Healthy aging means taking steps now to feel our best in the future

Celebrate National Healthy Aging Month in September
Regardless of our age, each of us should care about healthy aging. Our bodies and minds change over time, so it’s important to do what we can now to maintain and improve our health over the years. This is especially true for the more than 10,000 people who turn 65 every day in United States, a milestone age for enrolling in a Medicare plan.
Regularly visit your doctors to prevent illness and stay healthy
A critical part of healthy aging includes visiting your doctor or primary care provider for an annual check-up and other health examinations. Many diseases can be caught early, and regular visits with your doctor can also reduce risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure and other health conditions.
Preventive care, including annual check-ups, screenings and vaccines, is also often covered with no out-of-pocket costs by most health plans. Your primary care provider can help make sure you do important health screenings and tests every year as needed. This includes both your main doctor as well as medical professionals like your dentist (teeth and gum care) and optometrist (eye care).
It’s also good to work with your doctor and pharmacist to make sure you’re taking your medications and getting the most health benefits from your prescriptions. Many health plans like Regence also offer no-cost medication screenings, so make sure to speak with your health plan’s customer service to see what’s available to you.
Stay active and make exercise work for you
Many of us know it’s important to keep our bodies moving, especially as we age. Exercise and physical activity can feel overwhelming—but even a small amount of movement can go a long way for your health. You can try to do 150 minutes of a physical activity a week, such as walking daily and strengthening your muscles with carrying groceries, for example.
Your health plan may also offer resources to help you stay active. Regence Medicare Advantage plans offer a no-cost Silver&Fit® Healthy Aging and Exercise Program that gives access to a wide range of fitness options and resources to fit personal preferences and needs.
Healthy nutrition and relationships are important
Eating nutritious food and drinking enough water are critical to keeping our bodies healthy and fueled so we can stay as active as possible. Be mindful when fixing your meals to make sure you’re eating plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole grains. You should also aim to drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water every day.
Your health plan may also offer resources and support to help with better nutrition. Eligible Regence members, for example, can work with Mom’s Meals to have nutritious meals sent directly to their home. Programs and resources through Regence Empower™ can also help people develop healthy habits for better nutrition, exercise routines and more.
Staying social and maintaining relationships are also critical for our health and well-being. Loneliness and social isolation are serious public health risks affecting a significant number of older adults in the United States and puts them at risk for serious medical conditions such as dementia.
Eligible Regence Medicare Advantage plan members can receive companionship and support through Papa Pals, a program that pairs members with non-clinical volunteers who provide companionship and assistance with everyday tasks, such as grocery shopping, pharmacy pickup and technology support.
We’re here to help
Regence members are encouraged to work with our Customer Service team to find the help and resources for better health and well-being. This includes finding behavioral and mental health support, for in-person providers as well as available virtual care options. Regence members can sign in to their account on regence.com to understand their health plan benefits. They can also live chat or message us after signing in, or call the number on the back of their Regence member ID card.
The Silver&Fit program is provided by American Specialty Health Fitness, Inc. (ASH Fitness), a subsidiary of American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH). Silver&Fit is a registered trademark of ASH and used with permission.
Papa Pals is a separate company that provides elderly assistance services.
Mom’s Meals is a separate company that provides meal delivery services. The benefits mentioned are a part of special supplemental program for the chronically ill. Not all members qualify.
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