Your health needs naturally change as you grow older. And because your chances of medical problems can also increase over time, healthcare professionals encourage aging adults to undergo regular tests and screenings to assess their health. Here are a few tests you may need and why they’re important.
Annual Wellness Exams
A wellness exam will check vital signs and document any new symptoms or health issues. Along with identifying potential diseases and medical conditions, yearly exams also establish a baseline for your health.
Dental Exams
Regular dental examinations are important for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. They also support overall health, as gum disease and other oral issues can affect the rest of your body.
Eye Exams
Vision can naturally degrade over time, which is why most seniors are encouraged to undergo a yearly eye exam. Your eye doctor can also look for signs of vision conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Hearing Exams
Like eye exams, many older adults need annual hearing exams.
Disease and Medical Condition Screenings
These screenings assess a person’s blood pressure and cholesterol levels. They can also screen for diseases like diabetes.
Cancer Screenings
A person’s cancer risk often gets higher with age, so cancer screenings are an important part of healthcare for many seniors.
Bone Density Tests
Osteoporosis doesn’t usually cause issues until the condition has advanced substantially. With bone density tests, doctors can provide therapeutic approaches before a major fracture occurs.
Medication Review
Drug reviews will look at a person’s current list of medications for possible drug interactions and duplicate meds.
Cognitive Testing
Minor cognitive and memory issues are common in seniors, but major lapses require a closer look. Cognitive screenings can help identify conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Vaccination Recommendations
When it comes to older adults, recommended vaccinations often include RSV, shingles, and the annual flu shot.
With DrOwl, you can access results from tests and screenings at any time from a mobile device or computer. Our innovative health app also helps users better understand their health by simplifying their records with AI. Now you can learn more about your test results and diagnostic screenings. Contact us for more information about DrOwl and how it works.
