Primary Care

Use this chart...

to help guide your checkups with your healthcare provider. This information was compiled from recommendations made by various healthcare organizations and generally applies to healthy individuals without a specific disease or additional risk factors.

Talk with your physician...

to discuss and understand your personal health guidelines, because recommendations can vary depending on your situation. Your discussion should include a personal or family history of heart disease or stroke, cancer, thyroid disease, diabetes, glaucoma, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, and other important medical conditions.

Polypharmacy

As an adult over 65 years of age, you may take several prescription and over-the-counter drugs. It’s important to ask your physician and your pharmacist about the drugs you are taking, if you should avoid any foods or substances, and about any possible drug interactions. If you have difficulty reading a prescription label or are unsure about how to take your medicine, call your physician or pharmacist.

• Bring all your medications—both prescription and non-prescription, supplements and herbals— to your periodic health evaluations so your physician can assess any possible interactions or unnecessary medications.

• Keep an up-to-date list of all your medications and record how much and how often you take each.

• Don’t hesitate to ask your physician or pharmacist about the drugs you are taking and what they do.

• Let your healthcare provider know if you drink alcoholic beverages

Test

Recommended Frequency

Weight

Annually

Blood Pressure

At least every 1-2 years

Cholesterol

At least once every 5 years

Immunizations

Tetanus-diphtheria: Every 10 years
Influenza: Annually
Pneumococcal: Once at age 65

Prostate Cancer Screening

Discuss with provider the limitations and benefits of screening PSA and digital rectal exam.

Testicular Exam

As part of routine exam

Colon Cancer Screening

Annual stool blood test and flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years

OR Colonoscopy every 10 years

Diabetes Screening

Every 3 years OR per healthcare provider

Eye Exam

Every 1-2 years as indicated

Hearing

Every 1-2 years as indicated