Health and wellbeing as you age

Importance of staying healthy

Many people become hospitalised for avoidable reasons and simple actions such as looking after your general health, keeping mobile and active, getting the right vaccinations and having regular health and dental check-ups can help ensure we stay out of hospital and in our homes for as long as possible.

Maintaining good health and wellbeing is also important for family carers, who often become so focused on the needs of their loved ones that they end up neglecting their own. You should look out for physical and emotional signs caregiver stress and take actions to reduce them. Of course, no matter what we do to try to prevent it, there’s still a chance we might end up in hospital, through accident, injury or simply the natural ageing process. 

Tips for staying healthy and independent

• Get blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly.
• Aim to have three regular meals a day.
• Be aware of how much fluid you are drinking – as we age, our sense of thirst can reduce so it is important that you are aware of this and remind yourself to drink. Try to include some form of physical activity (30 minutes) most days of the week.
• Aim for at least five portions of fruit and vegetables each day. Fruit and vegetables are full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibre which can reduce your risk of disease, stroke and help prevent constipation.
• Be aware of your weight – if you find your appetite has decreased or you are losing weight and are unsure why, seek medical advice.
• Take time when shopping for healthy foods. Remember all foods contain different nutrients so it is important that we have variety in our diet to ensure we get all the nutrients our bodies need. Eat a wide variety of foods – meat, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, fruit, vegetables, pasta, rice, potatoes, cheese, milk, yogurt – and allow yourself a treat occasionally.
• Avoid adding salt to food.
• Quit smoking.