Healthy aging: Prioritizing bodies and minds

As we get older, our health needs often become a little bit more complex, so what should older adults prioritize to keep their bodies and minds healthy? We talked with a doctor about some practical ways older adults and their caregivers can stay on top of their health. Lots of us are dealing with this with older parents or grandparents. It's very normal as we age to begin to take a little longer to remember a name or a fact. That's okay, but if you or your loved ones start to notice that you are asking the same questions over and over again in a short amount of time, maybe getting lost in areas that have Very familiar to you in the past, or even forgetting how to use common household items that they've used many times before. This is when you might be concerned there's something more going on, and you want to talk to your primary care provider about a more comprehensive assessment. I like to think about this in sort of three different pillars. We want to manage and prevent chronic illnesses, we want to support our cognitive or brain health, and we want to understand the medications and supplements that we're taking. The things that are going to help support your mind and your body are really the same. You want to start with your physical health. Movement every day is important. It doesn't have to be overwhelming thinking about exercise or going to the gym. A brisk walk, gardening, or even chair exercises can help. Paying attention to what you're eating and your nutrition is important as well. Lean proteins, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. help support our bodies as well as our minds. It helps us control our blood sugar or our glucose as well as our blood pressure. These are important in preventing and maintaining ourselves when we have chronic illnesses or even when we don't. Lastly, for your mind, you really wanna think about creative activities, puzzles, reading, staying in contact with friends, family, and taking part in your community. These are the things that are gonna support both your mind and your body. As we age, our bodies change, and even medicines we've been taking for a long time may start to work differently. It can be overwhelming to keep track of all of your medications, over-the-counter medications, and supplements, as well as their doses. An in-home health evaluation from Signify Health, if you or your loved one are eligible, can help make sure you have a comprehensive list of all of your medications. You then want to share that with your primary care provider, and they can make adjustments as needed to help reduce any side effects you As our bodies change, again, understanding what they are really looking for sort of as they age, right? Most people really want to remain as independent as they can. So as a loved one or a caregiver, working with them as well as having that in-home health assessment from Signify Health will help make sure that we really understand what they want as they age and make sure they have the different things in place that they need. to let them continue to thrive and age. So whether it's you or your loved one, really making sure that the people around you as well as your primary care provider understand what you want. If you go to hellosignify.com or 855-984-5121, 5-1-2-1. you can find out if you're eligible at no cost for an in-home health evaluation.