Physiological changes occur at any age. But as you approach age 70 and beyond, some of those changes are significant.
You’re not at the mercy of your age. There’s a lot you can do to boost your health and decrease your chances of disease and immobility.
Here’s what you can do:
- Make good choices. It’s well known that people who don’t smoke live longer. If you’ve hung onto this habit, take steps to quit. Visit your doctor and explore options like using the patch, support groups and more.
- Reduce stress. Stress can accelerate aging and cause a host of problems. Learning to live as stress-free a life as possible goes a long way. One way you can do this is to enjoy your life and appreciate the small things. You’ll be surprised at how much being thankful can change your perspective and reduce stress. Accept what you can’t control, and manage the things you are able to.
- Be positive. Maybe you don’t have as much energy as you used to or you’re dealing with a chronic disease. That doesn’t mean you should spiral into despair. Surround yourself with positive, supportive people and look at the brighter side of life.
- Find purpose. As you enter your golden years, perhaps one of the most important steps you can take to ensure optimal health is finding your sense of purpose. Maybe it’s being with family. Perhaps it’s volunteering. Whatever it is, discover what makes you get out of bed, and then keep doing it!
- Walk. Walking holds a host of benefits for seniors, such as continuous mobility, independence, reduced risk for diseases like heart disease, diabetes and hypertension, and overall better health.
Some common health problems occur as you age, too. It’s important that you address these problems, instead of ignoring them. For example, you may begin to experience difficulty maintaining balance. Dizziness is common and it’s easy to become unsteady. The risk of falling and becoming injured increases, making it difficult to get around on your own and live independently.
Other health problems include memory problems, forgetting details about daily life. While some measure of forgetfulness is normal, you shouldn’t have to deal with significant memory loss. The serious mental decline could be a result of dehydration, Alzheimer’s or sleep deprivation.
Getting sufficient nutrition also becomes a challenge later in life. Changes in your sense of smell and taste can alter your diet, and digestion and metabolism function tend to slow down, too. As your body changes how it process food, you may not eat as well as you used to. But proper nutrition is essential for maintaining energy and normal body functions.
Talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing instability or dizziness, having memory problems or struggling with nutrition. You and your physician can find ways to improve your lifestyle and ensure that you stay healthy as you age.
UROne Benefits is happy to talk to you about Medicare to ensure that your health insurance suits your lifestyle and needs. Speak with One of Our Advisors