As the years pass, seniors become more susceptible to health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Often symptoms of these illnesses aren’t immediately recognizable. An annual checkup for seniors can help identify and start treatment for these conditions earlier.
Each Checkup is Unique
The “routine” checkup is anything but routine. Many factors, including age, health challenges, patient and medical histories, medications, ongoing or recent symptoms, stress levels and cognitive concerns will determine what your physician will want to evaluate.
Your physician may run tests designed to determine if silent but serious conditions are beginning to arise, like:
- A cholesterol screening called a lipid panel, which evaluates risk for heart disease or stroke
- A comprehensive blood count, which can detect infections, anemia and certain cancers
- A blood pressure check, especially if the senior has a history of blood pressure problems
- A diabetes screening, especially for anyone who is obese or has a family history of diabetes
Other tests based on age, sex and health concerns may include:
- A colon cancer screening
- A pelvic exam and Pap smear
- A mammogram
- A bone density screening
- A prostate screening
- Skin examinations
- Hearing and vision testing
Annual Checkup for Seniors Checklist
To make the most of a physician visit, a senior needs to arrive prepared:
- Bring a notepad to write down questions, and record your physician’s recommendations and instructions.
- Prepare to ask your most important questions first in case you run out of time during the appointment.
- Bring a friend or relative as a second pair of ears.
- Bring a list of your current medications and dosages, and the dates of your recent vaccinations.
- Know the health history of you and your family.
- Share your diet, exercise program, sleep patterns and any anxiety or depression you may be experiencing.
- Share recent changes in your health or reactions that may be related to your medications.
- Be able to tell your physician what specialists you have seen.
- Be honest and open about your health concerns even if you feel embarrassed about discussing them – this often is where senior health suffers.
- Ask the physician questions if you do not understand something he or she has said.
Making Best Use of Your Time with the Doctor
This is a time for you and your physician to catch up and make or change your health plan. Are you caught up on your screenings? Are your medications working or do they need to be changed? What suggestions does he or she have for changes in your diet or exercise? Review next steps at the end of the appointment.
Don’t assume that your physician knows everything about you, even though the office has your medical history. Making the most of the time with a physician requires sharing information and asking the questions that are most important to you.
Is Telehealth an Option?
Telehealth enables health care providers to remotely deliver clinical health services and information via video communication.
The use of telehealth services is a viable alternative to in-person appointments when monitoring chronic illnesses, medication management, minor infections, sleep problems and pain, as well as other health concerns. If a patient just has questions, it works well. However, some elements of an annual checkup for seniors require physical examinations or lab work that are not possible through a video connection.
Benefits of an Annual Checkup for Seniors
Regular checkups can catch and treat health problems before they become more serious and more expensive. Staying up to date on one’s health can also be reassuring. Further, your physician can educate you on how to avoid illness or deal with it more effectively. The more your physician knows about your health, the better he or she can manage and coordinate your care.
Finally, checkups build bonds of trust and understanding between the patient and doctor. You’ve talked, shared information, expressed concerns, and dealt with challenges together. In the process, you have learned how to communicate more effectively with each other. That can only improve your checkup experience in the future.
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