Medicare annual wellness visits are an essential part of preventive health for older Americans, and booking these visits should be a priority. For those in and around Lewistown, Montana, Kimberlee Decker, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, of Total Family Care is an excellent resource for these preventive health visits. Setting up an appointment is as simple as a phone call or a short visit to the online booking page.
Medicare annual wellness visits are an effort to ensure all older Americans have access to preventive health information tailored to their specific needs. As you move through the phases of life, your health and wellness needs change. Medicare annual wellness visits are an opportunity to focus on your current needs.
Annual wellness visits are highly personalized. You’ll receive guidance on how to improve your daily quality of life, prevent disease, and remain healthy and strong as you navigate retirement years and beyond.
Prior to or at the beginning of your appointment, you’ll complete a “Health Risk Assessment” form that asks a range of questions about your health. The information provided on this form gives your practitioner insight into your specific strengths and challenges.
During your visit, you’ll review your personal and family health history. Some of the other topics you might explore include:
These are just some of the areas of focus for Medicare wellness visits. Your experience is shaped by your specific health condition, age, and areas of concern.
A review of your medications is an important part of these visits. Be sure to bring in a comprehensive list of your current medications, including the dosage and schedule for taking your medications. Also, include any supplements you are taking (as some supplements can affect your medications).
You might also consider making a list of topics you’d like to cover during your visit. Everyone has a unique experience of health and wellness. Your visit during one year might center on ways to incorporate more physical activity into your daily routine, and another year you may have questions about cognitive changes or sleep disruptions.
The best way to get the most out of your annual wellness visit is to view the appointment as an opportunity more than a requirement. These visits empower you to take control over how you feel each day and ensure you receive up-to-date advice in a time when health care is rapidly evolving.
If you’re due for a Medicare annual wellness visit, call Total Family Care today or use the online booking tool to set up an appointment.
