A Guide to Health Assessments for Older Persons
What are health assessments?
Health assessments provide the opportunity for your GP to undertake an in-depth assessment of your health. The assessment will cover medical, physical, psychological and social aspects of health.
Who can have one?
All people aged 75 years and older, or 55 years or over for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people, who are living in the community or in hostel level aged care accommodation.
Why is the doctor suggesting a health assessment for you?
Your doctor is offering you a health assessment to assist you to maintain good health. It also allows the doctor to take specific notice of areas which are hard to cover in a normal consultation, such as nutrition. A health assessment also provides you an opportunity to raise any concerns that you may have about your health, such as hearing difficulties or sleeping problems.
What happens during a health assessment?
You will see the nurse for 45 minutes and then your doctor. They will check on a number of areas:
- Your recent health
- Any difficulties with mood, memory or sleep
- Whether you have seen other doctors or health workers in the last the six months
- Smoking/alcohol/nutrition/exercise
- Living arrangements and home safety
- Social support
- Mobility
- Medications
- Immunisations
- An examination of your weight, height, blood pressure, pulse, feet, vision, hearing and other areas which may come up during assessment.
Where and when is the health assessment conducted?
A health assessment can be conducted in the practice, or in your home, or a combination of both. The health assessment can be conducted annually.
Are there any costs?
Medicare pays a rebate for health assessments.
(information sourced from RACGP)
