Want to Check Your Heart Rate? Here’s How To Do It
Harvard Heart Letter says measuring your heart rate is easy to gauge your health. As you get older, heart health becomes even more critical. Several apps can help you monitor your heart and health. Being proactive with your health now will benefit you later.
The Harvard Heart Letter says measuring your heart rate is an easy way to gauge your health, as it provides a real-time snapshot of your heart muscle function.
For most adults, the normal resting heart rate—the number of heartbeats per minute while at rest—ranges from 60 to 100 beats per minute. Checking your heart rate is another measure those over age 40 can take to keep your eye on their health and well-being. - Read more here.
The Harvard Heart Letter says measuring your heart rate is an easy way to gauge your health, as it provides a real-time snapshot of your heart muscle function.
Target Heart Rate
The American Heart Association recommends these target heart rates based on your age. An individual's heart rate should fall within this range when they exercise at 50 to 80 percent intensity - also known as exertion.
There are apps on your smartphones - and even the Apple Watch - that can monitor heart rates, blood pressure, number of steps you are taking, and even check for afib.
All you have to do is take proactive steps to monitor your health to maintain overall good health and well-being.
The message is clear. As we age, we start having chronic health issues. Many people start noticing changes in their health and bodies after age 40. The best advice is to be both proactive and active.
Be proactive by seeing your doctor, eating healthy, and monitoring your health - like your heartbeat and blood pressure.
Be active by maintaining physical and mental activity. Keeping your mind and body active will improve your health and reduce your risk of chronic health problems that develop over time.
Be sure to see your doctor regularly. Plus, pay attention to the hints your body gives you and communicate with your doctor.
Prepare for Longevity and its Impact on Family and Finances
No matter what you do now, aging will catch up with you at some point. Changes in your health, body, and mind will lead to a higher risk of needing long-term health care. The costs of professional long-term care services are rising rapidly due to increasing demand for care and higher labor costs.
If you are in your 40s or 50s, you should have a retirement plan in place. Protect your 401(k), IRA, SEP, and other accounts and assets with a proactive plan to address the costs and burdens of aging.
Long-Term Care Insurance will not prevent you from aging, but it will give you the funds so you can better afford your choice of quality care options, including care in your home. Plus, your loved ones will have the time to be family instead of finding themselves as caregivers.
Long-Term Care Services Not Covered by Health Insurance
Not only is long-term health care expensive it's generally not covered by health insurance and Medicare (including supplements). Medicaid will pay for long-term care services, but only if you have little or no income and assets.
The responsibility of paying for extended care falls on you, or the burden of future caregiving falls on your family. However, Long-Term Care Insurance is an affordable solution you should consider.
There are no apps to remind you; nothing will monitor you if you take action or not. But make your future retirement easier on your family and finances, and plan for long-term care now so you can that off your list of things to do.
About the Author
An LTC News author focusing on long-term care and aging.
James Kelly
Contributor since August 21st, 2017
Editor's Note
The best time to plan for the costs and the burdens that aging placed on loved ones is when you are in your 40s or 50s. When you act before your retirement, you can enjoy the lowest premiums and good health discounts. LTC Insurance is medically underwritten, and you have few if any options available once the crisis has started.
Affordable Long-Term Care Insurance provides guaranteed tax-free benefits to access your choice of quality care options, including care at home. You will protect your income and assets and reduce the stress and anxiety otherwise placed on loved ones.
Planning Tools and Resources on LTC NEWS
You can find many tools and resources on LTC NEWS to assist you in your research for a planning solution or help your family find the appropriate care for a loved one at the time of crisis.
To help you plan the costs and burdens of changing health and aging, LTC NEWS has put in place several resources, including:
- The LTC NEWS Cost of Care Calculator will show you the current and future cost of long-term health care services where you live. Plus, each state has vital state-specific information you should know - Cost of Care Calculator - Choose Your State | LTC News
- The Ultimate Long-Term Care Guide is an outstanding read to help you get a good overview of the topic area.
- Compare the major insurance companies that offer Long-Term Care Insurance products here - Top Insurers for Long-Term Care Insurance | LTC News.
- A detailed tax guide that includes available tax incentives can be found by reviewing the Long-Term Care Tax Benefits Guide.
Find all the resources on LTC NEWS - Resources for Long-Term Care Planning | LTC News.
Seek Professional Guidance
Insurance rates are regulated, so no insurance agent, agency, or financial advisor can give you special deals. However, insurance companies' premiums vary over 100% for the same coverage.
Experts suggest using a qualified Long-Term Care Insurance specialist to help you navigate the many options available to you and your family.
A specialist who works with the top companies can match your age, health, family history, and other factors and find you the best coverage at the best value. A specialist will save you money, and you will have peace of mind knowing they are making the appropriate recommendations - Work With a Specialist | LTC News.
Finding Quality Care for Mom or Dad
Start by reading our four guides -
- Finding Quality In-Home Care | LTC News
- Adult Day Care Centers (ADCCs) | LTC News
- Finding a Quality Nursing Home | LTC News
- Assisted Living and Memory Care Facilities | LTC News
If they are lucky enough to own a Long-Term Care Insurance policy, be sure they use it. Sometimes families wait, thinking they can save the benefits for a rainy day. Waiting on using available Long-Term Care Insurance benefits is not a wise idea.
Get Help in Filing a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim
Quality care obtained early will help provide a better quality of life and reduce the risk of a deep decline and facility care. If you need help in starting the process of a Long-Term Care Insurance claim, LTC NEWS can help.
LTC NEWS provides free assistance with no obligation to help you or a loved one complete the claims process with a Long-Term Care Insurance policy. We have teamed up with Amada Senior Care, who will do all the work, free with no obligation.
You can also get support in finding quality caregivers and get recommendations for a proper care plan, whether a person has a policy or not. - Filing a Long-Term Care Insurance Claim | LTC News.
Benefits of Reverse Mortgages
Today's reverse mortgages for those aged 62 and older could be an ideal resource to fund a Long-Term Care Insurance policy OR even provide money to pay for care if you, or a loved one, already needs help and assistance.
Some people have much of their savings invested in their homes. With today's reverse mortgages, you can find ways to fund care solutions, care itself, even help with cash flow during your retirement.
Learn more by asking questions to an expert. LTC NEWS columnist and host of the TV Show "62 Who Knew" will answer your questions regarding caregiving, aging, health, retirement planning, long-term care, and reverse mortgages.
- Just "Ask Mike." - Reverse Mortgages | LTC News.
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You can write a story or ongoing column for LTC NEWS. You can write about many topics, including aging, caregiving, health, lifestyle, retirement planning, and long-term care, to name a few.
Be sure to write for our core target audience of adults aged 40 and older. Our audience is worldwide; however, our primary target is the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other English-speaking nations.
Improve your website or blog's SEO and gain exposure and traffic at the same time by being a contributor to LTC NEWS.
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Email your story idea or article: newsroom@ltcnews.com - LTC News Contributors | LTC News
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Learn more about how LTC NEWS can help you market your business, drive traffic, and improve SEO - Advertise With Us | LTC News.
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LTC NEWS offers a 'helpful links' page so readers looking for additional information can find them easily. You can get a dofollow link to your website on LTC NEWS in exchange for a dofollow link on your site.
Let's work together and help consumers who search for us on the web - Site Request | LTC News.
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