Preventive care is the key to excellent health outcomes and lower healthcare costs. According to the National Library of Medicine, the risk of chronic non-communicable diseases has increased significantly among older people.
Health screenings are necessary for seniors to take proactive steps to address any health issues that might arise. Routine medical exams become necessary the more we grow due to the inherent risks associated with aging.
Identifying warning signs and early indicators of severe health issues helps create effective interventions to restore your loved one's health. Learn how health screenings affect preventive care and the benefits you can look forward to.
Senior health care needs continue to evolve as the risks older citizens face change with time. Health screenings are an essential tool for maintaining the overall well-being of individuals without incurring the high cost of medical treatment.
Screenings are important for preventive care for the following reasons:
Our health problems are usually preventable, manageable, or treatable if caught early. However, this doesn't occur often due to the lack of adequate and regular health screenings. Getting routine medical tests is essential to catching potential health issues early.
Elderly wellness checks focus on designing preventive healthcare strategies based on detecting early warning signs. Some early warning signs include the following:
These signs are indicative of serious medical conditions that might arise if no intervention is put in place. Timely interventions are necessary for better health outcomes as they help treat and cure diseases before they reach advanced stages.
The effective management of chronic health conditions from the early stages helps to prevent the occurrence of different comorbidities associated with the condition. Conditions such as diabetes are often associated with comorbidities such as kidney failure and cardiovascular disease.
Whether your loved one receives personal care services at home or in an assisted living community, getting medical check-ups can help identify risk factors for specific medical conditions. Healthcare providers can assess the susceptibility to certain medical conditions based on your body's mass index, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
Risk assessment can help you take proactive steps to prevent severe medical conditions from becoming a reality. For instance, individuals with a family history of heart disease will be advised to get cardio exercises.
Health management is also another function of health screening in preventive care. Seniors at risk of certain conditions may receive instructions on avoiding harmful habits such as smoking or excessive consumption of alcohol.
Health screening can give you peace of mind and help you avoid the stress of not knowing your health status. Doing so enhances your mental health and improves physical and emotional welfare.
Some of the indicators that are usually assessed for mental wellness are:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, preventive care can help save more than 100,000 people annually. Many conditions affecting senior citizens are preventable, treatable, or manageable.
The benefits of preventive care include:
Age-specific screenings can help identify and manage conditions before they reach advanced stages. This is extremely useful in reducing the healthcare costs associated with long-term treatment.
Health conditions tend to become more expensive the longer they persist. Early identification and preventive care strategies can help you reduce or avoid hefty medical expenses.
Your loved one will struggle to enjoy the services and amenities available in assisted living communities if they're in poor health. Health screenings and preventive care can help identify and address different health conditions, leading to better outcomes.
Healthcare professionals can detect, treat, or manage conditions early. Doing so enhances your quality of life, giving you the power to live a healthy and full life.
Preventive health strategies can help patients get timely interventions that slow the progression of various conditions. Early detection and interventions can also reduce the risk of complications associated with chronic conditions.
Doctors can advise you on managing the condition to prevent it from advancing to a more severe stage. Examples of recommendations they may make include:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, complications such as kidney failure, stroke, or heart attacks are more prevalent in the absence of preventive health strategies.
It might seem unnecessary to see a doctor when you're feeling fine. But, getting routine medical check-ups is a necessity as a senior. Many health indicators fluctuate over time, and you must stay on top of your health status as you prepare to enjoy your golden years.
The health screenings you should take will vary based on your lifestyle, unique health condition, and family history. Women with a history of breast cancer in their family should get a mammogram at least once a year.
The types of health screenings you or your loved one needs include:
Besides preventive care strategies, there are other steps you can take to safeguard your health, such as:
Doing all these activities can take a lot of work for senior citizens. That's where assisted living communities come in. We offer different living options, including a discounted military veterans program for the men and women who serve our country.
Getting a medical routine check-up is essential for knowing your health status. However, additional health screenings are crucial to preventive care. Identifying potential health issues early on enables effective diagnosis, treatment, and management.
At Barnes Place Personal Care, we make our residents the focal point of our community, creating a home-like environment that caters to their needs. From spa treatments to wellness and recreation programs, we curate our services to help our members live healthy, happy lives.
Contact us and let us help your loved one thrive mentally and physically.