Your retirement should be a time of adventure and joy. You want to reap the rewards for all of those years dedicated to hard work, and you won’t want to see your entire pension vanish on healthcare expenses. However, despite the wonderful free benefits of the NHS, you may still have to spend money on your healthcare. Here are some tips that will help you save cash.
1. Test your hearing regularly
All your five senses are important, but you can protect your hearing by going for regular checkups with HiddenHearing. Hearing loss can occur at any age and if you feel that this essential sense is deteriorating then you should get your ears tested. You may have an infection, which can be cured or you may have a condition, which could lead to permanent deafness. If you seek help early you’ll avoid spending money on endless hospital trips at a later date.
2. Treasure your feet
If you don’t look after your feet when you are younger you may be in for a lifetime of misery and pain and expensive visits to the chiropodist as you get older. Chiropodist treatment is available on the NHS, but you may have to wait a long time for an appointment. Those with diabetes or arthritis are particularly susceptible to discomfort. Wearing shoes that fit properly, moisturising your feet and keeping your toenails trimmed can all help cut down on chiropody costs in retirement. Walking barefoot around the house is also beneficial.
3. Eat well
The last thing that any retired person wants is to suffer unnecessary health problems as they get older. Eating plenty of vegetables and fruit will enrich your diet, keep you fit and enhance your immune system. An article in The Guardian highlights the fact that quality of life is just as important as length of life and suggests that cutting down on the prospect of strokes and heart attacks by eating well will promote a healthier and more active life. This means that you can spend your pension on things you enjoy rather than on your healthcare.
4. Plan your finances
At some stage of retirement many of the UK’s population may have to seek the services of a care home. An article in The Daily Mail suggests that you plan your retirement and your finances well in advance or you or your relatives could face a very high bill for care costs.
The situation varies from region to region and it’s a good idea to seek advice from a local charity of financial advisor. From April 2016 the care cap will be set at £72,000. Ask about NHS continuing healthcare help for those who have suffered from illness for most of their lives and need to enter a care home. The family home will not always have to be sold to meet healthcare costs.
5. Take out health insurance
If you’re thinking of using your retirement to travel, make sure that you are protected by health insurance. Falling ill overseas and needing an air ambulance to fly you home without insurance could bankrupt you. Always declare your pre-existing health conditions and you should be able to find cover to match your needs. Check out our page on health Insurance for further details.