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Simplifying Your Health Care: 3 Steps for Older Adults

By Dr. Heidi Schwarzwald, MD, MPH on 8/19/25 8:00 AM

3 min read

I often hear from many older adults (aged 65 and older) about the complexities of the health care system. Many find it hard to access and difficult to understand.

It’s also natural for health needs to change as you age, especially if you are managing complex chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and cognitive health. Nearly 93% of older adults have at least one chronic condition and almost 80% have two or more which can be difficult to manage and make care coordination complicated.

The good news is managing your health care doesn’t have to be overwhelming. I often recommend a few tips to the older adults I see as a physician and Signify Health’s chief medical officer:

1. Establish a Trusted Relationship with Your Primary Care Provider

Your primary care provider (PCP) is more than just the doctor you see when sick – they should be your main health partner. A trusted relationship with a PCP means you have someone who understands your health history, coordinates with your specialists, and helps keep your care on track.

Seeing your primary care provider on a regular basis, even if you feel well, can make identifying and managing new or existing chronic conditions much easier. To make the most of your PCP appointments, I often recommend the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s “Ask Me 3” framework, which encourages you to have conversations around three questions:

  • What is my main problem?
  • What do I need to do?
  • Why is it important for me to do this?

These questions are a helpful starting point for a conversation about your overall health, lifestyle and individual needs as well as next steps.

2. "Know Your Numbers" and Be Proactive with Health Screenings

One of the best ways to take control of your health is to “know your numbers.” Knowing your vital numbers (like blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, etc.) helps you and your PCP make informed decisions and address issues before they become emergencies.

High blood pressure or high blood sugar can cause damage long before you feel anything physically, so proactive screening and consistent disease management is critical.

For example, during a recent In-Home Health Evaluation, I met a health plan member with a history of high blood pressure. She told me she had stopped taking her blood pressure medication due to the side effects. I spent extra time with her, helping her understand the importance of her medication and advising her on how to work with her PCP to adjust her treatment so that she can manage her side effects and, in turn, manage her blood pressure.

3. Develop a Comprehensive Health Management Plan

As you age, it’s vital to have a roadmap for managing your health that works for you and your needs. And, not just “see the doctor once a year,” but a real plan—developed with your PCP—that includes medication schedules, nutrition, diet and exercise goals and what to do if symptoms change. A personalized plan provides structure, especially for managing chronic conditions, and shifts your care from reactive to proactive.

How Signify Health Can Help Simplify Your Care

Navigating health care gets easier when you have the right support. Signify Health can help make these steps easier through In-Home Health Evaluations (IHEs). IHEs are available to eligible health plan members at no additional cost to them. Experienced Signify Health clinicians – nurse practitioners, physicians and physician assistants – can visit you, in your home, at a time that is convenient for you.

These visits start with a simple conversation about your health. The clinician spends up to an hour with you checking your vital signs, screening for chronic conditions, answering your questions and reviewing your medications to ensure you understand how to take them correctly.

After your IHE, Signify Health shares a post-visit summary with you, your health plan and your PCP, which can be a helpful resource when discussing your care plan. Additional resources and support may also be provided if needed to help you on your health journey like helping you find a PCP if you don’t have one or scheduling a follow-up appointment.

Managing your health does not have to be overwhelming. By developing a good relationship with your PCP, monitoring your health numbers and developing a care plan, you can simplify your health care as you age.

If you or your loved one is ready to take the next step toward easier health care, consider scheduling an In-Home Health Evaluation. Visit HelloSignify.com or call 1-855-984-6121 to see if you are eligible and schedule your in-home visit. It’s a simple, convenient and a no-charge way to get on track for a healthier future.