As we get older, the chance of having diabetes increases dramatically. In fact, more than 25% of the U.S. population aged 65 years and above has diabetes, and this is expected to increase rapidly in the coming decades.
Older people with diabetes are also more likely to have diabetes complications, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, gastrointestinal complications, kidney disease, and depression. All this, in addition to the general mental and physical decline that comes with ageing, can make it difficult to manage diabetes and other conditions independently. This is why a general health and medical assessment is so important to help meet your health goals and treatment targets.
What does a General Health Assessment include?
- Functional Status (ADLs/IADLs) – testing your ability to perform basic actions independently such as bathing and using the restroom, and more complex actions such as managing medication or money independently.
- Mental Health Screening – an exam of your emotional health. It helps find out if you have a mental health disorder. Mental health disorders are common, they affect more than half of all Americans at some point in their lives.
- Screening for cognitive impairment and dementia.
- Frailty & Physical Exam – assessment of endurance and physiological function.
- BMI – Measure of body fat based on height and weight.
- Lifestyle Assessment – collection and analysis of health-related information.
- Medication Review.
- Cancer Screening .
- Hearing Test.
What does a General Health Test include?
- Electrocardiogram (EKG) – used to evaluate the condition of your heart.
- Lipid Panel – measures the amount of cholesterol and fats in the blood.
- Bone Mineral Density – measures how much calcium and other types of minerals are in your bones. Detects osteoporosis and predicts your risk for bone fractures.
- Abdominal Ultrasound – an abdominal screening to help check for kidney stones, liver disease, tumors, and many other conditions.
- Hemoglobin A1C test – estimates your average blood glucose level over a 3-month period. Oral glucose tolerance test and fasting blood glucose test are used diagnose diabetes or prediabetes.
What do Diabetes Specific Assessments include?
- Eye exam, kidney screening, and nerve damage.
- Medical Nutrition Therapy – a key component of diabetes education and management provided by a registered dietitian nutritionist. It includes a nutrition diagnosis, therapeutic, and counseling services to help manage diabetes.
- Diabetes Self-Management and Training – Care program incorporates the needs and goals of people with diabetes into a personalized plan that has proven to improve health outcomes.
If you belong to this age group, you should consult with your health provider about tests that are suitable to tailor a personal follow up plan for you.
https://diabetesjournals.org/ care/article/35/12/2650/ 38582/Diabetes-in-Older-Adults
https://www.endocrine.org/ patient-engagement/endocrine-library/diabetes-and-older-adults
https://www.pathlab.com.my/ health-corner/health-and-lifestyle-assessment-test
https://medlineplus.gov/ ency/article/007197.htm
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/ population-health/dpep/diabetes-self-management-training
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