At River Bend Medical Associates, our family practice team is here to help you with your health care needs through all life stages from infancy through your golden years. We understand that the health needs of people at age 50, 60, 70, and beyond differ from those of a 20-year-old.
As you grow older, more frequent appointments with health care providers and specialists will likely be required. During this stage in your health journey, our primary care doctors are here to help guide you through your preventive healthcare options, assist you in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and offer referrals to specialist care if needed.
About Healthy Aging
Healthy aging is about more than avoiding injury and illness. It’s about feeling good and enjoying our years as older adults. Though as we age, our minds and bodies inevitably change, you can take a proactive approach to growing older by staying active, managing any existing health conditions you may have, changing unhealthy behaviors, adopting healthy habits, and staying connected to friends and family.
Chronic Care Management
In addition to helping to manage your medications, your family doctor can help with the treatment and management of chronic conditions such as:
Your healthcare provider can assist you in fine-tuning chronic care management with medications, lifestyle changes, and other therapies to reduce symptoms and lower the risk of serious complications.
It’s Never Too Late to Ditch Unhealthy Behaviors
Quit smoking and limit alcohol use. Smoking can increase your risk for serious conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and COPD, and alcohol can impair judgment and cause accidents, including falls, broken bones, or even car crashes.
See Your Doctor Regularly
There are lots of steps older adults can take to prevent health issues, including keeping up to date with preventive care health screenings for cancer, cholesterol levels, heart problems, and more. It’s also important to get vaccinations that can help prevent things like shingles, flu, and pneumonia.
Not sure if you’re up to date on your immunizations? Call for an appointment with your River Bend Medical Associates provider today.
In addition to regular physical exams, getting regular vision, hearing, and dental checkups is important for maintaining good health for seniors.
Hearing loss may create a need for hearing aids, which can commonly occur with aging. Vision changes may necessitate wearing glasses. Glaucoma and cataracts are common eye problems that can impair vision. Your teeth and gums can last a lifetime if you properly care for them with regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups. With many of these concerns, getting treatment early may prevent long-term complications.
As we age, preventive care becomes more important than ever to stay healthy and maintain an active lifestyle. Making and keeping preventive care appointments with your family doctor can help you manage your health goals, keep you on a healthy path, and catch health problems early. The earlier a health issue is discovered, the faster your doctor can act on a treatment plan, which may reduce your healthcare costs in the long run.
Our family practice is here to help you thrive as you age with preventive care services that include medical health screenings, exams, and immunizations. The screenings and exams your doctor will recommend may vary in frequency, as well as at what age you should receive them. To encourage people to take a proactive approach to their health, most insurance companies cover preventive care at little or no co-pay.
Examples of preventive care include:
- Blood pressure screening
- Vaccinations
- Mammograms
- Prostate Exams
- PAP tests
- Colonoscopies
- Cholesterol tests
- Blood glucose testing
You can’t prevent all illnesses, but taking a proactive approach to healthy aging can strengthen your immune system, reduce stress, promote better sleep, prevent injury, alleviate depression, and improve energy levels. Practicing healthy habits can make a difference even to seniors who are prone to illness, dealing with chronic conditions, or haven’t made their health a high priority in the past. It’s never too late to start taking care of your health.
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Healthy Aging Tips
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Adopt a healthy eating plan that includes nutritious foods and plenty of liquids. Avoid overeating and excess processed food. Opt for a low-fat diet high in fruits and vegetables like broccoli, blueberries, and strawberries. If you need help with implementing a healthy diet plan, we can help. Our family practice offers comprehensive nutritional guidance. Schedule an appointment with our nutritionist today.
Prioritize your Mental Health and Emotional Well-being
Keep your mind active by reading, doing puzzles, or learning new skills. Keep a positive frame of mind. Engaging in social activities and maintaining social connections can contribute to mental well-being. Invite family or friends over for a meal, board games, or just to hang out. Participate in community activities or take a class that interests you.
Stay active
Regular physical activity can help maintain a healthy body weight, lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels. Brisk walking or other types of physical activity can help reduce inflammation, aid circulation, and elevate your mood. Staying active can also increase your flexibility and balance to reduce the chances of a fall and allow you to perform import daily tasks such as tying your shoes.
If you’re considering adding regular physical activity to your daily routine and have concerns or questions, contact your family doctor at River Bend Medical Associates.
Quality Sleep
Getting consistent restful sleep helps support immune function, weight management, cognitive health, and emotional well-being. Lack of sleep can lead to problems focusing on tasks and thinking clearly, as well as negatively affect memory.
People who do not sleep enough have a higher risk of: High Blood pressure, Heart Disease, Obesity, and Stroke.
Manage your Meds
Many seniors take multiple medications, increasing the risk of potential drug interactions or complications. Your family doctor can act as a medication manager, helping you keep track of your current medications as well as any past, present, or evolving health concerns. To get the benefits of your medications without the potential downsides, be sure to speak with your doctor before starting any new medication (or something you haven’t taken in a while), whether it is prescription or over-the-counter.
If you’re an older adult who’s interested in getting help with healthy aging, contact the caring professionals at River Bend Medical Associates for an appointment today. Our team is committed to delivering compassionate health care for seniors and families. As part of your medical team, we are here to provide you with the best care in all aspects of your geriatric healthcare needs. For more information on our medical practice, or to make an appointment, contact River Bend Medical Associates or call 916-392-4000.