From the Research
A Medicare wellness exam includes several key components designed to assess and maintain your health, focusing on preventive care and personalized guidance to identify potential health issues early and maintain overall wellness. The exam begins with a health risk assessment questionnaire covering your medical history, current medications, and lifestyle factors.
- Your healthcare provider will record vital measurements including height, weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and other routine measurements.
- They will perform a cognitive assessment to check for signs of cognitive impairment or dementia, as studies have shown that cardiovascular risk factors and vascular pathology contribute to cognitive impairment and dementia 1.
- The provider will conduct a functional ability assessment to evaluate your risk for falls and ability to perform daily activities. A personalized prevention plan is developed based on your specific health needs, which may include recommended screenings like colonoscopies, mammograms, or bone density tests based on your age, gender, and risk factors.
- The exam also includes personalized health advice addressing issues like nutrition, physical activity, smoking cessation, and alcohol use, as sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy behaviors have been linked to increased risks of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer 2. Your provider will review your medications and immunization status, recommending updates as needed, and consider the potential impact of hypertension on cognitive function, as chronic arterial hypertension is a well-established risk factor for dementia 3. This comprehensive approach focuses on preventive care rather than treating specific problems, helping to identify potential health issues early and maintain your overall wellness through regular monitoring and personalized guidance.