As we age, it becomes much more important to stay on top of preventative care practices. With so many screenings and routines out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. However, there are a few preventative measures that you can keep in your back pocket to stay ahead of the curve, especially during cold and flu season.
No matter your age, washing your hands for the recommended amount of time and wearing masks when applicable are just a couple of top line things to do to prevent the spread of diseases. Beyond that, there are other measures and practices that can also reduce the amount of times you’re getting sick throughout the year. Below are a few preventative care suggestions and tips on how to take care of yourself through cold and flu season and into the next year.
Find a primary care physician you trust
Having a trusting relationship with your primary care doctor can save you from years of physical and mental hardship (and money) later down the line. Feeling comfortable sharing necessary and vulnerable information with your doctor can lead to the betterment of your overall functional health. And with so many family gatherings approaching for the holidays, it might be best to check in with your doctors who can help you prepare for the cold weather and social gatherings.
Oak Street Health specializes in outstanding care for older adults. Dedicated doctors and care team members offer assistance with Medicare and insurance paperwork, personalized wellness plans, and education and social activities to support optimal health. At Oak Street Health, senior primary care is rooted in keeping you healthy for longer by taking the time to know and understand your individual health needs. They assist in eliminating any hassle to help you take care of yourself — and spend more time doing the things you love.
Stay up to date on vaccinations
Although everyone of any age should be current with their vaccines, it’s a critical preventative measure for seniors during the fall and winter. Pneumonia can have life-threatening complications for seniors, so the CDC recommends people over 65 receive the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV15) annually. It’s also suggested by the CDC for older adults to get the annual influenza vaccine. Seniors over 50 years old might also want to consider receiving two doses of the Shingrix vaccine — which helps prevent shingles and its most common complication, postherpetic neuralgia — two to six months separate from each other. The CDC also recommends the COVID-19 vaccination (if you haven’t already gotten it) along with supplemental boosters for optimal performance.
Conduct mental health and cognitive check-ins and evaluations
According to the Pan American Health Organization, at least one in four older adults experiences some mental health disorder. From anxiety about getting older to depression from losing loved ones or suffering from a serious illness, seniors deal with grief, loneliness, social isolation, and many other stressors. It’s important for you to check-in with yourself about your mental health. This can look and feel differently for everyone, however, noticing difficulty sleeping or eating, misusing and abuse of alcohol or prescription drugs, or having a noticeable difference in mood or energy levels are just some of the signs that something may be off and should be discussed with your doctor.
Keeping in touch with loved ones can ward off feelings of loneliness. Whether having a chat on the phone with family or getting together with a few friends for a game night, staying connected can drastically help improve one’s mental and emotional health. Alongside this, it’s important to remember there are resources available, including connecting with licensed clinical social workers through Oak Street Health and calling a crisis hotline, if you need help.
Schedule cancer screenings
Cancer may be scary to think about, let alone talk about, but it can be empowering to know that regular cancer screenings play a crucial role in early detection. While they are essential at any age, cancer screenings are crucial for older adults, as they can detect health issues early and help improve the prognosis and success of treatments. Though there are various types of health screening tests available, exactly which screenings are recommended for you depends on a variety of factors including your age, weight, sex, family history, and risk factors. Bring up any and all vital information with your physician to decide which screenings are most appropriate for you.
Keep up with your physical health
Maintaining your physical health is always important, but especially as you age. Follow a healthy, balanced diet, which can help ward off having high blood pressure and high cholesterol — two necessary screenings that should be done regularly. Periodic screenings should also include abnormal aortic aneurysm (in men 65 to 75 who have never smoked) and abnormal blood glucose and type 2 diabetes.
Keeping active will also help you stay healthy. This can look like strength training with appropriate weights (or calisthenics with body weight) to strengthen muscles and joints, and aerobic exercises. Yoga is also a great way to keep the body flexible and limber; you can center your mind through meditation and breathing through each pose to feel rooted in your body for a full mind, body, spirit practice. As bodies age, our physical capabilities can become limited, so checking your mobility (through active movement and exercise) is essential. Report any falls or signs of functional impairments to your physician, so they can conduct more thorough physical check-ups and treat physical injuries.
Talk about your sex life
Sexual activity continues for many in later years, and can be associated with better cardiovascular health, increased self-esteem, and higher enjoyment of life. However, the stigma around older people having sex can lead to a lack of emphasis on safe sex, which has led to a recent increase in reported cases of sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) and diseases (STDs) in adults over the age of 65. Talking with your doctor about your current activity (and being honest about the details) will help them give more accurate assessments. If you’re sexually active, it’s important to still get checked for all STIs and STDs, most importantly hepatitis C and HIV — no matter your age.
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