A male adult aged 55 may be susceptible to various health risks, ranging from physical, psychological and emotional conditions. According to Healthy People 2020 (2014), regular screening of colorectal cancer starting at age 50 is the best way of decreasing an individual’s risk of suffering from the disease. Healthy People 2020 also note that despite early screening of this condition being life-saving, only approximately 25% of adults aged 65 and above in the United States are aware about colorectal cancer screening and other preventive services. This preventive services plan outlines preventive measures a male adult can embrace starting with screening, counseling, immunization, and chemoprophylaxis.
Screening
The first screening will be done to identify mental health issues. According to Friedman et al. (2018), older adults are susceptible to mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, mood disorders, schizophrenia, and dementia. Some of these conditions can lead to substance abuse disorders because of the perception that use of drugs or alcohol drinking can alleviate some of the symptoms. Screening will also be conducted to establish health such health conditions as, blood pressure, cardiovascular risk, diabetes mellitus, colorectal cancer, HIV, lung cancer, prostate cancer, tuberculosis, and Hepatitis C. For best care, the screening should be done at least annually for the above conditions.
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Counseling
Counseling will especially be helpful to reduce the risk of acquiring mental health disorders and addressing health risks such as, opioid and alcohol misuse, and tobacco use ( Michigan Quality Improvement Consortium Guideline, 2019 ). Behavioral interventions to prevent alcohol and drug abuse will be provided, especially through reference to an accredited psychologist and counselor. A male adult of that age will also be counseled to engage in exercises or beneficial physical activities, and be keen on their diet to prevent the risk of cardiovascular conditions and high blood pressure. Embracing good hygiene practices can also help alleviate the risk of conditions like typhoid and tuberculosis. Counseling sessions can be organized monthly to check on the health progress of the individual as well as to provide more prevention strategies.
Immunization
Firstly, immunization will be given for zoster, which is a viral disease that manifests in the form of a painful skin rash with blisters in one area. A male adult of 55 will receive 2-dose series of the shingles vaccine 2-6 months apart regardless of whether he previously was vaccinated or not ( Michigan Quality Improvement Consortium Guideline, 2019 ). The male adult will also receive an annual influenza vaccine. Additionally, he will also be immunized for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Meningococcal, and Varicella ( Michigan Quality Improvement Consortium Guideline, 2019 ). These latter conditions can be immunized if risk factors are present.
Chemoprophylaxis
Firstly, it will be important for the identified male to boost his immune system to fight bacterial infections by using low doses of antibiotics. Some bacterial infections can affect the urinary tract or open wounds. Chemoprophylaxis does not immunize people, but it only helps to boost individuals’ immune systems. Chemoprophylaxis can also be used to help reduce the risk of acquiring flu, especially during the cold seasons. Flu sometimes can weaken an adult’s immune system and consequently trigger other critical conditions.
To conclude, although the aim of the preventive services plan is to help the 55-year-old male adult to reduce the risk of acquiring various health conditions, it is vital for the individual to seek medical help whenever he experiences a health problem. The preventive services plan is not a plan to be used by the individual without seeking medical advice. The effectiveness of the plan lies in the individual’s attendance of the screening and counseling sessions, as well as adhering to the health practitioner’s recommendations to the letter.
References
Friedman, M.B., Furst, L., & Lee, A. (2018). Geriatric mental health: Demographic and epidemiological data [PowerPoint slides]. The Geriatric Mental Health Alliance of New York. https://www.vibrant.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/2018DataBookFINALCorrected1.pdf
Health People 2020. (2014). Clinical preventive services. https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/leading-health-indicators/2020-lhi-topics/Clinical-Preventive-Services
Michigan Quality Improvement Consortium Guideline. (2019, March). Adult Preventive Services (Age ≥ 50) . http://www.mqic.org/pdf/mqic_adult_preventive_services_ages_50_to_65plus_cpg.pdf
