Some people will buy a brand new car and care for the car more that they care for themselves.  As soon as the car reaches every 3,000 miles, they carefully ensure the car get’s an oil change.  They follow the recommended maintenance for the vehicle as outlined by the manufacturer; however, when it comes to their body they have no clue or desire to follow the recommended maintenance of their body. 

We are all guilty of it!  Some parents ensure that they follow the “recommended maintenance” of their kids as prescribed by their doctors.  However, when it comes to them, they don’t.

Most of us work for companies who value maintaining their equipment, building, computers, etc., but do very little to help the employees maintain themselves.

So why don’t you believe in “preventative maintenance” for yourself?   Well below we have a list of preventive recommendations for you starting at age 19.  Find your age range and make sure you are at least following the recommended schedule.  Remember the key is prevention.  In most situations, if you can find the problem (i.e., a small non-cancerous tumor) before it becomes a major problem (the tumor became cancerous and spread); you can live a long, happy, healthy life.

The Preventive Health Schedule below is for informational purposes only and does not represent medical advice.  It is only a general description of preventive care services recommended by certain health care authorities. The tables are for healthy adults which you should discuss with your physician to determine what preventive services are right for you and when you should have them. As always meet with your family doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

Male: 19 to 39 Years Old

Female: 19 to 39 Years Old

Preventive Steps for a Long and Healthy Life 19 to 39 Years Old

• Avoid driving, swimming, boating, etc. under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Visit your dentist regularly.
• Floss and brush with fluoride toothpaste daily.
• Always wear lap and shoulder belts while driving or riding in a motor vehicle.
• Always wear a helmet when rollerblading, or riding a bicycle, scooter, motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle (ATV).
• Install and maintain smoke detectors in your home.
• Make sure firearms are locked and safely stored away.
• Limit the amount of fat and cholesterol in your diet; emphasize fruits, grains and vegetables. If you have high cholesterol, other known risk factors for heart disease or diet-related chronic conditions, follow the dietary recommendations provided by your physician.
• Lose weight to reduce your risk of developing heart disease, hypertension and other diseases if you are overweight.
• If you smoke, quit smoking to reduce your risk of irreversible lung damage, cancer and heart disease.
• Get regular exercise. Ask your doctor before starting any new exercise program.
• Consider taking CPR training, if you are a parent or caretaker.

Male: 40 to 64 Years Old

Female:  40 to 64 Years Old

Preventive Steps for a Long and Healthy Life 40 to 64 Years Old

• If you are overweight, lose weight to substantially reduce your risk of developing heart disease and high blood pressure.
• Limit the amount of fat and cholesterol in your diet and emphasize grains, fruits and vegetables.
• If you have high cholesterol, other known risk factors for heart disease or diet-related chronic conditions, follow the dietary recommendations provided by your physician.
• Avoid driving, swimming, boating, etc., under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Get regular exercise. If it has been years since you have exercised regularly, start slowly. Always check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.
• Perform monthly breast self-exams to improve your ability to detect breast cancer early; also get regular mammograms.
• Always wear lap and shoulder belts while driving or riding in a motor vehicle.
• Always wear a helmet when rollerblading or riding a motorcycle, bicycle, scooter or all-terrain vehicle (ATV).
• Install and maintain smoke detectors in your home.
• Make sure firearms are locked and safely stored.
• If you smoke, quit smoking to reduce your risk of irreversible lung damage, cancer and heart disease.
• Visit your dentist regularly.
• Floss and brush with fluoride toothpaste daily.
• Consider taking CPR training, if you are a parent or caretaker.

Male: 65 and Years Old and Over

Female: 65 and Years Old and Over

Preventive Steps for a Long and Healthy Life 65 Years Old and Over

• Make sure you have been vaccinated against pneumonia and influenza, which can become life threatening in older persons.
• You should be vaccinated against pneumonia once at age 65 or older. If the pneumococcal vaccination is given before age 65, after five years a booster is recommended.
• Starting at age 50, you should be vaccinated against influenza every year in the Fall.
• Limit your intake of fats and cholesterol and include plenty of grains, fruits and vegetables in your diet to reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer. If you have high cholesterol, other known risk factors for heart disease or diet-related chronic conditions, follow the dietary recommendations provided by your physician.
• Ask your doctor about things you can do to reduce your risk of falling, including exercise (particularly training to improve balance), safety-related skills and behaviors and removing falling hazards at home.
• Stay active and get regular physical activity. Exercise can improve your balance and prevent or reverse weakness and debilitation. Always check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.
• Avoid driving, swimming, boating, etc., under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Always wear lap and shoulder belts while driving or riding in a motor vehicle.
• Always wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle, bicycle, scooter or all-terrain vehicle (ATV).
• Install and maintain smoke detectors in your home.
• Make sure all firearms are locked and safely stored out of the reach of children who may visit you.
• Make sure each of your doctors knows what medications the others have prescribed for you; this will help prevent harmful drug interactions.
• Make sure water heater temperature is set below 120° to 130º degrees Fahrenheit.
• If you smoke, quit smoking. Even if you have been smoking for many years, you can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease, cancer and lung disease by quitting now.
• If you are overweight, lose weight to reduce your risk of developing heart disease, hypertension and other diseases.
• Visit your dentist regularly.
• Floss and brush with fluoride toothpaste daily.
• Consider taking CPR training, if you are a caretaker.