A critical illness can hit anyone. Some may be pre-disposed to certain illnesses, but there are also times when it happens unexpectedly. Whichever the case, it is no easy challenge to hurdle. Serious health problems like cancer, stroke, heart disease, or organ failure can impair the body’s normal functions when the necessary treatments are not completely provided.

Sadly, getting diagnosed with a serious ailment can cost a huge amount of money. Hospitalization, medical treatments, rehabilitation, and medicines can wipe out one’s entire life savings. The lack of funds not only affects recovery but also disrupts the family’s finances.

While there is no telling what the future may hold, there are ways for us to step ahead of critical illnesses. Here are some ways to prevent the potential difficulties of a critical illness:

• Know your family’s medical history. What health issues have affected your mom and dad? Do any of your relatives have a heart condition or fallen ill with cancer? Knowing these facts can help you take proactive steps to protect yourself, such as consulting a specialist or adjusting your lifestyle. 
• Develop healthier habits. It goes without saying that a healthy lifestyle is most ideal: eat nutritious foods, avoid smoking and alcohol consumption, get enough quality sleep at night, and add a few minutes of exercise to daily routine. While it is not easy to stay committed, the benefits will far outweigh the sacrifices. This is not to say that you can no longer enjoy yourself - moderation is key. With this, you put yourself in a better position to recover should an illness hit.
• Manage stress. Stress management techniques can help. You may want to consider yoga, deep breathing, and meditation. Remember that being mentally well impacts even our physical health.
• Create an Emergency Fund. Medical costs are expensive which can affect the finances of the family. It is best to set aside a part of monthly income for possible health issues when making a budget and prepare for the costs of critical illness by having an emergency fund that covers at least 3 to 6 months’ worth of monthly living expenses. Remember to be conscious of spending habits and cut down on some unnecessary purchases!
• Get Critical Illness Insurance. Investing in critical illness insurance is one of the best decisions you can make for yourself and your family. It eases the financial load from hefty medical bills. It provides a lump sum cash payment to the insured if the diagnosed health condition is covered under the policy. Critical illness insurance usually includes coverage for conditions such as stroke, heart attack, cancer, and brain injury.

As your Partner in Life, we offer product solutions like SUN Cancer Care, a specialized health protection plan that enables the insured to live a healthier life. It offers financial preparedness should cancer strike. One of its benefits includes providing cash benefits in case a person is diagnosed with any of the covered early and late-stage cancer conditions. These will help replace the funds spent on diagnostic investigations and the initial expenses on treatment.

On top of it, we also offer other health care insurance options. Want to know the health care package insurance suited for you? Connect with a Sun Life financial advisor to learn more about critical illness insurance.    

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