Yearly Checkups for Seniors
August 11th is Annual Medical Checkup Day, a day to recognize the significance of yearly checkup visits – especially for aging loved ones. Now that Medicare covers most of the tests and examinations that should be performed during these appointments, there is no excuse for not having a thorough annual medical checkup.
Scheduling at least a once-a-year checkup ensures that you will have a baseline to compare your numbers to after experiencing symptoms or falling ill, assisting medical professionals in diagnosis. Even when you feel healthy, annual screenings are critical to analyzing future health issues. The routine examinations to have done during these yearly doctor’s visits are as follows:
- Blood pressure
- Height measurement
- Weight measurement
- Blood Work
- EKG (Electrocardiogram)
- Fecal Occult Blood Test
- Flexible Sigmoidoscopy/Colonoscopy
Along with helping assess current or future medical issues, annual screenings can encourage a healthier lifestyle, enable you to build a relationship with your doctor, or allow for any vaccination updates.
There are also separate tests that each gender should have knowledge of going into their yearly visit.
Male Examinations
Prostate Exam
Should be performed at age 50; physician checks for enlarged prostate.
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
Blood test to indicate prostate cancer; some doctors agree with this method while others do not.
Female Examinations
Mammogram
Usually performed between ages 40 and 50; clinical breast examination.
Pap Smear and Pelvic Exam
Should be performed every three years, or yearly if at higher risk for cervical or vaginal cancer.
Measurement of Bone Mass
Women with osteoporosis in their family history should have this test completed; no standard for recommended frequency of test.
Additional Checkup Info
Any medications that you take daily should be discussed as well, regardless if they were prescribed or bought over the counter. Also, a flu shot may be discussed if needed.
Skin cancer is a very common cancer among Americans, with about 5 million people being treated for this disease each year. To stay on top of any future skin issues, make sure to get any new or suspicious moles examined, and visit a dermatologist for a full-body examination yearly as well.
Additional personal concerns can be discussed with your physician during your checkup. Also, do not hesitate to bring up any mental health changes or problems you may be coping with – your mental health is equally important to your physical health.
You are more likely to get conditions like diabetes, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cancer, and arthritis as you age. Some of these conditions do not show symptoms until they have worsened. By having year-to-year screenings, you can find out if you are at risk for disease, discover health problems early, and gain more control over chronic conditions.
