Older population urged to get medical check-up every year

The elderly population has been encouraged to, at least once a year, undergo a holistic check-up as the Health Ministry seeks to offer preventative care before illnesses develop.
The Health Ministry, under the Elderly Health Programme, focuses on the areas of care for the older population.
Coordinator of the Elderly Health Unit, Dr Melissa Dehaarte outlined that at the primary healthcare level, resources are available for physical check-ups and screening for hypertension and other chronic conditions. If services such as physical rehabilitation or surgical intervention is required, they will be referred to a hospital or specialised facility.
“We want to cover the preventative aspect of ageing before someone becomes sick and even when they’re ill, to have care. They can visit any local health centre and inquire about what is needed for elderly persons. Even if the person is not sick, they should have a check-up at least every year,” the coordinator outlined.
One of the areas which the Ministry is heavily focused on is prevention. There has been a trend where chronic illnesses are detected at a very late stage. Once a diagnosis is made, that person can join the local clinic and be assessed routinely.
“I do not recommend staying home and buying medication over the counter. Many persons do that. It is important to be a member of a health centre because they will have all the drugs you need, the medication so you may not have to expense yourself because medications are free through the Government’s health system.”
If a person is on medication, Dr Dehaarte encouraged that they should undergo a blood test every six months.

She detailed, “We are working along with non-governmental and religious organisations to have what we call elderly clinics within the different regions. So, this may range from a specific day set aside just for the elderly…What we’re now having is a more integrated look and assessment tools being provided to our workers for them to zone in on mental issues such as Alzheimer’s, forgetfulness and all other degenerative issues that might happen.”
Common conditions in older age include hearing loss, cataracts and refractive errors, back and neck pain and osteoarthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, depression and dementia.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) notes that as people age, they are more likely to experience several conditions at the same time.
It also suggests, “Although some of the variations in older people’s health are genetic, most is due to people’s physical and social environments – including their homes, neighbourhoods, and communities, as well as their personal characteristics – such as their sex, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. The environments that people live in as children – or even as developing foetuses – combined with their personal characteristics, have long-term effects on how they age.” (G12)