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Healthy ageing: looking after yourself in your 50s
Getting older is a beautiful thing and taking care of your health is key to enjoying your later years to the fullest. We all know that part of the ageing process is noticing changes in your body. What many may not have considered is what lifestyle adjustments you might need to make to when that time comes. As Singaporeans are getting older, this week Pacific Prime Singapore discusses the ins and outs of your golden years and tips for healthy ageing.
Common health concerns for those over 50
When you’re in your teens, acne may have been a particularly frustrating change for your body. You might have felt invincible in your twenties, before your thirties had you feeling a little softer around the edges. By our forties, we’re starting to notice a bit more of the wear and tear in our bodies; the wobbly knee from years of tennis, the bad back from carrying around young children. When you hit your fifties, there are a number of health risks and concerns that become greater than before:
- Higher blood sugar levels
- Anxiety
- Increased risk of cancer
- Vision changes
- Chronic pains such as arthritis, back pain, and tendonitis
- Digestive issues
- Erectile dysfunction
- Hair and hearing loss
- Higher cholesterol, blood pressure, and increased risk of heart disease
- Osteoporosis
- Bladder issues
- Prostate problems
- Menopause
- Thyroid issues
- Skin problems such as age spots, wrinkles, and dry skin
It’s not all doom and gloom, however. The golden years don’t have to be spent worrying about which direction your health is going in if you keep in mind a few things that a 50+ lifestyle needs to stay healthy.
Tips for healthy ageing in your fifties and onwards
There’s no super secret cheat trick to maintaining a healthy life; a lot of these tips are ones that are applicable throughout your journey through life. However, if you haven’t considered these much before and your fifties are around the corner, it’s probably a good idea to think about them now.
Make good nutrition choices
As you get older, your metabolism slows and so will your dietary intake needs. Reducing your daily caloric intake whilst boosting your nutrient-rich foods can be a great way to adjust your eating for a healthier life. Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, as well as low-fat dairy products and fish are all options that can help with healthy ageing; reducing your risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.
Get active with your reclaimed time
When you were in your child-rearing years, it may have been tough finding time to exercise. Those that did exercise may have reduced the intensity of their workouts to conserve energy for parenting. With your kids now out of the house, there’s no excuse for not spending your extra time getting active. Getting at least 30 to 60 minutes of decent exercise on most days of the week can help fight osteoporosis and compound the health benefits of eating well.
Maintain a healthy weight
You’re no longer like you were in your twenties, so it’s unlikely that you’ll maintain your body eating whatever you want and lazing around most days. In your fifties, gaining weight will happen much easier; especially for women going through menopause. A healthy weight in your golden years will help keep you from developing nasty diseases like diabetes.
It really is time to quit
If you haven’t quit smoking yet, your fifties is definitely time for you to do so. We know smoking isn’t easy to ditch, but if you’re smoking in your golden years it’s likely that you’ve smoked for a long time. Just because you might have had the habit for ten or more years doesn’t mean you won’t be healthier for quitting. Your local GP can help you with smoking cessation if you need the assistance.
Everything in moderation
You’ve made it through the majority of your working life and, by this time, you’re probably now looking forward to enjoying some of life’s vices uninhibited; it might be chocolate or alcohol or something more. Unfortunately, these guilty pleasures need moderation more than ever in your fifties as the effects can often be much stronger and longer lasting than when you were younger.
Sleep more, stress less
It’s true that you can often feel like you need less sleep as you get older, however don’t be confused into thinking that you can run healthily off little sleep. Sometimes not sleeping can be a sign that something isn’t right, so check in with your GP if you feel run down. Stress can also speed up the ageing process, so it’s important to keep your mental health in check. Sleep can affect stress and anxiety levels; don’t ignore your body’s warning signs!
Get checked and tested as often as you need to
In addition to keeping an eye on your lifestyle, another key to healthy ageing is accepting that you’ll need to have more and regular health checks. Routine examinations for those in their fifties are extremely common these days as people recognize the importance of catching illnesses early. These can include:
- Physical exams
- Dental exams
- Eye exams
- Blood pressure screening
- Cholesterol screening
- Diabetes testing
- Skin exams
- Colorectal cancer screening
- Breast, pelvic exams; mammograms, Pap, HPV, and bone density tests for women
- Testicular exams and prostate screening for men
The frequency of each test will vary and likely will become more regular as you get older. It’s worth also checking you are current with your immunizations too as your immune system can be weaker in your later years.
Review your health insurance coverage
As you get older, your risks and health needs change; so should your insurance coverage. The limits and benefits of your current plan may not actually fit as well as it used to. You could be more financially stable and the idea of a deductible or excess isn’t unaffordable. It may also be that the plan you have today might not cover some of the treatments and procedures that are associated with conditions and illnesses that commonly develop in your fifties.
The best way to reevaluate your health insurance in contrast with your changing needs is to talk with an experienced insurance broker. Pacific Prime Singapore’s team of expert consultants are well acquainted with ensuring that plans meet the needs of our clients, regardless of the period in life they’re in. We’ve been connecting people with the best health insurance solutions for almost 20 years, and we’re doing it in both Singapore and around the world.
For some helpful advice on healthy ageing, reviewing your healthcare coverage, or simply to get a better deal now that you’re moving into your golden years, contact the fantastic team at Pacific Prime Singapore today!
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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