Health Screenings a Powerful Tool for Older Adults

As a baby boomer, I often joke that my parts warranty has expired. I know I have to take better care of myself because my aging body just ain’t what it used to be. That’s the reality for older adults. The great news is that preventive health care, including screenings, are a powerful tool in our wellness.

In the coming new year, Senior Focus, part of Mills-Peninsula Health Services, is offering affordable, bi-monthly health screenings for $25 for seniors 62 and older and $30 for people under 62 years old.

The screenings include a:

• Complete cholesterol profile (total, HDL, LDL, triglycerides)
• Blood glucose (diabetes detection, control check)
• Consultation with a nurse to discuss the test results and healthy lifestyle modifications, such as exercise, diet and weight management, stress reduction and smoking cessation

The focus of the community health screenings is on heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes, the three conditions that are particularly prevalent and can be “silent” in terms of symptoms.

If you or someone you care about would like to take advantage of these community health screenings in 2012, the dates are:

• February 8
• April 1
• June 13
• August 8
• October 10
• December 12

Pre-registration is required, so call 650-696-3660. The screenings will be held at Senior Focus at 1720 El Camino Real, Suite 10, in Burlingame, across the street from Mills-Peninsula hospital.

Mills-Peninsula created Senior Focus in 1985 to help seniors protect their independence, with education about how to stay healthy and services to assist when challenges appear. More than 25 years later, Senior Focus has matured into a trusted resource for families and a highly regarded partner and advisor for local agencies and organizations. Representing the best current thinking about healthful aging, Senior Focus serves as educator, service provider and advocate for elders in the community, in the hospital and at home.

You can call Senior Focus at 650-696-3660 for more information about local services.