Healthy Aging Month is Here!

We have previously mentioned getting ready for Healthy Aging Month, and now, the time is finally here!Throughout September, we should commit ourselves to making lifestyle changes and choices that can help increase our overall health. As seniors, there are certain conditions, diseases, and issues that affect us more than they affect some of our younger friends and family, and it is important to be aware of some of these common health concerns.Although seniors can be affected by many challenges, some specific issues that face seniors most frequently are arthritis, heart disease, cancer, respiratory conditions and Alzheimer’s disease, according to Everyday Health. The good news is that, with increasingly effective medications, healthy lifestyle choices, and strong support systems, seniors can tackle many of these challenges.Eating nutritious foods, staying active, refraining from smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight are some of the easiest and most effective actions you can take to better your health as you age. Making some of these changes can not only lower your risk for some of these diseases, but can also lead to increased health and wellbeing with each passing year. In fact, according to the CDC, 41% of adults aged 65 and older reported their health to be “excellent” or “very good!”Another major part of staying healthy is regularly visiting your doctor and making sure to follow their medical guidance. As seniors, many of us rely on Medicare programs to provide us with reliable, effective, and affordable medications and treatment options. It is important to adhere to the advice of medical professionals and take our medications as directed in order to best benefit from our individualized treatment plans. You can read more about adherence and sticking to your medication routine here.Ensuring that you have a strong support system is also crucial to aging healthily. Making sure spouses, children, grandchildren, our close friends, and caregivers are all aware of some of your specific health needs is important, and a great way to help spread the message that making your health a priority is important at any age. And for the countless seniors who provide care to others, remember that your efforts are a valuable and critical part of keeping others healthy.We would love to hear from you all about what you do to stay healthy as you age. Share some of your tips and advice with other seniors on our Facebook and Twitter pages, and let’s all make a point to spend this September consciously making healthy lifestyle choices together!