Our conversations are extensive about retirement, how to do it right, when to do it, and what to simply do about it. All of those concerns are of little consequence if we are not on top of our health. The amount of resources we have is no substitute for taking care of ourselves. We need to know our bodies and respond to them when they don’t behave in quite the way we are used to.
It is so important not to ignore warning signs of ill-health or simply needing to get our engines checked. Not changing the oil in a vehicle is a simple fix if it is attended to early, but can lead to a huge headache if ignored. Not changing your oil and making certain your vehicle has the lubricants needed at the levels required for efficiency could burn your engine out and cause a serious malfunction. Trying to fix or replace an engine can be costly and if you don’t have the money to take care of the engine, then your car just might join the many other cars left to rot away at the junk yard. Perhaps, some of the parts can be used for scrap.
Human beings have engines, perhaps not as simple as cars, but nevertheless, an engine. We need to make sure our blood pressure is where it needs to be so that there is not damage to our hearts, arteries and so many other physically disabling dynamics. We need to know what our numbers are. Are we controlling our cholesterol and eating properly. Are we getting our kidneys checked. High-blood pressure is often called the silent killer because many of us have it, display no noticeable symptoms and therefore, don’t know that we have it until we suffer kidney failure and have to be placed on dialysis.
Many Americans suffer from diabetes and may go for years without discovering they have the disease which can lead to loss of vision and dependence on dialysis to filter the blood. Genetics may cause us to live with a number of ills because it is simply a part of our inherited DNA. However, Dr. Oz states very emphatically that life-style trumps what have inherited. Our parents may not have had the facilities and advances in medicine to hold an inherited ill at bay, but changing your life style might make a significant difference in whether you live with health or not.
The Federal Government offers a great package of benefits to its employees, particularly health benefits. The Federal Employees Health Benefits program is among the best in the nation. Let your health coverage serve you and your family. You are paying a part of your health insurance premium cost and the government pays the remaining portion. Your health insurance is yours and you and your family should use it to ensure your family is healthy.
We cannot begin to look forward to a good retirement no matter the resources, if we are unhealthy, unable to take care of our basic functions and decide our own agenda. Without good health our retirement future will look fairly bleak. Retirement is a wonderful place to be if we are collectively wealthy – first our health, second having the necessary financial resources, and third having family and friends around to share in the happiness of many moments to come. Make sure you are doing a thorough assessment of your benefits now that Open Season is quickly approaching. If any circumstances in the condition of your health or that of a covered family member has changed, make absolutely sure you are enrolled in a program that will answer your health care needs. If you have been under the same plan for a long time and it offers exactly what you need and want, then there is no reason to make a change.
If however, that plan is not providing exactly what you and your family need to assure your health, switch to a new plan and hold both your plan and your provider accountable. Make certain you are partnering with your health care providers to map out exactly what is best in health care treatment for you and your family. It will be Open Season in a few weeks, get ready for it and get all you need to have a healthy life – starting with prioritizing you.
P. S. Always Remember to Share What You Know.
Dianna Tafazoli
