If you’re a newlywed (or soon-to-be-wed) senior that wants to build a happy and healthy life with your spouse in Tampa, FL, you’re in luck. In many cases, it’s far easier than you’d expect. All you need to do is follow the right strategy. If you don’t know how to begin, In Home Senior Fitness shares some helpful tips.

Find the Right Home

The Tampa housing market has plenty to offer. Senior couples can find all kinds of properties, including single-family homes with ample yards, condos right along the water, and so much more.

Before you decide where you want to live, picture your preferred lifestyle. Consider what kind of amenities you’d like close by, allowing you to find a neighborhood that meets those needs. This can include proximity to various Tampa attractions or entertainment venues, as well as being near favorite grocery stores or your primary care physician. You may even want to factor in how easy it is to get to Tampa International Airport if you enjoy traveling or will have out-of-town visitors regularly.

After that, dive into property listing. As you explore, don’t just look at features and finishes. Consider how much time and energy you want to put into maintaining a home. For instance, if you enjoy yard work, a house with a large lawn may be ideal. However, if you don’t, you might prefer a condo on a property where landscaping is handled professionally through the condo fees.

Since there could come a time when one or both of you may need to shift into an assisted living community, it’s wise to keep that in mind. When the time comes, make sure to research Tampa communities to learn more about the cost, services, and amenities, and tour several before choosing. That way, you can make the best decision based on your needs and budget.

Focus on Fitness and Nutrition

When you focus on fitness and nutrition as a couple, you’re improving your chances of remaining healthy. Plus, being active or cooking nutritious meals together can be a great way to bond, ensuring your relationship stays strong.

Generally speaking, seniors need 300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity weekly, along with two or more days of strength training. For cardio, a brisk walk can be the simplest way to begin. However, you can also try biking, swimming, dancing, or anything else that piques your interest. After all, choosing an enjoyable activity feels like less work, making it easier to remain committed. Check out ​​In Home Senior Fitness personal training options.

Take a Holistic Approach to Wellness

Wellness isn’t just about caring for your physical body; there’s a mental and emotional component, too. As a newlywed senior couple, take a holistic approach to wellness. Maintaining a vibrant social life can be a component, creating mental stimulation and emotional support opportunities.

Individual self-care activities can help you maintain a degree of independence and enjoy some quiet time where you focus entirely on yourself. Whether you use that time for reading, meditating, doing puzzles, or kicking back and observing nature doesn’t matter. As long as it helps you recharge, it’s worth considering.

Volunteering can even promote wellness. It gives you a way to remain connected to your community and support a cause that matters to you, all of which is rewarding.

Prepare for Future Health Needs

As you age, your healthcare costs usually rise significantly. Overall, healthy seniors can expect to spend about$135,000 to $150,000 apiece on medical-related expenses during their retirement. For a couple, that’s a total of $270,000 to $300,000. And that’s assuming that they’re healthy overall, as those with notable medical issues can spend far more.

Even if you both have access to Medicare, that typically won’t cover all your potential needs. Along with copays and fees, the coverage isn’t all-inclusive. For instance, Medicare doesn’t cover long-term nursing home care at all.

Ideally, senior couples should plan for their future healthcare needs. If you have access to other health insurance programs – including those offered through employers, state exchanges, and other sources – you may want to use them to supplement Medicare. Exploring long-term care insurance options is usually an excellent idea, too, as well as determining if you’re eligible for Medicaid.

Setting money aside for healthcare expenses specifically is also intelligent. Essentially, it’s a purpose drive emergency fund, ensuring you can cover medical costs as they arise.

Written by: Donna Erickson