There are many things you need to have in place as we get older that some of us never thought of. They will bring you
peace of mind today and provide guidance to your family members and friends.
Keep Your Documents in Order
Keep your important papers all together in one place by perhaps setting up a file or designate a drawer or box and label it appropriately. You want to make sure that all policies are up to date and that there is a beneficiary listed on all accounts. Be sure to include the following:
- Pensions from your employer, IRAs, 401(k)s, etc.
- Living wills, legal wills, advance directives
- Medicare card, insurance cards, SS card
- All insurance policies with agent phone numbers
- All banking information and investment incomes
- Tax returns (last 3 years)
- All house and car titles, registrations, mortgage information
- Credit card information
- Make sure that if you have made funeral arrangements, someone is aware of what they are and who they are with. Include phone numbers of contact people.
- The most important document you should have is the durable health-care power-of-attorney form. This will allow for someone you appoint to make decisions for you in the event you are unable to make your own. If you do not have this, the court will appoint an unknown person to make those decisions.
- Make sure that you have a list of family, friends, groups, and other people that should be notified in the event of an emergency.
The Keys to Healthy Aging
Once you have all that together, it is time to sit back and enjoy aging and have fun. Taking care of yourself is the key to healthy aging. Some key things to keep in mind are:
- Be sure to exercise regularly and eat healthy. Exercise and physical activity are good for you, no matter how old you are. Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Adequate amounts of fiber are also imperative to prevent constipation. Cut back on your salt intake. Increased amounts of salt can increase your blood pressure and will also make your body retain fluids.
- Be careful not to get overheated. Here in Florida, we tend to not think of the problems that can occur with extreme heat because we deal with it all year round. Too much heat is not safe for anyone. If you are older or if you have health problems, you are more prone to complications of extreme heat and it is important to get out of the heat quickly. Some symptoms you should recognize as a warning is feeling faint or confused. Seek cooler shelter immediately and medical attention if the symptoms do not get better.
- As we age, our eyesight and hearing are also affected. If you are still driving, be aware that our reflexes are not what they used to be. Don’t be afraid to say to yourself, Am I still safe on the road? Answer this question truthfully and if the answer is no, then it’s time to give up your license. Why put yourself and others at risk.
- Last but not least, stay active. Keep up with socialization. Meeting people and socializing helps you to feel happier and more content with your life.
You have a sense of purpose and a reason to live. Keeping in touch with other people helps you stay alert and keep up with the times.
Aging is a Natural Process of Life
I close this article with a poem on Aging written by Family Friend Poems/CC BY 3.0:
“Aging is a natural process of life. It begins the moment we are born. Strangely enough, most of us live under the illusion that we and our loved ones will never become old. When old age arrives, we are often unprepared. The natural order becomes reversed. The young help to care for the old. Those who need to be taken care of for the first time have a hard time accepting that they need help. This condition is a product of our culture that does everything it can to conceal the loss of youth. Confronting this reality is the beginning of a healthy relationship to life, aging and death.”
If you or a loved one need assistance, please contact the caring staff at Infinity Homecare at 941-378-3703 or visit our website at www.infinityhc.com.