Health and Wellness Concerns for Those 60 or Older

Those 60 or older have different health and wellness concerns than those who are younger. This article will talk about five health and wellness concerns for those 60 or older.

The first concern for those 60 or older is cancer screening. The probability that someone will develop cancer at 60 or older is much greater than someone younger. The median age for developing cancer is 70 years for lung cancer, 66 years for prostate cancer, 68 years for colorectal cancer, and 61 years for breast cancer. Cancer is an important concern for those 60 or older. Yearly cancer screening tests for breast, cervical, and colorectal (colon) cancers are generally recommended. Yearly lung cancer tests are recommended for those who have regularly smoked.

The second concern is correctly navigating the Medicare system for those who are 60 or older. Here are some important facts on what to know about Medicare program benefits:

Medicare is a federal health-care program for those over 65. If someone is younger than 65 but has certain conditions, he or she may also be eligible. To qualify, a person must either be a United States citizen or permanent resident for the last five years. Medicare has two different parts. The first part is Medicare Part A that covers hospital services, hospice, nursing facility care, and some home health care.

Medicare Part B covers preventive screenings, doctor visits, medical equipment, and lab tests. Long-term care, routine dental care, and routine vision care are not covered. Many 60 or older obtain additional types of coverage because original Medicare does not cover these items.

The third concern for those 60 or older is staying active. Physical activity is important for maintaining good health. Maintaining healthy bones, keeping muscle strength, and controlling arthritis are all benefits from physical activity. Doctors encourage those 60 or older to start a fitness routine. Even just daily walking can help maintain good health. Strength, flexibility, and endurance are important elements of any fitness routine. Weights for strength, stretching for flexibility, and aerobic activity for endurance can help individuals maintain good health.

The fourth concern is diet and nutrition for those 60 or older. Osteoporosis and diabetes become more likely for those 60 or older. Osteoporosis is a disease in which bone weakening increases the risk of a broken bone. Diabetes is a condition that occurs when the body can’t use glucose normally. Having a healthy diet reduces the risk of both osteoporosis and diabetes. A healthy diet for those 60 or older is one that contains a significant amount of calcium. Many doctors recommend that those 60 or older take calcium supplements. Doctors also recommend eating a good amount of fiber to maintain a healthy digestive system. Some good sources of fiber are oats and whole grains.

The fifth health and wellness concern for those 60 or older is to complete the advance directive. An advance directive is a legal document that has instructions on what actions should be taken for health if the person writing the advance directive is no longer able to make decisions. In the U.S., the advance directive has legal status. One type of advance directive is the living will that leaves instructions for treatment. Another type of advance directive is the power of attorney, where a person authorizes someone to decide about healthcare if the person is not able to make those decisions on their own.

Health and wellness become a greater concern for those 60 or older. With careful planning, health can be optimized as individuals age.