It’s time to talk health
Staying healthy is the key to achieving a better quality of life as we get older. Our experts share how we can build and lean on a strong support to team to help manage our health.
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Key points
As you age, health concerns can become a bigger part of your life, but there are things you can do to help stay on top of your wellbeing so you can live your best life right to the end.
Expanding your care team beyond your GP to include podiatrists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, and other allied health professionals can help you achieve a well-rounded approach to your health.
For those of us with specific health needs, it’s a good idea to chat with your health providers about whether there are services that you could be accessing to support your wellbeing that are covered through private health insurance cover.
When it comes to your health, how are you faring? If you’re in your late 60s, 70s, or 80s, you might have noticed a few changes in how you’re managing physically and mentally day to day, or perhaps an increase in the number of healthcare appointments you need to attend.
Keeping on top of it all can be a daunting and challenging journey. There’s navigating the healthcare system, the cost of care, and the possibility that you’re not quite ready to consider making significant changes to your lifestyle in the first place.
Most of all, there’s the juggle of it all. As you age, health concerns are going to become a bigger part of your life, but there are things you can do to help stay on top of your wellbeing so you can live your best life right to the end.
The first step is to have a conversation with your family, including your children, to decide who will take the lead in supporting your on-going health journey. That means attending visits to the GP and specialist appointments, taking notes, documenting the medication you may be on, and helping to make sure you understand what the healthcare professional has said.
Often adult children can play an important supporting role at medical appointments by asking questions or requesting clarification as needed. Whoever you’re seeing will welcome the fact that you’ve got such an interested and supportive family member there helping.
As at any other stage of life, your GP is a central part of your care team, so make sure you’re having regular consultations.
As your risk of various medical conditions increases with age, your healthcare team will also expand. Be sure to take a well-rounded, multidisciplinary approach by scheduling any appointments you may need with podiatrists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, and other allied health professionals.
Having extras cover through your private health insurance can often help to offset the cost of these appointments. Depending on your level of extras cover, with Australian Unity’s Corporate Products you could claim anywhere between 50% to 75% back on the cost of these appointments.
We can all become a bit set in our ways as we age, and it’s natural to have some resistance to certain lifestyle changes that might improve your overall health and wellbeing, such as wearing hearing aids.
But hearing impairment, which is common in older people, can affect your balance, as well as your ability to connect and communicate with others. Balance issues obviously have long-term implications for physical health, and lack of connection can affect mental and emotional health – all of which can ultimately increase the risk of cognitive decline.
There are similar wide-ranging knock-on effects for any condition or diagnosis, so it’s important to look after your wellbeing by using whatever tools and aids are available. This includes hearing aids, but also things like walking frames.
Other small lifestyle changes can have a big impact on your health and independence – such as changing the side of the bed you sleep on, so it’s easier to get to the bathroom in the night, or removing trip hazards such as rugs or floor mats, especially if you are vision impaired.
Try to think of these changes positively as much as you can: it’s all about staying as healthy and independent as possible for as long as possible.
Managing your health as you age really boils down to being proactive and systematic. With regular check-ups and the right services and support teams in place, you can feel confident that you're helping yourself to stay healthier – and more independent – for longer.
For those of us with specific health needs, it’s a good idea to chat with your doctor or relevant health providers about whether there are services that you could be accessing to support your health and wellbeing that are covered through private health insurance cover.
An example of this might be somebody with diabetes getting extra dietary advice, or podiatry to check their foot health.
When comparing extras cover, keep your individual needs, lifestyle, and budget front of mind.
Think hard about what you already know you’ll probably want to use, like dental check-ups or optical if you wear glasses, and balance it against your budget.
If you’re not already taking advantage of the exclusive NSA member discount on health insurance available through Australian Unity, now is a great time to consider switching or taking out Hospital & Extras cover as you can take advantage of:
An exclusive 10% NSA member discount1
Up to 6 weeks free when you join corporate hospital & extras or extras only by 30 June^.
Get a quick quote online today or call 1800 224 244
Terms and Conditions
10% discount only applies to corporate products and is only available when paying by direct debit. The discount is not available through brokers or comparators and excludes Overseas Visitor Cover. This discount is not to be used in conjunction with any other offers or discounts except a valid weeks free promotional offer or the Refer a Friend promotional offer subject to relevant T&Cs.
^ New members on new memberships only. T&Cs apply.
