A new year offers new opportunities for growth and change. For many in Arkansas and around the country, that means making a New Year’s resolution, with getting healthy being one of the most popular. Of course, dieting and exercise is a great place to start, but the benefits of preventive care are often overlooked.
Preventive care helps detect and prevent diseases as well as other medical problems before they can become major health risks. To put it quite simply, it can help save your life, and no health or fitness program is complete without adding preventive care. Here’s a list of helpful preventive care tips for people of all ages to kick 2023 off right.
Preventive Care for Children Ages 0-10 Years Old
Good preventive care should start at birth and continue throughout your life. The list of initial testing and screening for children between birth and one-year is extensive, and the American Academy of Pediatrics has a very helpful list of guidelines for reference. A few things parents should consider include:
- Behavioral Assessments
- Autism Screening
- Blood Screening
- Sensory Screening (Hearing and Vision)
- Developmental Screenings
- Fluoride Supplements
Preventive Care for Children Ages 10-18 Years Old
As children enter adolescence, their needs can change dramatically. Some initial screenings from early in childhood are no longer needed as they cross various developmental thresholds. Growing children and teenagers should adhere to a routine that includes regular exercise and a balanced diet. Preventive care for adolescent children mainly falls into three categories: immunizations, screenings, and counseling.
Immunizations
This includes shots to prevent against many common diseases, like:
- Chickenpox
- Flu (influenza)
- Hepatitis A (HAV)
- Hepatitis B (HBV)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
Screenings
There are several examinations and/or lab tests meant to find and identify different diseases and conditions early on, including:
- Measuring Height and Weight
- Body Mass Index and Obesity
- Blood Pressure
- Vision and Hearing
- High Cholesterol
- Anemia
- Tuberculosis
- Cervical Abnormalities (For Women)
Counseling
Preventive services in this category include discussions with a qualified health care professional on a range of different health issues, like:
- Depression
- Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections
- Prevention of Skin Cancer
- Increased Physical Activity
Preventive Care for Young Adults Ages 18-29 Years Old
Young adults can sometimes make the mistake of assuming they are invincible. However, starting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes preventive care can help prevent a host of different health problems later in life. An active lifestyle is easier for younger adults to keep to, but there are still some regularly scheduled exams and screenings that should begin.
- Blood Pressure Screening
- Cholesterol Screening
- Skin Checks
- Dental Check-Ups
- Eye Exams
- Minimizing Stress and Getting Plenty of Rest
- Wearing Sunscreen and Minimizing Sun Exposure
These measures are universally beneficial to all young adults, but the preventive care needs for women entering their 20s can become specific.
Preventive Care Specific to Women in their 20s
- Breast Exams
- Pelvic Exam and Pap Smear
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Immunization
Preventive Care for Adults in Their 30s
Life in your 30s can start to look and feel different from your teens and 20s, as career and family obligations begin to take precedence in your day-to-day lifestyle over your personal needs. It’s still important to keep to your previous preventive care screenings and routine. Some additional measures should begin, like diabetes screening for all adults, with men adding testicular cancer screenings around 35.
Preventive Care for Adults in Their 40s
Adults in their 40s are entering midlife, and the demands of a career are usually at their apex. At this time, the job of managing your health becomes critical. Keeping to your scheduled exams from earlier in life remains a key pillar of good preventive care, but most adults in their 40s do have new health considerations. Regular exercise and a healthier diet should be kept or started to lose weight as recommended by your doctor.
Women entering their 40s will want to have discussions with their doctors about scheduling regular mammograms and looking for signs of pre-menopause. Men should begin annual colorectal screening around 45.
Preventive Care for Adults in Their 50s
It is normal for adults in their 50s to experience an increase in their general health concerns over previous years. You may find that you are no longer limited to just having an active lifestyle, a healthy diet and scheduled routine check-ups to stay healthy. Older adults begin to experience increased symptoms of arthritis, and for women the symptoms of menopause and osteoporosis can become more significant in during their 50s. The risk of prostate cancer is greatly increased for men in their 50s, so regular prostate screening and exams should begin.
Preventive Care for Adults 65+
Senior care, for many adults entering this stage of life, can feel overwhelming as our health needs greatly expand from aging. Yes, your family history and genetics will go a long way in determining your health as a senior, but getting older simply means that keeping an active lifestyle becomes much harder. Some memory loss is a normal part of the aging process, and understanding what is and isn’t normal is important. Seniors should add mentally stimulating activities to keep their minds sharp. Unique dietary restrictions also arise as we age, and your doctor should be consulted about any changes needed to your diet. Additional preventive screenings for seniors can include things, like:
- DEXA Scan
- Fall Risk Screening
- Glaucoma
- Osteoporosis Screening
- Pneumococcal Vaccine
Our agents can help with your new preventive care journey in 2023 by offering health, dental, and group insurance through our partnership with Arkansas BlueCross BlueShield. Learn more today by contacting a local Farm Bureau Insurance agent using our Agent Finder.