PennyGem’s Elizabeth Keatinge tells us what the experts say about keeping your independence as you age.
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00:00You may savor your independence and dread the idea of ending up in a retirement home.
00:09What are some things you can do to keep your independence as you age?
00:13As CNN suggests, you'll want to be financially independent, with income from your investments
00:18enough to cover your expenses, prioritize your health, as Next Avenue says, and prevent
00:24falls.
00:25The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports one quarter of Americans 65 and over
00:30fall every year.
00:31See an expert for primary care.
00:33A geriatrician is, quote, trained to manage the complexity of multiple complicated health
00:38concerns, unquote, says Dr. Nirmala Gopalan, medical director of the Geriatrics Clinic
00:44at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.
00:46She also suggests strength and balance exercises, like Tai Chi.
00:50The brain is a muscle, too.
00:52Keep it healthy with brain games and a healthy diet of fruit and vegetables.
00:56If you do end up headed to an assisted living facility, consider options before choosing
01:01a location.
01:02According to The Street, there are non-profit, religious-based facilities versus for-profit.
01:08There are also options to prepay for all-inclusive care, modified contracts, fee-for-service,
01:13or rental, which is a pay-as-you-go price model.