Looking after yourself
Find information and guidance about keeping yourself well.
Check your pulse
Check your pulse occasionally - every few months. To check your pulse, put the first two fingers of one hand on the inside of your other wrist, below your thumb, and press lightly until you feel your pulse. Count the beats for one minute.
If it becomes irregular, and you're not already being treated for heart disease, contact your GP practice.
Eating well
Eating well means you're more likely to feel healthier, stay active for longer and protect yourself against illness. Aim to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, and to include protein, such as as beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and wholegrain carbohydrates such as brown rice, wholegrain bread or pasta. Dairy, which helps to keep bones strong, is a good source of calcium.
Water is vital for our bodies to work properly so it's important to drink plenty. Not drinking enough can cause constipation, dehydration, and increase your risk of a fall. Aim for six to eight glasses of fluid every day. This doesn't have to be water - milk, soups, tea and coffee all count.
Maintaining a healthy weight is important. There are health risks with being overweight or underweight. It's easy for weight to creep up or drop off without us noticing. Next time you're at your GP surgery, ask them to check your weight is within a healthy range.
If you are underweight and don't feel like eating a lot in one go, try eating six small meals and snacks a day. It is important to have nourishing food so try foods, such as fruit smoothies, cheese and crackers, toast with a savoury
topping or yoghurts.
You can find lots of useful information and advice to help look after yourself at One You Kent and A Better Medway.
Medicine
Ask your pharmacist for advice if you have any concerns about your medication.
Contact your GP practice if you have any problems ordering your medication. Online ordering is available at every practice.
Please don't just tick everything on the repeat list if you already have boxes of some of your pills: only order the ones that are running out.
Try not to run out of medication but if this happens when the GP practice is closed, then seek your pharmacist's advice.
If you are prescribed antibiotics, make sure you understand how to take them. Finish the course, even if you begin to feel better before the end.
If you go away to stay with friends or relatives, or need to go to hospital, bring your regular medication with you, and a list of everything you take.
Check you have what you need before any bank holidays, such as at Christmas and Easter.
Staying fresh
Personal hygiene remains important for good health as we age and can help reduce the risk of urine infections. With increasing disability or as our energy reduces, daily bathing and attending to laundry can become difficult and it may be tempting not to bother.
If you need extra support, contact your local Age UK.
Staying cool when it is hot
As we get older, we're more vulnerable to sunstroke and heat exhaustion in the summer. The key is to drink enough and keep out of the sun, especially in the middle of the day.
Dehydration can lead to falls so do remember to drink even if you don't feel thirsty - unless you have been told to restrict your fluid intake.