An official State of Texas website.
Making healthy decisions today can help ensure a healthy tomorrow. Resources to help everyone age well and be healthy are listed below.
Ways to Be Healthy
Seek Regular Preventive Services
Identifying a health condition before it becomes critical is one way to age well and work toward a longer, healthier life. Regular preventive measures include screenings, counseling and preventive medications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has information on preventive services.
Learn more about preventative service at Texercise.com and on the Aging Well Resources Order Form.
Be Active
Engaging in regular physical activity can help improve overall health and lower the risk of developing chronic diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per week. There are many ways to incorporate activity into your day, whether it is following along to a fitness video, walking in the park, or taking classes at a senior or community center.
Texercise, an HHS health promotion initiative, encourages people and communities to adopt healthy habits. Through its educational and motivational resources, Texercise can help Texans 45 and older improve their health and age and live well. Texercise provides a variety of fact sheets that focus on physical activity. Learn more about healthy activity on the Aging Well Resources Order Form. Choose Texercise in the program box.
Eat Healthy
Complementing regular physical activity with a proper diet is essential to overall health. Using healthy eating habits (for example: portion control, making half your plate fruits and vegetables, decreasing the amount of saturated fat and sodium you eat) are important for healthy aging. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Choose MyPlate initiative provides nutrition recommendations and resources.
Access to healthy food is vital. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is available to Texans and families that have trouble buying enough healthy food every month. For more information including program rules and eligibility requirements or to apply, visit Your Texas Benefits.
Texercise provides a variety of fact sheets that focus on healthy eating. Learn about healthy eating on the Aging Well Resources Order Form. Choose Texercise in the program box.
Avoid Tobacco
Quitting tobacco is one of the most important things a person can do to improve their overall health. Avoiding tobacco reduces the risk for heart disease and stroke, respiratory problems, and lung and many other types of cancer. Smokefree 60+has resources specific to adults age 60 and older. Learn more about avoiding tobacco by visiting Texas Department of State Health Services’ Tobacco Prevention and Control Program.
Nurture your Behavioral and Mental Health
Behavioral health is an essential element of a person’s overall health and wellness. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that an estimated 14% of U.S. adults age 50 and over live with a mental health condition. Knowing the signs and symptoms of mental health issues and getting mental health checkups can detect problems early and provide timely treatment. Learn more by visiting HHSC’s Mental Health and Substance Abuse page.
Brain Health
Part of aging and living well is taking care of your brain. According to the National Institute on Aging, brain health is how well a person’s brain functions across several areas. Those areas include cognitive health as well as emotional, tactile, motor and sensory function. Visit the National Institute on Aging to learn more about brain health.
Care for the Caregiver
Caregiving is the act of helping another person with activities of daily living (bathing, eating, dressing, and hygiene). Older adults might need caregivers to help with these activities because of a surgery, limitations, Alzheimer's disease or dementia. While caregivers can be paid staff, many are family members and friends who do not receive payment. Learn more about resources and services for caregivers by visiting the Support for Caregivers page.
Be Financially Healthy
According to the United States Census Bureau about 49% of people between the ages 55 to 66 had no retirement savings in 2017. Financial readiness for retirement is based primarily on three components: age; income and access to a defined contribution plan, such as a 401(k). Having access to a workplace retirement savings program can help people save for later years. Supplemental Security Income, income from asset ownership, salary from current jobs and pension plans are the main earning sources for older adults.
Consider visiting the AARP Foundation website to review resources for understanding a personal financial situation. For older Texans struggling with finances, all 211 to find a local eligibility office that can help assess eligibility for food supports, cash benefits, Medicare or Medicaid.
Prevent Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation
Learn the warning signs of abuse and stay connected to older adults in their life and community. Learn more by visiting Adult Protective Services. If you suspect someone is being abused, neglected or exploited, make a report to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Adult Protective Services at 800-252-5400 or on the Texas Abuse Hotline website. All people have a role and should report abuse, neglect and exploitation when they see it. If the situation is life-threatening, call 9-1-1 immediately.