Routine and Technology:
Practical Ways to Improve
Your Health as a Senior
By Katybeth Dee of Self Exam
Your golden years can be the best years of your life. Yes, your body will change, and with it, certain tasks may be more difficult to do at the level you once did them. But aging also comes with acquired wisdom, patience, and self-confidence that you lacked in your younger years.
To take full advantage of your life as a senior, it’s critical that you take care of yourself. This article will discuss two ways you can do that: routine and technology. Each of these can be applied to your everyday life to improve your health so that you thrive in your golden years.
Routine
Establishing a healthy routine is half the battle when it comes to living a fulfilling life. Just as some of your desires will likely change as you get older, so will your needs. With that in mind, here are some quick tips for establishing a good routine.
Schedule Your Checkups
Checkups become even more important in your golden years. So, be sure to go to your physician and optometrist for an annual exam, and go to your dentist every six months. Also, ask your doctor about any health screenings that could benefit you.
Review Your Insurance Coverage
Every year, review your insurance coverage to ensure your needs are being met. For example, many seniors find that an Aetna Medicare Advantage plan provides many services they need. If preventative care, dental, vision, and/or hearing coverage is something you require, check into these plans. While they will cost more up front, these plans can save you money in the long run. If you’re ready to switch your plan, be sure to enroll between October 15 and December 7.
Check Your Diet
Nutritional needs change with age. Generally speaking, seniors can benefit from a diet that centers around vegetables, fruits, lean meats, fish, eggs, nuts, and seeds. Also, be sure to monitor your sugar and sodium intake.
Keep Moving
As with eating well, regular exercise is key for all age groups, but it becomes more essential during our golden years. So, find a physical activity that you enjoy (or, at least, don’t hate), and do it five or six times a week. Whether you walk, jog, hike, swim, or do any other kind of activity, try to do it for 30 minutes each workout day. Some seniors find it helpful to break their workouts into 10- or 15-minute segments throughout the day.
Technology
Technological innovation offers seniors a plethora of different benefits. One of the best ways to foster your health through tech is to get a smartwatch or fitness tracker. These devices can make it easy to monitor and manage your exercise routine and overall health. The Apple Watch Series 4, can detect when you fall, quickly connect you with emergency services, monitor your heart rate, and even generate an electrocardiogram (ECG). Another great fitness tracker to look at is the Fitbit Versa, which includes heart rate monitoring and guided workouts.
Along with getting a smartwatch or fitness tracker, there are apps for smartphones and tablets that can benefit your overall health and well-being as a senior. Here are a few to look into:
● Map My Run
● Elevate Brain Training
● Pill Monitor
● ShopWell
● Words with Friends
Being proactive about your health and well-being is key to making your golden years your best years. So, be sure to make any necessary changes to your routine, such as going to checkups, switching your insurance, eating well and exercising. Also, look into technology that can help you manage your health, such as smartwatches, fitness trackers and apps. Take charge of your health now so that you can thrive in the years to come.
Check these out!
ITN North Jersey
(Independent Travel Network)
Provides affordable arm-through-arm,
door-to-door local transportation in
and around Bergen County.
needed and welcome!
turns on-demand transportation companies (like Uber and Lyft) into services that help families take better
care of older adults.
Helps your parents and grandparents
get where they want to go
by using a regular telephone
(not a smart phone).
Ryde4Life
offers on-demand transportation for adults age 50+ via Uber and Lyft from
8 AM-8 PM Mon-Friday and on weekends. Cell phone not required. Click here to register
Click Here to check out a
chart of various
transportation options.
Numerous websites have valuable information about
aging and aging-in place.
Check these out and let us know of others that may be helpful!
Send links to agefriendlyenglewood@gmail.com
General Information about Aging and Services
The Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation posts several helpful links
on their website. Click "resources" on the menu bar.
Bergen County Division of Senior Services
Senior services/Aging and Disability Resource Connection.
New Jersey Foundation for Aging - promotes services that enable
older adults to live in the community of their choice with independence and dignity.
The Boomer’s Roadmap for Aging in Place: How to Prepare Today for Your Senior Years
Economic Security
Economic Security for Seniors - Facts
How to Identify and Avoid Scams Targeting Senior Citizens and the Elderly
tips for seniors to manage money and avoid scams
Senior Care Costs-Managing Life Transitions
Common Scams Targeting Seniors
Elder Abuse
Elder abuse/Nursing Home Abuse
Housing
Housing Tips and Advice from The National Aging in Place Council
Should You Own or Rent a Home in Retirement?
A Guide to Downsizing for Seniors and Their Loved Ones
7 Home Improvement & Remodeling Ideas That Increase Home Value (And What To Avoid)
How to Deter Burglars: Keeping Potential Robbers Away From Your Home
Fully Accessible Guide to Buying a Home for Disabled Homeowners
Senior Living: Housing Information, Resources, and Programs
Home Improvement Resources for the Elderly and Disabled
Fire Safety Tips for Home and Family
Medicare
Information about New Medicare Cards (2018)
Older Adults with Special Needs or Disabilities
Special Needs Seniors: Planning for the Future of this Vulnerable Population
Legal Guide for Newly Disabled Seniors
Home Organization for Newly Disabled Seniors
Home Safety Checklist for Wheelchair Users
Transportation and the ADA(Americans with Disabilities Act)
Guide to Flying With A Disability
Safety at Home
Home security, fire safety, avoiding scams, etc.
Bathroom modifications for seniors & people with disabilities
Fall Prevention
Fall Prevention Tips for Seniors | A Home Design Guide
Care Givers
8 Things Not to Say to Your Aging Parents
Mom’s Coming to Live with Us: How Should I Prepare My Family?
How to Care for Your Aging Parents from a Distance
Depression in Older Adults and the Elderly
Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia
Alzheimer's New Jersey- a wide range of services and resources for those with or caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's disease.
Guide to Alzheimer's & Dementia
Canine Caregivers for Dementia and Alzheimer’s Patients
The Benefits of Cooking with Alzheimer’s: A Caregiver’s Guide
Senior Discounts
100 Ways to Save on Healthcare Costs
https://dealhack.com/blog/senior-discounts-guide
Scams
Guide to Safe Online Shopping/Avoiding Scams
Technology
Tips for Seniors from Verizon (in Spanish, too)
A Senior’s Guide to Using Computers and Software
Assistive Technology Buying Guide
How to Purchase Assistive Technology on a Budget
Transportation
INT North Jersey - community-based, quality transportation service for seniors and adults with visual impairments.
GoGoGrandparent - Uber and Lyft without having to use a smart phone.
Ryde4Life - Affordable and flexible transportation for older adults
with Lyft and Uber throughout New Jersey
Zoom - Senior-friendly ride & shopping service serving Bergen County
Safe Driving
AARP Driver Safety Online Course - potential saving on car insurance!
Senior Road Safety Guide - How to stay on the road as long and as safely as possible
AAA Online Defensive Driving Course
Senior Road Safety - senior resources for road safety
Travel
Travelling with a Medical Condition
Activities
SESCIL - Southeast Senior Center for Independent Living
Wide range of activities in Englewood
Senior Source - Socialization and educational programs at no cost; located in The Shops at Riverside in Hackensack, NJ (upper level, near Bloomingdale's).
14 Ways to Help Seniors Avoid Isolation
Exercise & Physical Activity: Your Everyday Guide from the National Institute on Aging
Miscellaneous Health-Related Information
Healthy Living for the Elderly
Seniors Guide to Healthy Eating
Mental Health & Addiction Resources
The Ultimate Guide to Rehab and Medicare
Information about hip replacement
Information about alcohol treatment
Mesothelioma
Information about asbestos illnesses/mesothelioma
Information about receiving funding for asbestos illnesses/mesothelioma:
MesotheliomaFund.com
Financial compensation for mesothelioma