In a move to encourage older adults to seek preventative care, Medicare has expanded coverage for many types of preventative care, such as tests, screenings and physicals. Preventative care helps you maintain good health and wellbeing and to identify concerns early for better treatment results.

Read our article on Medicare’s 2011 changes, including information on preventative care.

The U.S. Preventative Services task force recommends the following measures for good senior health when over age 65:

• Aspirin for preventing cardiovascular disease

• Exercise (3 times/week for 30 minutes or more & strength training 2 times/week)

• Healthy diet; dietary counseling for those at risk

• Limit alcohol consumption (no more than one drink/day for women, no more than 2 drinks/day for men)

• Don’t smoke

We encourage you to talk to your doctor about recommended wellness screening and tests. The Journal of the American Medical Association offers a patient fact page on preventative care for older adults. Print out this fact sheet and discuss your screening and vaccination schedule with your or your loved one’s doctor.