Annual Wellness Visits

What are annual wellness visits?

An annual wellness visit assesses your general health. It’s important that all adults schedule an annual wellness visit at least once a year. People ages 50 and older are more likely than younger individuals to experience acute and chronic conditions. 

Routine physical exams, lab work, and preventive screenings can help you age more gracefully. They can also provide you with the tools, education, and insights needed to maintain your health, mobility and independence.

What are the goals of an annual wellness visit?

At Penn’s Rock Primary Care, the team uses annual wellness visits to:

• Identify acute and chronic conditions early on
• Update necessary immunizations
• Identify issues that might become medical concerns in the future
• Monitor your diet, exercise, and sleep hygiene

Annual wellness visits also present an opportunity to ask questions or discuss any unusual symptoms you’re experiencing.

What do annual wellness visits involve?

At Penn’s Rock Primary Care, annual wellness visits may include: 

A discussion of your lifestyle

First, your provider reviews your medical records and asks questions about your lifestyle, including what types of foods you eat, how often you exercise, and if you smoke or drink alcohol. 

Physical exam

During the physical exam, your Penn’s Rock Primary Care provider checks your vital signs blood pressure, heart rhythm, and respiratory rate. Then, they check your skin for abnormalities, gently palpate your organs to assess their size and location, test your reflexes, and examine your eyes, ears, nose, and throat.

Immunizations, lab tests, and preventive screenings

Your Penn’s Rock Primary Care provider may also order lab tests and preventive screenings that align with your age, sex, and needs. Some of the most common tests include blood work, urinalysis, and STD testing. If necessary, your provider can also update your immunizations. 

What items should I bring to an annual wellness visit?

The team at Penn’s Rock Primary Care recommends bringing the following items to your annual wellness visit:

• Health insurance card
• Names of any medicines, supplements, or vitamins you take
• Results from any recent preventive screenings or lab tests
• A list of questions or concerns that you have

If you’ve visited a specialist recently, make sure to bring their contact information as well.

At Penn’s Rock Primary Care, the team spends quality time at your annual wellness visit to learn more about your health care needs to develop a custom treatment plan that suits your unique health. 

To learn more about the benefits of annual wellness visits, call the Penn’s Rock Primary Care office in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, or book online today.