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Dr. Christina Scartozzi, left, a family medicine physician at Penn State Health Family and Community Medicine, does a standard cognitive check called the clock drawing test with patient Paula Ortiz-Gil of Reading.<\/p>\n
Has the number of prescription bottles in your medicine cabinet been growing lately? If you\u2019re over age 65, it may seem like they\u2019re multiplying while you sleep. It\u2019s not your imagination. Age and health issues tend to go hand in hand, but finding conditions early can help you maintain your quality of life.<\/p>\n
May 27, 2026Penn State Health News\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Regular health screenings can help you and your physician catch small warning signs before they become life-changing problems, says Dr. Christina Scartozzi<\/a>, a family medicine physician at Penn State Health Family and Community Medicine<\/a> in Reading.<\/p>\n Although some older adults may accept a growing number of aches and pains as part of aging, Scartozzi says preventive health screenings give their physicians the information they need to manage symptoms more effectively and protect long-term health.<\/p>\n \u201cEven if you\u2019re nearing the end of your life, quality of life is important,\u201d Scartozzi says. \u201cWe can intervene to make your days better, keep you more functional and help you have a better life in whatever amount of time you have.\u201d<\/p>\n Screenings Older Adults Shouldn\u2019t Miss<\/p>\n Your annual wellness appointment is the starting line for most health screenings. It often includes blood pressure and blood tests to measure cholesterol and blood sugar. Tracking blood pressure can detect hypertension, while cholesterol checks measure your risk of heart disease or stroke. Increased blood sugar levels can show whether you are prediabetic or diabetic.<\/p>\n The annual wellness check, which Medicare covers for adults over 65, also looks at a person\u2019s medical history, family history and previous screening results. Scartozzi says it\u2019s a good time for family physicians to tailor testing recommendations to each patient.<\/p>\n Beyond the basic tests done at your annual checkup, all seniors should have four screenings, along with a few gender-specific tests.<\/p>\n Depression screening: Scartozzi says everyone should take this simple questionnaire. Life changes such as the loss of a loved one, retirement or moving to a new living situation can trigger depression. Learn more<\/a> about Penn State Health\u2019s specialized care for older adults.<\/p>\n A Plan for the Future<\/p>\n It may sound like a lot of tests, but Scartozzi says patients are ultimately in the driver\u2019s seat. Even if a test reveals a health issue, they can decide what steps they want to take next.<\/p>\n \u201cIf someone\u2019s older and they find a nodule or cancer, and the treatment would reduce their quality of life, they may not choose to pursue a treatment plan,\u201d she says. \u201cThey\u2019re looking at quality of life over quantity, and that\u2019s a very personal decision.\u201d<\/p>\n Still, Scartozzi says having accurate health information is essential to making those choices.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you don\u2019t get the screening, you can\u2019t make the best choices for yourself because you don\u2019t have the information,\u201d she says. \u201cYou don\u2019t want to play Monday morning quarterback and say, \u2018I wish I got that screening five years ago when I could have done something about it.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Find a Penn State Health primary care provider near you<\/a>.<\/p>\n \nRelated content:<\/p>\n
\nCognitive tests: Tests like the Mini-Cog or Montreal Cognitive Assessment use simple paper-and-pencil tests to detect early signs of memory loss, dementia or other cognitive changes.
\nColonoscopy: Colon health is becoming a focus earlier in life as colorectal cancer rises in people 45 and older, and continuous screening is necessary for older adults. Scartozzi says colonoscopies are often the test people want to avoid, but several screening options, such as stool testing, are available that don\u2019t require bowel prep or sedation.
\nLung cancer: If you ever smoked, a low-dose CT scan may be recommended to screen for lung cancer.
\nAbdominal aortic aneurysm screening: Men who have smoked or people with a history of abdominal aortic aneurysm are encouraged to get a painless ultrasound test to detect aneurysms, which can be fatal. Any detected aneurysms are monitored with follow-up imaging.
\nBone density screening: Women over 65 should have a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan. This test helps identify bone density loss, or osteoporosis, which can lead to easily broken bones after a fall.
\nMammograms: All women should have a screening mammogram once a year and continue for as long as they are in good health.<\/p>\n