I’m happy that I’m moving from onerous private insurance
premiums to lower Medicare payments, but now I have to think about doctors. I
have a competent internist, who continues with me into Medicare, but my trusted
oncologist retired and my gynecologist doesn’t take Medicare. So I’m doing my
homework to see what I need, helped by the advice of a geriatrician (gasp!) I
interviewed. As far as health screenings go, my priorities should be a yearly
mammogram (as a two-time breast cancer survivor), and an every-five-year
colonoscopy (for the same reason.) If pap tests have been normal, she says
those can be stopped at 65. Bone density, if low, should be done every couple
years or so, but an internist can handle that, colonoscopies and mammograms.
If for some reason, I become a three-timer with the breast
cancer, I will shop a couple of opinions for a new oncologist. Otherwise, life
actually becomes simpler at this point. All of us seasoned citizens need a
yearly vision exam to watch for cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma,
and should keep our eyeglass prescription up to date. Dental visits for
cleaning and check-ups should be twice a year, because if we have our teeth, we
really need to keep them.
The geriatrician had a couple other practical suggestions:
If all my friends and family seem to all be mumbling and
have the audacity to ask me to turn the TV volume down a notch or so, I should
get my hearing checked. If there’s any appreciable loss, I should get hearing
aids. Studies show the earlier we correct our hearing, the better we adapt to
the aids and the more we stay in the flow with our surroundings. The newer
technology makes them almost invisible, and nothing says aging like repeatedly
saying: “Huh?”
But the most important determinant of health, she says, is
staying very physically active. Walking errands and our Colorado mountains will
help with that! And because I’ve always been a secret gym rat at heart, it’s
really neat that my Medicare Advantage plan includes a free fitness center
membership!
