Special Feature

How Technology Can Help with Senior Health

by ANDREA NEEDHAM

From fitness tracking devices to online resources that can help you pick out the best healthcare plan to meet your needs, technology is here to make things better in a surprising number of areas. Here are a few of the best ways you can use technology to your advantage when it comes to your good health, brought to you by Michigan Skier.

Find the Best Healthcare Plan Online

As a senior, your healthcare plan is one of the most important parts of your life. Not only will it dictate what type of healthcare coverage you get, but it will also impact how well your financial situation can accommodate your healthcare needs. 

With open enrollment for Medicare lasting from October 15th to December 7th every year, it’s important to look online and check out different plans so you can know everything your potential policy might provide. Many Medicare Advantage plans offer things like vision, dental, hearing, and other supplemental forms of coverage, so it’s smart to look at your various options and figure out which plan might suit you best.

Find Senior-Friendly Activity

Many seniors experience a decline in their activity levels as they age. This can be due to various concerns like inclement weather, but even in wintertime there are senior-friendly fitness options like skiwalking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. However it’s easy to get off-track if you can only get out to enjoy your pastime once a week and you’re attending fitness classes, hitting the mall to walk, or just working out at home in the meantime. 

Track Data Easily

When it comes to staying healthy, there are few things that can help you stay on target better than data. Life Care Services explains healthy habits have a huge influence in your well-being. Having a numerical breakdown of your day-to-day behavior is a great way to figure out where you stand so you can build new habits if the need arises. 

You don’t need to take notes or try to remember anything since you can just put your smartphone to use. An app like the LadyBoss Pocket Personal Trainer not only helps you track your data, but coaches you along on your eating habits, too. 

You can also get a fitness tracker like a Huawei Band 3 Pro or a Garmin Vivosmart 4. A fitness tracker is a separate device you wear on your person, usually like a watch band. Another option is to use a Wii system. These games often have achievement systems that encourage you to reach higher levels and continually progress. Find something fun that keeps you motivated!

The food you put into your body makes a huge impact on how you feel, so use a smartphone application (like the one mentioned above) or a website to keep track of your dietary comings and goings. Plenty of applications can not only help you keep track of your food intake but will also design a diet that is customized to your specific needs. Eating healthy foods makes a surprisingly large contribution to your overall state of health.

If you find you struggle with portion control, put a smart kitchen scale to work. These nifty devices are wireless so they can move around on your countertop, and they help you measure foods and nutrition precisely—right down to the calories, fiber and sodium.  

As you can see, there are a number of ways to use technology to your advantage when it comes to keeping yourself healthy. From researching Medicare Advantage plans to making sure you’re eating well, technology can help with our health-oriented efforts in a surprising number of ways. 

Connect with Michigan Skier for more tips and information that will help you stay fit and healthy!