Though the old stereotype of living out our autumn years chairbound and bored persists, the reality is more and more of our seniors are getting out and about to improve their physical health – which has flow on effects for overall wellbeing and financial security. Here are some practical tips for maintaining your well-being and finances as a result.

Making Physical Health a Priority

As we get older, our muscle and bone density decrease faster, known as sarcopenia. This makes physical health more important to maintain than ever. Regular exercise not only combats any physical or joint ailments before they arise but have many other health benefits such as preventing metabolic syndrome (Type II diabetes, heart disease, etc.) alleviating anxiety and depression, can speed up recovery from surgery, and help avoid cardiovascular illnesses. This contributes to your overall well-being. Remember: a good exercise routine can’t out-train a bad diet, so remember to eat healthy foods including good fats – and always in moderation. Good health also factors into insuring yourself – be it through life or health insurance. More on this later in the piece.

Nurturing Mental and Emotional Well-being

Mental health is just as important as physical health – and our emotional well-being is all connected in a holistic way. That means staying connected and engaged with your friends and community (perhaps all joining a gym together?) and maintaining cognitive function through puzzles, word games, learning languages, and brain training apps. Health insurance can also provide rebates for mental health services such as psychology, which can also enhance mental health and emotional well-being.

Financial Security for the Future

With our physical and mental well-being sorted, the next thing to tackle is our financial security. That means reviewing and planning our finances including our insurance. Though we may think we’re covered for life and health insurance, we may not have reviewed it for a while and now have different needs. How much is too much? Too little? If you’re unsure, you should consult a guide that helps determine how much life insurance you need, now that you may own your own home, have no dependent children, or are working much less or retired. Health insurance can manage long-term healthcare expenses, which can also impact how secure your financial future will be. Remember to consult a financial adviser to help with anything you may not understand.

Preventive Healthcare and Regular Check-ups

As we’re getting older, going to the doctors for preventative health care is just as critical as going for check-ups or getting diagnoses for certain illnesses. This may mean guarding against sarcopenia or osteoporosis, which are common among older people. Screenings for breast cancer, bowel cancer, or prostate cancer for those of us over the age of 50 must be ramped up, as well as vaccinations for illnesses that can knock older people around more so than younger folk. Of course, having comprehensive health insurance can reduce the out-of-pocket costs and cover any unexpected surgeries with fast and effective treatment plans.