How Frequently Should Older Adults Visit the Doctor?

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How Often Should Aging Adults See Their Doctors in Tucson, AZ

Maintaining regular doctor visits allows a physician to check your elderly loved one’s current health and compare the results with past visits. Seeing the doctor can lower the risk of many conditions or allow your loved one to receive early treatment that slows the progression of a disease that has already developed. Continue reading to learn how often seniors should visit the doctor and why.

Annual Checkups

Seniors who are in good health can generally visit the doctor once per year to have exams completed. During these annual checkups, a primary care physician will perform routine checks and determine if treatment needs to be changed. Make sure your loved one is honest and reports any changes he or she has experienced since the last visit. If you or your loved one have any questions, this is the time to ask. You don’t want your loved one to be confused when it comes to medications, diet suggestions, or anything else pertaining to your loved one’s health or the effectiveness of his or her current treatment plan.

If your loved one needs assistance getting to and from doctor’s appointments, consider hiring a professional caregiver to help when you aren’t able to be there. Tucson respite care professionals can assist seniors with a wide array of daily tasks, offering family caregivers the chance to focus on other personal responsibilities or take a break to prevent burnout. Whether it’s for a few hours a day or a few days a week, respite care is the perfect solution for family caregivers who are feeling overwhelmed.

Following an Injury

Many seniors shrug off simple accidents and injuries, including those caused by minor falls. However, falling is one of the top factors associated with broken bones and traumas in seniors, which can lead to bone disease, infections, blood clots, and even death. Therefore, it’s best to monitor your parent’s health and take him or her to the doctor if a fall or injury has occured. Seek treatment immediately to prevent the issue from getting worse.

Aging adults with health conditions or mobility issues are more susceptible to injuries. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality in-home care. Tucson families trust Home Care Assistance to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably.

Vaccinations

When the temperatures change, older adults may be more susceptible to certain conditions, such as the flu in the fall and winter months. In these instances, your loved one may need to schedule doctor visits to receive vaccinations. Some vaccinations can be done at local senior centers and hospitals.

Changes in Health

Just like your loved one’s home care needs could change based on his or her current health, it could also impact the number of doctor visits each year. For example, if your loved one is recovering from a stroke, he or she may need to visit the doctor at least once a month, depending on the type of treatment. Your parent may also need to visit with other medical providers during the recovery process, such as a physical therapist. As your loved one’s health gets better, the visits may decrease. Again, this will depend on his or her current health needs.

Recommendations

If your loved one’s doctor has suggested coming in for another screening, schedule the visit accordingly. The primary care physician may have spotted an issue during the checkup and wants to bring your loved one in for further testing. The doctor may also recommend a visit with a specialist, which will require your loved one to visit another doctor and follow a new plan of action. Whenever a medical professional recommends more visits, always follow through with the recommendations.

It’s important for seniors to visit their doctors regularly to ensure their long-term health and wellbeing. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of Tucson senior care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping. Call Home Care Assistance at (520) 276-6555 to learn more about our flexible and customizable senior care plans.

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