Smart Senior

How are you feeling? It’s an innocuous question, people ask it all the time, but how often do you ask yourself that question? It’s not the question but the answer that counts. Hopefully you are saying, “I feel good,” because feeling good is an integral part of independent living.
It won’t be easy. New aches and pains seem to crop up every day. You may even start telling yourself that “senior moments and afflictions” are your new normal, but are they?
Aches, pains, and other disabilities need not be considered normal. Investigate. See your doctor. Find out everything you need to know about any, and all, of your issues.
Give your doctor a chance. What you need to know is that your doctor is not a mind reader. You need to tell him/her in specific terms about every little ache, pain, or twinge that has presented itself.
Do your own personal body scan before your appointment. Make note of every little lump, twinge, bruise, or pain that has cropped up over the last few years. You are not being silly, and you are not being a hypochondriac.
Perhaps your feet hurt, your knees are sore, you have lost interest in eating, your hearing is bad, your balance is off, or you feel breathless at times. Not earthshaking events perhaps, but inconveniences, things that keep you from facing each day with a smile.
Make a list of your symptoms and your questions. Medical appointments are stressful, and time is limited. If you aren’t careful, you might forget to ask the question that concerns you most. Be sure you have a list of all the medications you are taking, including over-the-counter supplements. It might surprise you to know that drug interactions are primary suspects when you are feeling “less than good.””
Be upfront. You are not looking for a quick fix, but you do want to feel good, and you want to be in control. It might take surgery, medications, dietary consultations, or occupational and physical therapy appointments but you deserve to feel good, and you deserve to live well.
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