Older adults may not have ….
Older adults may not have the same busy schedules, but one constant remains the same—routine checkups. One of the most effective ways to stay healthy throughout the golden years is to ask the following questions during the annual appointments.
• Ismybloodpressurehigh?Highbloodpressurehasbeenlinked to cardiovascular disease, stroke and diminished vision.
• What can I do to lower my blood pressure? Ask for a detailed plan to lower that blood pressure, including physical activities and dietary recommendations.
• Do I need to change my medications? It is wise to ask a primary care provider if any of the current medications need to be changed. Sometimes, the adverse medication interactions can be dangerous and even deadly.
• Can I do anything to improve mobility? Reduced mobility can increase risk for falls and hospitalization and lead to a reduction in quality of life. When visiting their primary care physician, people can report any mobility issues and ask what they can do to prevent them from progressing.
• DoIneedadditionalhealthscreenings?Screeningsaveslives,even if exams can sometimes be inconvenient or unpleasant. People can use each doctor’s appointment as an opportunity to discuss screenings or additional tests they should be getting each year.
—MetroCreativeConnection
