Keys to Enjoying a Healthy Retirement
By Dr. Scott Kammer and Dr. Teresa McCarthy,
Published December 4, 2021
As Minnesotans live longer, we help make those added years healthier and happier. As a top choice in Minnesota for Medicare Advantage we understand the challenges you might have staying healthy heading into retirement, or even if you've been there for a while and need to change plans to match your needs, we're here for you.
With increased life expectancy, the traditional retirement age of 65 is no longer considered “old” in the way it once was. People live longer and more independently spend more of those years in their own homes.
This means more time to enjoy a healthy life. Older Americans are increasingly connected and empowered by technology, and better educated about ways to extend their healthy years.
At the same time, more people will live long enough to experience a wide range of challenges, from caregiving demands for parents and grandkids to the increased likelihood of serious health issues as they age. So we want to help people take steps today that can pay dividends down the road in maintaining health and function.
Age really is relative. An average 65 year old has very different needs than a typical 95 year old. On the other hand, some people have serious health issues early, while others remain vigorous into their 90s.
Here are some conditions that become more common as we age — all of which may be better managed with proactive care:
- Osteoporosis: Makes bones more fragile and prone to breaks
- Instability and Falls: Changes in body condition, medications and balance can result in falls
- Sensory Impairment: Hearing and vision Memory problems may affect the ability to carry out normal tasks engagement
- Psychological Issues: Depression and social isolation are serious concerns
- Impaired Cognition: Memory problems may affect the ability to carry out normal tasks
These are associated with increased hospitalization, health care needs and cost. Delaying their onset, as well as reducing their severity or their impact on functioning, can improve your quality of life.
Today, we try to focus less on a condition itself and more on relieving the burden it places on your quality of life. The goal is to get you back to enjoying your life as much as possible.
Part of that is in a person’s control by taking steps such as:
- Smoking cessation; even for seniors it’s never too late to quit and have an impact
- Physical activity or an exercise program even for seniors it’s to improve strength and balance
- Maintaining a healthy w1eight which involves healthy diet and exercise
- Joining clubs, classes or social meet-ups to reduce isolation and ensure stimulation
- Being aware of cognitive issues and taking proactive steps to adjust lifestyles accordingly
- Talking to doctors or care consultants about feelings of depression or anxiety
(A bonus tip: Remove throw rugs, a needless cause of too many falls and broken bones.)
Equally critical is to establish and maintain a relationship with a primary care provider while you are well, and check in regularly.
Look to your Medicare plan for help moving into retirement and as you age. Medicare Advantage plans like those offered by UCare have many features to help members take proactive steps towards better health. For example, our plans include quit smoking programs, health club memberships, healthy food discounts, care coordination, and vision and hearing coverage.
The most important thing people need to remember is that they don’t need to solve everything themselves. Get help selecting coverage (a service UCare offers free for all) and seek out the tools and information that can help make your retirement years healthy ones!
Dr. Scott Kammer
Dr. Scott Kammer is Medical Director for UCare who is experienced in family medicine as well as overseeing UCare's network of clinics and hospitals. He focuses on ensuring UCare members receive high quality care, education, and empowerment.
Dr. Teresa McCarthy
Dr. Teresa McCarthy works as a geriatrician at the University of Minnesota. She is an associate professor of family medicine and a member of the UCare Board of Directors.
Think About the Four Ms of a Wellness Plan
For many people nearing or in retirement, the “Four Ms,” developed by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and the Hartford Foundation, provide a useful way to focus discussions around healthy aging and help ensure member-centered care:
- (What) Matters: The core of everything is what is important to a person. If it’s time with family, optimize care to increase that. If it’s living independently, focus on tools to enable that outcome.
- Medications: It’s crucial to ensure people take medications they need, and not ones they don’t — and to understand how prescribed drugs interact.
- Mobility: The ability to move and do things is central to quality of life for many people.
- Mentation: This means monitoring and adjusting care to fit a person’s cognitive abilities, and managing issues such as dementia and depression.
