Tips for Seniors on Managing a Healthy Lifestyle

Earlier this month,Peachtree Hills Place hosted another one of their popular panel discussions aimed at educating seniors on issues that are relevant to them. Monday’s panel was titled “Behind the Headlines: Health Care, Planning for Today & Tomorrow.” Atlanta’s seniors turned out to listen to advice given by experts on health promotion, disease prevention, long term care insurance, health care reform, continuity of care and more. The overall theme of the discussion focused on the importance of preparing for the future.

The discussion, held at the Atlanta History Center, featured an expert group of panelists including:

• Ruthann Lacey, one of only five certified elder law attorneys in Georgia
• Dr. Margaret White, medical director at Park Springs CCRC in Stone Mountain
• Bill Benson, a specialist in aging and health policy and host of First Person, a weekly live interview program at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.
• Nancy Morrison, program director for Sixty Plus Older Adult Services at Piedmont Hospital

So much was covered that it will be difficult to summarize the event in a single blog post, but here are some of the main points from each panelist:

Lacey shared her legal expertise with audience members urging them to make sure that they have three key legal documents in place – a living will, durable power of attorney and financial power of attorney.

Dr. White discussed the importance of disclosing medical history to doctors and loved ones and making sure preventive health care measures are taken, including getting proper screenings and immunizations.

Benson provided a national health care policy overview and provided national statistics, facts and figures concerning the growing number of seniors in the United States. Among the many numbers mentioned, Benson strongly urged audience members to take preventative steps and to make sure that they do not fall into the category of the more than 70% of those age 65-74 that do not participate in physical activity.

Morrison advised the audience about the importance of continuity of care and how it could be found at Continuum of Care Retire Communities (CCRC’s) such as Isakson Living’s Peachtree Hills Place and Park Springs.