If you’re aged 45 to 49, when you’re not busy working it’s likely you’re busy caring for your children and elderly parents, and you rarely see a doctor, according to health statistics.
That’s why we put this topic in CAPITAL LETTERS in your inbox, so you wouldn’t miss it.
While you may feel perfectly well, many medical conditions can develop without symptoms in your age group. A comprehensive health assessment can identify disease risk factors and help you make necessary life changes now to prevent or delay the onset of chronic disease.
Medicare is providing one free, comprehensive health check for eligible people aged between 45 and 49, because research has shown that by taking careful stock of your health right now, we can help you have a healthier future.
Common risk factors for chronic disease include:
- smoking, drinking alcohol, physical inactivity and poor diet
- being overweight, impaired glucose metabolism and having high cholesterol or high blood pressure
- family history of chronic disease, such as diabetes, mental illness, heart or lung disease, arthritis and cancer
Your health check will comprise a one-hour appointment with a Springs Medical wellness nurse followed by an appointment with a doctor on the same day. It’s Medicare funded and available at all our clinics: Daylesford, Trentham and Kyneton.
Our aim is to fully assess your current state of health, flag possible future health issues, provide you with relevant information, advice, referrals, support, and to help you form a plan for your future health care based on your needs. We can also provide strategies to achieve lifestyle and behaviour changes so you can live healthier for longer.
We’ll look at your: past medical history; current medications; family history of disease; past health screening; and immunisation history.
And ask you about your life, such as your: employment; marital status; family situation; mental health; and sexuality. This isn’t because we’re nosey, it’s to check for specific, health-related issues.
Our nurse will take a full set of non-invasive observations and tests, such as: height; weight; blood pressure; waist circumference; heart rate; oxygen level; cholesterol level; and urine analysis.
We’ll ask you about your: skin; bowels; diet; hearing; and vision. And also if you smoke, take drugs or drink alcohol, so we can provide you with any information or support you might want.
We’ll also ask specific questions to determine your risk of: cardiovascular disease; diabetes; and other chronic diseases.
If you’re a woman, we’ll ask you women’s health-related questions, such as breast and cervical screening and contraception. If you’re a man, we’ll ask men’s health-related questions, including questions about your prostate. And we will ask health-appropriate questions to people who identify as LGBTIQ.
And while you may feel invincible right now, we’ll also ask whether you have considered:
- organ donation
- an end-of-life plan
- Medical and Enduring Powers of Attorney
This is so we can provide you with resources and information you may need to ensure the future wellbeing of you and your family.
If you are aged 45 to 49 and have any questions about your eligibility for this free health check, please call your nearest Springs Medical Clinic.
To book an assessment phone your Springs Medical Clinic and request a 45 - 49 health assessment. If you have a regular GP at Springs Medical, please request your follow-up appointment with them, so we can organise this for you.
This is a one-off government-funded initiative for preventative health.
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