Written by Camella Hernandez

Not scientifically reviewed by Dr. Eeks

Taking care of our physical health should be a top priority and only grows more and more important as we get older. As we age, we become more susceptible to not only injuries but chronic conditions and diseases.

What’s good to know is that many of these conditions can be treated and managed easily when they’re caught early on. This makes it incredibly important to ensure that we’re getting our physical health checked on a regular basis.

Here is a list of some general health checks you should be remembering to schedule on a regular basis – by undergoing these checks, your specialists should be able to indicate any other important screenings you should be scheduling.

Optometrist

As we age, our vision can deteriorate relatively quickly. Especially if you have existing vision impairments, it’s important that you visit your optometrist around once a year to ensure your prescription is still working for you.

If you’re in the area, find a good eye doctor in Salt Lake City, or ask for recommendations from those around you.

Older patients can also go for a glaucoma screening every five to ten years in order to rule out the potential for partial or total blindness caused by glaucoma.

Dentist

An annual visit to the dentist is important for someone of any age – from childhood to your golden years. Regular dental check-ups are important for checking your overall oral health for any potential issues, but you’ll also be able to get a deep and thorough cleaning.

Your dentist will remove any build-up of plaque or tartar, and you can even schedule a yearly polishing to leave your pearly whites looking and feeling whiter and shinier than ever. This is not only great for your dental health, but for your self-esteem too!

Audiologist

Our hearing is another of our senses that can start to fade a little as we get older. Aging is a major and common cause of hearing loss, and this is something that can truly take away from your quality of life if left untreated.

It’s a good idea to visit an audiologist around every three to five years in general, but if you start to notice any trouble with your hearing, you should schedule an appointment right away.

Issues like poor hearing, pain in your ears, a major increase in earwax or any other type of discomfort could indicate that you need some hearing care.

General Health Check

Of course, a visit once per year or so to your general practitioner is a good (and important) way to keep tabs on your overall health status. In an annual check-up, your doctor can check your blood pressure, cholesterol, heart, eyes, skin, and any other areas you might specifically like to have looked at.

By scheduling this appointment, you’ll be able to get a better idea of any issues that may be arising and book some follow-up sessions with any specialists you might need to see for further screening.