| I get a lot of questions from people asking me why | | | | All of these factors (insurance, hospitals, medical |
| someone would want to participate in a conditioning | | | | treatments, drugs, etc) continue to increase |
| program of any kind. I often ask these individuals to | | | | exponentially in cost due to increased usage and |
| take a step back and try to look at the bigger | | | | demand for their services. Health care costs are |
| picture. Once you do that you can see how | | | | expected to grow because scientists are continually |
| participating in a workout program can benefit so | | | | discovering medicines to treat diseases of aging and |
| much more than just your body. It will also benefit | | | | people are living longer. The elderly population, now |
| your wallet. | | | | 36 million, is expected to reach 70 million by 2030. |
| My hope is that this article will show you how the | | | | The positive part of all this is that individuals are |
| benefits of a golf performance enhancement | | | | beginning to realize that they can control, to some |
| program can extend far beyond the golf course. | | | | extent, the chance that they will need significant |
| Money Is A Terrific Motivator | | | | health care in the future. Taking care of yourself now |
| Money is a very strong motivator for most people. | | | | can "save" you millions of dollars in health care costs |
| As such, I tend to use a financial perspective to | | | | not today, not tomorrow but many years down the |
| motivate people. It is a perspective everyone | | | | road. Conditions that affect us while we continue to |
| understands and it works so well. I'll use that same | | | | live (diabetes as an example) can be especially |
| perspective here. | | | | expensive, as you can live for decades with diabetes. |
| The health care industry in America continues to be a | | | | There are a number of other issues that will affect |
| constant source of concern for the 50+ population. | | | | the future cost of health care. The point is, health |
| With advances in modern science, individuals are now | | | | care costs are not going to be getting any cheaper. |
| living longer than any other time in history. While this | | | | You are by no means guaranteed to avoid all health |
| can be seen as a positive, many individuals are | | | | problems by taking care of yourself, but you will |
| worried about outliving their retirement funds (a very | | | | stack the deck in your favor, and minimize your |
| legitimate concern), having their standard of living | | | | chance of realizing significant health care bills, by being |
| being reduced due to lack of financial support and | | | | proactive in the maintenance of your health. |
| losing their personal mobility due to age. | | | | Conditioning Benefits Will Transcend Improved |
| One of the major issues that this country (USA) has | | | | Physical Health |
| on its hands is how we are going to care for the | | | | The whole idea is to develop a better overall you. |
| Baby Boomer population once they begin to get | | | | The core goal of a conditioning program should be |
| older. The overall financial strain it will put on our | | | | about so much more than just fitness and |
| national health care and financial systems is projected | | | | conditioning. It should be about healthcare cost |
| to be very significant. | | | | avoidance, quality of life, reduced pain, treating root |
| Strain On The Health Care System | | | | causes of pain, etc. |
| There is already a terrible overall strain on the medical | | | | I can think of only three investments that have very |
| system we have. Many of today's nurses are nearing | | | | minimal, if any, risks but can yield huge returns: |
| retirement age. There is a recognized medical staffing | | | | Education, health and family/personal relationships. |
| crisis on the horizon as a result of this mass | | | | Think of taking care of yourself as a long term cost |
| retirement. | | | | management strategy for your life. You can also look |
| Tomorrow's health experts are not getting the clinical | | | | at it as a no-risk investment in yourself that will pay |
| experience they need during school due to the | | | | dividends far above and beyond any other |
| incredible demand for new nurses, so much of the | | | | investment you can make while also improving your |
| training is happening on the job. In short, they are | | | | body and energy levels. That is an investment I like |
| not really ready for the hospital floor (this is a | | | | to think most people would be willing to make. |
| general, high level statement). | | | | Still Enjoy The Things You Love |
| While this is not necessarily bad, it is a nightmare for | | | | Don't forget that you can take care of yourself and |
| hospitals, since there seems to be a significant drop | | | | still eat the foods and do the things you like in life. I |
| in overall productivity and profitability from a veteran | | | | workout a lot, but I also drink beer, love hamburgers |
| nurse to a new, "untrained" nurse. This is not good | | | | and steak, eat McDonalds (occasionally) and enjoy |
| for their bottom lines. | | | | Mtn Dew. I just don't make them a staple of my diet. |
| Don't forget that hospitals, insurance and | | | | Hopefully this article has shown you that once you |
| pharmaceutical companies are for-profit organizations. | | | | take a step back and look at the bigger, long term |
| As such, they are going to do everything in their | | | | picture that you can develop a much more compelling |
| power to make sure that they make money, and | | | | argument for general wellness, which is a natural |
| lots of it. | | | | byproduct of a properly designed fitness program. |
| Health Care Costs Continue To Increase | | | | |