An AWV is a key part of keeping your body and mind healthy. Here’s what to expect during your appointment — and key questions to ask while you’re there.
Are you 65 or older? If you’ve been using your Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage plan for longer than 12 months, you have access to a no-cost benefit that you might not be aware of. It’s called an annual wellness visit, or AWV for short, and it’s one of the best tools for staying on top of your physical and cognitive health.
These yearly check-ins with your doctor provide you with ample time to talk with them about your overall health. And they give your doctor time to set you on a path to living healthier, from the tip of your toe to the top of your head (including your brain!).
Here are three things to expect during your AWV — and what to ask your doctor to make sure your brain health is part of the conversation.
#1: You’ll complete a health risk assessment.
Maybe you have some concerns about your health — or you’re just looking for some friendly advice from your primary care doctor. During your AWV, your doctor will start out by asking you to fill out a questionnaire. The questions you answer will help them determine if you’re at early risk of any physical or mental health issues — and your answers can help guide you and your doctor toward a prevention plan to help you stay healthy. Your assessment may include:
A review of your medical and family history
A review of your current conditions and prescriptions
Check-ins on your physical health, like your height, weight, and blood pressure
Check-ins on your brain health, including a cognitive assessment
Personalized health advice
A list of risk factors and treatment options
A checklist of preventive services
#2. You’ll get your cognitive health tested.
When your doctor checks your blood pressure and weight, they’re doing it to make sure that if you’re showing early signs of, say, heart disease or diabetes, you’ll have an action plan in place to help lower your risk.
The same is true of your brain health. Your doctor may have you take a short questionnaire or assessment to check your memory and spatial awareness. They’re trying to detect early signs that can help you take action to lower your risk of brain health issues like Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. And if you’re bringing your spouse or a family member to your appointment, the doctor may also ask them to fill out a questionnaire to capture their impressions of your memory and other cognitive skills.
If your doctor thinks you may have early signs of cognitive health issues, Medicare covers a separate visit for a more thorough review to check for conditions such as dementia, depression, anxiety, or delirium (that’s a state in which you may have episodes of confusion). Many of these conditions can be temporary, if you get the right help — so it’s better to find out about them early.
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#3. You’ll get to ask plenty of questions
When you go in for your AWV, your doctor will ask you a lot of questions, sure. But remember that this is your visit, so nothing’s off the table. Come prepared with as many questions as you want to ask too. Here are some topics you might want to cover during your visit:
Am I at risk for Alzheimer’s disease or dementia? Research shows that many factors can contribute to a person’s individual risk for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Some risk factors you’re born with — like your family history (maybe you have a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s).
But other risk factors — like how much exercise you get, what you eat, how well you sleep, and even how much you’re in touch with family and friends — can all contribute to your risk. Making improvements on those parts of your life can help lower your risk. Discuss your concerns with doctor, who can help you devise a prevention plan, which could include things such as a:
Another prevention option? Improving your brain health with BrainHQ. You may have no-cost access to BrainHQ’s brain training program through your Medicare Advantage plan. Check your eligibility today.
What can I do to boost my mood? Changes in mood can be an important indicator of mental health concerns. Let your doctor know if you’ve been feeling down or overly anxious lately. They can connect you with a mental health professional who can help. They may also encourage you to try to stay active, physically and socially, both of which can help regulate your mood.
How can I better control my blood pressure? Regular screenings for high blood pressure can help determine whether you’re at risk of health issues such as heart disease and stroke. A stroke, for example, can cause serious brain damage. If your blood pressure isn’t under control, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes to help lower it.
Any tips on how I can stop smoking? Lighting up may be as bad for your brain as it is for your heart and lungs. If you smoke or vape tobacco products, ask your doctor to connect you with resources to help you quit.
What can you do to sharpen your brain after your AWV?
If that cognitive assessment — or any of the advice your doctor gave you about Alzheimer’s and dementia prevention — has you concerned about your brain, it’s never too late to start sharpening its function. You can do that by using the science-backed brain-training exercises at BrainHQ, which were designed by top scientists. Even if your brain is going strong at your AWV, training with BrainHQ can help you maintain your brain health for the long run.
Effective brain training can:
Rewire your brain
Sharpen your cognitive function, so you can think faster, focus better, and remember more
Make you happier, healthier, and more in control of whatever challenges life throws at you
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, there’s a chance they offer BrainHQ at no additional cost to you. Check your eligibility today.
And if you’re on Original Medicare, don’t worry. You can still sign up to get monthly or yearly access to BrainHQ.
See our sources:
Annual wellness visits: Medicare.gov
High blood pressure: American Heart Association
Tobacco: National Cancer Institute
Alzheimer’s and dementia: Alzheimer’s Association
