Worldwide, many people already have an idea how long they are likely to live. This idea usually emanates from life-expectancy computations as they relate to their own corner of the world. Knowing this, it is amazing how only very few people take the pains to prepare for that inevitable future that awaits us all. The following are some of the very basic things you can do to help alleviate some of the major problems the elderly face in our society today.
01. Own a home. Among the basic human needs, shelter in among the most important, yet many people either fail or neglect to plan for their own shelter at retirement. That lapse is at times responsible for shortening the life-span of such people. Destitution is one of the biggest problems of the aged worldwide. In your "earning years," you should do everything you can to own a home in the choice place you will prefer to retire to. Retiring and moving in with your children is not cool these days. If you have children, asking them to assist you to own a home of your own is better than asking to move in with them when you retire.
02. Fund your health insurance. Health needs are also very important in the welfare of the elderly. It is a natural course of aging to have very many health challenges as you get older. If you took out health insurance that was well-funded, it is likely to help you out when you eventually retire. Poor health is part and parcel of aging. A viable health insurance plan comes in very handy as you get older. Many elderly people easily succumb to preventable and treatable diseases which a good health insurance plan can take care of.
03. Fund your pension plan. This is an obvious requirement for many workers particularly in the civilized world. If you fund your pension plan when you are younger and more active, it is likely to fund you when you are older, retired and less active. That is why it is so important to have a viable pension plan which you must fund as expected during your active working life.
04. See all your children through school. It is as a result of poor planning and at times outright irresponsibility that people still pay school fees for children while in retirement. You must plan well and ensure that you see all your children through school before you retire. The cost of education is usually very high. Allowing it to compete with your maintenance cost at old age can jeopardize both. Such a scenario can be avoided through proper planning.
05. Join a recreation or service club. Joining a recreation or service club will provide you the opportunity to be involved in some form of useful activity even in retirement. Continued activity well into your old age is beneficial to your health. That is because you will not only be active, you will also have unlimited opportunity for human companion and social interaction.
06. Identify and become more active in your religious organization. Becoming a member of a religious organization of your choice and being active in it has all the benefits of joining a recreation or service club. It also has an added advantage of providing you the opportunity to make peace with your inner being as well as your Creator in the latter years of your life.
07. Arrange to fall in love again. Do not laugh at this suggestion. Take it seriously. Some studies have provided evidence in support of the fact that even at old age, people who have companions they love and care about live longer and healthier lives. Loneliness breeds feelings of worthlessness and rejection which can shorten your life.
As a parting shot, let me emphasize that the bulk of the problems many elderly people face in their "yearning years," are largely self-inflicted. This is because many fail to take steps that can alleviate some of the problems peculiar to the elderly when they had ample opportunity to do so. I do hope you will not let that happen to you now that you know.
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