As we age, we face various decisions impacting our overall well-being and quality of life. From lifestyle choices to medical interventions, it is vital to understand the options available and make informed decisions. In this blog, we will explore some of the decisions someone has to make related to aging.
1. Lifestyle Choices: One of the most important decisions we make as we age is related to our lifestyle choices. A healthy lifestyle can help prevent chronic diseases and promote longevity. This includes adopting healthy habits such as regular exercise, healthy eating, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption. According to a study published in The Lancet, adopting a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer by up to 80% (Li et al., 2020).
2. Medical Interventions: As we age, medical interventions become more common. Some of these interventions may be necessary to manage chronic conditions, while others may be elective. One important decision is whether to undergo surgery or not. According to a study published in JAMA Surgery, surgery in older adults is generally safe and effective, but it is important to consider the risks and benefits (Kim et al., 2019). Other medical interventions may include medications, vaccinations, and medical devices such as hearing aids and mobility aids.
3. Housing Options: Housing is another important decision related to aging. Many older adults choose to age in place, meaning they remain in their own home. However, aging in place may require modifications to the home to accommodate mobility and safety concerns. Alternatively, some older adults may choose to move to a retirement community or assisted living facility. It is important to consider factors such as cost, location, and available amenities when making housing decisions.
4. Financial Planning: Financial planning becomes increasingly important as we age. Planning for retirement and considering social security, pensions, and investments is essential. According to a study published in the Journal of Financial Planning, it is important to consider long-term care costs when planning retirement (Friedland et al., 2020).
5. End-of-Life Decisions: End-of-life decisions are also important considerations related to aging. It is important to have advance directives that outline your medical care preferences if you cannot make decisions for yourself. Discussing end-of-life care with loved ones and healthcare providers is also essential.
Aging makes many important decisions that can impact our overall well-being and quality of life. By making informed decisions and planning for the future, we can age gracefully and enjoy our golden years fully.
References:
Li, Y., Schoufour, J., Wang, D. D., Dhana, K., Pan, A., Liu, X., … Hu, F. B. (2020). Healthy lifestyle and life expectancy free of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes: prospective cohort study. The Lancet. Public Health, 5(2), e67–e75. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2468-2667(19)30217-5
Kim, S., Han, H. S., Jung, H. W., Kim, K. I., Hwang, D. W., Kang, S. B., … Kim, Y. J. (2019). Surgery in Centenarians: Safe and Effective? Annals of Surgery, 270(2), 259–265. https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0000000000003175
Friedland, R. P., Salmond, C. H., & Preston, M. L. (2020). Long-Term Care Costs in the
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ACESO is a patient-centric solution for smart and sustainable healthcare, employing a co-creative approach to realize integrated health and oral-care platform in which intelligent devices use data analytics for adaptable health and well-being. ACESO will monitor parameters related to physical health (blood pressure, glucose, heart rate, oxygen saturation, etc.), activity, sleep, and oral hygiene integrative, providing primary users with personalized and adaptive feedback extracted by the underlying artificial intelligence engine. A patient-centric approach involving users in maintaining their health will bring clear benefits for the elderly and caregivers. AAL funds Aceso. More about Aceso...
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Active Assisted Living Programme
Aging Well in the Digital World - is a funding program that aims to create a better quality of life for older people and strengthen industrial opportunities in healthy aging technology and innovation. More about AAL.
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