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Biggest Fears of Retirement – “Staying Healthy and Affording Health Care”

As a retiree, you expect to spend a large sum of money on health care. Still, many don’t plan appropriately for it. Without a job affording the health care you need could seem near impossible. If you take good care of your health now, you’ll be able to have a quality life and there will be a financial advantage. Your yearly expense will be far less if you are healthy.

Health Decline

Declining health is something we all will have to face in life sooner or later. Although genetics plays a part in health during old age, one important thing that affects your health is how you’ve lived throughout your younger years. If you smoked, the consequences in later life have a chance of being lung cancer, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), heart disease or even vision loss. Poor diet is an additional cause of poor health in the elderly. Overeating can cause diabetes, heart problems, and many other illnesses. Many cannot afford to eat properly, still, even if it is within their means, some disregard the importance of keeping a proper diet. This makes them far more susceptible to disease. There are many things you can do to take care of your health while you grow older. Eat smart, the digestive system slows down with age, so eating foods high in fiber would be a good thing to do. Seniors can more easily become dehydrated. Make sure to drink plenty of water to keep your energy up. Always get enough sleep. This can be difficult with restlessness and waking throughout the night which is common among seniors. What can help? Dimming the lights in the evening will encourage drowsiness and keep your bedroom cool, quiet and comfortable. This can help provide you with an atmosphere whereby you can sleep more peacefully.

Affording Health Care

No matter how much you prepare, it’s hard to foresee certain expenses leading up to retirement. Being able to afford good healthcare is a thought that brings worry to those on the brink of retirement. The fear of losing health insurance can keep you from leaving your job or make you want to put off your retirement. There aren’t a lot of Americans who are mindful of the huge burden upcoming health care costs present. Having emergency funds that can take care of expenses for at least half a year would be extremely helpful. This should help cover the cost of some unexpected events that can occur. Do your best to maintain good health, look into a good quality health insurance plan, and think of medical costs while you prepare for retirement, this will help you ultimately. Maybe even moving to a place with good healthcare options would be of interest to you.

*Disclaimer: The information provided is not intended to replace professional medical advice or to diagnose or treat. 

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Biggest Fears of Retirement – “Feeling Lonely”

 

Loneliness

Loneliness is another problem you may face as you increase in age. It is common for many to feel unwanted or unloved. You might also feel lonely because you’re physically distant from your social group. We as humans, yearn for meaningful relationships and social connections. People who are lonely decline faster in mental health than those who have more social relationships. When you feel a part of something, and you see that you mean something to others, it’ll help you succeed in having a more positive life. We need to interact with people, especially the ones in our lives who love us. Not to say that living alone will always lead to loneliness, neither does living with others guarantee happiness. You can keep your independence as you age while still developing solid social connections. But if you are feeling lonely here are a few things that can help…

Tackling loneliness

Stay connected – Spend time with and stay connected to family and grandchildren. Especially if you have mobility issues, keeping people around can lift your spirit. Preserve relationships you have already established. Get in touch with old friends you have lost contact with and build up stronger relationships with the people who live close to you. Joining social sites that are designed to help you keep up family and friends could be something you may want to look into as well. Get out more, go where people are. Even going out to run errands, can help you feel more connected.

Explore new hobbies – Embrace your freedom the best you can, take up a new hobby, spend time doing things you enjoy doing instead of only what you must do. You can join a book club, learn to play an instrument or sign up for an art class

It doesn’t matter so much what it is you do to keep yourself entertained but what is most important are the connections and friendships you’ll make while doing the things you love.

Get a pet – Dogs and cats are known to help with loneliness. They are able to provide a solid companionship. They can also display a variety of human-like behaviors. A dog can show you their love by jumping into your lap and embracing you. Pets can force you to participate in some healthy activities that can improve your feelings of being alone. For instance, getting you to go outdoors and get some exercise

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Coronavirus and Seniors

 

COVID-19 – Seniors Stay Safe

When it comes to the new coronavirus disease, seniors are particularly at risk to become severely ill. This could be because our immune systems change as we grow older, making it harder to fight off illnesses. Study shows that those with underlying medical conditions, particularly heart disease, lung disease, diabetes or cancer are more likely to have a severe, perhaps deadly, reaction to coronavirus than that of other age groups. Here are a few practical recommendations from doctors and other public health experts to protect not only yourself but the community as well.

  • Practice social distancing

All are urged to put into practice “social distancing” by avoiding crowds and staying at least 6 feet apart from people while around the public. The highest risk of infection is in those who have close interactions with people who have COVID-19. This can mean family members and health care workers who take care of people who are infected with the virus. 

  • Stay at home

If you live where cases have been reported, take precaution and reduce your exposure. Keep updated on what is going on in your area. Be sure you have all your needed medications, such as those for blood pressure, diabetes, etc. and any household supplies that you may need to remain in the house.

  • Clean and disinfect

A study found that coronavirus stays in the air for up to 3 hours and can live on surfaces like cardboard for up to 24 hours and stainless steel and plastic for up to 72 hours. Something you should be doing daily to lower your chances of getting sick is thoroughly clean and disinfect commonly touched items and surfaces. This includes countertops, tables, cabinets, door handles, and light switches. Keep your hands clean by frequently washing them with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.

  • Obey your state’s guidance

Listen to suggestions from your public health department in your area. Decisions about community procedures are made by local and state officials, in communication with federal officials based on the extent of the outbreak and the seriousness of the illness. You need to be aware of the instructions provided by your state.

Following these simple tips can help reduce the spread and impact of this virus. Learn more information at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

 *Disclaimer: The information provided is not intended to replace professional medical advice or to diagnose or treat. 

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