What to Expect During a Senior Preventive Health Screening

Understanding Preventive Health Screenings for Seniors

It’s an assessment that involves a medical examination of your physical and emotional well-being. Preventive screenings are intended to provide you and your physician with a comprehensive picture of your health. They’re essential for early detection and allow you to address symptoms that could develop into chronic conditions. Scheduling these tests can improve your quality of life so you can enjoy your golden years.

Common Screenings Recommended for Older Adults

Blood pressure check: You’ll wear a cuff around your arm to measure your blood pressure.

Cholesterol test: Your doctor will take a blood sample or lipid panel to analyze your levels.

Diabetes screening: There are several ways to check for diabetes, including a fasting blood sugar test, an A1C test or an oral glucose tolerance assessment.

Bone density test: If you’re a woman older than 65 or a man over 70, you should complete a bone density test to evaluate your risk for osteoporosis.

Hearing test: Hearing loss occurs over time, so you may not notice you have a problem until you sustain considerable damage. Annual hearing evaluations allow for early intervention so you can protect your hearing.

Skin check: This visual exam allows your doctor to check for unusual spots, discoloration and other signs of skin conditions and cancer.

Eye exam: You should schedule an eye exam every couple of years if you’re 65 or older to evaluate your depth perception and check for cataracts and glaucoma.

Colorectal cancer screening: This screening is recommended for adults 45 to 75 years old to support early detection and treatment.

Mammogram: This test uses an X-ray to check for breast cancer. Women should schedule regular mammograms starting at age 40.

Prostate cancer screening: These blood tests measure the prostate-specific antigen level in men.

What Happens During a Screening Appointment?

Medical history review: Preventive screenings begin with a review of previous illnesses and surgeries, family medical history and medications. Your doctor will also ask about chronic conditions and the measures you’ve taken to address them. You should also express specific concerns at this time.

Physical exam: Your doctor will take vital signs, including your blood pressure, heart rate and temperature. They’ll also check your skin and eyes and the inside of your ears and nose. You may need to demonstrate your balance and flexibility so your physician can evaluate your mobility. Pain assessment is also part of a physical exam.

Lab tests: You’ll give blood and urine samples at your doctor’s office or a separate clinic for lab work.

Discussion: Some of the screenings provide instant results while others take time to process. Your physician will schedule follow-up appointments to go over your results. Depending on the findings, they may recommend treatment, lifestyle changes and wellness tips.

Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider

It’s important to understand what your next steps are and how you can address any issues.

Here are some questions to ask your doctor:

• Do I need additional screenings?
• How often should I get tested?
• Are there any changes in my results that require further attention?
• What vaccines do I need?
• Are my vital signs within a healthy range?
• Am I taking the appropriate medication?
• Should I get screened for cognitive decline?
• Am I eating the right foods for my age?

Stay on Top of Your Health with Regular Screenings

Make your health a priority by scheduling regular preventive screenings and maintaining consistent communication with your doctors. Embassy Healthcare offers a variety of testing and clinical coordination services to help residents stay on top of their wellness goals. Contact us to schedule a tour at one of our locations.