Why is staying healthy in retirement so important?

In the UK, the average age to retire is 61.5 years, and the average life expectancy is 81. This means that you have around 20 years to enjoy retirement. But, staying healthy in our later years is a crucial component to living that long and fulfilling retirement you had planned and visualised.

With the COVID -19 pandemic, there has never been more of a focus on the importance of our health and why we should be taking the maximum amount of care of ourselves. Well, health is wealth they say!

Staying active

It is well documented that staying active is important for everyone’s physical health; preventing disease and improving blood circulation. As well as our mental health; regulating moods, managing stress, and increasing our self-esteem.

It is especially important for older people to regularly exercise to help keep their bones strong, which can often be easily broken in later years. Physical activity also improves balance, which is a necessity as falls are quite common amongst the elderly.
In the UK, the average age to retire is 61.5 years, and the average life expectancy is 81. This means that you have around 20 years to enjoy retirement. But, staying healthy in our later years is a crucial component to living that long and fulfilling retirement you had planned and visualised.

With the COVID -19 pandemic, there has never been more of a focus on the importance of our health and why we should be taking the maximum amount of care of ourselves. Well, health is wealth they say!

Staying active

It is well documented that staying active is important for everyone’s physical health; preventing disease and improving blood circulation. As well as our mental health; regulating moods, managing stress, and increasing our self-esteem.

It is especially important for older people to regularly exercise to help keep their bones strong, which can often be easily broken in later years. Physical activity also improves balance, which is a necessity as falls are quite common amongst the elderly.

Get your vaccines

You’ve probably heard the word ‘vaccine’ more times in the last couple of years than you’ve had hot dinners! So my sincerest apologies for bringing it up… however, it is an essential for good health in later years, and could be the difference between a very short and a very long retirement for you.

In recent years, it’s been estimated that between 70% and 85% of flu related deaths have occurred in people 65 years and older. For optimum protection and to prevent this being you, get booked in for your vaccine!

Other vaccines available on the NHS for older adults include Pneumococcal (PPV) vaccine and the Shingles vaccine. Find out more here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/

Eat a well balanced diet

Eating a well balanced diet is heavily advised throughout everyone’s life, and retirement is so exception. Nutritious foods give you lots more energy, reduces the risk of heart disease, helps with weight control, prevents diabetes type 2, the list is endless!

For nutritional and dietary advice, contact your GP, or a local gym may be able to steer you in the right direction.

Socialise

Socialising with friends and family is also considered an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. When you’re retired, and for some living alone, it may be easy to fall out of the habit of meeting up with friends, and making time for those around you. However, taking part in social activities allows retirees to stay sharp, maintain thinking skills and prevent loneliness.

Did you know that 86.5% of our residents are never or hardly ever lonely!