(BPT) — Taking care of ourselves and each other is critical at any age. A 2022 survey of members by AARP Services confirmed that adults 50-plus share that sentiment. Seventy-one percent agreed with the statement, “My health will be my biggest concern, ” while 89% agreed using the statement, “Taking care of my family is my first priority. ”
Despite considering it important, though, the pandemic led many to fall behind on regular check-ups. In a Feb. 12-17, 2021 TIME-Harris Poll survey , 78% associated with respondents reported they had put off at least some medical services during the previous three months. It is usually likely these appointments seemed non-critical at the time, especially relative to the risk of exposure to more serious illness, but continually neglecting them can lead to other, more significant issues down the road.
With a new year underway, there’s no time like the particular present to get back into the wellness groove and stay there for good. Fortunately, AARP member benefits offer numerous ways in order to help make this even easier.
Did you hear that?
Mild hearing loss is common with age. In fact, it is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults. Hearing problems that are ignored or untreated can obtain worse. They can also lead to isolation, which in turn might lead to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, reduced mobility and falls.
Listening to issues are easily corrected with hearing aids, yet only one in four adults who could benefit from hearing aids has ever used them. Fortunately, getting a hearing aid is simpler than ever. Within October, over-the-counter (OTC) listening to aids became available for adults with perceived mild in order to moderate hearing loss.
For adults with a lot more severe listening to loss, OTC hearing helps might not amplify sounds enough. Taking a simple hearing test can evaluate your hearing, avoid future issues plus improve quality of life. AARP users can save upon hearing treatment and listening to aids. With AARP ® Hearing Solutions™ provided by UnitedHealthcare Hearing , members receive a no-cost UnitedHealthcare Hearing’s test and personalized support through a large nationwide network associated with hearing providers. They can furthermore save 20% on hearing aids and 15% on accessories.
Keep smiling
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) recognizes dentophobia , or fear of the dentist, as a specific phobic disorder in its Diagnostic plus Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). It’s little wonder, then, that in the TIME-Harris poll , dental exams or even cleanings were the majority of frequently missed.
However , regular dental care is an important part of overall health. It can also monitor and prevent disease. Studies have increasingly found a link between dental problems like plaque, gum illness, gingivitis and other more serious conditions in the body, including memory loss. By visiting the dentist regularly, problems can be monitored or even fixed before they get worse. Learn about dental insurance options designed for AARP members that will include normal cleanings plus coverage you can count upon for the many common dental care procedures to make keeping your dentist appointment even less painful.
Stay focused
Eye exams had been another commonly missed scheduled appointment throughout the outbreak, ranking third of the listed skipped procedures . Poor eyesight is definitely frustrating and can impact quality of life plus safety.
Having an eye exam isn’t just for the vision check. Eye circumstances such as glaucoma and cataracts become more common with age and may be treated if discovered early. The particular eyes can also become early indicators of situations like high blood pressure, heart disease, anemia and cancer .
AARP members enjoy vision care discounts through AARP ® Vision Discounts offered by EyeMed to help them and their families save on lenses and frames at participating retailers plus independent provider locations countrywide and online. Savings include 50% on prescription lens with the particular purchase associated with a frame at LensCrafters, 30% on a complete pair of glasses (frames and lenses) at Glasses. com, and an additional $10 upon a complete pair at Target Optical.
Self-care is primary
At one time, skipping that primary treatment visit may have seemed like a lower danger than a possible COVID exposure. Because people were feeling well, they might not possess returned. Effective primary care can provide critical preventive treatment, especially if wellness problems aren’t causing symptoms.
AARP people and non-members have access to high quality care along with Oak Street Health , a primary care supplier specializing in old adults on Medicare with a team of doctors, nurses and other professionals dedicated to keeping you well — physically, mentally and socially at more than 160 centers across 21 states. Benefits include personalized preventive care plans, same-day/next-day appointments where available, a 24/7 healthcare patient assistance line and more. Plus, you are able to download free comprehensive checklists to assist you make the most of primary treatment visits. AARP membership is not required to visit a good Oak Road Health location.
Keep up the momentum
Now that will you’re seeing your service provider regularly, a person can reevaluate your medication needs and get your prescriptions up in order to date. Save on prescriptions and never miss the refill along with AARP ® Prescription Discounts provided by Optum Rx ® . The program offers a free prescription discount card that can end up being used in over 66, 000 pharmacies nationwide upon FDA-approved medications. Members receive additional advantages such because deeper discounts on medications, home delivery, coverage for dependents plus more.
Getting your health in order could also mean more trips to stores such as Walgreens. When you link your AARP and myWalgreens ® memberships , you’ll earn 10% Walgreens Cash rewards on Walgreens branded health and wellness products, 7% Walgreens Cash rewards on Walgreens branded beauty & personal care products and 3% Walgreens Money rewards upon other qualifying beauty & personal maintenance systems.
Stay on track by supplementing your own visits with a healthy lifestyle — including your mental health along with your physical health.
The great way to step back and focus on your mental health can be by traveling and experiencing something new. Booking your own next trip is easy and affordable with all the AARP Travel Center Powered simply by Expedia . Members get an extra 10% off from select hotels and up in order to 30% off select car rentals, along with many other rebates and credits with regard to cruises, group bookings and much more.
The last three years have got disrupted our lives plus routines in unprecedented ways, and finding our way back may sometimes be harder than anticipated. Take advantage of the particular new year as a time for a head-to-toe wellness check. By taking benefit of your AARP member benefits, it’s one resolution that will be easy to keep. Visit aarp. org/benefits for a lot more details.
AARP associate benefits are usually provided by third parties, not simply by AARP or even its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some company offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details.