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The Importance of Having a PCP as We Age
Frequently Asked Questions with Internal Medicine Physician, Luke Nientimp, DO
What should people 65 + do to stay
1. healthy? You hear it all the time— diet and exercise. But it’ s true, a healthy diet and physical activity go hand in hand and are important. Getting out and moving, even just a little every day, can make a difference. Physical activity is not only great for your physical health, but your mental health, too. Another important aspect is social health. Those who are going into retirement age should stay active within their communities and focus on their favorite hobbies.
Last, but not least, continue to see your provider for your chronic medical conditions. Your provider will be able to help monitor things that impact your chronic conditions, like your blood work and medication.
What is an internal medicine provider? Internal medicine providers are trained in
2. adult medicine. We do not see pediatric patients. The training for internal medicine is different in the way we study. Our training is hospital-based medicine, and we spend a bit more time on each medical subspecialty. This gives us more of a knowledge base, especially for those more complex cases. We also see patients with chronic and acute medical conditions in addition to preventive care like screenings and immunizations.
Why is it important to see your provider regularly? There are a few reasons why you should see your provider regularly:
3.
• To follow up on chronic medical conditions and to monitor medications.
• If you are feeling sick or have a cold. We’ re also here for other acute conditions like heart failure or incontinence.
• Even if you’ re feeling fine, it’ s always a good idea to have your annual physical exam and blood work. This is a good measure to catch anything that could be treated early or prevented overall.
The bottom line— we are here to make sure you are healthy and happy.
What should people 65 + talk to their provider about?
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When you’ re at your routine physical or yearly checkup, it is good to discuss how you’ re feeling generally and any differences you notice. Ask your provider about blood work, cancer screenings, or immunizations that are recommended for you. A small bump on your arm or leg can seem minor but is always worth checking out. The same rule goes for minor changes in blood work. Checkups like these can lead to preventive measures to improve your health. Your provider is there to listen and to help guide you to the healthiest version of you.
Call 814-877-5678. A local Find-A-Provider representative will connect you to the right care team for you.