Gatesworth Stories —
Preventive Care for Older Adults
7 Tips for Successful Aging
Preventive care for older adults means taking steps now to protect your health, maintain independence, and identify potential concerns before they become more difficult to manage. For older adults and the family members who support them, that means keeping up with appropriate screenings and vaccinations while also paying attention to everyday habits that contribute to healthy aging.
You do not need to approach prevention as an endless checklist. Start with your primary care provider. Review what is appropriate for your age, health history, medications, and personal risk factors, then make a plan you can realistically follow.
Tip 1. Keep Up With Routine Health Screenings
Preventive screenings can help identify certain health concerns before symptoms appear. What you need, and how often you need it, depends on factors such as age, sex, family history, previous test results, and existing health conditions.
Ask your healthcare provider whether you are up to date on screenings that may be appropriate for you, including blood pressure checks, cancer screenings, and bone density testing.
For example, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends osteoporosis screening for women age 65 and older to help prevent osteoporotic fractures.
Rather than trying to keep track of every recommendation yourself, use your regular healthcare visits to ask a simple question: “Which preventive screenings am I due for now?”
If you help manage care for an aging parent, keep a record of completed screenings and upcoming appointments so important preventive care does not get lost among other medical needs.
Tip 2. Know When a Screening May No Longer Be Necessary
More screening is not always better. Some preventive screenings become less beneficial as a person gets older, and recommendations may change based on overall health and previous screening history.
According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, colorectal cancer screening for adults ages 76 through 85 should be offered selectively based on factors such as overall health, prior screening history, and individual preferences. Screening should be discontinued after age 85.
That is a useful reminder that preventive care should remain personal. Ask your healthcare provider about the potential benefits and risks before continuing or stopping a screening based on age alone.
Tip 3. Stay Current on Recommended Vaccinations
Vaccinations remain an important part of preventive care as you age. The vaccines recommended for you can depend on your age, medical history, previous vaccinations, and other individual factors.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recommendations for older adults can include vaccines for influenza, shingles, pneumococcal disease, RSV, COVID-19, and tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis, depending on age and individual circumstances.
Bring your vaccination record to your next appointment or ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to review it with you. If you are helping a parent manage healthcare, include vaccination history with the other medical information you keep on their behalf.
Tip 4. Review Medications Regularly
Medication needs can change over time. If you see several specialists or take multiple prescriptions, it becomes especially important to make sure everyone involved in your care knows what you take.
According to the National Institute on Aging, adults age 65 and older tend to take more medicines than other age groups, and taking multiple medications can increase the risk of side effects and other unintended problems.
Keep an updated list that includes prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements. Bring it to medical appointments and periodically ask your physician or pharmacist to review it.
Never stop a prescribed medication on your own because you think you no longer need it. Talk with your healthcare provider about side effects, interactions, or whether your treatment still makes sense for your current needs.
Tip 5. Make Movement Part of Preventive Care
You do not need an elaborate exercise program to make physical activity part of your routine. Walking, strength exercises, balance work, and activities you genuinely enjoy can all help you stay active.
The National Institute on Aging recommends that older adults gradually work toward at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week and include muscle-strengthening activity at least two days per week. Regular physical activity can also improve physical function and help older adults maintain independence.
If a health condition or mobility limitation makes exercise difficult, talk with your healthcare provider about activities that are appropriate for you.
Tip 6. Support Your Health Through Everyday Food Choices
Healthy eating is another practical part of preventive care. Focus on food that provides the nutrients your body needs rather than following a complicated diet simply because it promises “healthy aging.”
Making smart food choices is an important part of healthy aging, and older adults should eat a variety of nutrient-dense foods from the major food groups
Your individual needs may change because of health conditions, medications, appetite changes, or difficulty preparing food. Ask your healthcare provider whether working with a registered dietitian could help if eating well has become difficult.
Tip 7. Make Preventive Care Easier to Maintain
Knowing what you should do is only useful if you can actually fit it into your life.
Keep a simple calendar for preventive appointments. Maintain an updated medication list and vaccination record. If you care for a parent, ask permission to become involved in appointment planning when they need help staying organized.
Look at practical barriers, too. If driving has become difficult, arrange reliable transportation before an appointment becomes urgent. If preparing nutritious meals has become burdensome, consider ways to make meals easier. Building these supports into everyday life can make preventive habits much easier to maintain.
Successful Aging at The Gatesworth
Preventive care is ultimately about protecting the ability to keep doing what matters to you. That same idea shapes life at The Gatesworth.
Our independent senior living community gives residents opportunities to make healthy routines a natural part of everyday life. Residents have access to fitness and wellness opportunities, including our state-of-the-art fitness center and indoor heated saltwater pool. Our dining program makes thoughtfully prepared meals readily available, while scheduled chauffeured transportation can make getting around St. Louis easier.
Successful aging looks different for everyone. We believe older adults should have the freedom and support to continue shaping what it looks like for themselves.
