Preventive screenings for adults over 65 cover a specific, evidence-based set of tests: blood pressure and cholesterol checks, diabetes screening, colorectal and other cancer screenings, bone density scans, vision and hearing exams, cognitive and depression screening, and key vaccines like the flu shot and Shingrix. Older adults benefit most when these tests are chosen based on personal health history, not age alone. A screening that makes sense for one 68-year-old may not fit another person the same age.
At Summit Health Family & Urgent Care in Haltom City, Texas, our providers work with adults and families to sort through these options during annual visits, chronic-condition follow-ups, and same-day appointments for new symptoms. The right preventive screening plan for someone over 65 depends on their personal risk factors, prior results, and overall health goals, not a single checklist that applies to everyone. If you or a family member is due for a wellness visit or has questions about which tests still make sense, our team can help build a plan that fits your history and schedule the visit through our online scheduler or by calling (817) 420-6009.
A useful screening plan starts with a conversation, not a form. Age is one factor among several that a healthcare provider weighs when deciding which preventive health screenings make sense for a given patient, alongside family history, current chronic conditions, and how a person is feeling day to day.
Medicare covers many preventive services for people 65 and older, and the Affordable Care Act expanded access to no-cost preventive care for many plans. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) sets the screening guidelines that most primary care providers use as a starting point, then adjusts those recommendations to fit each patient's health status and risk factors.
A Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is a planning appointment, not a physical exam in the traditional sense. It typically includes a review of your medical and family history, a list of current providers and medications, height and weight measurements, blood pressure, and a personalized checklist of screenings you may be due for based on your age and risk factors.
This visit is also when a care provider can walk through a full medication review, checking for interactions, duplicate prescriptions, or drugs that may no longer be necessary. It's a good time to raise any new symptoms, though those often warrant a separate, focused visit.
Family history and existing chronic conditions can shift both which screenings are recommended and how often they're repeated. A person with a parent who had colon cancer at 55, for example, may need earlier or more frequent colorectal cancer screening than someone with no family history.
Life expectancy and overall health also factor into these decisions, particularly for adults in their late 70s and beyond. The USPSTF recommendations for several cancer screenings note that expected benefit decreases with age and health decline, since some cancers grow slowly enough that treatment may not add meaningful benefit for a person with limited life expectancy. These conversations are personal, and a trusted care provider can help weigh the potential benefits against the risks and burdens of testing.
New symptoms call for prompt evaluation, not a wait until the next scheduled screening. Screening tests are designed for people without symptoms, aiming to catch disease early. Once symptoms appear, such as unexplained weight loss, chest pain, or a change in bowel habits, the right response is a diagnostic workup built around that specific concern.
Summit Health Family & Urgent Care offers walk-in access for these kinds of non-emergency but time-sensitive concerns, alongside scheduled primary care visits for ongoing preventive needs.
Adults over 65 typically have a core set of screenings worth discussing with their care provider, covering heart health, cancer risk, bone strength, sensory function, and mental health. Which of these apply, and how often, depends on personal risk factors and previous results.
Blood pressure checks belong at every visit, since high blood pressure (hypertension) often has no symptoms but raises the risk of heart disease, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. A lipid panel, or cholesterol test, measures cholesterol and triglycerides through blood tests and helps guide decisions about diet, exercise, or medication.
Diabetes screening matters for adults over 65 regardless of weight, since ADA guidelines recommend screening for adults 45 and older. Catching prediabetes or type 2 diabetes early can help prevent complications like kidney disease. Our diabetes and heart disease management services support patients through both the initial screening and ongoing follow-up care.
Colorectal cancer screening remains one of the most valuable tests available to adults over 65, using either a colonoscopy or stool-based tests depending on personal preference and risk. Mammograms continue to be recommended for many women into their mid-70s to screen for breast cancer, while cervical cancer screening through a Pap smear or HPV test often becomes less frequent or unnecessary after a woman turns 65 with a history of normal results.
Prostate cancer screening with a PSA test is a shared decision between a man and his care provider, weighing the benefits of early detection against the risks of overtreatment. Lung cancer screening applies mainly to adults with a significant smoking history, based on age and pack-year totals.
A bone density scan (DEXA) measures fracture risk and is generally recommended for women starting at 65, with men screened based on individual risk factors. An abdominal aortic aneurysm screening, done with a one-time ultrasound, is recommended for men who have ever smoked.
Vision exams check for glaucoma, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration, all of which become more common with age. Hearing tests catch age-related hearing loss early, since untreated hearing loss can affect communication and safety at home.
Cognitive assessments and depression screening round out this group, watching for early signs of memory loss, dementia, or Alzheimer's disease, as well as changes in mood that deserve mental health support. These screenings are woven into a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit rather than treated as separate appointments.
Vaccines are a core part of preventive care for adults over 65, including annual flu shots, Shingrix for shingles prevention, and updated COVID-19 vaccines as recommended. These reduce the risk of serious illness and hospitalization in a population more vulnerable to complications from these infections.
Obesity screening and counseling, along with routine physicals, round out the broader picture of preventive health screenings available through physicals and general primary care visits.
Staying current with preventive care helps adults over 65 protect both their health and their independence. Regular screenings, chronic disease management, and honest conversations with a healthcare provider make it easier to catch problems early, adjust treatment plans, and keep doing the things that matter most day to day.
Summit Health Family & Urgent Care serves as a local primary care home for adults building this kind of ongoing relationship. Our team supports chronic disease management, medication reviews, vaccinations, and coordination of outside imaging or specialty referrals when a screening result needs a closer look.
Patients describe our providers, including Louis Graham, NP, as attentive and clear in their explanations, with a Google Maps rating of 4.8 stars from 74 reviews reflecting that consistency. Appointments can be booked through our online scheduler, and walk-ins remain welcome for non-emergency concerns that come up between scheduled visits. Preventive care works best as a continuing conversation, not a once-a-year checklist, and that ongoing relationship supports both quality of life and long-term health.
Blood pressure checks happen at every visit, and many adults over 65 also benefit from an annual flu shot and a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit to review overall health. Other screenings, like cholesterol tests, diabetes screening, cancer screenings, and bone density scans, follow different schedules based on personal risk factors and prior results, so not every test repeats yearly.
Medicare covers many preventive services for people 65 and older, including the Annual Wellness Visit, certain cancer screenings, and cardiovascular and diabetes screening, often with no out-of-pocket cost when coverage criteria are met. Coverage details vary by service and individual plan, so it helps to confirm specifics with your care provider or Medicare directly.
Many guidelines recommend mammograms every one to two years for women through their mid-70s, though the right interval depends on personal risk factors and prior results. A healthcare provider can help decide when mammography should continue and when it might reasonably stop based on individual health status.
Screening decisions after 75 often weigh life expectancy and overall health alongside age, since the benefits of catching a slow-growing cancer may not outweigh the risks and discomfort of the procedure for some patients. This is a personal decision made with a care provider, not an automatic cutoff.
Screening tests are designed for people without symptoms, so feeling healthy doesn't rule out the value of routine cancer screening. Colorectal, breast, and other cancer screenings aim to catch disease before symptoms appear, when treatment tends to be more effective.
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Our practice is here to support your healthcare needs. If you have questions about services, need to schedule an appointment, or would like to speak with our team.
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