How To Care For Your Health As You Approach The Golden Years

Have you realized that you might be slowing down a bit? Perhaps your reflexes aren't as sharp as they once were, or you are even feeling a bit depressed about the passage of time. In addition, you might be considering the fact that your gene pool includes a family history of illness like cancer or heart disease. Of course, you are smart to address those concerns. However, there is certainly a lot you can do to take care of your health as you approach the golden years.

​Things You Can Do Yourself

More than likely, you already know the foods you should eat, the amount of sleep you should get, and that you should be exercising. However, knowing those things and doing something about them is a different story. Think of setting a health regime for yourself that focuses on improving your physical health and your mental health.

• Think of going to nutrition classes or of meeting with a trained dietician.

Consider joining a gym or something like a dance class.

• Make sure you have an active social life, doing things you truly enjoy.

Things Left To The Professionals

• If you haven't done so already, get a complete physical.
• Your insurance will more than likely cover things like lab work.
• See specialists when you have specific concerns.

If you have a family history of specific illnesses, focus on those. For example, if either of your parents or your grandparents suffered from heart disease, it might be a very good idea to see a cardiovascular doctor. Your family doctor will be happy to refer you to an expert in cardiovascular disease. If you have a history of diabetes, cancer or any other major illness, your doctor will guide you to a specialist in any of those fields.

Be ready to fill out extensive forms that relate to your health, including your mental well-being. When you visit your new doctor, be sure that files from your family doctor are sent to the specialist. Expect to do lab work and, in the case of cardiovascular concerns, you may have to perform a stress test and other related tests. If you have cardiovascular disease or diabetes, be prepared to change your diet. In addition, proper exercise will be recommended. Prescriptions may be given, too. Consider keeping a journal where you enter problems that you can take to your doctors. In addition, record how you progress in your health as you approach the golden years.