Keeping Your Senior Healthy with the Right Screenings

Health screenings are an integral aspect of a well-rounded healthcare plan, as they allow medical professionals to identify and address any concerns that may arise before they become major issues. This proactive attitude is one that can help you to ensure that your elderly loved one has the medical attention necessary to keep their quality of life and overall wellbeing as high as possible. But what, exactly, are the screenings that your loved one should have? Keeping up with the recommendations associated with healthcare is not always easy, particularly since these suggestions are dependent upon both age and gender. To help you take the best care of your elderly loved one possible, senior care professionals from Durham, North Carolina, have provided the following list of screenings that are recommended for men aged 60 to 69.1

• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening: Also called an AAA screening, this particular test looks for any abnormalities in the aorta, which is an important artery. Using an ultrasound, doctors are able to detect an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which takes the shape of a bulge in the part of the artery that passes through the stomach. This particular test is crucial for individuals who have smoked, as their chances of developing this condition may be higher. 
• Blood Pressure Screening: A routine blood pressure reading is often the way that many medical facilities start their appointments—and for good reason. An accurate blood pressure reading can indicate heart health and call attention to any cardiovascular concerns that may be present. The test is recommended once every two years, but individuals are often administered this screening on every visit. 
• Cholesterol Screening: Cholesterol levels, including LDL, HDL, and total cholesterol, are, like blood pressure levels, indicative of heart health. Cholesterol screenings are performed by measuring these substances in the blood. This test is recommended at least once every five years. 
• Colorectal Cancer Screening: Based upon doctor recommendations, it is important for seniors to have regular colorectal cancer screenings, which can be performed via a colonoscopy, a sigmoidoscopy, or a stool sample. 

By maintaining the right preventative, proactive attitude, you can assist your elderly loved one in following the recommended health screening schedule.
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1 http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-09-2010/screenings_by_age_and_gender.9.html  

Health Screenings: Making Your Senior's Health a Priority

Health screenings are an important aspect of the medical field, as they allow doctors to perform tests that pinpoint and address concerns before they become major problems. Depending upon the age and gender of your elderly loved one, it is crucial that they are provided with the health screenings necessary to keep their wellbeing at the highest level possible. Jim, who is 55 years old, recently had his annual exam with his doctor in Durham, North Carolina. The physician explained to Jim the importance of taking a proactive attitude toward his health with age-appropriate screenings. The following are the tests that the doctor recommends for men aged 50 to 59:1

1. Blood Pressure Screening: This should be done every two years at the very least, but it is frequently completed at the beginning of every doctor's appointment. A quick measure of blood pressure can help doctors determine heart health and other important factors. 
2. Cholesterol Screening: Completed with a simple blood test, this screening measures LDL, HDL, and total cholesterol and should be completed at least once every five years. Cholesterol levels, like blood pressure stats, can indicate heart health. 
3. Colorectal Cancer Screening: Colorectal cancer is an extremely dangerous form of this disease and, in most cases, it is difficult to detect without the proper screening activity. There are three different ways in which doctors can look for this form of cancer: colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and stool sample. Colonoscopy entails the insertion of a camera to look for polyps, ulcers, and other abnormal tissue. A sigmoidoscopy is, basically, the same technique, but it is performed only in the area of the pelvic colon and the rectum. Stool samples are frequently analyzed to determine if there is any blood passing out of this region of the body. Individuals are encouraged to have a colonoscopy every 10 years, a sigmoidoscopy every five years, and annual stool sample analysis. 

Jim understands that maintaining a regular health screening routine is not always easy, as individuals may forget when they need to have each test done; however, by partnering with their doctors, individuals can ensure that they follow the recommended screening schedule and maintain a proactive attitude about their health.
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1http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-09-2010/screenings_by_age_and_gender.7.html

Women Aged 75+: What Health Screenings Are Necessary?

Health screenings are an important component of a well-rounded healthcare routine. It is crucial that elderly individuals are tested for certain conditions so that their doctors can detect any medical concerns as soon as possible, meaning that the odds of successfully addressing these concerns are improved. The elder care professionals in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, encourage women who are over the age of 75 to ensure that they are getting the right tests done when they go to the doctor's office. Here are their recommendations:1

• Blood pressure tests allow healthcare professionals to ensure that blood is pumping through the body as it should be. It is important that individuals have these tests done at least every two years; however, blood pressure is nearly always taken at the beginning of a doctor's appointment, so it is easy to keep up with this particular screening.
  
• Cholesterol levels can indicate the potential for heart disease if they are abnormal. Blood tests should be done every five years to determine if LDL, HDL, and total cholesterol levels are in the right range. If they aren't, a physician will probably recommend lifestyle changes to help bring these measurements to a healthy level.
  
• Osteoporosis is a health condition that can lead to broken bones—which are extremely painful. Additionally, this medical concern can make even the most routine of activities dangerous if it becomes serious enough. By having an x-ray done every two to five years, women can have their doctors check on their bone density to determine if they have or are at risk of developing osteoporosis. Should this condition start to emerge, doctors can assist women with making dietary and exercise changes to strengthen the bones. Additionally, they can recommend medications to help keep their patients as healthy as possible.
  

The aging process naturally creates changes in the body; however, it is important that your elderly loved one is aging in a healthy way. By having these and other key screenings performed regularly, your senior can keep an eye on their health while enjoying their golden years. Additionally, they can detect any issues that may arise as quickly as possible.
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1 http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-09-2010/screenings_by_age_and_gender.5.html

Health Screenings: What Women Aged 70-74 Should Look For

Aging is a natural process that brings about changes in the body; however, it is important that you and your senior understand what these changes are and how they can impact your elderly loved one's health in order to keep your senior at an optimal level of wellbeing. Regular health screenings are a wonderful way to monitor your loved one and catch any medical concerns as early as possible. But the truth is that different stages of life require that attention is paid to a wide range of health concerns. Debbie, a nurse in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, recommends that women who are between the ages of 70 and 74 get the following screenings. 1

• Blood Pressure Screening: Administered at least once every two years, blood pressure tests can ensure that the cardiovascular system is working as it should be. Typically, blood pressure is checked at the beginning of every doctor's appointment, so keeping up with a screening every other year should not prove difficult. 
• Breast Cancer Screening: Another bi-annual screening, mammograms look for abnormal breast tissue in order to detect any cancerous cells. These tests use low levels of radiation to scan the tissue and create images of it that doctors examine.
• Cholesterol Screening: Unhealthy cholesterol levels can lead to heart disease and other medical conditions. A simple blood test can measure LDL, HDL, and total cholesterol to determine if these levels are acceptable or if lifestyle changes need to be made to improve these readings. This screening should be performed once every five years at the least. 
• Colorectal Cancer Screening: Colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and stool samples are all different measures of checking for abnormalities that could indicate cancer. These tests can be stopped after age 75 but are important, as they detect a type of cancer that is difficult to otherwise pinpoint. 
• Osteoporosis Screening: By using an x-ray, doctors can test bone density in an effort to detect this condition as early as possible. This should be done every two to five years, depending on the recommendations of healthcare professionals. 

Debbie knows that it can be difficult to help your loved one navigate the healthcare system. By using this list as a guide, you can make sure that your senior is getting the medical attention they need.
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1 http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-09-2010/screenings_by_age_and_gender.4.html

What Health Screenings Do Women Aged 60 – 69 Need?

By:  Todd Palmer at Always Best Care

As the body ages, seniors experience a wide range of changes. For instance, they may find that they have higher blood pressure, are at a greater risk for certain types of cancer, or have developed diabetes. Yasmine, who lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, talked to her doctor about the healthcare needs for women in her age group (60 to 69). Here, Yasmine offers a list of health screenings that are recommended by the AARP.1

1. Blood Pressure Screening: Seniors should have their blood pressure checked at least once every two years, as abnormal levels can indicate heart disease and other conditions. Blood pressure tests are noninvasive and quick, and are as such often conducted at each doctor's appointment before the consultation with a physician. 
2. Breast Cancer Screening: Mammograms scan the breast for abnormal tissue, allowing doctors to detect any tumors or other concerns. These should be done once every two years. 
3. Cervical Cancer Screening: A Pap smear, which should be done every three years, can identify any cellular changes that may be caused by cervical cancer. Human papillomavirus, or HPV, can lead to cervical cancer, so an HPV screening is also recommended. 
4. Cholesterol Screening: Through a blood test, medical professionals can pinpoint any elevated or high cholesterol levels. This test will differentiate between LDL, HDL, and total cholesterol. One test every five years is recommended.  
5. Colorectal Cancer Screening: This test can be performed in one of three ways, depending upon a senior's medical needs and the recommendations of their doctors. A colonoscopy may be conducted, which sends a camera into the body to identify any abnormalities. A sigmoidoscopy is the same procedure, but it is focused on the rectum and pelvic colon area. Finally, stool samples may be screened for blood. 

Yasmine has spent a great deal of time determining which health screenings she needs to have done in order to best protect her health as she ages. For women who are between the ages of 60 and 69, these are five of the most highly recommended tests. By having these conducted, seniors can work with their doctors to ensure that they are in the best health possible.

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1 http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-092010/screenings_by_age_and_gender.3.html