It’s estimated that nearly two-thirds of adults age 65 and older will develop at least one chronic disease. And the majority of seniors who have a chronic illness have two or more. It’s essential to be proactive about your health to stay healthy as long as possible.
Here are some tips for preparing to age well:
- Eat a healthy diet.
Eating a nutritious diet, including plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources, is one of the most important things to help yourself age well. Look for foods high in antioxidants, which may help protect against heart disease, cancer, and other diseases. Also, make sure you’re getting enough calcium and vitamin D to help prevent osteoporosis. Ask your doctor or registered dietitian if you need help deciding what to eat.
- Exercise regularly.
If you haven’t exercised in a while, start slowly to avoid injury. Once you’re comfortable with an exercise routine, gradually increase your activity level until you’re doing something active every day — even if it’s just walking around the neighborhood.
- Get plenty of sleep each night.
Sleep helps your body repair itself after strenuous activity and gives your mind time to process new information and store memories. Make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet, so you get enough sleep each night.
- Make your home safer.
Make sure your home is a safe place for you to live in as you get older. Get rid of things that are tripping hazards and make sure that your home is well lit and easy to navigate.
- Read books.
Reading is one of the best ways to keep your mind sharp as you age and it doesn’t require any special equipment or training — just a good book and some time spent relaxing with it. Reading also helps stimulate the brain by encouraging it to make new connections between ideas, words, and phrases that may have otherwise gone unnoticed when not actively reading a book.
- Make plans and set goals for the future.
Think about what type of lifestyle you would like in the future and plan to achieve it. For example, if you want to live independently in your own home, think about how this could be achieved. You may need extra support such as equipment or adaptations made to your home to make it easier for someone with disabilities or other health problems to move around safely. You could also think about how your income might change when you retire from work, or someone else dies or leaves home.
- Stay connected to family and friends.
Connecting emotionally with others helps us cope with challenges more effectively and feel more secure in our lives. Staying engaged in your community promotes a sense of purpose and belonging. It also helps keep your brain active and healthy.
- Keep learning new things (including languages).
Learning new things keeps our minds flexible, which is good because we all develop cognitive decline over time — even if it doesn’t feel like it when we’re young!
- Have regular checkups with your doctor and dentist.
Getting regular checkups is one of the best ways to stay healthy. It’s also an excellent way to spot any health issues early on so they can be treated quickly.
- Keep your brain active.
As you age, it’s essential to keep the brain active so it doesn’t lose its ability to learn new things or remember old ones. Experts recommend using different puzzles, games, and exercises that challenge the mind and help it work better. These include crossword puzzles, word searches, Sudoku puzzles, logic problems, etc.
- Review your health insurance coverage.
Reviewing your current health insurance coverage is especially important if you have retired or are planning to retire soon. Find out what services are covered by Medicare and make sure that they include the prescription drugs and medical care you need. Consider buying long-term care insurance through your employer or union because Medicare doesn’t cover long-term care costs.
- Take care of your mental health.
A healthy mind is more important than ever as we age. It’s easy to get depressed or anxious as we get older, so finding ways to stay positive is essential. Find ways to relieve stress, such as meditation or yoga; enjoy your life by spending time with family or friends; don’t isolate yourself from others.
Overall, the key to aging well is keeping an open mind and trying to achieve new and exciting things. Our bodies will continue to change, as will the way we get older. There are a few positive lifestyle changes you can make in your day-to-day life to prepare you for the years ahead of you. Hopefully, these tips will help you experience many good years ahead.
