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End-of-year health and financial wellness checklist

Although the holiday season can be bustling and jam-packed, December is an appropriate time to reflect on the year you had and get ready for the year to come. With proper organization, you can reset your mind, body, and finances; but don’t overcomplicate it. Follow this checklist — and download your own free copy — so you’ll be well prepared to tackle your 2025 goals.

Schedule annual appointments.

Getting yearly checkups becomes even more important with age. Prevent health issues or catch them early by scheduling your next physical, dental cleaning, eye exam, and hearing exam. You may also need to make other appointments, depending on your health and gender.

Plan for recommended vaccines. 

Many older adults get vaccines each year to protect against the flu, pneumonia, and other illnesses. Some vaccines are recommended after you reach a certain age, such as the shingles vaccine at age 50. Your primary care physician can direct you on your best course of action.

Prioritize sleep.

You don’t need to wait until January to start focusing on your sleep schedule. Getting good sleep allows your mind and body to recover from each day’s activities, helping fend off physical and mental disease. Consider natural ways to get better sleep now so that you can get the recommended seven to nine hours every night.

Practice self-care.

As you age, you face such challenges as social isolation and loneliness that can lead to depression. Protect your mental health by spending time with a friend or trying an exercise class, which are among the top health tips for retirees. Remember, self-care isn’t selfish. 

Review your health 

insurance needs.

With your annual appointments scheduled for the year, you should also ensure your insurance coverage meets your needs. Medicare’s annual enrollment period ended Dec. 7, but the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period runs Jan. 1–March 31. Your health insurance agent can provide the best information, or you can request a callback from a Wellabe agent.

Update your estate plan.

The end of the year is a prime time to update your estate plans. Reflect on everything that changed this year to determine if you need to update your official documents and beneficiaries. 

Prepare for tax season. 

If you receive income in addition to Social Security benefits, you may be among those who need to file a tax return. To prepare, gather your tax-related documents, such as 1099 forms and charitable donation receipts, and plan how you’ll file your taxes when the time comes. Free tax help may be available if you’ve reached senior status.

This is just half of the end-of-year wellness checklist.

Get the rest here: 

Bonus item: Sign up for the customer portal

If you’re a Wellabe policyholder and haven’t registered for an account on the customer portal, pencil it in on your end-of-year checklist. You can review coverage information, check claim statuses, view payment history, read Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements, download forms, and more 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Consider these tips to protect your financial well-being

Abe Goldstien, Wellabe policyholder and influencer, recently sat down with his newly retired friend, Dave, to discuss types of financial planning they used to have a more comfortable retirement.

Happy holidays from Wellabe! 

Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter this year. Be sure to take some time for your own well-being this holiday season. We’ll still be here in 2025, helping you prepare for tomorrow and live better today. 

Explore and learn more

Wellabe offers life and supplemental health insurance plans to help you prepare for good days and bad. We'll always be here to empower you to be well – well prepared, well protected, and well loved. If you’d like to speak to an agent to learn more, call 866-739-8143.