On Health…“Health Care” in this context refers to what you do to manage health problems when they occur. Concerns about health care have traditionally been associated with “older” people, but with the advancement of wellness and healthy living, people of all ages are demonstrating a pro-active interest in health. 

Statistics indicate that as you age, you are more prone to disease:  heart disease and arthritis are prevalent in many older individuals.  The opportunity increases for other diseases to present themselves, from Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, gastric disorders, and diabetes to various forms of cancers— among many others.  In addition, habits related to obesity and smoking make disease management more difficult if you live beyond 80.

Individuals who overly feared illness in their younger years are likely to face an added strain when facing the greater possibility of sickness when they are older.  Likewise, individuals who disregarded health concerns when they were younger are likely to suffer a larger impact from health problems as they age. 

Access to care is a major concern, as the day of the specialist physician is predominant.  A primary and important asset you can have is a good relationship with a family physician. This primary care physician can guide you to effective care that is beneficial for you because he/she knows you—no one treatment style fits all.  This physician and office staff also know your insurance, financial ability, tolerance for referrals and any special needs you have—such as loss of certain functions or interests in maintaining abilities.

I remember once having severely cut my hand working on a construction project, and my primary care physician came into the emergency room at midnight on a holiday weekend to attend to me.  When I asked him why he did not leave it to the emergency room staff, he said “I know how important your piano playing is to you and I wanted to make sure that the reconstruction of your hand was not left up to someone who did not know this special aspect about you.”

Expect to spend more on health care as you age.  Not only are procedures, medicines and specialist physicians not covered entirely by health insurance, but the frequency you will use these people and resources increases.

The resources in this section will help you choose a physician and prepare for events in acute care settings.  SLI also provides links to other websites that we have found helpful related to specific diseases and the management of them.

On Wellness… Prevention is better than cure.  Most people believe in disease “prevention” even if they cannot discipline themselves to the many habits which maintain good health.  Unwanted side effects of medicines have also frightened many people into developing prevention habits, rather than thinking that there is a medicine to provide relief to illness. 

Seniors, in unprecedented numbers, have become users of health clubs, exercise classes, daily exercise routines and support groups.  They attend seminars on healthy dining, sleeping, hobbies and psychological well-being.

One of the primary reasons individuals move from family homes into adult communities or other forms of retirement communities is because of the availability and convenience of “activities.”  In fact, there are so many seniors living in all types of settings that some have formed “virtually occurring retirement communities” (VORCs) in places that never advertised for “seniors.”   Habits to health can be reinforced in a community setting to a greater extent than they might be developed and sustained in an isolated home. 

Using What We Already Know
--Knowledge
When your health needs “care” or a “repair,” where do you begin?

• Attitudes about your health and healthcare are in place before you become old.  Use them to your benefit or change them to improve yourself.
  
  
• Don’t forget, depression and other psychological disturbances may be medical issues, not moral failures.  Treat them as a disease.  Develop habits to decrease the likelihood or severity of depression.
  
• Develop and write down clear instructions about what others should do if you are incapacitated.

--Relationships
Enjoy health-giving relationships with people who share your interests as well as those who challenge you.
When an emergency arises, have your key assets in place:

• Supportive family and friends empowered to act on your behalf.
  
  
• Relationship with primary care physician and specialists as indicated
  
  
• Hospital of your choice identified.

--Civic Engagement

• Consider allowing others to benefit from your medical experiences by participation in a research study (if you qualify).
  
  
• Volunteer or work with the chronically ill, if that is a possibility for you.

Caring for “The Body”
This includes formal exercise but can also be achieved through walking, cleaning, organizing, gardening, shopping and cooking—as all these involve physical activity.  Explore ways to maximize physical activity when you do these things.  The result: better feeling about life and reduced risk of falling and disease. 

We consider the capacity and health of your body in three ways: (1) aerobic capacity, (2) strength and (3) stretch.  Healthy physical exertion improves each of these three components and leads to a balance of the body’s physical functioning.  A healthy person contributes to each of these three areas in daily activities, with an emphasis on “stretch” appropriate for us as you become older. 

Diet goes hand-in-hand with exercise habits, and a significant health concern in recent months has been the prevalence of diabetes--vast number of overweight children and mid-lifers.   Talk to experts about diet and eating habits.

Caring for “The Mind”
Using different parts of the brain through mental exercising is becoming an important new field of discovery for seniors.  Memorizing poems, computer passwords, account numbers, shopping lists, stock prices, great leaders, etc… is health-giving and can be fun! 

Engagement in artistic activities, maintaining or developing musical skills, as well as storytelling are all part of maximizing mental functioning.  You should avoid watching too much TV, unless you are interacting with it.  There are books to read and books on tape/CD to hear. 

The computer, when used interactively, can stimulate mental improvement.  However, it can also be used passively and contribute no more to one’s well-being than random channel surfing on TV.

Focusing on a subject of interest, not multi-tasking many different things, is key to mental health.  An increasing number of studies are demonstrating the dangers of multi-tasking and showing the benefits of focused attention on a single subject or activity.

Caring for “The Spirit”
Many authors have characterized old age as a time for significant integration of past “selves” and interests.  Legacy-building may become a healthy organizing principle of your spiritual life. 

At the same time, this may be a time for you to enter into a greater relationship with your religious heritage.   

A significant spiritual task may also be psychological: reconciling and balancing past disappointments with your entire life story.