Taking Charge of Your Health

Source: AARP.org

Vicki Liqenza decided to take charge of her health long before she retired. “I’ve been watching my cholesterol and diet for years,” said Liqenza, at the AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour stop in Berea, Kentucky. Staying healthy is a priority for the retired police officer now working part-time in a coffee shop. So, when Liqenza read about the tour date in her AARP member webletter, she immediately worked it into her calendar.

No appointment is necessary for these health screenings, and visitors do not need health insurance.  Certified medical technicians will be conducting the screenings on a first-come, first-serve basis which are valued at more than $140 per person. Free one-year AARP memberships will be made available (in the form of a brochure with a membership application) to participants who complete the health screening. The free membership offer applies to both new and existing AARP members. Existing members will get a one-year extension to their membership. The free membership must be activated by filling out and mailing the postage-paid application on the brochure.

We all know that prevention is the key to healthy living, but sticking to a routine can be hard. Need inspiration?  Healthcare rates are skyrocketing, the economy is struggling at a historic rate—so staying healthy and avoiding costly health-related expenses should be a warm welcome to everyone’s wallets. For Liqenza, the Wellness Tour stop was a great “freebie” to double check her cholesterol in between regular doctor visits.  According to Liqenza, “I wanted to compare this AARP/ Walgreens cholesterol screening with my doctors,” and when the test results came back she wasn’t disappointed.

Health screenings and programs that promote healthy behaviors can help lower healthcare costs, and give people the chance to live longer and feel better. In fact, there is proposed legislation in Washington on health reform. The proposed reforms would alleviate the financial stranglehold that challenges some people such as caregivers and address the effects that chronic conditions have on many older Americans and their families.

Individuals with chronic conditions—often older adults—use more services and face high costs.  But these individuals can face even higher costs if they also need help with their basic needs, such as eating, dressing, and getting around inside or outside of their home. Providing this assistance means even higher costs to Medicaid and Medicare.

Unless we tackle the big issues, like taking action to bring down health care costs, and improving quality of care, families’ health premiums will nearly double in the next 10 years. Importantly, traditionally underserved communities feel these same pressures to manage health care costs for their families

To support some of these sweeping concerns, the AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour is currently on the road, delivering free health screenings and important educational materials to help people take better care of themselves. The screenings are for cholesterol, blood pressure, bone density, glucose levels and weight evaluations, all critical tests that some people can no longer afford. 

For more information about the upcoming Kentucky tour stops, hours and other details, visit www.aarpwalgreens.com/tour or call 1-866-484-TOUR.