While few truly ever look forward to aging, it's an important thing to consider earlier on. Many people put off conversations and decisions surrounding aging for too long because they don't want to acknowledge the subject. However, if you start taking certain steps earlier on in life, you'll give yourself the best chance possible of aging gracefully. Use these tips today to start working towards a healthier future for yourself.
Bettering Bone Health
As you age, one of the main sources of health issues tends to be your bones. Most people will notice that their bones weaken and become more fragile over time. While this generally does not present a day-to-day issue, it can worsen accidents and injuries. Fractures occur in 5% of people involved in slip and fall accidents, and are more common in elderly populations. Fragile bones can also impact your dental health particularly strongly. It’s estimated that 69% of Americans between the ages of 35 and 44 have at least one missing tooth, and one in four over the age of 74 have lost all of their natural teeth. In order to keep your bones healthy and strong as you age, maintain a healthy diet and work with your doctor to develop a plan that can address any risks you may have for bone health issues.
Help Your Hearing
Hearing loss is one of the most commonly recognized aging symptoms, with some people even needing assistive devices in their later years to help manage their hearing loss. In fact, more than 10 million people in the U.S. use hearing aids. While your hearing might be perfectly fine now, that doesn't mean you aren't at risk of hearing problems later on. Do your best to protect your hearing from especially loud noises now and in the future. Avoid listening to music on headphones at full volume, and use earplugs or other forms of hearing protection when in particularly loud environments like concerts. Hearing loss becomes a problem over time, so small steps now will have a major impact later on.
Skin Care Smarts
Worried about wrinkles and other skin issues? There are several steps you can take today to keep your skin looking younger for longer. While more than 1 million Americanshave melanoma, most skin issues associated with aging aren't directly harmful to your health, though they can still be a source of insecurity for many. To prevent many common issues, do your best to take care of your skin while you're younger. Use plenty of sunscreen, avoid overexposure to the sun, and stay hydrated. This will reduce the amount of damage done to your skin over time.
Social Set Up
As important as it is to take care of your physical health, taking care of your emotional and mental well being can be even more crucial to your overall wellness. Most people don't think about who will take care of them when they're older and need a bit of help, but making that decision now can avoid serious problems in the future. A recent study estimated that only one in 14 cases of elder abuse are ever reported to authorities. Do what you can now to pick out a care plan for the future, if you're ever put into a position where you can't make those choices for yourself later. This will help you have a bit of extra peace of mind as you get older, knowing that you've got a plan in place and you've secured a social network with your best interests in mind.
Aging can be a difficult subject to discuss, but considering some of the main challenges associated with aging now can help you manage your health well into the future. What tips and tricks do you have when it comes to aging gracefully?
