Your health is a prized gem that determines the quality of life you’ll live. For your health to thrive into your senior citizen years, you must factor in matters of finance in your plans. While you’ll be eligible to access senior citizen health care services and other benefits, you can do more to prepare for the days ahead.
1. Lifestyle Change Costs
According to a report by CBC, nearly two-thirds of adults in the U.S. are either obese or overweight. This need not be so for you. Keep routines that’ll help your body shed excess weight as you age. If your career is more sedentary, involving long hours of sitting, take a walk after every few hours. This helps with blood circulation and getting your joints in motion. The body will also have a chance to break a sweat and burn a few calories.
To remember the new walking routine, put a reminder in your smartphone walking app. You can start your fitness journey by setting short walking goals. Just a brisk walk around the block is a good start.
Over time, you will increase the distance to two blocks, then three. Eventually, you’ll be covering miles at a time. Walking will freshen up your brain while the body works off unnecessary weight. Walking needs nearly no specialized equipment or tools. All you need is a pair of comfortable walking shoes, tracksuits, a T-shirt, and a willing mind.
Combine your new walking habit with a new diet habit for maximum rewards. Instead of snacking often, time your mealtimes to ensure you only eat when hungry. Another tip is to eat just enough food to feel satisfied. Don’t eat more than you need, especially if you don’t intend to burn those calories later. CDC recommends achieving a healthy body weight to control cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure.
2. Medical Insurance Costs
Start shopping for a good medical cover that’ll support you after retirement. Medical insurance premiums increase as you age, meaning you’ll incur more costs to get good health coverage. Also, expect your other out-of-pocket expenses to keep going up, such as the need for home support, special meals, and medications.
Although Medicare will support part of your health care costs, such as hospital visits, it certainly doesn’t cover all your costs. Start planning how to cover your healthcare costs for yourself beyond what the government offers you.
Check the relevant health insurance websites to see the available products and which will work for you. Healthcare is not cheap in America, whether you’re young or aged. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that nearly 8.3% of adults aged 18 and above couldn’t access medical care due to the high costs. But things are looking up in the health sector, with the number of Americans who could not access medical care posting a decline compared to the previous decade.
3. Nursing Home Costs
As your senior citizen days approach, you’ll need a community that understands and meets your needs with compassionate care. Although there’s no particular age when people should move to nursing homes, admission to nursing care is usually for those aged 75 years and above. Activities and other programs in nursing homes are tailored to meet their physical and psychological needs.
Nursing homes are a pricey option. A Place For Mom estimates the average cost of a semi-private shared room in a New Jersey nursing home to be approximately $11,000 monthly. Although only 4% of seniors end up in nursing homes, you shouldn’t rule it out.
Before choosing a nursing home, research and do due diligence to determine what services they offer and at what cost. Also, read the reviews from former and current customers online. This will give you an idea of what to expect, the questions to ask, and how to start the process of registering interest with a nursing home.
Your senior years may or may not be here yet. Use your time to modify your home to accommodate a senior citizen’s special needs. Find a community with similar interests as you. Finally, you are the one who will determine the quality of life you live!
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