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As you get older and are HIV positive, you need to plan for your future in many of the same ways people who aren’t HIV positive have to – That’s good news – But because you are HIV positive, you have to be even more responsible, proactive and aware of your finances, healthcare changes and your general health than the average person. While the Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA/Obamacare) is changing the face of insurance and healthcare in general, there are still changes happening to it. Also, your particular age and socio-economic status makes it too large a subject to address here. For your own peace of mind, you should educate yourself as to how the ACA will affect you personally now and in the years to come. There are some things though, that you can control, can do yourself and should be at least considering, as you get older. So what should you be thinking about, as you get closer to being 65? But especially for people living with HIV, this question and how well you deal with all the details can go a long way to helping you move from one stage of your life to the next. Managing your HIV disease is one major task as you age, but there are others as you approach age 65: How and where you get your health care and how you plan for and manage your income and assets. Aging and living with HIV is fast becoming an issue for tens of thousands of people. Today, many more people living with HIV are able to enjoy a more productive life, as well as continue to work and even retire at some point. Indeed, it’s estimated that by 2015 more than half of HIV-positive people in the US will be over the age of 50. Many are now in their 50s and 60s, and may have already retired or have certainly begun to think about it. It is also true that, for many living with HIV, retirement is not something they planned for or expected to experience. Many never thought they would live to retirement age. They now find themselves happy to be healthy and productive but facing real fears about their lifestyles, incomes and healthcare as they grow older. Age 65 is a significant milestone for most Americans. 65 is the age when people qualify for Medicare, the federal insurance program that serves people aged 65 and older as well as those who are disabled and have a previous work history. 65 is also the age when private long-term disability policies stop their payments, which are often a significant part of an HIV positive person’s monthly income. It’s a good idea to start thinking about and planning for these changes as far in advance as possible. But it’s also important to remember that it’s never too late to start addressing the issues of aging and retirement. Thinking about these issues can be emotionally difficult without the proper support to address your personal journey with aging. If you find yourself procrastinating, avoiding or unable to focus on planning, don’t hesitate to seek support from friends, a group or a professional. PREPARE! Each person’s situation is different, due to individual needs and concerns. Talking to friends and family or support groups can be very helpful, but it’s also worthwhile to explore your options on your own. Consult A Financial Planner Change in Income Those with long-term disability may also be offered a lump sum payout at some point close to age 65 when their payments would stop. These offers may be reasonable and allow you to invest on your own, but they can also be unreasonable offers. If you’re offered a lump sum payment, it’s important to see a professional to determine if it fits your needs. Change in Residency One is your doctor or medical provider. Even if you’re not moving out of your home or move just a town away, you may not be able to keep your current doctor because he or she is not in the Medicare plan you choose when you turn 65. Think about what hospitals and other types of services and facilities are available to you. Another consideration is that while moving may be a necessity, it often means that you’re leaving friends and sometimes family and support networks that you’ve developed over your lifetime. Your support networks and environment are extremely important to maintaining your health. Before you make any final decisions on a move, identify the factors that help you maintain your health and well being. Then do as much research as possible, including visiting and even staying in the places you are considering. TAKE CARE! If you have diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure, it is more important than ever to follow your doctor's orders and bring those conditions under control. They may represent a bigger danger than your HIV! It's also important to understand about nutrition. Once upon a time, in the bad old days before effective HIV regimens were available, wasting was a huge problem. To combat it, we told people with HIV to eat rich fatty and sugary foods without regard to the quality of the calories. That's not the advice we give now! But, unfortunately, some people with HIV are still following those outdated So let's be clear: Your best bet is to eat for longevity-just like everyone else. That means a heart-healthy diet low in fats (especially saturated fats), and high in fiber. That means filling your shopping cart with fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, and whole grains. It means cooking with healthy olive oil or canola oil. Here are some super foods that can help keep your body young and healthy: - BARLEY If you can't get the food you need because of financial problems, health issues or being home restricted, ask your dietitian, social worker, or other healthcare professionals about local meal programs. There are many great agencies like "Meals On Wheels" as well as HIV-specific programs like "God's Love We Deliver" in New York City. People over 50 have special requirements to promote optimal health. In addition to your regular balanced diet, you probably need an increased amount of select nutrients like calcium, fiber, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and water, compared to younger adults. Calcium & Vitamin D. Many people may want to consider supplements to get consistent amounts of these two nutrients. Recommended daily amount via food and supplements is 1200-1400 mg of calcium and 600-800 IU of vitamin D. Fiber. Vitamin B12. Water. How Important is Exercise? Researchers with the Department of Veterans Affairs put 15,660 men with an average age of 60 on a treadmill to test their physical fitness. Then they ranked them into four categories: least fit, moderately fit, highly fit, and very highly fit. In the least fit group, 44 percent had died. In the moderately fit group, 30 percent had died. In the highly fit group, 15 percent had died. In the very highly fit group, only 8 percent had died. A dramatic difference! So when you think about a healthy lifestyle, be sure it includes regular physical activity. "A little bit of exercise goes a long way," said Peter Kokkinos, lead author of the study. "Thirty minutes a day, five days a week of brisk walking is likely to reduce the risk of mortality by 50 percent if not more." It is absolutely possible to be happy, healthy and satisfied as you move through your second half-century of life. You can continue to have good quality of life by adopting healthy habits. HIV therapies are continuing to improve, and managing HIV will only get easier in the future. Stay informed, and take good care of yourself now and for all the fantastic years to come! Alan Lee, RD, CDE, CDN, CFT and Anne Donnelly, MA contributed to this article. Article Note: For more information on the Affordable Care Act go to www.healthcare.gov. For more information on how the ACA might affect you specifically if you are HIV positive, see past issues of HIV Positive! magazine or go to www.hivpositivemagazine.com. Copyright 2018, Positive Health Publications, Inc. This magazine is intended to enhance your relationship with your doctor - not replace it! Medical treatments and products should always be discussed with a licensed physician who has experience treating HIV and AIDS! |