Make aging well part of your life plan

Retirement is idealized as a time of relaxation, reserved for fun and loved ones after all the hard work is done. And many seniors embrace the sunny notion. According to a survey done by the National Council on Aging, UnitedHealthcare and USA Today, most older Americans expect better times ahead.

Some 75 percent of boomers (age 60 to 64) expect their health to get better or stay the same in the next five to 10 years. Twenty-five percent of those seniors also say their health is better than normal.

Yet fewer seniors report the level of physical activity and exercise that is required to ensure a good quality of health. Little more than half (52 percent) of the surveyed seniors say they exercise or are physically active at least four days per week; another quarter say they are active one to three days per week. About one in 10 respondents report that their exercise or physical activity is limited to just a few days each month, and 11 percent are never physically active.

Confidence is fine, but "it's important that this positive mindset doesn't prevent them from taking the necessary steps to maintain optimal health," says Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer at UnitedHealthcare. The survey of 2,250 U.S. adults age 60 or older examined seniors' outlook and preparedness for aging.

Randall points to a figure from a Centers of Disease Control and Prevention survey showing that 80 percent of older adults live with one chronic condition, while 50 percent have at least two. She cites chronic conditions as the biggest driver of cost and quality of life for seniors.

"For people who are in poor health and getting ready to retire, monthly expenses will only increase with health bills, medications and other services needed to support them as they age, which can deplete their financial resources," says Randall.

Investing in health from an earlier age is the easiest way to secure a promising post-retirement life. Randall says it's never too late to take the necessary steps toward that healthier lifestyle. "Whether you're 50 or 70, start today," she advises.

Health extends beyond the obvious balanced diet and exercise routine -- it's about overall health of the body, mind and finances.

"Maintaining a healthy body will be significantly easier if you're feeling good mentally and emotionally, so that's why it's important to stay engaged with family, friends and the community to keep mentally sharp," says Randall. She suggests setting goals or writing a mission statement for your retirement years.

"You'll be glad when you start to reap the rewards, such as weight loss, more energy, better mental well-being and lower health care costs," she says.

SIDEBAR

Get going!

Focus on four types of exercise and activity for optimum fitness as you age, according to Go4Life, an exercise and physical activity campaign from the National Institute on Aging. Mix up the activities to avoid boredom and prevent injury.

Endurance

Brisk walking or jogging

Yard work (mowing, raking, digging)

Dancing

Swimming

Biking

Climbing stairs or hills

Playing tennis

Playing basketball

Strength

Lifting weights

Using a resistance band

Balance

Standing on one foot

Heel-to-toe walk

Tai chi

Flexibility

Shoulder and upper arm stretch

Calf stretch

Yoga

Source: go4life.nia.nih.gov