Are You a New Year’s Resolution Newbie, Master or Flunkee?

January 31, 2019 Tim@inhometherapygr.com

Turning the page on the New Year is a chance to wipe the slate clean—and to be better versions of ourselves. And when it comes to what we want to improve, goals that fall in the health and wellness arena top all other New Year’s resolutions. In fact, three of the top four resolutions in a 2018 YouGov poll were health-related: (1) eat healthier, (2) get more exercise, (3) save money and (4) focus on self-care, e.g., get more sleep.

There are three types of people who choose a goal from the health and wellness category as a New Year’s resolution: the resolution newbie, the resolution master and the resolution flunkee. Let’s see which category you most identify with—and how focusing on the right strategy can help you get healthier in the New Year.

Resolution Newbie

Maybe this is your first time making a commitment to your health and wellness. Good for you! Did a recent event like a health scare or loss of a loved one make you see the light? Or perhaps you want to be more active to enjoy activities with your grandchildren or to carry your own bag on the golf course. Whatever your goals are, taking that first step is a big one so you’ll want to be sure that you’re prepared for the challenge. Particularly when exercising for the first time or returning to an active lifestyle after a long hiatus, it is important to have the proper information and tools to be successful. This means tapping the healthcare resources available to you: Clinicians like nutritionists and physical therapists can make sure that your body is prepared to take on new challenges and work with you to a design a program that will help you achieve your goals.

Resolution Master

Perhaps you fall into a different camp: You vowed to get healthy in 2018 and you achieved it! For 2019, your resolution is to continue the work you’ve begun. After all, living a healthy lifestyle is a lifelong commitment; it’s not something you do for a while and then revert back to your former habits. As you prepare to embrace the New Year, are there any small tweaks you can make to advance your goals? Maybe you’re thinking about training for and running a half marathon, but don’t know where to begin. A physical therapy evaluation is a great place to start—physical therapists are trained to assess your movement patterns and identify any limitations or weaknesses. Based on that information, the physical therapist can design a personalized exercise program to help you safely and effectively prepare for the grueling half marathon course.

Resolution Flunkee

Let’s say your plan for 2019 is to get in better shape and improve your overall health (we support that resolution!), but this isn’t your first rodeo. Your 2018 resolution was pretty similar but it’s one year later, and you’re in the same place you were on New Year’s Eve 2017. What stood in your way—was it time? Affordable options? Access to healthy choices and activities? If any of these barriers sound familiar, then along with your resolution, you need an action plan. Without planning ahead, you’ll find yourself staring down the year 2020 with the same goal in mind. But let’s not focus only on the negative—what went right last year? Maybe you made sleep a priority, which in turn helped you to make better food choices at breakfast but by afternoon, you found yourself choosing to energize with a soda and candy bar when all you probably needed was an apple and a 15-minute walk. Take some time to think about the previous year—good and bad—and take with you what you need, and leave the rest behind.

After all, you can’t plan where you’re going without understanding where you’ve been. Which resolution type are you?

Long-Term Care: How to Pay for the Costs

January 25, 2019 Tim@inhometherapygr.com

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Guest author

Planning for your future healthcare needs is never easy. Few of us know exactly what we’ll require five or 10 years down the road. For seniors, this kind of planning is crucial. You want to think about your current health while considering all the things that you may need to pay for down the road. In some cases, preventative care may work in your favor, but you also need to make sure you’re prepared for the possibility of long-term care. Medicare can be a huge benefit for many seniors, but it doesn’t cover everything, meaning you could be left with massive medical bills should you require hospitalization.

Fortunately, there are several things you can do to plan for your future. Long-term care insurance can help immensely, as can downsizing to a smaller home in order to save money. Taking good care of yourself now is another great way to prepare for your post-retirement years.

Keep reading for tips on how to plan ahead for long-term care and the costs associated with it.

Sign Up for Long-Term Care Insurance

Long-term care insurance can be hugely beneficial when it comes to paying for hospital or nursing home stays during your senior years, but it’s a good idea to look for a plan as soon as possible. The younger you are when you find a good plan the better. Rates increase between 2 and 4 percent when you’re in your 50s and 6 to 8 percent when you’re age 60 and above. Many seniors don’t want to add another expense to their finances, but keep in mind that long-term care insurance can help you pay for many different things, from a hospital stay to home health care.

An Ounce of Prevention

Sometimes, the more you can do to prevent health issues, the better off you’ll be down the road. Paying for the cost of care is a lot more expensive than taking good care of yourself, so start thinking about the best ways to keep your mind and body healthy. Reduce stress and anxiety, eat a well-balanced diet, exercise daily, and remove safety issues from your home. This might include trip hazards or anything that might cause a fall. Talk to your doctor about the best ways to ensure your safety and wellbeing in order to prevent any issues.

Downsize

Downsizing to a smaller home can be a big job, but for many seniors, it’s a great way to save money for future needs. At the same time, you’ll be taking steps to ensure that your surroundings are as safe as possible. A smaller home means less to take care of. Making the decision to downsize is one that will benefit you for years to come. Look for a home that already has modifications for easy mobility and accessibility — such as widened doorways — and set a budget that will help you save as much money as possible.

Use a Life Insurance Policy

If you have a life insurance policy with a cashout option, you may benefit from taking a payout. If you’re worried about not having the funds to pay for medical bills, having a lump sum put aside can help reduce that stress so you can focus on other things. Do some research into your policy to see what sort of penalties, if any, you might face for taking a loan against your plan.

Long-term care comes in many forms, but for most seniors, it’s almost always a financial strain if a good plan isn’t present. Think about what your future needs might be, talk to your doctor about the best ways to create a good plan, and start saving so you won’t be caught in a hard spot.

This was a special guest article by Hazel Bridges from AgingWellness. She can be reached at hazel@agingwellness.org.

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