There are few things more dividing than age.
The lines are set in every area of our lives. Depending on our age bracket, we have a different appeal to marketers and advertisers. Our age influences the clothes we wear; the holidays we choose and even the decor of our homes. If someone is seen to be stepping outside of the normal for their age bracket, then scorn is rained down on them.
Madonna, at only just over 50 years of age, suffered a horrible fall at the Brit Awards a few years ago. Luckily, she was not injured, but the overwhelming response was based on her age. It was all laughing taunts of how she might have “broken a hip” and was “past it” by continuing to perform at such a great age. (All this while Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones continue into their septuagenarian years.)
Imagine the Madonna incident if she had been younger. As a 20-something in a girl band, those same stories would have been laughed off. “Whoops, hot young thing slips up on stage!” – that kind of stuff. If she had been younger still, a child, then it would have been adorable. And there would undoubtedly have been some keyboard warriors saying she should never have been on stage; what were her parents thinking etc.
Age is, and will always be, a dividing line.
This philosophy applies outside of the world of the rich and famous, too. Us mere mortals have to make changes and choices based on the age bracket we fall into. If you take a typical family setup – so grandmother, daughter, and granddaughter – then you quickly begin to realize their different needs.
In no area is this more disparate than health. There are some, uniting factors that can breach the generational divide – such as eating healthily, taking moderate exercise and going for regular health checks. To see the way your body – and the impact it has on your finances – changes over the years, I’ve split into three different age groups.
Health Up To 21 Years Old
Parents-to-be will say that all they want is a healthy child – and the odds are on their side. The first 18 years of your life are the most healthy in some regards. Your body is full of essential amino acids that keep you strong and supple. If you break a bone, it’s going to heal much quicker – and you might even get a lollipop out of it.
We may have been conditioned to give children vitamins, but they’re not necessary in reality. In fact, they may be doing more harm than good. Diet is an important factor in this decision; get that right, and there should be no need to supplement further.
Healthcare costs are lower in this age bracket, though you will run the gauntlet of regular checks, vaccinations, and the usual ear infections. Mostly, these will be covered by a family plan insurance – so there’s no need to worry.
18 – 59 Years
It might seem strange to group these years together, but they have some fundamentals in common.
After the age of 21, you’re essentially dying – sorry if this is bad news! Genes called telomeres stop regenerating, which we are now beginning to understand are what keep us young. All thanks to a lobster, believe it or not (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-joe-dispenza/telomeres-what-does-a-lob_b_7588980.html).
However, following a good eating plan and taking regular excesses can stave off the worst of it. As you enter the end of this bracket, insurance prices might begin to go up – but it’s not too bad. Yet.
59 Years +
Again, grouping 59-year-olds with octogenarians might seem unfair, but they face a similar group of health challenges. Your body is no longer producing enough collagen to keep your joint supple and – importantly for some – your face free of wrinkles. Collagen is one of the few supplements that’s worth your time.
Healthcare begins to be more expensive. Not necessarily regarding premiums, but this will happen. Experts such as floridamedicareadvantageplans.com can help you negotiate the concerns you face to stop any financial catastrophes – but they still might happen. Your bones become weaker and will both fracture more readily and become more prone to fractures in the first instance.
There is also a mental aspect. As your age increases, so does your chances of dementia. Some studies have suggested omega fish oils help; others swear by coconut oil. Whatever the case, you have to talk to your doctor and ensure you keep your mind active.
Of course, you can be healthier at 50 than you were at 30 with the right attitude to living. You know the steps already: limit your alcohol, control your diet, exercise and drink water. Age might be a divider, but it’s not the be-all and end-all. Take care of the financial concerns and just do the best with the rest.
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