What should people do to address challenges of this kind? Several experts shared advice:
Reconnect with your physician. Large numbers of older adults have delayed medical care for fear of Covid-19. Now that most seniors have been vaccinated, they should schedule visits with primary care physicians and for preventive care screenings, such as mammograms, dental cleanings, eye exams and hearing checks, said Dr. Robert MacArthur, chief medical officer of the Commonwealth Care Alliance in Massachusetts.
Have your functioning assessed. Primary care visits should include a basic assessment of how older patients are functioning physically, according to Dr. Jonathan Bean, an expert in geriatric rehabilitation and director of the New England Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center at the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System.