SENIOR
L IV IN G
INSIDE Continuing to learn
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Creating a will
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Early retirement
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Giving back to your community
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Living with low vision
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Going back to work
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Hearing Loss
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Help elderly neighbors
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Mental and Emotional health
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Memory care
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Taking time to travel
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Upkeep or downsize
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Staying healthy
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Senior Living is a special advertising publication of The Billings Gazette.
Advertising Director
You’re never too old to learn a new skill, take up a new hobby or even go back to school. Not having a full-time job opens up your schedule and your energy level to try something you’ve always wanted to learn. It’s also a great way to keep your brain active and engaged.
Advertising Manager
Sign Up for a Class at Your Local College
Publisher
Dave Worstell Ryan Brosseau Arcadea Scott
Special Sections Coordinator Mo Lucas
Access Senior Living at billingsgazette.com/specialsections Content provided by Metro Services and Greenshoot Media
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FEBRUARY 2019 | SENIOR LIVING
If you live near a community college or university, see what classes are available to take for non-degree-seeking students. Some colleges have community-oriented classes with a variety of skills, but retirement is also a great opportunity to take classes you didn’t have time to in college. Sign up for world history or anthropology courses or take a voice or music class.
TO
Retirement provides a great opportunity to spend time reading. seventyfour stock.adobe.com
LEARN
Or, if you’re ready for a major commitment, go back to school full-time to earn that second bachelor’s degree or sign up for a graduate program.
library for reading groups or lists. You can also find a group of students to read to.
Read All the Books You Can
Go to your local senior center and learn a new dance, take a cooking class or break out an old camera and go to a photography class. Cities and towns of all sizes have these gathering places, and in addition to learning something new, they provide great opportunities to meet new people and find people with similar interests to yours.
Now’s your chance to knock out “War and Peace” or that series you’ve had on your shelf for years. Retirement provides a great opportunity to spend time reading. You can join (or start) a book club and explore different genres and authors. Check out your
Find a New Hobby
If you can’t go to a senior center or yours doesn’t offer the classes you want, check out online options. Many groups, including major universities throughout the world, offer online courses; there also are companies that offer classes from the best of the best, including acting from Oscar winners, photography from professional photographers, cooking from the best chefs in the world and more. Alternatively, volunteer to teach a class at your local senior center, start a quilting or hiking club.
Things people should know about creating wills Drafting a last will and testament is an essential component of estate planning. Despite the importance of having a will, a recent survey from AARP found that two out of five Americans over the age of 45 do not have one. Putting wishes down on paper helps avoid unnecessary work and sometimes heartache upon the death of a loved one. Wills allow heirs to act with the decedent’s wishes in mind, and can ensure that assets and possessions will end up in the right hands. Estate planning can be tricky, which is why many people turn to attorneys to get the job done right. Attorneys who specialize in estate planning will no doubt discuss the following topics with their clients. Assets owned: Make a list of known assets and figure out which assets are covered by the will and which will have to be passed on according to other estate laws, such as through joint tenancy on a deed or a living trust. For example, life insurance policies or retirement plan proceeds will be distributed to your named beneficiaries. A will also can cover other assets, such as photographs, clothing, cars, and jewelry. Guardianship: Parents’ wills should
include a declaration of who they want to become guardians to their underage children or dependents. Pets: Some people prefer to use their will to also dictate guardianship for their pets and to leave money or property to help care for those pets. However, pets do not have the legal capacity to own property, so one shouldn’t gift money directly to pets in a will. Funeral instructions: Settling probate will not happen until after the funeral. Therefore, funeral wishes in a will often go unnoticed, states the legal advisement resource Find Law. Executor: An executor is a trusted person who will carry out the terms of the will. This person should be willing to serve and be capable of executing the will. People who die without a valid will become intestate. This means the estate will be settled based on the laws of where that person lived, and a court-appointed administrator will serve in the capacity to transfer property. This administrator will be bound by laws and may make decisions that go against the decedent’s wishes. To avoid this outcome, a will and other estate planning Estate planning can be tricky, which is why many people turn to attorneys to get the job done right. documents are crucial.
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Retiring early is a complex issue that requires weighing the pros and cons.
Pros and cons to EARLY RETIREMENT
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A lifetime of working compels many people to look forward to their retirement. Some people even work to retire early. But what are the advantages of early retirement beyond starting a life of leisure? And are there any detriments to this plan? A 2014 survey by the financial services provider TIAA-CREF found that 37 percent of Americans plan to retire before age 65. However, many of them will not have control over the matter. Those who do may want to consider the pros and cons of early retirement.
Advantages Many people seek early retirement so that they can live a life free of the constraints of schedules. In retirement, time becomes, more or less, a retiree’s own. Leaving a job can be a boon to a person’s health as well. Relieving oneself of
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February 2019 | SENIOR LIVING
the pressures and stresses of professional life can free up the mind and body. Stress can affect mental and physical health, taxing the heart and contributing to conditions such as depression or anxiety. According to the Mayo Clinic, stress can cause headache, muscle and chest pain and contribute to trouble sleeping. The earlier the retirement, the more opportunity to travel before health issues begin to limit mobility. Early retirement also can be a way to volunteer more or even start a new job opportunity - one where workers have greater control over their schedules and careers.
Disadvantages One of the disadvantages of early retirement is a loss of income. Contributions to retirement accounts also ceases at retirement. This can lead to financial set-
backs if adequate savings were not allocated for retirement. According to the resource Wealth How, some people who retire early fear outliving their savings. While retiring early may be good for health, it also can have negative consequences. An analysis from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that retirement can lead to declines in mental health and mobility as well as feelings of isolation. Retiring early may jump start these health implications. Another consideration is that health insurance provided by an employer typically ends at retirement. That means having to pay out of pocket until a person ages into governmentsubsidized healthcare, such as Medicare in the United States, at age 65. Retiring early is a complex issue that requires weighing the pros and cons.
Giving back to the Community Tips for living with low vision Without a regular job to go to, many retirees find themselves with lots of time to volunteer in their community. Many community organizations need volunteers who are available during working hours or who have the flexibility to travel for days or weeks at a time. How Stuff Works had a number of suggestions for best ways for seniors to give back. Being a foster grandparent or working with young people in some other way is a low-impact, self-guided opportunity that is available in almost every community in the U.S. The Senior Corps Foster Grandparent program connects people 55 and older with children in Head Start programs, area schools and other youth groups. You can also try Big Brothers Big Sisters, children’s hospitals, the school district and more. This also
provides a sense of community for senior residents who live far away from their own families. Love your local museum? Volunteer as a tour guide or docent at a museum, landmark, botanical garden or historical site. There may also be behindthe scenes work for people with a passion but who don’t want that much time with people. Meals on Wheels is frequently looking for volunteers to deliver meals to local homebound residents. This is a good opportunity for particularly social people; many of the elderly people who are recipients of meals don’t get as many visitors as they would like, and, in addition to dropping off meals, drivers have the chance to visit with residents. Meals on Wheels is available in all 50 states and has more than 1.5 million
volunteers, many of them retirees, delivering meals to more than 1 million seniors each day. Want something a little out of the box? Habitat for Humanity offers opportunities to help build houses. These opportunities can be in your neighborhood, but Habitat also has retired and semi-retired volunteers who go to disaster relief zones and other parts of the country as part of the RV Care-A-Vanners, a group of about 6,000 volunteers who, as their name suggests, drive RVs to participate in different homebuilding projects. Retirees are frequently a good fit for a variety of disaster relief efforts, particularly those with special skills, such as doctors, nurses, EMTs, pharmacists, language interpreters, lawyers and even chaplains and fundraisers.
Visual impairment affects people of all ages and all walks of life. The American Foundation for the Blind defines visual impairment, often referred to as ‘low vision,’ as any vision problem that is severe enough to affect an individual’s ability to carry out the tasks of everyday living. Millions of people have some degree of visual impairment that requires corrective lenses, and some still struggle even while wearing glasses or contact lenses. People with low vision can experience difficulty performing daily activities, such as cooking, shopping, reading, watching television, and more. Some practical solutions can help people address changes in their vision. Use more light. After about age 60, many people require additional light to
perform most indoor tasks as well as outdoor activities. After age 60, the pupil no longer opens as widely as it once did, which affects the amount of light that reaches the retina, where vision processing occurs. Brighten areas of the kitchen, garage, crafting table, and other areas where fine details are examined. Rely on darker contrasts. Contrasting colors can make it easier to see edges and lines of demarcation. For example, use a dark tablecloth and white dishes to see table settings and food more clearly. Label items. Boldcolored labels or those of different shapes can help set items apart when reading containers or boxes becomes challenging. Use filters and shields. Certain devices, such as lens filters and shields, can reduce glare
and improve vision. Individuals also can invest in shields for their computers or tablet screens to reduce glare. Choose “large print” formats. At local booksellers, seek books that are available in large print. This makes it easier to enjoy reading. Switch bulbs at home. The eye care resource All About Vision suggests swapping fluorescent and incandescent light bulbs with warmtoned LED bulbs. These bulbs emit less blue light and can be more comforting with reduced glare. Invest in adaptive devices. Large-button phones with speed dial, large-print calendars, watches that speak the time, and digital home assistant devices also can help men and women overcome vision loss.
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GOING BACK TO WORK Learn about the causes of adult hearing loss
Retirement is a great opportunity to travel, learn, read, rest and spend time with your family. The last thing you want to think about is going back to work. However, many retirees find themselves heading back into the workforce out of a desire for more career challenges, a way to fill time or a need for money or health insurance in retirement. As you’re thinking about returning to the workforce for full- or part-time work, consider several questions. Health insurance may be a big factor, according to New Retirement. People who retire before age 65, when Medicare kicks in for all Americans, may find insurance and other out-ofpocket costs eating into their retirement savings, so getting a job that provides health insurance can
be the most financially sound option. There are some part-time jobs that offer health insurance, so consider those options as you’re looking at a return to the workforce. Other people find they have not saved enough money for retirement and need the salary. Determine how much additional money you need each month to determine if you need full- or part-time work. It’s also a good idea to talk to your financial planner to see if you’ll face any tax implications. In addition to your planner, talk to the Social Security Administration in your area. According to New Retirement, Social Security income could be reduced if you go back to work, depending on what age you were when you retired. Full retirement age is 67 for people born 1960
or later, and if you retire before 67, you will receive less money from Social Security each month. If you retire and go to back to work before you reach 67 (or the full retirement age, which may be younger for those born before 1960), Social Security deducts a dollar in benefits for every $2 you earn above the annual limit, though this is not a permanent change. Finally, if you have a pension, it could be affected if you go back to work for the same company or organization that you worked during your career. Often, companies will suspend benefits when you get back on their payroll, so check with the company so you don’t get an unpleasant surprise your first month. Your pension shouldn’t be unaffected if you work somewhere new.
Hearing loss is quite common and can impact people’s lives in profound ways. Although there are some treatments that can improve one’s ability to hear and communicate, many people are interested in learning about the ways they may be able to prevent hearing loss in the first place. Medical experts from the American SpeechLanguage-Hearing Association advise that hearing loss can be caused by different factors. Learning about these causes can help individuals make smart decisions at a young age to prevent future hearing loss when possible. In certain circumstances, hearing loss may be unavoidable. In such instances, audiologists, or doctors specializing in hearing, can help.
Conductive hearing loss Conductive hearing loss refers to problems with the ear canal, ear drum or middle ear and its bones, states the Hearing Loss Association of America. Some of the causes of conductive hearing loss include: Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear in which fluid accumula-
LIFE is just a li�le easier here.
tion can interfere with the movement of the eardrum and ossicles. mpacted earwax also can cause hearing problems. Fluid in the middle ear may obstruct hearing. Otosclerosis, which is a middle ear disease, can make it difficult for the tiny bones in the middle ear to move. Surgery can correct the problem. Malformation of the outer ear, ear canal or middle ear structure can impact hearing as well.
Sensorineural hearing loss Sensorineural hearing loss, or SNHL, occurs due to problems of the inner ear. It is often referred to as nerve-related hearing loss. Aging is a common cause of hearing loss that may not be reversible. Age-related hearing loss is called presbycusis and is marked by muffled or unclear speech. Treatment with assistive hearing devices can help improve hearing. Trauma to the ear or head may impact hearing. Wearing protective gear during sports or other activities can protect against neurological damage that
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February 2019 | SENIOR LIVING
may cause hearing loss. Damage to the inner ear can result from prolonged exposure to loud noises, states the Mayo Clinic. These noises cause wear and tear on the hairs or nerve cells in the cochlea that send sound signals to the brain. When these hairs or nerve cells are damaged or missing, electrical signals aren’t transmitted as efficiently, and hearing loss occurs. Using hearing protection and turning down the volume can help. Ménière’s disease is an inner ear problem of unknown origins. It usually starts in people between the ages of 30 and 50. Dizziness and ringing of the ear are common, and hearing loss comes and goes. Some loss can become permanent. Viruses and diseases as well as family history also may play a role in SNHL. In some instances, hearing loss may be the result of a combination of factors. Anyone finding their hearing has become less acute should visit with an audiologist. One resource to visit is www. asha.org/profind. The doctor can then prescribe a treatment plan to help improve hearing.
An elderly neighbor may have physical limitations that compromises his or her ability to perform everyday tasks.
Everyday ways to help your
ELDERLY NEIGHBORS
Thoughtful men, women and children can give back to their communities in various ways. Coaching youth sports, volunteering with local charities and donating to local food or clothing drives are just a few of the ways you can help make your community a better place. Another way to give back is to help your elderly neighbors who may not be as independent as they once were. Such men and women may have physical limitations that compromise their ability to perform everyday tasks. People in the prime of their life take their ability to perform such tasks for granted. And while these gestures might seem simple, helping your elderly neighbors with their everyday tasks can have a profound impact on their lives. Ask if a neighbor needs anything from the grocery store. Everyone forgets to buy something at the grocery store from time to time. That’s a minor inconvenience to most people,
but it can have a much bigger impact on elderly people who have mobility issues. Before taking trips to the grocery store, make it a habit to call an elderly neighbor and ask if he or she needs anything. Invite seniors over for dinner or other gatherings. Many seniors deal with social isolation, which occurs when they lack opportunities to interact with other people. Recent data from the Administration on Aging indicates that 35 percent of women over the age of 65 were widows and almost half of women 75 and older live alone. Inviting elderly neighbors who live alone over for dinners, movie nights or game watches once per week is a great way to help them avoid social isolation and give them something to look forward to. Help with some weekly chores. Seniors living on fixed incomes may find it difficult to maintain their homes. Relatively simple tasks like mowing the lawn, taking out the garbage and
even vacuuming can be difficult for seniors with physical limitations. Pitching in to help with such chores once or twice a week won’t require much time on your part and can have a significant impact on the lives of your aging neighbors. Drive seniors to religious services. Attending religious services is important to many seniors, but those who can no longer drive themselves to weekly services may not be attending them as much as they would like. Whether you attend such services or not, offer to drive an elderly neighbor on Sunday mornings (or whenever weekly services are held). Religious services can help seniors stay connected to their faith and their communities, and driving an elderly neighbor to and from houses of worship once per week won’t require a significant commitment of your time. Helping your elderly neighbors is a great and often simple way to give back to your community. SENIOR LIVING | February 2019
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MEMORY CARE a Component of Assisted Living Aging brings about many changes, including some that may compromise seniors’ ability to remain independent. In such instances, many families consider assisted living facilities for their aging relatives. More than 835,000 Americans currently reside in assisted living communities, according to the National Center for Assisted Living. While communities and homes provide various services, one service in particular may be needed for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease, other dementias or memory problems. Memory care units are separate facilities that cater to people with dementia or other memory issues. According to the senior residence referral and resource guide A Place for Mom, memory care is a distinct form of long-term skilled nursing. Also called special care units, memory care facilities provide 24-hour supervised care for individuals. This care is often carried out in a separate wing or floor of a residential facility or community. Memory care facilities aim to provide a safe and secure environment for residents. This means limiting entry or egress to other areas of the facility for those who may have trouble navigating and remembering where they started out. The Alzheimer’s Association notes that six in 10 people with dementia will wander and become disoriented. This is dangerous for the individual and others. Memory care units often have alarms and “wander guard” precautions in place to make sure residents cannot roam unsupervised and risk injury. Another goal of memory care is to provide a stress-free, structured lifestyle that has set schedules and routines, states Brookdale Senior Living. This can help keep distress minimal and make for more comfortable and happy residents.
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Mental and emotional health Studies show that more than 90 percent of physical ailments are caused or exacerbated by stress. Mental and emotional issues also can bleed into the body, with depression and isolation contributing to physical pain and a lowered immune system. According to Dartmouth-Hitchcock, people 65 and older need to be extra careful to stay sharp and take care of themselves as they move into retirement.
Keeping Your Brain in Good Shape One in eight people 65 years and older has Alzheimer’s disease, and that number gets bigger with other forms of dementia. We’ve all heard about the need to do crossword puzzles to keep your mental faculties intact, and studies have shown that, while some cognitive decline is normal as you age, working in cognitive stimulation like word or logic puzzles, trivia games, reading books and other activities that stretch your brain can help with mental acuity. Want something a little more active? Take a dance class that requires you to learn new steps, learn a new language (or remind yourself of one you used to know), go to lectures or the local museum, learn an instrument or join a choir.
Many adults spend most of their working lives going to the office and building relationships with coworkers. Not seeing friends as frequently and even not having the routine of getting up and ready and going to the office can be isolating. The death of a spouse or retired friends relocating somewhere warmer or closer to family can also cause isolation. Losing these relationships can contribute to depression. Combating isolation often means a concerted effort to cultivate relationships. About a quarter of retired adults live alone, which requires even more effort. Set up a regular call with children, grandchildren, siblings and friends who live out of town. Meet for lunch, dinner or coffee; find other retired friends who want to travel and take trips together; invite people over for dinner; and join groups for people with similar hobbies.
Managing Stress
According to DartmouthHitchcock, stress may become more of a health factor as we age. Long-term stress can damage your brain and lead to depression, memory loss, fatigue and a lowered immune system. Learn what your stressors are and do what you can to avoid or mitigate the effects Working on Your of stress, then find healthy ways to Relationships handle it — yoga, exercise, theraRetirement can be isolating. py, journaling or meditation.
Many families consider assisted living facilities for their aging relatives.
In addition, memory care units offer programs that help slow the progression of dementias and cultivate cognitive skills. Fitness exercises, games, specialty food programs, activities, and much more may be offered to make residents more comfortable. Memory care facilities include common spaces for socialization, meals and activities. “Alzheimer’s patients must maintain their activity, walking, interacting with music, and
February 2019 | SENIOR LIVING
art,” says Lory Bright-Long, MD, CMD, of the American Medical Directors Association. “We have to awaken the senses so that the memory can have a hook. This is accomplished in the memory care setting.” It is important for those considering assisted living and nursing home facilities to inquire about specific memory care units if a loved one requires this environment. Start the search at APlaceForMom.com.
Crosswords and logic puzzles can help with mental acuity.
Gilles ARROYO
TAKING TIME TO TRAVEL Retirement means unlimited vacation days — time to take all those trips you couldn’t fit into your few weeks of annual vacation during your working life, energy for day and weekend trips to explore your own region that always seemed like too much after working 40 hours. While there are plenty of trips that are fun for any traveler, senior citizens have additional options to see the world.
Find a Senior Travel Group ElderTreks and Road Scholar offer adventures of all kinds for senior citizens, including short and inexpensive trips to places throughout the United States and longer excursions to Central and South America, Europe, Africa and more. These programs allow you to sign up for the trips you want to take, browsing through different
adventure options like train travel, hiking, sea trips and more, and they do the planning for you. Traveling by yourself? There are tour groups that cater to single senior citizens as well.
open schedule. Rick Steves suggests traveling during shoulder season (April-May, SeptemberOctober), when prices are lower because it’s not peak season, but the weather is still fairly good.
Look into Discounts
Invest in a National Parks Pass
AARP and other organizations for senior citizens offer travel discounts on flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises and tours. Check out what options are available. Often insurance companies and big box stores offer discounts as well, so find the best deal you can. When you go to museums and other sights, ask about a senior discount. You also can get a deal on some train tickets throughout Europe, according to Rick Steves; ask at the train station what discounts are available. Even without special deals, retirees have the advantage of more
Seniors can get a lifetime National Parks pass for $80, allowing entry into all the national parks and monuments throughout the country. For the outdoorsy types, this is an inexpensive way to spend a day or a weekend hiking or camping. Even the less outdoorsy types can find easy hikes or beautiful drives through some of the country’s most pristine, gorgeous landscapes, including the red rocks of olezzo - stock.adobe.com Zion National Park, the geysers of Yellowstone or the green, rolling Travel to Greece and sit on the steps of an amphitheater, a monument of hills of Shenandoah National Park. ancient architecture.
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Upkeep or downsize? Retirement opens up a range of options for housing. Some people choose to stay in the homes in which they raised their families, keeping space for visiting family, enjoying a big backyard and staying close to their preretirement lifestyle. Others sell their house and move somewhere smaller, possibly even a condo or townhouse, reducing the need for yardwork, or they choose to relocate somewhere else — closer to family or to a more temperate climate. At some point, people may opt for a senior living community. The decision is different for each retiring person or couple depending on their wants, needs and financial situations. Forbes suggested making the decision with two factors in mind: quality of life and financial reasons. Although more than 80 percent of Americans say that would prefer to stay in their homes through retire-
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ment, it may not be the best choice moving itself is expensive. long-term.
Financial Questions Can you afford to keep your home? That includes a mortgage payment, insurance and upkeep. Even if you can make those payments, leveraging the equity in your home for a less expensive housing option may allow you more financial freedom in retirement. According to a 2015 Merrill Lynch study, most Americans of retirement age have more than $200,000 in equity in their homes but less than half of that in retirement savings. Can you afford to move? A smaller home doesn’t always lower your expenses — you may want to live somewhere with a higher cost of living, or you look at a smaller but nicer home or an area with more amenities. Consider the differences you’ll see in finances. Additionally,
February 2019 | SENIOR LIVING
Quality of Life Considerations
Many people want to travel when they retire or otherwise have more freedom. If this is you, selling your house and renting a home or apartment may allow for that lifestyle. Even if you don’t plan to roam, you may want less responsibility for maintenance and upkeep, which can be achieved either through renting or buying a property in a neighborhood with an involved homeowners association. Also consider whether you want to stay. Perhaps your friends and family are all in this community, you’ve joined organizations and have roots that you want to keep. Or you may find yourself in a school district with high property taxes that made sense when kids were in school but no longer do now that you’re empty nesters.
Some seniors choose to move to a smaller home or condo, while others stay in the homes they raised their families in. deagreez - stock.adobe.com
STAYING HEALTHY
Healthy choices are just as important during retirement as they are in your younger years. That doesn’t make it easy all the time, though. Exercise, sleep, healthy eating and regular visits to the doctor can often be more complicated as your
body ages. Dartmouth- Get Plenty of Sleep Hitchcock offered tips to stay Your body may not be healthy so you can fully enjoy growing like a teenager’s, but retirement. older adults still need seven to nine hours of sleep a night Eat Healthy Foods (perhaps with a nap thrown Talk to your doctor about in since afternoons are free). how many calories are good Not getting enough sleep can for you and make sure you’re lead to depression, irritabilsticking within a good range. ity and memory problems and But developing healthy eating just make your day-to-day habits is about more than calo- functioning more difficult. ries. Pay attention to sodium, Get into good sleep habits such cholesterol and other ingredi- as going to bed and getting up ents on the label. Studies show at roughly the same time each most Americans eat twice as day, and keep your bedroom much sodium as the recom- screen-free — no taking your mended daily amount, which laptop to bed! Avoid caffeine can lead to hypertension and late in the day. heart disease. Eat whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole Preventative Care grains like wheat bread and Keep your vaccines up to pasta, brown rice, while date, including the annual flu minimizing fast food and vaccine; flu tends to be much highly processed foods. more dangerous for older pa-
tients. Be aware of fall risks around your home and take precautions to reduce those risks. See an eye doctor regularly and keep glasses and contacts up to date, which will make getting around your house and neighborhood more safely. Talk to your doctor about vitamins or supplements like calcium or vitamin D.
Exercise
Find what works for you and do it regularly. You don’t have to be the 90-year-old running a marathon; a brisk walk around your neighborhood or a low-impact class at the gym work just as well. Weight lifting, cycling, yoga and hiking all are good ways to stay fit. If you’re not sure, talk to your doctor or a trainer about a good exercise routine.
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