What Should Seniors Know About New Year Health Checkups?
The new year prompts many seniors to schedule health checkups. Understanding what preventive care is recommended and how to prepare for appointments helps seniors make the most of healthcare visits.
Annual Wellness Visits
Medicare covers an Annual Wellness Visit each year at no cost to beneficiaries. This visit focuses on prevention planning rather than treating specific problems. It includes health risk assessment, cognitive screening, and a personalized prevention plan.
Schedule your Annual Wellness Visit early in the year. Starting the year with a prevention-focused appointment sets a healthy tone. Do not wait until year-end to use this benefit.
The Annual Wellness Visit is different from a complete physical examination. It focuses on reviewing your health status, updating your prevention plan, and ensuring you are current on recommended screenings.
Recommended Screenings
Discuss with your provider which screenings are appropriate for your age and health status. Common screenings for seniors include blood pressure checks, cholesterol testing, diabetes screening, and cancer screenings.
Cancer screenings including colonoscopy, mammography, and lung cancer screening for eligible smokers save lives through early detection. Understand which screenings are recommended for you and when they are due.
Vision and hearing screenings identify problems that affect quality of life and safety. Annual eye exams are particularly important for detecting glaucoma and macular degeneration early.
Vaccination Updates
Review your vaccination status at the start of the year. Annual flu shots are typically given in fall, but if you missed yours, it is not too late to get vaccinated.
Check whether you are due for other vaccines including pneumococcal vaccines, shingles vaccine, and COVID boosters. Your provider can advise on your specific vaccination needs.
Medication Review
The new year is an excellent time for comprehensive medication review. Bring all medications, including over-the-counter products and supplements, to your appointment.
Ask about each medication’s continued necessity. As conditions change, some medications may no longer be needed. Reducing unnecessary medications decreases side effects and interactions.
Verify that you understand each medication’s purpose, dosing, and potential side effects. Ask about any concerns you have about your medications.
Preparing for Appointments
Write down questions before your visit. In the appointment, it is easy to forget what you wanted to ask. A written list ensures you cover your concerns.
Bring your medication list, including dosages. Have names and contact information for other providers you see. Bring any home monitoring records such as blood pressure or blood sugar logs.
Consider bringing a family member or friend to important appointments. They can help remember information and ask questions you might not think of.
Getting New Year Healthcare Support
All Seniors Foundation encourages preventive care as the foundation of healthy aging. Starting the year with appropriate checkups supports ongoing health. Contact us for help coordinating your preventive care.
