3 Potential Health Considerations to Factor in As You Age

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While many of us look forward to retiring in a sunny locale, the reality isn’t always that perfect. Old age can take its toll on a person’s body and mind to the point where the simple things that we once took for granted aren’t all that easy to do. Although many of us would rather not dwell on old age, the fact is this is an inevitable part of life and one that needs to be tackled head-on.

Taking the time to consider these potential health challenges means you’ll be able to take action and potentially prevent problems further down the line. Here are three types of health challenges you may want to address while you still have the chance:

Weight Gain

We all know that being overweight or obese can increase several health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Regardless of whether you have a fast metabolism or you’ve always made an effort to keep your weight in check, aging can lead to weight gain for many people. This is because we tend to lose muscle, become less active and our metabolism also gets slower.

A few extra pounds may not be a big deal when you are young, but it will have a more significant impact on mobility and exacerbate conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis as we age. Take action now by incorporating ample exercise into your daily routine and eating a healthy diet. Getting into good habits early can make all the difference when it comes to weight gain.

Mobility

On a related note, we tend to become less mobile and stable on our feet as we age. For most people, this is just a regular part of aging. However, for others, this could be related to a more serious neurological condition such as ALS. While staying healthy and active can delay mobility issues, it is still wise to consider what you’d do if mobility became a problem.

Would you want to make adjustments to your home environment, or would you prefer to move into an aged care facility where ALS staffing help would be available around the clock? It might seem a long way off if you are still very stable on your feet, but it is undoubtedly worth factoring in when making plans for the future.

Memory Loss

Most people experience memory loss as they age. Our brains tend to deteriorate over time, making it harder for older adults to recall even recent events. It is normal to become more forgetful as we age, but more severe memory loss conditions such as dementia and Alzheimers can become debilitating. One way to slow memory loss is keeping the mind active by engaging in various pursuits such as crossword puzzles, sudoku, or just reading the newspaper daily. Keeping the mind engaged and challenged will keep it in good working condition for longer.

Aging is not something most of us want to ponder while we are still young, but it is a part of life, and it will be much easier to tackle the challenges that come our way if we have made a plan or found ways to preempt these issues potentially. While there is no need to dwell on these issues, a little bit of forethought won’t do you any harm.