The Importance of Health Screenings for Seniors

The process of aging differs from one person to another depending on genetics and a number of other factors. If one is doing well physically and mentally, regular health evaluations and screenings are often overlooked, and most people usually skip their annual checkups, which can be quite dangerous. Information is the best weapon when it comes to leading a healthy life as you can only fix things you know about. The idea of 'staying healthy’ or ‘managing health’ often translates to healthy eating and exercising regularly, while seeing a doctor is only associated with being ill. 

As a matter of fact, visiting your doctor regularly for a preventive health screening is a very crucial part of staying healthy. If you go for regular health checkups and screenings to your doctor, you have better odds of living a happier and longer life. Many types of screening tests can detect a disease in its initial stages or even before it starts. This is important for preventing certain health problems from progressing into a more complicated and chronic state. 

Here are some important preventive health screening tests that all seniors aged 60 and above should undergo regularly.

Screening for Blood Pressure

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one-third of all Americans have elevated blood pressure but only half of them are taking steps to manage it. As we age, blood pressure usually gets higher and it is the major factor causing heart attacks and strokes. Blood pressure screening is recommended every two years. 

Scan for Bone Density

This test detects if you are at risk for osteoporosis, which could lead to frailty and fractures. Women should especially get tested at the age of 65 and then follow-up as required. If there is a family history of osteoporosis, then screening should begin at 60 years of age.

Blood Lipids Test

This test measures the good cholesterol (HDL) and the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels, which can be suggestive of risk of stroke and/or heart attack. This test should be performed once after every five years. People having high levels may be required to test more regularly. 

Vitamin D Levels Test

A large number of people living in the United States are deficient in vitamin D. This vitamin helps in protecting your bones. It also plays a vital role in protecting against heart disease, diabetes, depression, and certain kinds of cancers. As your age advances, your body has a harder time producing this vitamin. Screening for vitamin D levels is done through a blood test and is recommended annually.

Screening for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening should be done in men aged between 65 to 75 years who smoke. This includes men who have quit smoking by this age. This can be a lifesaver screening test for those who are successfully diagnosed with this abnormality. 

Colorectal Cancer Screening

It is the third most common type of cancer among both genders in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends screening for colorectal cancer beginning from 50 years of age until at least 65 years. The decision for further screening may then be individualized. A high sensitivity Fecal occult blood test or stool test can be done annually, while a colonoscopy can be done every 5 years.

Breast Cancer Screening

Screening for breast cancer is usually done by a mammogram. Presently, a mammogram is recommended for all women above 50 years of age every two years until they are 75. The decision of further screening is then made following discussion with the treating physician.

Type II Diabetes Mellitus Screening

This disease of deranged blood sugar levels most commonly occurs in people who are overweight and have a sedentary lifestyle. Screening for it every three years is recommended especially for people who have high cholesterol levels, blood pressure, are overweight, and/or who have a similar family history. 

Hearing Evaluation

In many cases, hearing decreases as age advances. Between ages 50 to 59 years, only 11% of people have decreased hearing in both ears, but after 60 years, around 24% of people are affected by the same. So, a hearing evaluation is also quite important for senior health and geriatric population should get tested every two years.

Vision Evaluation

Adults should get a baseline vision or eye examination at the age of 40 as recommended by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Your eye specialist will then decide for further testing or follow-ups if needed. Increasing age also increases the odds for certain vision problems like cataracts and glaucoma. 

Thyroid Dysfunction Screening

The thyroid is a gland present in your neck which produces hormones that regulate some very important functions of the body. Sometimes, the gland doesn’t produce enough hormones and in other cases, it may overproduce them causing a number of signs and symptoms attributed to the level of hormones. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American Thyroid Association recommend screening for thyroid hormones in people over the age of 60. This test can be done simply by taking a blood sample.

Mental Health Screening

Screening for mental health conditions, for example, depression is also important for as they experience important changes throughout their life that come with age, such as the loss of a spouse or other dear ones. 

Skin Care

Over 5 million people are treated each year for skin cancer in the United States, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. The only way to catch cancer early is to check for any suspicious or new mole or ulcer and visit a skin specialist at least once a year for a whole-body scan. The Skin Cancer Foundation also recommends monthly self-examinations and using a self-check body map. 

Vaccination

The word ‘vaccination’ seems to be associated with childhood, but older people may need them too. Getting vaccinated against flu, shingles, and pneumonia is important. According to the CDC, you may also need to get booster doses of some childhood vaccinations as well like diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough.

One last note: The Hispanic population is more likely to suffer type II diabetes, chronic liver disease and kidney disorders. Health screenings should be customized to suit every group ensuring that high risk populations do not get ignored.

Ocana Medical Care, located in Tampa, FL, aims to bring you as much information about critical health screenings. 

We’re in this together. #ocanacares