Adults Need Checkups, Too
Back-to-school season often feels like a fresh start for the whole family. As children return to class and settle into new routines, parents are often busy scheduling physicals, checking immunization records, buying supplies and making sure the school year begins on the right track.
It can also be a natural time for adults to think about their own health, including whether they are due for an annual checkup or screening.
At San Fernando Community Health Center (SFCHC), we know how much parents, grandparents and caregivers do for the people they love. Many make sure everyone else gets to the doctor, but delay their own care because they feel fine, are busy or have other responsibilities. However, taking time for a an annual wellness exam can help adults stay healthy for themselves and the people who depend on them most.
Regular checkups are an important part of staying healthy at every stage of life. They give patients and providers time to look at the full picture, including medical history, family history, current concerns and recommended services based on age and overall health.
“An annual wellness visit gives us a baseline,” said Dr. Vishaal Buch, SFCHC medical director. “When we see patients regularly, we can notice changes over time, answer questions early and help them make informed decisions before a health issue becomes more difficult to manage.”
That kind of ongoing care matters because the warning signs of many chronic conditions – such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes – are not always easy to recognize. When these conditions go undetected or untreated, they can increase the risk of serious health complications such as heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, vision loss and even death.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that three in four American adults have at least one chronic condition, a rate that rises to more than 90% among adults 65 and older. Many of these conditions are linked to risk factors that can be prevented or managed, including smoking, poor nutrition, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol use.
A routine checkup can help bring important health information into focus. During the visit, a provider may check blood pressure, review medications, discuss family history, provide recommended immunizations, and order lab work or age-appropriate screenings.
Those results can help identify concerns that may not yet be causing symptoms. For example, blood sugar testing can help identify diabetes or prediabetes. Cholesterol results can help assess heart disease and stroke risk. Blood pressure monitoring can help identify hypertension, one of the major risk factors for heart attack and stroke.
Caring for your health also means caring for how you are feeling emotionally. Stress, anxiety, depression, grief, loneliness and poor sleep can affect the body as well as the mind. A checkup can provide a private place to talk openly with a provider, ask questions and receive the support you need.
What to Expect at Your Annual Checkup
Every patient is different, and the services recommended during an annual wellness visit varies from person to person. As you grow older, these visits often focus on maintaining independence, managing existing conditions and staying current on preventive screenings and vaccines. Your provider can help decide what is right for you based on your age, medical history, family history and personal health needs.
For adults 65 and older, an annual wellness visit may include:
A review of medical history, medications and daily health habits
Blood pressure, weight and other routine checks
A conversation about mood, memory, balance and mobility
A review of recommended screenings and vaccines
A personalized prevention plan for the year ahead
Depending on the patient, possible screenings or vaccines may include:
Diabetes, cholesterol and heart disease risk screening
Screening for colorectal, breast, cervical, lung or prostate cancers
Bone density, vision, hearing or depression screening
Flu, COVID-19, pneumonia, shingles, Tdap or other recommended vaccines
Taking time for a checkup is not only about addressing concerns today. It is also a way to understand your health, ask questions and take steps that may help protect your well-being in the future.
