HEALTH & WEALTH

Taking Preventative Measures Ensures a Long, Healthy Retirement
It all boils down to preventative maintenance in order to enjoy a long, healthy retirement. Being proactive about your health includes regular health screenings for cancer, high blood pressure and cholesterol. Your lifestyle such as diet, exercise and sleep habits also play a huge part in staying healthy.
So what exactly do you need to do in order to maintain your health and enjoy life to the fullest? Let's find out:
Lifestyle Choices
Take a look at your lifestyle and see where you can improve. A proper diet is essential and getting the proper vitamin and minerals can go a long way towards preventing illness and disease. If you haven't already, keep your salt and fat intake to a minimum. Eating plenty of dark leafy vegetables, fibrous fruits, low fat dairy, lean meats and fish and whole grains will definitely go a long way in maintaining a healthy body.
Exercise is essential. If you are overweight, you need to adopt a healthier diet and incorporate exercise such as walking, a great cardiovascular activity. Yoga, Pilates and strength training are definite body boosters. If your budget allows, consult with a personal trainer or get a gym membership as an incentive to stay fit. Join a walking club or exercise class.
Drinking in moderation and abstaining from tobacco products is a definite health positive. Smoking is linked not only to cancer but also to high blood pressure and a number of other health risks.
Regular Dental and Health Check-Ups
Poor dental health leads to a number of health risks, so be sure to schedule regular maintenance check-ups for teeth cleaning and yearly x-rays. Fillings, bridge work and other dental devices should be regularly maintained as well. Gum disease and tooth decay are major contributors and indicators of something more serious.
Keep up to date on vaccinations and flu shots. Many seniors die every year from the flu because they did not get the flu shot. By becoming vaccinated, you can greatly build your resistance against this debilitating illness. Also, keep in mind that tetanus and diphtheria vaccinations should occur every ten years. In certain areas, you may also need the hepatitis vaccine as well. Make sure that you stay up to date on these inoculations.
Yearly physicals are also essential. At these check-ups you will want to inquire about the preventative screening for cancer. In addition, there are blood tests to determine diabetes, anemia, cholesterol and more. In order to stay healthy, these screening should be done as a preventative measure. If you catch an illness early, there is a greater chance of overcoming it. Don't neglect your eyes either. Some illnesses have been caught early and cured due to regular eye exams.
Don't be afraid to seek counseling with various experts in case you have any non-life threatening health issues like impotence, depression or menopause. Sometimes, you just need a helpful push in the right direction with guidance from a nutritionist, personal trainer or even a homeopathic physician. By being proactive in your health, you can ensure that your retirement years are truly golden.

Depression - A Common Condition That Creeps Up in Retirement
For some people, retirement is something that they have waited on for years and have big plans. For others, retirement turns out to be not what they expected. In fact, some seniors become depressed, which can affect their health in retirement. Whether you recognize the symptoms in yourself or you are a family member who is concerned about a retired loved one, you should know about the warning signs.
Each senior shows depression in different ways and are better at hiding it than people of younger generations. Doctors, friends, family and care providers will all view a person differently and may all have different perceptions of what depression is. Therefore, you should really be in tune with the person that they normally are. You have to know that a behavior or action or lack thereof could be a sign of something serious like depression. In addition, senior retirees may not notice the depression in themselves.
What is important is that there are some signs of depression that are often misdiagnosed or mistaken for something else. Everyone assumes that appetite, sleep troubles and forgetfulness is a part of growing older. However, many older adults have no issues whatsoever. Therefore, you have to think back to whether these problems were ever present before retirement.
In addition, retirees who are experiencing depression tend to stop doing some of the things they have always loved doing. For instance, they may stop cooking or walking the neighborhood. They may put off going to church or visiting neighbors or family. They may also develop uncharacteristic behaviors. Embarrassment or shame may be a factor in someone not seeking treatment.
If left unchecked, depression can suppress the body's immune system causing illness. In addition, other mental can occur as well. Suicide is a problem among depressed seniors. Of course, depression could be as simple as a chemical imbalance that occurs as one's body ages. In all of these instances, depression can be treated. However, it takes the initiative and caring of friends and family to help the retired senior seek treatment.
Retirement is not a death sentence although some seniors feel it is one. Some feel their sense of usefulness is gone and they don't have anything to live for. Well, the goal should be to find something new to fill the time. By having goals and plans in place, retirement does not have to become a depressing time for seniors. Here are some ideas of how to fill those golden years:
1. Take up new hobby. If you have a goal of learning something new, your mind is kept engaged and depression has a much harder time to take hold.
2. Indulge in some continuing education courses. Learning new things like the internet or creating web pages could open a whole new avenue.
3. Volunteer. By giving your time to a worthy cause, you feel useful and your time is making a difference for someone less fortunate. There are plenty of ways to volunteer whether it is through a church, social organization or even through a school.
4. Find a stress-free part time job. Earning a few extra bucks during the golden years allows you to not only feel useful and earn a wage, but you also get to meet new people.
Halt High Blood Pressure and Enjoy a Long, Healthy Retirement
While high blood pressure aka hypertension can happen at any age, it seems that adults 55 years of age and older seem to get diagnosed more frequently. However, there are many things you can do, no matter how old you are, that can make a difference and greatly prolong your life. You just have to have to commit to follow through.
1. If you are overweight, lose the excess pounds. The extra pounds can weigh heavily (pun intended) on the heart. If your heart has to work harder in order to pump oxygen throughout your body, you will have a high blood pressure because of it. Changing your eating habits and incorporating exercise goes a long way toward having a healthy heart and losing weight.
2. Cut your sodium intake. Your body needs only about a teaspoon a day. However, between processed foods and that salt shaker on your table, you are likely getting three or more times that amount. Salt constricts the blood vessels which in turn hinders blood flow. Your heart has to work overtime then in order to pump oxygenated blood throughout the body, thus raising blood pressure. Be sure to read food packaging for lower sodium options and hide that salt shaker!
3. A heart healthy diet is important. This means first and foremost, plenty of vegetables, especially the dark and leafy green variety. Fibrous fruits, low fat dairy, lean meats, plenty of fish and whole grains are exceptionally healthy. Natural foods are optimal - nothing processed is usually healthy. Raw vegetables make for great snacks and remember the "no white" rule. This rule states that most foods made with white flour as opposed to whole wheat should be shunned. White bread and pasta have a high calorie and high carbohydrate count. There are plenty of whole grain substitutes that offer a healthier version.
4. Exercise is important. If you live a rather sedentary life, you will need to introduce cardiovascular exercises gradually. Walking is perhaps the easiest way to get started. As your stamina increases, weight and strength training can be beneficial as well. When possible, take the stairs or park your car far from a store entrance. Take up gardening. Anything that gets your heart pumping and your body losing fat is important. This means sex too!
5. Smoking is a big no-no for adults who have high blood pressure or pre-hypertension. Smoking not only robs your blood of essential oxygen, it causes cancer and constricts your blood vessels as well.
6. A few alcoholic drinks like red wine can be good for your. However, excessive consumption is not. Men should have no more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day while women should only have one. Too much alcohol can enlarge your liver or damage your kidneys. This in turn can affect blood pressure.
The best defense is a good offense. Therefore, you should really take care of your body using the steps above when you are young. However, it is never too late to adopt new, healthier habits. You can keep from getting high blood pressure if you are still diagnosed in the pre-hypertension stages. You can also effectively lower your blood pressure and keep it at a healthy level once you adopt some better lifestyle choices.

Keep your Senior Independence by Staying Mobile
The best way for seniors to maintain their independence past retirement is to keep moving, go places and see people. However, some retirees have trouble getting around and when someone is not mobile; sometimes they need a little boost to get their independence back. If you are a senior who loves their independence but has mobility issues, there are plenty of options to keep you integrated with people, activities and life itself.
For the most part, it's not the brain that is dysfunctional but rather some body part, chronic illness or chronic pain. A number of products and services exist to keep retirees and other seniors as independent as possible. Keeping your options open means that you are also keeping your mind open to mobile possibilities.
1. Lift Chairs - Some older people tend to slow down a bit due to arthritis, injury or just general malaise. This can hinder their ability to get in and out of chairs. Therefore, the recliner lift chair is an exceptional piece of furniture which uses a lift mechanism to raise the seat until you are practically standing. You use the same mechanism to lower yourself into the chair as well.
2. Rolling Walker with Chair - Those days of bulky, clunky walkers that go clackety-clack is gone. In their place is a rolling walker phenomenon with its own set of brakes. This rolling walker offers superior stability as well as a safe place to sit and rest. Locking brakes make for a safer walking experience. The great thing about the latest rolling walker with chairs is that is it collapsible and suitable for traveling. Plus, it weighs less than 20 pounds.
3. Pick-up Reacher - This handy device was originally created for senior gardening enthusiasts who could not reach for items out of reach on shelves nor stoop low enough to bend over and reach for something. The reacher product helps seniors to keep their independence by allowing them to fend for themselves. If you have a balance problem and you should not be using a chair or ladder to reach something, then the reacher is for you.
4. Adjustable or folding cane - What is so great about an adjustable walking cane is that you can adjust the height. Typically the shoes you wear or lack thereof could make your support requirements differ when it comes to canes. With an adjustable cane you do not have to continually purchase new ones. With the folding cane, you can take it with you traveling for easy portability.
5. Personal Motorized Scooter - For those of you who might have an illness which causes chronic pain, especially when walking, a motorized scooter is just the ticket to get around the house, neighborhood or even the grocery store and mall. Some versions of the scooter are small enough to maneuver around your home while others are strictly for the outdoors.
The five aids listed above have opened up new worlds for those retirees who wish to remain moving and independent. There are countless other products which keep seniors on their toes and allow them to enjoy their independence.

Retiree's Guide to Staying Steady and Avoid Balance Injuries
Losing your balance when you are older can have major consequences. When you are not as diligent about your healthy as you grow older, you could end up in the hospital emergency room with a broken hip, concussion or some other mishap. Falling is a major result of losing your balance.
However, if you are physically fit and eat right, losing your balance may not cause falls, but they can still cause injuries. Losing some sensory awareness in regards to what your body parts are doing is common as people get older; it is just a fact of life. There are some things you can do in order to improve your balance and avoid those sprains, strains and other aches and pains that might prevent you from being more active than you normally are.
Here are some steps you can take if you find yourself losing your balance:
1. Check your medications. Sometimes, your medication or a switch to a new vitamin can cause your balance problems. This is especially true of heart medication or the consumption of herbs. Read the labels and drug history to look for side effects. Sometimes, a different dosage can make all the difference.
2. Strength Training can help. When you maintain a healthy exercise regime which includes strength training, you are keeping your muscles supple and it also helps with both health and strength. Always exercise with a partner or in a public gym for safety reasons.
3. Create an obstacle free home. Sometimes the most innocuous things will trip you up or make you lose your balance. Pick up clutter, especially anything that is left on the floor. Use non-skid mats in the bathtub and shower. Install non-skid tape under rugs so they stay in place. If you rearrange furniture, keep a night light on so that you don't trip over your new furniture configuration in the dark of night. Keep wet floors clean and dry. Have both you and a friend walk through each others homes to inspect for possible balance transgressors.
4. Practice balancing exercises. Use an exercise ball which helps you find your body's center of gravity when exercising. Work on balance exercises as prescribed by a trainer or doctor. Try yoga and Pilates, both are exercises that can help maintain a sense of balance. Repeating a few sessions of tightrope walking and a balanced standing stance also help. These can be done as you are walking down grocery store aisles or even at the check-out lines.
Perhaps the most important thing that retirees can do is to get regular physicals or doctor check-ups. Ask questions on how to improve your health and balance. Pair up with a friend to stay on task with your balancing exercises as well as proper diet. There are so many variables that can affect balance. By covering as many as possible, you can do quite a bit to prevent injuries that are caused by balance problems. Keep agile with exercise and also keep your eyes and ears open for potential hazards. With the helpful information listed above, you should maintain a relatively trouble-free active lifestyle.

Retirees Need to Practice Healthy Snacking
Being retired doesn't mean that life has to slow down. You can adopt new exercise programs, find a part time job or even indulge in a new hobby. Wherever your new retired life takes you, be sure that you take care of yourself first. Part of maintaining your health is a good eating plan, especially when you are snacking or on the go.
As you get older, your metabolism changes. Some people have a hard time eating big or heavy meals while others need several mini-meals a day in order to maintain their energy. If you fall into one of these categories, chances are that you are snacking a lot. You want to ensure that your snacking is healthy, not filled with a bunch of junk food.
There are several benefits to eating right when it comes to snacking. First of all, a healthy snack that contains fiber and other important nutrients is ideal. With a good snack, you can satiate your hunger throughout the day and prevent overindulging at regular meal times. Plus, with metabolisms being different, your rate of burning calories may change. Therefore, smaller meals like snacks can help you keep your metabolism running strong.
There are some snacks that you should avoid and some that you should embrace. Read on for a few pointers that retirees should follow when it comes to healthy snacking:
Snacks to Avoid
* Sugary sodas and other drinks that just provide empty calories that are best spent on healthy snacks.
* Put the candy bars, cookies and other sugary snacks away.
* Nix the extra salt that you find in chips, nuts, jerky and other prepackaged "snack" foods.
Snacks to Embrace
* Fresh fruit, dried fruit like prunes or raisins, and even frozen fruit when some of the fresh is not in season.
* Raw veggies with a low calorie dip are a great snack. Try carrots, colored bell peppers, celery, broccoli cherry tomatoes and more. A low fat dip could be made from yogurt, cottage cheese or you could even use a low fat salad dressing that is low in sugar.
* Stick with whole grain products such as breads and crackers.
* Hummus made from ground chickpea is a winner and chock full of great healthy vitamins and minerals. It great when spread on whole wheat crackers or used as a veggie dip.
* Stick with low fat and fat free dairy products. If you find that you develop a bit of lactose intolerance, switch to lactaid treated dairy or soy milk products.
* Some nuts are good for you. Just be sure that you do not get the sweet or salty versions.
Proper healthy snack choices can be very important as you grow older. Because metabolisms are not what they used to be, you need all the help you can get in order to stay healthy. Add the healthy eating with proper exercise and hydration (carry a water bottle with you everywhere) and you will live a long, productive retirement.

Take Charge of Cancer Prevention in your Retirement
Taking charge of your lifestyle - how you eat, sleep and exercise - can go a long way toward preventing and controlling different types of cancer. Knowing what to avoid and taking preventative measures are all part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Practicing avoidance like putting off going to the doctor is very detrimental to your health.
Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle
Did you know that as much as 33% of all cancer-related deaths possibly could have been prevented? A poor diet and lack of exercise leads to excessive weight. Being overweight can heighten your chances of developing some form of cancer because your body in not strong enough to fight sickness off.
While you cannot fight your genetic profile or your age, there are plenty of things you can do to keep the odds in your favor of preventing or controlling cancer. Here are a few of the many ways that you can lower your cancer risks:
* Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a hat at all times as well as the strongest SPF sunscreen you can find. Avoid the heat of the day if at all possible.
* Eat a diet that is rich in dark green leafy vegetables, low fat dairy, lean meats and fish and fruit and whole grains. By avoiding all processed foods, you are effectively cutting out half your cancer risk due to your diet. Choose natural foods and avoid salt and sugar added products.
* Take a multi-vitamin to ensure that you get enough nutrients.
* Avoid or quit smoking and drink in moderation.
* Physical activity is a necessity. Four to six days a week should include light cardiovascular activity such as walking, gardening and more. Strength training also can help.
Keeping your regular doctor appointments goes a long way towards detecting and preventing different kinds of cancer. Your physicals as you get older should include all the cancer screening tests for skin, colon, and breast, prostate, cervical and ovarian cancers.
Talk with your doctor to determine what else you should be doing to try and prevent cancer. Your family history as well as your health are common factors in coming up with a plan. There are various tests that will effectively check for cancer and should be repeated yearly or as often as the medical community dictates. Of course, your sex will determine some of these tests. Here is an example of what to expect or ask your doctor about:
* Mammograms and x-rays are standard procedure to screen for breast cancer and should be completed once a year. Be sure to self-test as well.
* Men, there is a special PSA blood test that checks for prostate problems as well as a yearly rectal exam.
* Ladies, a pap smear can help detect cancer cells in the vagina and cervix. Be sure that you get this test as often as necessary, anywhere from 1-3 years, depending on medical and family history. A pelvic exam and ultrasound can help detect ovarian cancer.

* There are various colon cancer tests that can be performed such as a colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy or barium enema.
* See your doctor if you have any unusual patches of skin, bumps or moles. During your yearly physical, have your doctor examine your skin.
In addition to the yearly cancer screenings, eating right and exercising, sleep is another factor which could affect your health. Your best defense is a good offense when stopping cancer before it even starts.