Reducing Risk of Dementia Through Lifestyle Changes

If you are approaching 50, or already 50+, the idea of having a better quality of life as you get older is a big concern. Yes, longevity means high risk for long-term care, but the overall quality of life prior to the normal aging process is important for many people, especially women who live longer anyhow.

Regular exercise of some kind (walking, jobbing, treadmill, etc.) helps lower your risk for many diseases, especially those which affect women. These issues include heart disease and stroke. Exercise also helps relieve symptoms of some health and aging conditions, such as depression, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. Different types of physical activity help people maintain a healthy weight as well as building strength and endurance.

Making an effort to include some physical activity in your everyday living will make the aging process better. While it will not prevent long-term care and other health and aging issues from impacting you, it will give you more quality years to enjoy.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, physical activity helps you age better. This includes helping with:

• Keep bones strong
• Prevent hip fracture
• Decrease pain from arthritis
• Prevent dementia
• Maintain the independence to do basic everyday activities, like getting dressed, going to the bathroom, bathing, and eating

Read more: https://www.womenshealth.gov/getting-active/how-be-active-health

While women still live longer than men, both men and women are enjoying more longevity because of the advances in medical science. However, this doesn't mean we will avoid the need for long-term care. People need long-term care services and support due to illness, accidents or the impact of aging. The cost of care is not cheap. Don’t think your family or spouse can be a full-time caregiver either. Caregiving is hard and places a big burden on loved ones. 

The solution is easy and affordable. Long-Term Care Insurance will provide the tax-free resources to pay for quality care in your own home or in a facility, including adult daycare and assisted living. Most policies provide case management which helps your family develop a plan-of-care and find quality caregivers based on your personal desire and needs.

Unlike what you may have read, Long-Term Care Insurance is affordable and rate stable. While older “legacy” policies sold decades ago have had some increases, the plans today are priced under rate stabilization rules in place in most states. Plus, premiums today are based on the extremely low-interest-rate environment. 45 states now have Long-Term Care Partnership plans available which provide you with additional dollar-for-dollar asset protection.

Discover the cost of care in your state or the state you plan to retire to and find the availability of partnership policies and tax incentives: https://www.LTCnews.com/resources/state-information. Then be sure to work with a Long-Term Care specialist who works with all the major companies. Financial advisors and general insurance agents usually have very limited experience in this area. A specialist will help you determine the best options and the lowest premium.   

Experts suggest planning prior to retirement when you enjoy better health and even preferred health discounts.