Research finds seniors are in financial trouble at the cost of their health

A cup of tea, a facial and a couple of hours set aside to do nothing but read the paper. It sounds like a lovely moment of peace and quiet, but according to recent research Australian seniors aren’t making the time to take care of themselves and their health is being affected as a result.

A recent study commissioned by the life science company, Bayer, revealed that 82 percent of seniors are struggling financially to invest in their health and wellbeing.

But that doesn’t mean the interest isn’t there. The study also reported the same amount of people are interested in creating goals for things like weight management, mental health, memory and blood pressure.

As life expectancy increases and the cost of living continues to rise, people are finding it difficult to maintain their health and quality of living into retirement and beyond.

A staggering 70 per cent of seniors in the study said that the costs involved with self-care just wasn’t feasible without the support of their health care provider.

But there is hope, because this Sunday is International Self-Care Day, which is the perfect reminder to take time out and take care of our health and well-being.

According to self-care advisor, John Bell, taking steps towards regular self-care doesn’t have to be expensive and could be as simple as going for a walk.

“Half of the nation is living with a chronic disease of some form,” Bell said. “But evidence shows that almost a third of these cases could be prevented by removing exposure to risk factors such as smoking, being overweight, alcohol use and physical inactivity.”

By eliminating unhealthy behaviours, and taking part in a couple of healthier ones instead, people can expect to experience less problems as they age.

Here are a few ways to introduce more self-care into your life:

Take time out during the day to do some exercise. A quick stroll or some light weights can do amazing things for your health and well-being.

Being happy contributes so much to our well-being. Make sure you’re making time to meet people and do things that make you feel great.

Take note of how you feel. Our bodies are constantly sending us messages and if you listen carefully you can make the necessary changes that your body is looking for.

Make savings where you can. There are ways to save money when it comes to health and medical expenses. Try choosing the generic brand of medications, because you can stand to save quite a lot for opting for this instead.

Remember to celebrate International Self-Care Day on Sunday, July 24.

What are some of the ways you invite self-care into your life? Let us know in the comments section below.