A checklist for healthy aging
September 9, 2022
Living Well at Home
Health news, stories of care, and other information to help you live safely and independently at home
Aging well means discovering ways to improve quality of life as we age. Making healthy changes now can make a big difference in aging well!
When discussing healthy aging, there are many factors to consider. Here are two:
Making connections can be the best medicine.
A supportive community and relationships can improve physical and mental health, as well as your quality of life. As you age, stay in touch with the people you love and develop new relationships when possible.
Living well at home in the future requires planning today.
Consider your future now. Do you picture yourself staying in your home, with family, or somewhere else in your community? No matter your preference, start planning today.
To expand your community, check out local churches, senior centers, adult day services, volunteering organizations, and more. These resources can help you meet new people and keep your body and mind active.
First, discuss your wishes with family or others you trust. Second, look for ways to prepare. For example, if you want to age in your current home, look around. Will your home be safe if you can’t move around as easily in the future? What modifications should you make to keep your home as safe as possible?
For help with aging well at home, you can also contact CCA Member Services or speak to one of our community health workers. We may be able to connect you to programs and services that fit your needs.
The list below outlines just a few things you’ll need to keep in mind or learn more about to stay healthy as you age. As always, thank you for the opportunity to serve you.
Healthy Aging Checklist
- Ask about ALL the CCA benefits available to you. Even if you don’t need all our services right now, CCA goes above and beyond to help you live safely and independently at home. Ask us about all the support we can provide, such as connecting you with food and housing services.
- Rely on your team. Seeing providers is important at any age, but it becomes critical as you get older. You’ll need doctors, nurse practitioners, specialists, dentists, behavioral health clinicians, and other providers you can trust. Keep them up to date with your health and report any new symptoms you experience right away.
- Stay active. Physical activity is the cornerstone of healthy aging, but you don’t have to run a marathon to get the benefit. Take a short walk a few times a week or learn some simple chair exercises you can do while seated. As always, talk to your provider before starting any new physical activities.
- Establish a healthcare proxy. Getting a healthcare proxy (or any other legal document that may be used in your state to write your wishes, such as a living will or durable power of attorney for health care) is a legal process empowering someone else to make important health decisions for you if you can no longer do so. Pick someone you trust that can fully execute your wishes. Setting this up earlier than needed can make it easier for you and your loved ones later.
- Keep up with your eye and dental exams. Healthy eyes, teeth, and gums are important for your quality of life. It can also keep your future healthcare costs down! As a CCA member, you have access to both vision and dental benefits. Call Member Services to learn more.
- Don’t forget your preventive tests. As you age, stay vigilant about your physical and mental health. Be sure to screen for fall and osteoporosis risks and cognitive decline. Screenings for breast, prostate, and colon cancer are also advised. Talk to your provider to get a full list of preventive tests that make sense for you.
- Keep up with vaccinations. These important vaccinations include: COVID-19, influenza (flu), pneumonia and shingles. You can find more information on the flu shot in this newsletter. You can get vaccinated at your primary care provider’s office or most pharmacies.
For more information and advice on healthy aging, check out our interview with CCA Director of Geriatrics Debbie Sylvester discussing aging well, at home.
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