Savvy Senior

Savvy Senior – September Columns

1.      Important Health Screenings for Seniors

2.      Senior-Friendly Furniture

Savvy Senior

Important Health Screenings for Seniors

Dear Savvy Senior,

What health screenings are recommended for seniors? My husband and I are very proactive about staying healthy and are wondering which screenings we really need.

Alive and Kicking

Dear Alive,

The types of health screenings a person should get will depend on their age, gender, underlying health conditions and family history. Here’s what you should know. 

Recommended Tests

One of the problems with our health care system is that many Americans, and their doctors, seem to think that better health means more medical care, including as many screenings and tests as possible. But that’s not necessarily true. According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) – an independent panel of medical experts that reviews the effectiveness of screenings – many screening tests are unproven and can not only waste your time and money but also cause more harm than good. Here’s what the task force recommends (see www.ahrq.gov/ppip/50plus) as essential tests for you and your husband, and when you should start getting them. 

Everyone Over 50

·        Blood pressure: Have it checked at least every two years – more frequent if you find your pressure is above 130/85.

·        Cholesterol: At least every five years, get a blood cholesterol test that measures your LDL “bad” cholesterol, HDL “good” cholesterol and triglycerides. It should be more frequently if you smoke, have diabetes or a family history. 

·        Colorectal cancer: Begin regular screening starting at age 50. Your doctor can help you decide which test is right for you.

·        Diabetes: While the USPSTF recommends being tested only if you have high blood pressure, the American Diabetes Association recommends a blood glucose test every three years starting at age 45. If you’re obese, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a family history of diabetes or are over age 65, check it yearly.

Women Only

·        Mammograms: The controversial new guideline by the USPSTF now recommends screenings every other year beginning at age 50. However, the American Cancer Society still recommends annual screenings starting at age 40. 

·        Pap smear: To detect cervical cancer this test is recommended every three years, however women who’ve had a total hysterectomy, or who are age 65 or older and have had three negative pap smears in a row usually don’t need to be tested.

·        Bone density scan: Osteoporosis screening is recommended starting at age 65 – earlier in post-menopausal women with risk factors.

Men Only

·        Abdominal ultrasound: Men between the ages of 65 and 75 that have ever smoked should be screened for an aortic aneurysm, which can develop over many years before bursting. 

·        PSA screening: The jury is still out on whether men should get the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test or digital rectal exam to detect prostate cancer. Men, age 40 and older, should talk to their doctor about their risk factors and what they should do.

Other Screenings

Some additional screenings to consider are skin examinations by a dermatologist to check for skin cancers; depression screening if you’ve been feeling down; dental checkups at least once a year; HIV screening if you’ve had unprotected sex with multiple partners; annual eye exams starting at age 60 to check of age-related eye diseases; hearing tests by an audiologist every five years starting at 65; and for women 50 and older, a thyroid-simulating hormone test every five years to check for thyroid disease.

Vaccinations

In addition to health screenings, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all seniors, 65 and older get a one-time pneumonia (pneumococcal) shot, and those over 60 should be vaccinated for shingles. It’s also recommended that everyone over 50 get a yearly flu shot, along with a tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) booster which is recommended every 10 years (if you’re over 65, you only need a tetanus-diphtheria booster).

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

Savvy Senior

Senior-Friendly Furniture

Dear Savvy Senior,

I’m in the market for some senior-friendly furniture and could use some help. My husband and I have arthritis and have gotten to the point where getting up from a seated position – especially from our living room couch and recliners – has become a real chore. Can you recommend some good cushioned lift chairs or furniture accessories that can help us?

Can’t Get Up

Dear Can’t,

The task of sitting down and/or getting up from soft cushioned furniture is a common problem for many seniors who struggle with arthritis pain and mobility issues. Fortunately there are a variety of home furnishing products and accessories that can help give you a boost.

Lift Recliners

Having been around for nearly 30 years now “electric recliner lift chairs” are one of the most popular types of senior-friendly furniture on the market today. While they look just like regular recliner chairs, lift recliners come with a built-in motor that actually raises and lowers the entire chair, which makes sitting down and getting up much easier.

How to Choose

With literally dozens of different types and styles of lift recliners to choose from, here are some key points to help you cut through all the options and select a good fit for you and your husband.

·        Chair size: The recliner needs to fit the person setting in it, so your body size (height and weight), or your husband’s, will actually determine the size of chair you need.

·        Reclining options: Aside from the lifting system, the degree in which the chair reclines is your choice too. Most lift recliners are sold as either two-position, three-position or infinite-position lift chairs. The two-position chairs recline only to about 45 degrees which makes them ideal for watching TV or reading. But if you plan to nap, you’ll probably want a three-position or infinite-position chair that reclines almost completely horizontally.

·        Fabric and features: You’ll also need to choose the type of fabric and color you want the chair to be, or if you want any extra features like built-in heating or massage elements, or a wall hugging chair which is great if you’re tight on space. 

Where to Shop

While there are many companies that make lift recliners – such as Med-Lift, NexIdea, Health Circle, Catnapper, Berkline, Franklin and even La-z-boy – Pride Mobility (pridemobility.com) and Golden Technologies (goldentech.com) have been around the longest and have the best reputation. With prices typically ranging between $600 and $2,000, you can find lift recliners at many medical supply stores and online. You’ll also need to know that Medicare provides some help purchasing a lift chair. They cover the lift mechanism portion, which equates to around $300 towards your purchase. 

If, however, the lift recliners don’t appeal to you, here are several other products on the market that might. 

Risedale chairs: These are open-legged, wing back chairs that are very different from lift recliners because only the seat cushion lifts instead of the whole chair. Made by Uplift Technologies (up-lift.com, 800-387-0896), the Risedale retails for around $500. Uplift also sells a variety of portable seat lifts that can work with any chair in your home or you can take it when you travel. 

Couch Cane: Made by Standers, this nifty tool acts as a support handle that makes sitting and standing much easier and it works on both couches and recliners. The base fits directly under the feet of the furniture for sturdy support. Couch Canes sell for around $100 and are sold online at medical equipment sites like medexsupply.com (888-433-2300) and activeforever.com (800-377-8033).

Furniture risers: Increasing the height of your existing furniture a few inches is another inexpensive way to make it more accessible. Furniture risers typically range from 2 to 5 inches in height, are made of heavy duty plastic or wood, and are inserted on the base of the legs or supports of your furniture. Costs range from a few dollars up to $50 and can be purchased at Walmart and Target, or online at amazon.com and mobilityhome.com.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.