Aging in Place

HEALTH & WELLNESS

General Wellness Maintaining robust health as you age is entirely possible, but certainly not effortless. Many people find that the habits they could “ get away with ” in their younger years really start to catch up with them as they get older. Taking initiative to maintain your health may even translate into newfound hobbies and interests! Maintaining and even improving your general wellness means consistently tending to all the elements of good health : regular checkups and preventative screenings, a well - balanced diet of nutritious food, adequate sleep, and regular exercise are all critical to optimizing your physical, cognitive, and emotional health. The reverse is also true and backed up by numerous scientific studies: a lack of preventative care, poor nutrition, a sedentary lifestyle, over - indulgence in alcohol, nicotine/ drug use, and poor sleep are all associated with significant and sometimes precipitous health declines in older adults.

In the sections that follow, we ’ ll dive into each of the elements that contribute to overall wellness, with some self - assessment questions along the way.

Preventative Care & Healthy Habits How would you describe your general health? Very Good ____ Good ____ Fair ____

Did You Know?

The effects of alcohol can change as you get older. Factors such as slower metabolism, diminished liver function, and drug interactions can alter and/or amplify those effects.

Poor ____

Do you have an established primary care provider? Yes ___ No ___ No, but I see another type of provider regularly ___ When was you last annual wellness visit? This usually includes a discussion of your health concerns, a blood pressure check, and review of medications. Within the last year ___ It has been over a year ___ How many alcoholic beverages do you typically drink during the week? 0 ___ 1 - 3 ___ 4 - 6 ___ 7 or more ___

Do you know if your weight is healthy for your age, height, gender, and body frame? Yes ___ No ____ Not Sure ____

The link below details a recommended list of preventative health screenings for older adults. These are typically covered by Medicare ’ s Annual Wellness Visit: betterhealthwhileaging.net/wp - content/uploads/pdfs/preventivecareaging.pdf Helpful Resource

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Aging in Place: Your Home, Your Community, Your Choice

Health & Wellness