After spending hours conversing with women during my Retirement Round-tables (next one is coming up in the fall!), I’ve learned a lot about what is on their minds with their health. I’m sure some or all will resonate with you too! Let’s go through what has been giving them pause for concern regarding their health as they age in retirement.
1. Being a burden on their family. And what if they don’t have a family or kids to help out?
2. You are in good health now, what about in 10 or 20 years?
3. Losing your independence especially if you are single or just an independent person in general?
4. Learning the ins or outs of Medicare.
5. How to pay for long term care.
6. How do I stay clear of elder abuse with my money?
As you can see, a lot has been on their mind and making them question their retirement plans. One woman explained how she was loving her retirement lifestyle – she was so active…until one day. She woke up in extreme pain, and found out she had a very bad herniated disc in her back. All of a sudden, her world was turned upside down as she found herself stuck inside watching Netflix for hours on end. Luckily, she had been in great physical shape to begin her retirement, so she bounced back fairly quickly. Think about how quickly your situation can change – it’s almost never something you envisioned or planned for.
Let’s go through some ideas on how to stay healthy and fit for as long as you can to fully enjoy your retirement. All the planning goes out the window if you don’t have your health. The first great piece of advice I believe is to stay active, exercise, and be social while doing it. It is one thing to go for walks, but it is even better to go for walks with a group of people! Staying social will keep your brain in shape, while exercising will keep your body energized. I’ve heard from doctors that your body needs to be in continuous movement to keep regenerating new cells, muscle, and tissue. Once you stop moving, your body will start to deteriorate. Scary BUT true! Find a way to join an exercise class, walk, or bike with a group of people, and get outside! Fresh air does the body good!
Next it is key to plan for later in retirement when your health may start to decline. You’ll want to start researching and learning about nursing home options. It can be helpful to have a list of professionals on hand to help you during a transition into an assisted living home or nursing home. These professionals can include the following:
1. Someone to help pay your bills.
2. An organizer to get your house in order to sell, rent, and pack/sell/donate your belongings.
3. An estate attorney to draft your power of attorney, will, and living will. Your power of attorney is important to name someone to make decisions on your behalf if your memory begins to decline.
4. A financial advisor to help keep your money working to YOUR benefit, NOT to your nephew and his new wife’s benefit!
5. Someone to organize your move into your new place, keep track of your belongings and money, and to make decisions on your behalf.
6. Medicare specialist who can help you get the right Medigap/supplemental policy for YOUR needs.
The sooner and more completely you plan out the possible health care needs for later in life, the less of a burden you may be placing your loved ones. It can also help protect you against elder abuse since those scammers target vulnerable elder people. People who plan are typically less vulnerable and have people watching out for their interest.
If you are concerned about any of the same items as the women in my roundtables, let’s talk! I can help you plan out your next move, get certain items together, and point you in the right direction for the other professionals to contact. I have connections with many of the professionals I’ve listed and would love to help you find the right one for you.
To get you jumpstarted on your health, you should grab a copy of Debut a New You by Dr. Mimi Secor, Transforming Your Life At Any Age. Dr. Mimi Secor did just that at the age of 59 and by the age of 62 entered her first bodybuilding show. Did I mention, she placed fifth in her category! She really is an amazing example that you can change your life at any age, all you have to do is decide whether you are worth it. Without your health, you won’t be able to tackle any of your retirement goals. Take a look at her book and see how small changes in your life can lead to drastic, life altering results! You don’t have to do it all at once, it is a journey just like it is with your money. Dr. Mimi takes you through easy tips to lose weight, gain strength, and change your habits. When you start changing your habits, a new world will open up for you and soon your mindset will adjust with it.
For women, it is so important to take care of yourself because if you fall, so does the entire family. Or it seems to be that way! Dr. Mimi created an incredible support group so she remembered why she is making such a big change in her life. You too will need help and encouragement. Make sure you build your support group with friends, family, and most importantly, professionals who do it for a living AND love doing it! Not only did Dr. Mimi change her mind and body to truly Debut a New You, she also created a new business to help other women do it as well. She’s found her passion and is using it to give other women a new body AND life. Check out her book here, it will be worth your time!
AND stay posted for my next Retirement Round-table coming in the fall of 2018!
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