By Lynnell Nixon-Knight, IUMG

This is the third in a series of articles designed to provide useful screening tips for promoting maximum health in each decade of life.

The decades of life beginning at age 60 are commonly called the “Golden Years.” You can help keep these years truly “golden” by detecting health problems early with age-appropriate screenings.

Michael Weiner, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Indiana University with a special interest in geriatrics, offers a list of screenings that are typical in this decade of life. “This is not meant to be a minimal or a maximal list, but it‘s a good general list,” he says. Included in Dr. Weiner‘s list are screenings for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, depression, osteoporosis, substance abuse (including tobacco and alcohol), hyperlipidemia, cancer (cervical, skin, prostate, colorectal and breast), obesity, hearing loss and visual impairment.

Dr. Weiner adds there are other screenings which may be included on the list at age 65, based on evidence and established practice. “Guidelines are continually being updated,” says Dr. Weiner. “For example, one recent update includes screening older male smokers for abdominal aortic aneurysm.”

While screenings such as colonoscopy, bone density testing and prostate exams should be par for the course, vaccines should not be forgotten, either. According to Paula Puntenney, R.N., M.A., coordinator for the preventive medicine team at the IU Medical Group, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, the pneumonia vaccine at age 65 is highly recommended. It‘s safe and can last up to 10 years. “Pneumonia is a serious illness at any age, but more so as we age,” she says. “The vaccine, which is covered by Medicare, can be a real lifesaver.”

If you have reached your “Golden Years,“ see your physician and discuss the screenings appropriate for you so that you can keep your body and mind healthy and strong for years to come.

For additional information please contact NIFS at 317.274.3432.