A regular daily routine that includes healthy meals and exercise is an important part of maintaining your mobility and health as you age.
Less than 7 percent of older Americans bother to get the medical tests and services recommended for them, according to a report from the American Academy of Family Physicians. As we age, it becomes even more important that we take care of our health by talking to our doctors and getting those tests. Here are seven services important to aging Americans:
1. Annual medication review
Go over all your medications with your primary care physician, even those medications prescribed by other doctors. You also should review them with your pharmacist on a regular basis.
2. Fall risk assessment
Falls are one of the biggest at-home health risks for older Americans. Have your doctor order a fall assessment of your home. You can then correct risk areas to make sure your home is as fall-proof as possible.
3. Falls history
Tell your doctor about any and all falls you have had in the prior year. Then, discuss what needs to be done to help prevent more falls.
4. Depression screening
Depression in older adults typically goes unreported or even undiagnosed, yet it’s a problem many of us will face as we age. A good way to stave off the consequences of depression is to determine if you suffer from it or are heading down that road.
5. Daily routine discussion
A frank discussion with your doctor and other medical care providers about your daily routine can help you avoid future problems. As we age, our bodies can’t quite handle some of the activities of our youth. Even walking up and down the stairs at home can become a problem. It’s also a good idea to discuss how you or your aging parent can independently handle those activities. Primary care physicians are not the only resources you can use to keep track of your health risks and assessments. Other services and organizations are available for additional support. Many of these are community-based organizations that can help you as you or your parents age. Some of the organizations in Corpus Christi you might find useful include:
SENIOR CENTERS
Full-time, serves meals and other services Ethel Eyerly Senior Center
654 Graham Road
361-826-2330
Lindale Senior Center
3135 Swantner St.
361-826-2340
Greenwood Senior Center
4040 Greenwood Drive
361-826-1368
Garden Senior Center
5325 Greely Drive
361-826-2345
NUTRITION SITES
Part-time, serves meals Broadmoor Senior Center
1651 Tarlton St.
361-826-3138
Oveal Williams Senior Center
1414 Martin Luther King Drive
361-826-2305
Northwest Senior Center
9725 Up River Road
361-826-2320
Zavala Senior Center
510 Osage St.
361-826-3099
