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There are a number of common health stressors you may face as you age, but these shouldn’t stop you from enjoying your retirement in style. Changes in mobility, addressing your overall health and making your home safer can give you a chance to combat aging stressors head-on. With a few simple adjustments, you can enhance your quality of life and even find longevity.
Changes in Appetite
Have you noticed changes to your appetite? Many seniors report lower appetites and don’t always feel hungry at mealtimes. You may be tempted to reach for an easy snack or even skip a meal, but eating a healthy diet is extremely important for your overall health and well-being. Stay healthy by eating a well-balanced diet of vegetables, grains, and proteins, and prevent other health stressors by keeping your body healthy.
Heart Health
Another common health stressor you may face is a change in your heart health. Keep your heart healthy with regular exercise to keep your blood pumping and your body strong. Exercising 20 minutes per day several times a week will strengthen your heart, improve your circulation, and lower your blood pressure. Whether you go for a walk in the park, join a senior swim class, or do Pilates in your living room, you’ll soon see the benefits of regular exercise and increased energy.
Make Home Updates to Increase Accessibility
Seniors often face balance and mobility issues, and if your home isn’t adapted to fit your needs, this can be a major source of stress. If your home isn’t very accessible, you may be considering moving to an assisted living home. Before you make this decision, consider the stress of moving and evaluate all possible solutions. Think about the home improvements you can make to help you age in place safely, and maintain your comfort and independence at home for years to come. For example, you can start with a few accessibility modifications in the bathroom. Remodeling the bathroom can boost safety and even increase the value of your home when you decide to sell. Prices for a bathroom remodel vary depending on how much work needs to be done, and in Salt Lake City the average cost of a bathroom remodel is between $5,094 and $11,010.
Other changes you can make to improve home accessibility and safety include replacing doorknobs with levers, non-slip flooring, improved lighting for visibility, threshold ramps and even lowered countertops and widened doorways.
Coverage for Assisted Living
Another stressor seniors face as they age is the cost of healthcare and the available benefits. It can be hard to understand exactly what is and isn’t covered by your health insurance, so make a point to review your policy annually in case you need to make changes to your type of coverage. It’s also wise to determine if your policy will cover the cost of home care or subsidize an assisted living community in the event that you need extra assistance.
Medicare does not cover the costs of long- term care, but it will cover most of the medical costs incurred while living in the home, such as doctor’s appointments and prescription medication. Medicare will also cover some in-home care costs, but only on a part-time basis and as prescribed by your physician. If you’re considering moving to an assisted living community, you may need to take stock of alternative financing options like selling your home, turning to your savings or ultimately, if you’re on a fixed income, turning to Medicaid.
Maintaining your health as you age doesn’t have to be hard, and with these tips here you can take on some of the health stressors older adults often face. By changing your diet, getting more exercise and making home improvements to help you age in place, you’ll be able to enjoy a healthy and happy retirement.
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