The United States experienced a remarkable increase in the aging of its population during the twentieth century, thanks in good measure to self-awareness, medical breakthroughs, behavior modification, better nutrition, physical exercise, and heightened dissemination of pubic health information. Today’s retirees are much more aware than their century-ago counterparts of the benefits of exercise, diet, and preventive medical care.
Exercise
Increasingly, seniors are participating in sports activities such as golf, tennis, pickleball, water aerobics, swimming, etc., and so acknowledging that physical activity slows the effects of the aging process and helps to promote mental wellness. Inactivity is the bane of good health no matter the age.
During our working lives, we are more naturally active. The daily routine of child-rearing, commuting to and from a job, cooking dinner, and performing other daily chores requires us to be animated and on our feet for a good portion of the day. All of that suddenly changes in retirement. We no longer have the daily grind of work to keep our bodies and our minds active. More free time can lead to a sedentary lifestyle, which requires a concerted effort to overcome.
An early study of double-decker bus drivers and conductors illustrates the point. The bus drivers, who sat for most of their shifts, were twice as likely to have a heart attack as the conductors who walked up and down the stairs of the bus.
In addition to the physical benefits derived from exercise, it also increases endurance, suppleness, and vitality. Who doesn’t want a spring in their step and a gleam in their eye! We project a more energetic and enthusiastic self to others when we are physically fit.
Nutrition
Another important factor in healthy aging is diet. Gone are the days of canned fruits and vegetables. Today’s seniors have available to them farm-to-table produce sold in supermarkets in plentiful quantities. Many communities have farmers’ markets selling fresh produce grown on local farms.
Who doesn’t love a thick, juicy steak or hamburger? But we are all aware now of the need to limit our intake of fatty foods in general, and red meat in particular. Consumption of red meat has decreased over the past few decades, with a counterbalancing increase in chicken and fish.
Numerous announcements from health and government agencies provide the public with ample information with respect to dietary issues. The advent of packaged foods in cans and other materials eventually brought about the need for ingredient and nutrient labeling on foodstuffs in order to provide consumers with useful intelligence regarding sugar, salt, and trans-fat content.
A diet balanced with fruit, grain, vegetables, and protein aids seniors in weight maintenance, staving off diseases such as diabetes and heart congestion, and the energy to keep active.
Preventive Care
Annual wellness exams, colonoscopies, vaccines, skin screenings and dental exams are all fairly routine preventive care measures for seniors. The aim of these procedures is to aid retirees in leading healthy lives and to catch or prevent diseases at an early stage, thereby reducing overall medical costs.
Medicare covers many preventive care services (after taking into account the annual deductible), such as annual “Wellness” visits, various screenings, and counseling. A complete list is available in the booklet titled “Your Guide to Medicare Preventive Services”. Here is the link:
https://www.medicare.gov/sites/default/files/2018-10/10110-Medicare-Preventive-Services.pdf
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An abundance of information related to preventive care is available on the internet for curious seniors. That along with consultations with primary care physicians can provide the structure for preventive self-care.
– Joe from Arizona, a FAR customer who is finding purpose in this new stage of his life.
* The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of the Finance of America Reverse (LLC).
This article is intended for general informational and educational purposes only, and should not be construed as financial or tax advice. For more information about whether a reverse mortgage may be right for you, you should consult an independent financial advisor. For tax advice, please consult a tax professional.
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