Importance of Physical Exam for Older Females

First, this information can alert health care professionals to the presence of undetected disease or to the likelihood that certain diseases are at risk of being developed. Second, these assessment data provide health care professionals with the kind of baseline data needed to develop an individualized program of health promotion which Ebersole and Hess (1990) define as behaviors and activities designed to increase health and well-being.

Skipwith (1994) reports that the physical exam is particularly important because it allows health care personnel to determine: a) whether the older patient is evidencing normal or non-normal signs of aging, and b) whether patients are evidencing signs of one or more of those diseases and conditions to which older people are particularly susceptible.

Regarding assessment as it applies to normal aging, Skipwith (1994) notes that the exam should be expected to show, in varying degrees, a number of normal debilitations in the integumentary, sensory, and musculoskeletal system. Further, there should be some normal lowering of vital capacity in the cardio-vascular-respiratory trait system and a certain lessening of functio

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ome more light on the determinants of psychological well-being and of keeping sexuality alive in old age. Papalia and Olds (1992) state that any medical assessment of older people must include some acknowledgement of the influence of lifestyle on health. The older person, according to the authors, can maintain and promote good health only to the extent that her lifestyle includes proper nutrition, regular exercise, the use of important safety devices such as seat belts, avoidance of drugs and/or nicotine, and the use of a effective coping strategies. The importance of lifestyle factors can be seen in terms of older women's susceptibility to osteoporosis. According to Papalia and Olds (1992), post-menopausal women who exercise, and take calcium supplements as part of their routine lifestyle are far less susceptible to this condition than are older women who do not engage in these lifestyle practices. Ingram-Fogel (1991) states that one way to promote the health of middle aged and older women is to assist them with lifestyle changes. In this regard, health history information is said to be very important. By reviewing health history with these women, Ingram-Fogel notes that many conditions can be pointed out as, at least in
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