Checklist: Senior Symptoms

You’ve been tired, your thinking and memory seem slow, and you fell while walking to the bathroom. This is aging, right?

Not necessarily, says Mark A. Supiano, M.D., executive director of the University of Utah Center on Aging.

“Many symptoms that one might think are just part of getting older may be due to a treatable medical condition or a medication side effect,” he says. For example, fatigue and constipation could signal hypothyroidism.

That’s why older individuals should see a doctor at least once a year, Supiano says. Remember to bring a list of your medications, including supplements, along with a list of questions, and be sure to ask for written instructions when you leave.

To prepare for your visit, download and print this symptom checklist. Bring it to your next appointment or to the University of Utah Health Care’s booth at the Senior Expo on Oct. 2–3.