The Big Health Picture

So, you are looking forward to retirement. Roll on 65, you say. Over the two previous issues we introduced this topic and looked at the big picture. Over the next four issues we will continue to expand on what can be a scary season of life for many men and women. As with any season of life you need a life plan, and the third age is no different. This season of life should be the most influential and rewarding.

So, the BIG HEALTH PICTURE is: you are unlikely to be as healthy as the day you retire and enter the third age. Health and energy limitations will impact your freedom to do things at some stage, and you need to allow for this in your plan. Are you planning to be old and full of years? If so, then you need to be wise and proactive in looking after your body.
 

1. HEALTH MONITORING. Comprehensive annual medical check-ups should be in your plan as a norm. Your past medical history will somewhat dictate the extent of such annual health checks. In my case my doctor recommended a colonography because of a history of constipation. This procedure found a lung tumour that was having no impact at that time on my health. This fortuitous find and early intervention saved my life.
2. COMMON HEALTH ISSUES. The following main issues need checking: bowel, diabetes, blood pressure (hypertension), prostate and erectile dysfunction (men), breast and cervical (women), cholesterol, heart, obesity, glaucoma. If something is not functioning properly in your body get it checked out immediately, including changes to bodily functions like bowel movements.
3. DEPRESSION. As detailed last issue. Be aware to avoid isolation in the third age. This can lead to loneliness and depression. If you are feeling low for an extended period of days, get help.
4. ADDICTIONS. The third age doesn’t protect you from losing control to an addiction issue, whether it be alcohol, drugs, gambling or pornography. If you have lost control in some area of your life, get help.
5. PHYSICAL MOBILITY LIMITATIONS. Be wise. Don’t push your body to achieve limits that you could at 20. You will need to increase the time allocated to physical fitness, just to maintain previous levels of fitness and good shape. Are there some recreational activities that I should curtail, cease or change?
6. SICKNESS AND MEDICATION. The third age will probably come with more health challenges than what you have experienced in the earlier years of your life. Follow good advice from your doctor to avoid damage to your body and the need for medication. Continuous medication usually has downstream limitations. So lifestyle choice intervention should be acted on immediately to avoid or minimise the chances of continuous medication.

 
Questions to ponder:

• Am I having annual health checks?
• Is there some area of concern that I should get checked out NOW?
• Am I exercising enough? Do I need to get some advice?

Make sure you join us in March when Peter discusses finances in the third age. Ed