Staying on top of preventive care is essential for aging healthfully and independently. It’s important that older people in Colorado Springs understand which screening tests can help. Agewell Medical Associates, PC, provides primary care. We recommend screening tests based on your age, medical history, risk factors, and local health needs. This article will help you answer any questions you may have about recommended screenings for older people this year, so you can stay proactive with your overall health.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Which Annual Screenings Should You Have?
Older adults should get a full annual wellness visit that includes a blood pressure and weight check, but not a general physical exam or routine blood work. These tests provide your doctor with a baseline and help them monitor for changes and potential conditions.
Altitude and Climate Effects
Colorado Springs is at an elevation of 6,000 feet and has a high-desert climate. While there may not be specific screenings recommended solely because of altitude and climate, we still recommend that older adults be screened for skin cancer more regularly, as the air is thinner and they are more susceptible to UV rays. They may also want to be screened for cardiovascular and lung conditions to ensure their lungs and heart can cope with the altitude.
Medicare and Insurance Tests
Medicare Part B covers many preventive screening tests at no additional charge. If you get them from a provider who participates in your plan, Medicare will cover your annual wellness visit, cholesterol screening for heart disease, diabetes screening, and bone mass measurement screening. It also covers some cancer screenings, such as mammograms and colon cancer screenings. This gives you access to the tools you may need to detect possible health issues.
Resource: ncoa.org
Diabetes, Blood Pressure, and Cholesterol
Recommended screening frequency may vary based on your health history and risk factors:
- Older adults should have their blood pressure checked at least once a year
- Providers usually recommend cholesterol testing every 1 to 5 years
- Providers often recommend diabetes screening at regular intervals
Your provider may recommend annual testing based on your overall health.
Ending Cancer Screenings
Many elders can stop cancer screening at about age 75 to 85, depending on their overall health. Most colon cancer screenings end at 75, although some continue them as long as 80 if their doctor feels like they’re still likely to live that long and have had no previous colon issues. Women should continue breast cancer screening until age 74. At Agewell Medical Associates, PC, we’ll help you make these decisions together based on your health and personal situation.
Resource: goodrx.com
Low-Cost Cancer Screening Options
Local nonprofits and health organizations often provide free or discounted screening services, and community health centers may also offer sliding-scale fees to reduce screening costs.
How often should older adults get a bone density test?
If you’re 65 or older and a woman, it’s a good idea to get your bone density measured with a DEXA scan, and men should be screened if they are at increased risk.
Bone Density Tests
A healthy diet and an active lifestyle support bone health. In Colorado Springs, higher elevation and a dry climate may make nutrition and hydration especially important for older adults, which could create issues if you’re not getting adequate nutrition. Older adults often need adequate vitamin D to maintain bone health, and because they should use more sunscreen in the summer months, they may need to get vitamin D from their diet or supplements. A provider can monitor your vitamin D levels and suggest supplements if you’re deficient.
Vision Screening Guidelines
Adults 65 and older should have a dilated eye exam every 1 to 2 years. It will screen for age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma. Early detection can impact quality of life now and in the future.
Hearing Test Recommendations
Your provider may include a simple hearing test as part of an annual visit. Your provider may refer you for a comprehensive hearing test, which may be appropriate for older adults with significant hearing changes or those who have difficulty following the conversation. These follow-ups may include additional testing. Follow-up tests help address the cognitive and social effects of untreated hearing loss.
Cognitive and Mental Health Concerns
The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit includes cognitive assessment, and screening tests such as the MMSE or MoCA can be used when changes are noted. Your provider may recommend additional testing.
Mental Health Assessments
It is important to assess mental health during annual check-ups, and a common screening tool is the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), which may help identify symptoms of depression.
Vaccines
What Vaccines Should Older People Get?
For 2026, older adults should receive a high-dose flu shot, an updated COVID-19 booster, and an RSV vaccine. Two doses of Shingrix help protect against shingles, and a pneumococcal vaccine helps older adults prevent pneumonia.
Do Vaccines Offer a Discounted Rate?
The cost of many immunizations is covered by Medicare Part D, and some vaccines are covered under Part B. If you do not have Medicare or additional insurance, local public health clinics may offer reduced-cost immunizations. Many pharmacies also offer flu clinics for older adults before the flu season is officially underway.
Specific Test Recommendations for Age and Risk Factors
Unexplained fatigue or shortness of breath in older people should prompt consideration of screening, such as pulse oximetry or lung function testing, and may require blood tests to evaluate for conditions such as secondary polycythemia.
COPD and Arthritis Screenings
Older adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) should receive lung function screening, such as Spirometry. Osteoarthritis is usually evaluated through symptoms and a physical examination. Blood work, such as CRP or ESR, is generally used only when a provider needs to rule out other causes of arthritis.
Affordable Screening Resources
Resources like Peak Vista Community Health Centers provide primary care services in Colorado Springs, along with other medical, dental, and behavioral health services. The Senior Center offers programs for older adults and may connect members with health resources, including screenings and advice through community partners.
Resource: labcorp.com
Mobile Clinics and Community Events
Many community health centers offer outreach services, and some provide care in multiple locations to improve access for Colorado Springs residents. Penrose-St. Francis Health Services and UCHealth provide health services in the Colorado Springs area, including some outreach and screening programs.
Screening Frequency Guidelines
Adults under 75 with average risk should have a colonoscopy once every 10 years, or an alternative stool-based test (such as Cologuard) that may be repeated every 1 to 3 years. Women aged 40 to 74 should be screened with a mammogram every one to two years, depending on guidelines and risk factors. The time between screenings may need to be adjusted based on family or personal history.
Screening Updates
Recommendations may vary over the coming years as new data becomes available. In 2026, the focus has shifted from a specific age cutoff to more individualized approaches to cancer and heart disease. Agewell Medical Associates, PC, is familiar with the United States Preventive Services Task Force guidelines.
Final Thoughts
Screenings may be one of the most helpful ways to maintain health and independence for older adults. Agewell Medical Associates, PC, specializes in providing unbiased care for older adults. For further information, contact Agewell Medical Associates, PC, for your annual wellness.