Growing old freaks me out

I AM a single, middle- aged man. My father is in a nursing home. Recently, he fell ill and was hospitalised. I had to take leave to look after him. I saw lots of sick people in the hospital, and it got me thinking about my future. What will happen to me when I grow old and fall sick? Who will take care of me?

My father’s medical bills and nursing home fees have put a tremendous strain on my financial resources. I hope I do not live to a ripe old age or end up in hospital due to any major illnesses.

It is daunting to be faced with one’s mortality. While it can invoke many fears, such as the ones you are experiencing, it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom.

Middle age can be a frightening place to be. One starts to notice that they are not as young as they used to be. the body will also remind them of that fact.

However, it does not mean the end. Nor does it mean that one has to hope to die early.

Your worries are multi- fold. Firstly, you are faced with the inevitable decline of your body and its functions. this has been made all the more stark when you see your parent and other patients in the hospital.

You have to accept that this is just the way the human body works. No one can escape it. However, one can influence the rapidity of decline. there is plenty of evidence to support the positive effects of adopting a healthy lifestyle. research has shown that it is never too late to start.

What is a healthy lifestyle? Well, for one, there is exercise. there are many exercises you can do, and it does not have to be expensive. You do not need expensive equipment or gym

mem- bership. Studies have also shown that any exercise that raises your heart rate is good for you. a brisk walk or jog around the park will suffice. take the stairs instead of the lift.

You can also make small and inexpensive changes to your diet. Healthy eating does not have to be expensive. Skip the fried noodles and go for soupbased noodles. Instead of snacking on fatty, junk food, reach for a fruit or a handful of nuts. Skip or

and opt for a soft- boiled egg. You do not have to deprive yourself. Instead, have these yummy treats as a reward for sticking to a healthy diet. all this needs a little planning and strategising.

Most importantly, these changes require discipline and commitment. Expect setbacks. there will be times when you fall off the wagon because of an office dinner, a friend’s party or a craving that you cannot fight off. there may also be days when the tV is more inviting than a jog in the park. Or, it’s a rainy day and all you want to do is hibernate. the most important thing is to get back on track.

Set goals for yourself. this helps you to stay on track and keep at it. the more you do it, the easier it is to stick to your plan. the other important thing to consider is attitude. Exercise is a natural mood enhancer. So the effects are not just physical. You will start to notice changes in your mood and feel good about yourself.

Visit your doctor for regular check- ups. take the necessary steps to find out how your body is coping, and do the necessary to address whatever is

not right.

You worry about who will look after you in your old age. then again, there is no guarantee that one will be looked after even though they have a family. Many people would say that having a family does not excuse them from making plans for themselves. this is why people invest in insurance plans – a security net for a day when there will be unexpected and high medical costs.

One may have a myriad of negative views about insurance and insurance companies. Nonetheless, it is better than nothing. Your retirement fund may not be enough to cover costs that you do not expect.

there are many options for insurance coverage. Visit different companies and check out various policies. Choose one that suits you. remember to consider your parent’s health to foresee the kind of ailments that may beset you when you are their age.

as macabre as it may seem, it may be wise for you to start thinking about things like your funeral and make plans for it. Visit funeral homes to find out what you can do to plan ahead. Start putting aside money for that.

Consult a lawyer about making a will. that may also include instructions on what to do upon your eventual death. Many people think it is bad luck to think or talk about these things. Yet, it is an inevitable topic. Unlike others, you do not have the luxury of letting others think or worry about these things when you are not around. So make the best of it. accept the fact that this will happen one day.

While you may be faced with the bleakness of old age, you can still learn to appreciate life. Seeing what your parent and other older people are going through, you must learn that life is precious. So the best thing any one can do is to enjoy every moment of it. Life is too short to worry about things that are inevitable. Make the

most of life.