As we get older, our health needs often become more complex. Taking a proactive approach to your health can help, but many people don't know where to start.

"One of the most common questions I hear from older adults and their caregivers is: 'What's the best thing I can do for my health right now?'" said Dr. Heidi Schwarzwald, chief medical officer at Signify Health. "My answer is simple: start by understanding your whole health — mind and body."

Once you understand your current health needs, you can identify areas to better support your physical and cognitive health. In honor of Healthy Aging Month, Schwarzwald offers three simple steps to help you or your loved one stay healthy, independent and engaged.

Manage and prevent chronic conditions

Chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and kidney disease are common in older adults, making prevention and day-to-day management especially important. In fact, according to the National Council on Aging, nearly 80% of adults ages 65 and older are managing two or more chronic conditions.

But developing a chronic condition isn't a foregone conclusion. You can make changes to your life to lower your risk.

"As a physician, I constantly emphasize physical activity and nutrition because of how powerful they are in managing these conditions and preventing them from happening in the first place or getting worse," said Schwarzwald.

When it comes to staying active, Schwarzwald recommends keeping it simple and approachable, like taking a brisk walk, gardening or doing chair exercises. To create balanced meals, make sure you're eating a consistent diet of whole grains, healthy fats, lean proteins, fruits and vegetables. These foods can support heart health and help prevent blood sugar spikes.

It is also important to know your key health numbers. If you don't know your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, talk with your primary care provider so you can better understand where you may need extra support.

Support cognitive health

Physical activity and balanced nutrition pull double duty by supporting your physical and mental health. The same habits that support the body can also help you stay sharp, focused and engaged.

Mental activities also play a major role in your cognitive health as you age. Schwarzwald suggests enjoyable hobbies like reading, puzzles, games and creative activities such as painting, knitting, cooking or writing to help keep the mind active.

If you've always wanted to learn a new language or ballroom dance, now is the time to give it a try. Why? Because learning new skills can strengthen connections between brain cells and help build new ones.

Don't forget to stay social, too! Social activities can support overall well-being and can boost your happiness. Strive to build new social connections while nurturing your existing relationships by spending time with family and friends, attending community events or volunteering.

After all your physical, mental and social activity, remember to prioritize a good night's sleep. Getting enough rest at night can help you stay sharp and focused during your daily activities while also supporting learning and memory.

Understand your medications and supplements

Regular medication review plays an important part in keeping you safe and independent. As you age, your body may respond differently to medications. A medication that worked well years ago may no longer be necessary, and it could contribute to side effects such as dizziness, fatigue or brain fog.

This may sound like a difficult task, but it can actually be fairly simple.

"I recommend making a list of the medications you take, the dosage and how often you take them," said Schwarzwald. "Include prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as supplements, and meet with your primary care provider. They can review your list and look for potential side effects, drug interactions and medications that may not be needed anymore."

Get a head start

Getting started is often the hardest part of any task, but you don't have to do it alone. Signify Health works with health plans to offer eligible members an In-Home Health Evaluation (IHE). During the in-home visit, a licensed clinician — nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant — performs a medication review, health assessment and discusses physical and cognitive health needs. They are there to answer your questions and can work with you to create a health management plan with personalized recommendations for you to discuss with your primary care provider.

After the visit, you and your primary care provider will also receive a visit summary. If you don't have a primary care provider, Signify Health can help connect you with an in-network provider. Many health plans offer IHEs to eligible members at no extra cost. To learn more, check your eligibility or schedule an In-Home Health Evaluation, visit HelloSignify.com or call 1-855-984-5121.