The Baby Boomers are getting older, the youngest of them are now in their early 50s. For many, this means changing dietary and healthcare needs. But, that does not mean the future is bleak, just changing as it has through the many different stages of life.
The Golden Years
Retirement. The near-mythical place people strive to reach throughout their working lives. Today, lifespans in the United State continue to grow. On average, a female can expect to live to nearly 87 years of age according to the Social Security Administration. That equates to many years ton joy life after leaving the workforce. Let’s look at some of the areas that might be impacted.
Medical Insurance
Once a person retires many, if not most, lose any employer-paid health coverage. This is where Medicare comes into play. Medicare is not just one solid piece, think of it more like a puzzle with several different parts. With “Advantage” plans and Prescription Drug Plans, as well as original parts A &B it can quickly become a jumble. That’s why it’s a good idea to have someone to help to figure it out. There is a whole marketplace of companies like Eligibility.com out there to help you figure out your best options and may even be able to connect you with the right insurance company to fulfill your needs.
Diabetes
One issue facing America today is the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes where estimates show more than 100 million adults fall into those categories, within the 65+ age category it is estimated that roughly 1-in-4 fall under those headings.
Carbohydrates can be a major stumbling block for diabetics and one method for reducing carbs is known as the Ketogenic (or Keto) Diet. The idea is that the high-fat, low-carb diet will cause lower blood sugar in your body. As always, check with your healthcare provider before making any changes as serious, sometimes fatal, issues can arise.
Women can face challenges men simply do not and cannot face due to biological differences. A woman can find it difficult to maintain glucose levels during three, exclusively female, times:
- Menopause
- Menstruation
- Pregnancy
When it comes to biology, there are just some issues that women encounter that men can’t, and vice versa.
Exercise
As we grow older it gets more difficult to spike that volleyball or drive-the-lane for the layup, that’s just the way it is. Exercising is just as important in one’s 60s as it was in their 30s, even if stiff joints and slower reflexes mean easing back a bit. In fact, it may be even more important as we mature. But, there are options out there for those who can no longer enjoy activities from their younger years (though many still compete in highly active sports well into the “elder years” and, well, YAY!). Consider these options:
- Swimming
- Exercise bikes
- Taking a walk
- Isometrics
Being more advanced in years does not have to equate to immobility. In Sir Isaac Newton’s laws of physics, it is said that a body in motion tends to stay in motion. Well, that applies to human bodies as much as it does to a planet in our solar system.
Taken on a whole, we must face the fact that life changes as we get older. Whether it’s a situation like having to move into an assisted living apartment or dealing with the physical metamorphosis we all undergo, it’s our decision on how to handle it. There are many paths to take on that journey.