Medical appointments are essential for the person you’re caring for—and they’re essential for you, as a caregiver. Making time to visit your doctor regularly can help you avoid problems before they arise. It’s also a good idea to assess your personal risks by investigating your family medical history. Finding out whether diabetes, heart disease, or osteoporosis runs in your family can help you determine the types and frequency of necessary screening tests and how you should modify your diet, exercise routine, and other lifestyle habits, in order to lower your risk of developing that disease.

Checking up on Checkups

One way to ease the stress of medical visits is to find a doctor with whom you feel comfortable, and oneyou can talk to candidly about your concerns and lifestyle habits. You’ll also want to select a doctor who will be proactive about your health, helping you take steps to prevent problems or catch them early, rather than simply treating conditions when they arise. To that end, it’s wise to schedule regular checkups and make sure you get the appropriate immunizations and screening tests at the right times. These include regular weight checks, blood pressure readings at least every two years, and a complete blood lipid panel at least every five years.

In addition, you should have the following tests:

• A fasting blood sugar test every three years after age 45
• Regular screenings for colon and rectal cancers, beginning at age 50
• Regular skin exams to look for signs of skin cancer
• An eye exam every three to five years
• Dental check-ups twice a year

Your doctor may alter the timetable for some of the above exams, depending on your family history.

Meanwhile, other screenings are gender-specific. These include:

For men: Screening for prostate cancer (with a PSA, or prostate-specific antigen, test) beginning at age 50.

For women: Screening for breast cancer (with a mammogram) every year or two, beginning at age 40; annual pelvic exams and a Pap test at least every two to three years; regular thyroid tests after age 45; and a bone density test after menopause.    

Healthy Habits

When it comes to general lifestyle, men and women alike should make an effort to develop and practice the same healthy habits, including:

• Eating a balanced, nutritious diet
• Getting enough sleep
• Quitting smoking
• Managing stress and negative emotions
• Striving to maintain a good work-life balance
• Developing positive, supportive relationships
• Exercising regularly

Engaging in aerobic exercise—such as walking briskly, jogging, biking, or swimming—can help you lead a longer, healthier life. If you exercise regularly, you can reduce your risks of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and certain types of cancer. Staying physically active can also help you boost your mood, manage your weight, enhance immune function, and improve your stamina. If you do weight-bearing exercise, such as walking or running, you’ll reduce your risk of osteoporosis. Strength-training activities, such as weight lifting, will boost your body’s muscle mass, which can help you stay slim and strong, as you get older. It’s ideal to exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week, but keep in mind: You should discuss any exercise regimen with your doctor because it could affect any current health conditions and their treatment.