes. 

1. It’s essential to follow your prescribed care plan. Effective management of coexisting respiratory conditions and diabetes is critical to reducing complications, enhancing overall health outcomes, and improving your quality of life. For convenient ordering and delivery of your prescribed respiratory supplies, contact SuperCare Health online or by calling (800) 206-4880. To contact our diabetes care team, click here or call (855) 761-0889.     

2. Increasing severity of sleep apnea has been associated with worsening glucose control. It’s important for patients with diabetes to see a doctor if they’re experiencing sleep apnea symptoms. According to a joint study published by McGill University and The University of Chicago, up to 83% of patients with type 2 diabetes may suffer from undiagnosed sleep apnea. To receive support for your sleep apnea management, view SuperCare Health’s full list of sleep services here.  

3. A diabetes diagnosis is not a death sentence. It’s a lifesaver! The American Diabetes Association reports that 1.2 million Americans receive a new diabetes diagnosis every year. It’s estimated that 8.7 million adults in the US remain undiagnosed.The good news is that it’s easier than ever to manage your diabetes with the latest technology, such as a discrete, wearable monitor that delivers real-time glucose numbers to a smartphone. Learn more about the latest diabetes innovations from SuperCare Diabetes online.  

Through SuperCare Health’s mission to improve lives and reduce the cost of care, our dedicated team of experienced healthcare professionals remains committed to supporting our communities one home, one family, and one patient at a time. It all starts here, with convenient access to care for coexisting respiratory conditions and diabetes.

Want to learn more about SuperCare Health? Check out our latest video.