The 5 Best Tips for Seniors to Stay Happy and Healthy

Do you want to live a healthy and happy retirement? Who doesn’t? It’s an ideal situation for all of us to enter our senior years, ready to relax and kick our feet up. However, it’s critical when you’re older to take care of yourself and your health. Now is as great of a time as ever to make a plan and put into practice a routine that keeps you safe and healthy for years to come.

1. Stay Physically Active

Many of us forget the importance of exercise when we’re younger until we get older, where we end up losing the strength and stamina we once built up. The plus side of retirement is that you have extra time to dedicate yourself to living a healthier lifestyle. According to experts at the CDC, seniors aged 65 or older should aim to do 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week (for example, 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week). This means moving more and sitting less. Don’t worry about outmatching athletes in their strength and cardio training. You can incorporate simple habits into your routine that will improve your fitness. Try parking your car further away from the store, walking your dog every day, gardening, or do light exercise whenever you’re watching TV.

Many older adults suffer from chronic pain in the legs due to aging or have lower leg problems. This might impair them from daily physical activities such as walking or exercise. Talk to a medical professional about getting supportive garments, such as compression socks, compression stockings, and foot wraps. Compression legwear helps to improve blood circulation, alleviate leg pain and swelling, and reduce the risk of blood clots in the leg. Once you have the recommendation from the medical expert, go for compression socks with zippers to make it easier for you to put on and take off the socks.

2. Eat Healthily

People typically lose more muscle mass or bone density as they age, which can cause problems with mobility and increase the risk of injury from a fall. However, seniors can maintain both muscle mass and bone density by incorporating the right diet for older adults. Consuming calcium-rich foods like dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified cereals can help strengthen bones, while lean proteins such as fish, poultry, and legumes support muscle maintenance. Staying hydrated is equally important, as dehydration can contribute to fatigue, confusion, and other health concerns in older adults. According to a recent study conducted by Wake Forest University, older adults that follow a low-calorie, high-protein diet while they’re overweight reduce the loss of hip/spine bone density and improve bone quality altogether. Researchers also found that seniors on the high-protein diet gained 0.75 points on their Health Aging Index scores.

3. Assistance for Home Care

When we grow older, we sometimes forget to take care of essential household duties such as mowing our grass, doing laundry, or even taking medications. Although we may do a great job staying on top of chores, there’s always a chance that you could miss paying a bill and wind up in financial trouble. Consider asking a responsible loved one to check up on you every so often or help out. You can also apply for assisted living or have a home care nurse visit you each week to help you with basic senior living needs.

4. Minimize Your Living Space

When the time comes to retire, we often don’t have as much energy to do the things we want, and having a large living area can become more of a burden than it is a joy. There’s also an added risk of falling downstairs or tripping over furniture that you might have missed. That’s why it’s often recommend that you move to a smaller space that’s easier to manage or rearrange the furniture in your home, so it’s safer.

5. Apply for Medicare

Seniors’ healthcare needs often extend beyond ordinary doctor checkups, and the cost to cover everything can quickly add up. Most Americans 65 and older will qualify for Medicare, a national health insurance program designed to provide affordable medical and hospital insurance to older adults and some younger groups of people, including those with certain disabilities. While Original Medicare covers inpatient hospital stays and outpatient care, you can also add additional coverage for prescription drugs and dental care, for example. If you’re approaching your 65th birthday, find out how to apply for Medicare in order to start receiving benefits as soon as you can.

Make Your Health and Happiness a Top Priority

Imagine what more you can do if you plan your retirement with your health and safety in mind. Go on to fulfill a dream you’ve put off for many years, share fun-filled laughs and stories with old friends, and watch your grandkids grow into adulthood. Here’s to a wiser version of your younger self, and some of the best years to come.