Safeguard Your Health Each year, May is designated as "Older
Americans" month. What better time to take steps to safeguard
your health? You can also encourage those you care about to do
the same. Make plans now to get the services that help prevent
disease and illness. Preventive services include screenings,
vaccines, and counseling. Screenings may detect disease at an
early stage when medical treatment and lifestyle changes can be
most effective. Screenings can also help identify conditions
that put you at increased risk for disease—knowledge you can act
on to help protect and improve your health. Vaccines are
effective in preventing diseases. Talking with a health care
provider or other professional about health-related challenges
such as depression or tobacco use also is beneficial. Invest in
Your Own Well-being . . . Get Your Recommended Services
Screening and Counseling As we age, our risk for developing
chronic diseases and conditions increases. Screening for high
blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, c