Sophie Okolo, MPH

Growing old is a natural aspect of existence that’s typically dreaded by many due to the several unique changes that accompany this phase of life. As per the U.S Census Bureau’s 2017 National Population Projection, 1 out of 5 Americans will be of retirement age by 2030. Therefore, it’s necessary to brace yourself if you fall within this demographic to ensure that you enjoy your old age. If you want to learn more about taking good care of yourself as you age, consider the following points.

Schedule And Stick To Check-Ups

Aging occurs due to the impact of various accumulated cellular and molecular damage over time, leading to an increased risk of disease. Since health issues are commonplace in old age, it’s essential to schedule and stick to regular check-ups with your physician so that they address any problems you have efficiently and promptly before they blossom into more serious issues. Generally, many health experts recommend visiting a practicing geriatricians if you take multiple medications, have one or more chronic conditions, or experience mobility and memory issues  (and especially if you need memory care). Additionally, you can visit specialists like a dietician, optometrist, and dentist, such as Caring Modern Dentistry to stay on top of your nutrition, vision, and dental health as you age.

Remain Socially Active

Loneliness is undoubtedly one of the most dreaded aspects of growing old for most people. With the aging demographic expected to increase in the coming decades, many experts consider loneliness as the next significant public health issue as much as substance abuse and obesity. Social isolation significantly affects older adults, putting them at a 50 percent increased risk of dementia and other severe medical conditions. On the other hand, remaining socially active as you advance in years has several positive benefits, such as a boost to your physical and mental health as well as better sleeping and eating habits. For instance, volunteering, joining a club, playing board games at your local park, and other social activities should feature prominently on your to-do list as you age.

Change Your Lifestyle

Just as you should eliminate bad habits, you must change your perception when you age. Your health habits in your thirties can bleed in your forties and beyond. Even if you’re in your late forties to fifties and living an unhealthy lifestyle, it will only affect your body even more. While yes, some things can’t be controlled, such as having to get hearing aids due to age-related hearing loss, or pesky gray hairs, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try to take on the challenges and spin them into something healthy. Yes, not everything that happens to your body can be controlled, but you can control what you put in your body and what you do to your body. 

Take All Medication As Directed 

Many people often loathe the idea of taking various drugs to cope with the many changes they experience as they age. However, it’s essential to take all your medication as prescribed by your doctor since they’re vital in ensuring an excellent quality of life as you grow old. However, conduct a periodic medication review with your doctor to discuss whether you should still take all your prescriptions since you suffer an increased risk of adverse drug reactions the more drugs you take.

Eliminate Bad Habits

Smoking and drinking throughout any phase of life are highly inadvisable, but most especially in old age. Consequently, avoid tobacco as you age since it damages nearly all organs in your body. You reduce your odds of suffering heart attacks, lung and gum disease, cancer, and several other health problems. Likewise, alcohol harms your liver and worsens other medical issues as you grow, so it would be best to avoid drinking to enjoy your advanced years better.

Be Proactive When You Feel Sick

Getting check-ups and going to your routine appointments is vital, of course, but it’s not the only time that you should be seeing your doctor. As you get older, you can’t be as confident that you will be able to bounce back from any persistent bug, illness, or worrying symptom. Even if they might not do any permanent damage, a weakened immune system does become a greater concern as you get older. As such, you should not only ensure that you think about things like getting annual flu jabs, but you should also know your specialists, such as getting in touch with an ENT doctor if you’re experiencing a sore throat and neck pain. You need to be more proactive, not to mention preventative, with your care as you get older.

Ensure Your Have Sufficient Finances

It’s not a pleasant thought, but having good finances can mean the difference between life and death. People who have plenty of money as they get older can afford to pay for healthcare, while others can’t. 
As finance expert Danny Young points out, many people actually run out of cash in retirement. They bleed their 401(k) and other retirement accounts dry and wind up being unable to live their lives the way they want. As such, it’s not always a good idea to end your career early. If you really don’t like your work, switch to something new.

Look Out For Your Cognitive Functions 

As time moves on, it can be very easy to struggle with regard to your cognitive faculties. One of the best things to do here is to make sure you stay on top of things. Do your best to notice when you may be declining somewhat and seek out professional help. The likes of hearing services and eye doctors can certainly help you out if you feel as though you are struggling. You should definitely not ignore or neglect this kind of thing as you could end up regretting things wholeheartedly.