How Going High-Tech Can Help Seniors Stay Well
For seniors, staying on top of your health becomes more important as the consequences of illness or injuries become more serious. Thankfully, technology has kept up with the demand to more easily manage our health and wellness with the push of a button (or touchscreen). This can be valuable for seniors, who have more
resources to take charge of their own wellness.
MAKING THE MOST OF MEDICAL CARE
One of the great advantages of being a senior is having access to discounts and health programs, which include being eligible for Medicare. Understanding your Medicare options can be confusing, but it’s an amazing resource for maintaining optimal health. To be sure you’re getting the care you need at the best value, seniors should look at their coverage during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 to December 7.
Open enrollment is the window when you can change plans, whether you currently have Original Medicare (Parts A and B) or a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C). Our health needs are always changing, and you may find that you’re better off switching plans to get the coverage that meets your current situation. If the idea of switching seems overwhelming, the easiest way to figure it out is to do some research online. You can find helpful websites that are dedicated to explaining your options, such as the Medicare Advantage plans offered by Aetna. Some seniors find that switching to a Medicare Advantage plan saves them money in the long run because these plans typically offer more extensive benefits for services you would otherwise pay for out of pocket. These essential health benefits can include everything from prescription drug coverage to dental, vision, hearing care, and even more comprehensive preventative services.
Along with having the right insurance coverage, it’s also smart to use these tips from the Cleveland Clinic to make sure you’re getting the most out of your medical appointments.
TAKING CHARGE OF YOUR OWN WELLNESS
Nothing can replace the expertise of your trusted physician, but the world of technology gives us the ability to manage your own health better between visits.
THE RIGHT DEVICE
In order to use the best apps for managing your health, you need the knowledge of how to use your smartphone and, of course, the right device and data plan. Sometimes, all it takes is an update to your phone, but at some point, it’s worth investing in an upgrade.
One option is the brand new iPhone 11, which has a longer battery life and improved glass for durability; plus, the
new chip makes it faster than ever. If you’re an Android user, the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus tops the list with some of the
best features you can get today. Whichever option you choose, this may also be the best time to get a new plan, as some carriers will give you a discount on new models, and they sometimes include unlimited data plans.
THE RIGHT APPS
The great thing about apps is that they’re incredibly affordable and easy to use (not to mention, there’s a huge variety to choose from). According to Market Watch, the top two apps for seniors are My Fitness Pal and Map My Walk, which help you set and track fitness goals. Your smartphone can also be a tool for eating a healthy diet. Because seniors have special dietary needs, we recommend trying an app like MealPrepPro that takes into account factors like your age and weight to make meal suggestions that are targeted to your needs.
These are just a few examples of how the best tools can help you stay on top of your wellness goals. Tracking your diet and exercise are vital to your health, but these two ideas are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the ways tech can help you stay well. These tools are affordable and easy to access, so there’s no reason not to start using them right away.
Tagged: Senior, Wellness, Technology, Medicare, apps
