Many people go through their working years, diligently saving money, so they can retire and enjoy their golden years without financial worries. We scrimp and save to ensure that we will be financially “okay” during retirement. But is this enough?

Traveling, playing with your grandchildren, enjoying a new hobby and volunteering for an organization could be some of your retirement goals. To achieve these goals you must plan ahead and you will need more than retirement savings; you will need your physical, mental and spiritual health.

The concept of a lifelong health plan is similar to that of your lifelong financial plan. Start your health plan today by doing a little each day, over the course of your life, to ensure that you are making healthy choices such as eating right, limiting alcohol, not smoking, visiting your health care practitioner regularly and keeping yourself physically active.

As with savings, the earlier you start your health plan the better but it is NEVER too late to begin. No matter what your age, you will see and feel the benefits of living a healthier and active life. As stated by a Century House fitness instructor, “we may not be able to control how long we live but we have full control of how well we live”.

Parks & Recreation provides you with many programs and services that will help you start or maintain your lifelong health plan. From swimming, skating, trails, wellness courses and fitness classes, the opportunities are awaiting you. Century House has a mandate to Enhance the lives of the 50+ Generation. Give them a visit, 620 Eighth Avenue, as you will be truly inspired by their 1910 members who are active, healthy and enjoying their later years. Century House has the programs, services, educational classes and fitness services to meet the needs of all older adults. They will change your attitude on aging and show you the diversity of what opportunities await people in their 60’s to 90’s. Give the folks at Century House a call, 604-527-1066, or visit www.nwpr.bc.ca to start your retirement health plan today. Remember to invest well and invest often in your health. Where would you be without it?