When your job or time revolves around caring for another, one of the things that’s easy to let fall by the wayside is your own personal well-being. Exercise is incredibly important for not only physical health, but mental as well. Follow these tips for how to better find time for yourself to keep yourself active, and healthy.

While the idea of living to the age of 100 and beyond may seem like a faraway science fiction dream for many, with the majority of people measuring their lifespans in double digits, and the majority of those who do reach 100 or beyond becoming stories worth noting, the fact is that worldwide the number of centenarians, the term for people aged 100 to 110, is expected to increase sharply.

People are living longer than ever these days, which naturally means the amount of their lives they’ll need care will increase. An estimated 70 percent of older Americans will need care and assistance at some point in their twilight years. 9 out of 10 older Americans as well plan on staying in their home as long as possible, known as “aging in place”. This has become the ultimate retirement goal of the Boomer generation.

COPD, short for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder, is an umbrella term that applies to multiple progressive lung conditions, such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis. Nearly 16 million Americans currently have a diagnosis for COPD, but there are millions more living without knowing they have it. COPD is a relatively common condition, but it most affects older age groups, primarily those aged 65 or older, with most diagnoses happening at age 45 or older.

While aging is an unavoidable fact of life, many of the negative effects we associate with aging are actually not. By taking good care of ourselves and living a healthy lifestyle, we can make sure to make the most out of each stage of our lives. 

Many Americans struggle with drinking, and with older adults, oftentimes the concerns and trouble signs go overlooked by relatives, caretakers, and others. Problems caused by alcohol in seniors might be mistaken for something else that may otherwise be a normal result of aging, but the fact is that alcoholism is a potentially serious issue at all stages of life, and should be taken seriously and treated with care and concern.

According to the CDC, most of the five million people treated each year for skin cancer are 65 years of age or older. Because less than half of older adults protect their skin adequately from the sun when outside for an hour or more, seniors can needlessly put themselves at a higher risk of developing melanoma, or other harmful skin cancers. And with adults living longer than ever, practicing life-long skin care habits is more important than ever.

The older we get, the more important it is to plan out important events, and other lifestyle changes throughout the year to come. Planning factors such as budgets, home changes, transportation and more can help us not forget anything, but also relieve us of the stress we might otherwise incur.