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Industry Articles Home > Improving Quality of life for Seniors News

Investing in health may be the smartest investment an older American can make
2009-12-09

Crippling medical bills are a problem that far too many senior citizens face, but preventive measures can be taken in the years leading up to retirement to reduce the risk of incurring serious illness later.

Seventy percent of today's baby boomers will have one or more chronic health conditions by the time they turn 60, a report from the AARP, the Centers for Disease Control and the American Health Association says. Those chronic conditions can be expensive, and the number of seniors suffering from them is likely to increase as the nation's population ages. Adults aged 65-84 numbered 30 million in 2000; that number will increase to 47 million by 2020 and 65 million by 2040, according to the Census Bureau.

Preventive measures are widely available, the CDC says. Mammograms reduce cancer death risk significantly, the center reports. Tobacco use counseling can improve quality of life and increase older people's life spans. And influenza vaccines reduce illness and trips to the doctor.

Flu is an especially serious concern for senior citizens; 90 percent of flu deaths occur among those aged 65 and up. Older Americans can take steps to combat disease and ensure that their golden years are happy and comfortable.
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