Seniors should focus on preventative measures to stay as healthy as possible as they get older. One of the preventative measures that seniors should take is getting regular health screenings. Many of the medical conditions that seniors are prone to can be managed or treated if they are caught early. That’s why doctors encourage seniors to get regular screenings for common diseases that affect seniors.
If your senior parent doesn’t like going to the doctor, they may put off getting regular screenings and only go to the doctor when they are sick or have symptoms that can’t be ignored. You should encourage your senior parent to get regular health screenings by talking about screenings with them. You can also make appointments for them and offer to take them. Elder care providers can take your senior parent to screenings when you can’t. According to doctors, most seniors should be getting these screenings every year:
Blood Pressure Screening
Getting regular blood pressure checks is essential for seniors. The doctor will check for hypertension and administer medication if necessary to prevent heart disease and lower the risk of stroke. It’s very common for seniors to have high blood pressure, but when it’s caught early medication can be a big help keeping blood pressure in a healthy range.
Cholesterol Levels
Having high cholesterol can make seniors more likely to develop conditions like heart disease and diabetes. If seniors find out they have high cholesterol a combination of diet, medication, and exercise can bring their cholesterol down and improve their health. Elder care can help seniors make the lifestyle changes necessary to support their health, like cooking healthy meals.
Blood Glucose Testing
Diabetes is one of the most common diseases that impact seniors. Millions of seniors have diabetes or prediabetes. Seniors who are prediabetic and find out through blood glucose testing may be able to reverse their condition with medication and lifestyle changes before it becomes full-blown diabetes.
Bone Density Scan (DEXA Scan)
Osteoporosis becomes more prevalent with age, particularly in postmenopausal women and older men. A bone density scan assesses bone health and helps in identifying the risk of fractures. Seniors, especially women, should get a bone density scan to determine if their bones are weak or if they are developing osteoporosis.
Eye Examination
Regular eye exams are crucial for seniors to monitor for conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts. Early detection and intervention can help preserve vision and prevent further deterioration.
Hearing Tests
Hearing loss is common among seniors and it’s not always due to normal aging. Annual hearing tests can detect hearing issues early, which means that doctors may be able to slow down the progression of hearing loss. Doctors may also be able to suggest medical equipment like hearing aids to help with hearing loss.
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colorectal cancer is a common cancer in seniors, and regular screenings, such as colonoscopies or fecal occult blood tests, can help detect precancerous lesions or early-stage cancers. Doctors have more treatment options if the cancer is detected early.
Mammogram (for Women)
Women who are over the age of 65 should undergo an annual mammogram to screen for breast cancer. Regular mammograms can detect breast cancer in its early stages when treatment is more effective.
Prostate Cancer Screening (for Men)
Men aged 50 and older should discuss prostate cancer screening with their healthcare provider. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests and digital rectal exams can help detect prostate cancer early when it is more treatable.
Annual Physical Examination
All seniors should have an annual physical exam that will give their doctor an overall assessment of their health. Annual exams give doctors a baseline of a senior’s current health. That can help doctors diagnose problems in the future.
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