The winter season can bring with it many health risks, particularly among the older ages, so it's vital to take measures to help fend off illness during the cold weather.
According to the Met Office, the UK has an average minimum temperature of 0.9C and experiences an average of 11.2 days of air frost each month, which can be taxing on the body.
Coughs, colds and flu are particularly rife at this time of the year, with those aged over 60 especially vulnerable as our immune systems weaken and don't function as well as we get older.
As such, it's important to take extra steps to fend off getting ill, even if you feel like you are fit and healthy. Health experts recommend that everyone aged over the age of 60 make the following four essential winter health checks to help prevent serious illness.
Get vaccinated
Many people will recover from common winter illnesses like the flu, Covid or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) without any lasting problems, but as we get older these infections can lead to more severe health complications so it is vital to keep up with vaccinations if you 're over 60.
Dr Paula Cowan MRCGP, North West medical director for primary care at NHS England, says: “Vaccinations are the single biggest public health intervention and are the greatest protection against many infectious illnesses – some of these are offered on an annual basis for diseases that circulate at certain times, like flu and Covid.
“While the national vaccination booking system has now closed, those over 65, amongst others, can also still get protected by visiting a Covid-19 walk-in vaccination site or finding a pharmacy offering the flu vaccine. Also, a newer vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus is now being offered to pregnant people and those aged 75-79.”
Do an NHS Health Check
This is a free check-up of your overall health and is often referred to as a 'midlife MOT'. It's available to those between 40 and 74 and can tell you if you're at higher risk of getting certain health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease or a stroke. If you're over 65 you'll also be told about symptoms of dementia to look out for.
The check is usually done by a nurse and takes about 20 to 30 minutes. It usually includes measuring your height, weight and waist, blood pressure and cholesterol.
If you're aged 40 to 74 and do not have a pre-existing health condition, you should be invited to an NHS Health Check by your GP or local council every five years.
Dental exam
As we get older we are more at risk of experiencing health issues in the mouth, such as receding gums, cavities, tooth decay and certain types of cancer, so it's important to get a regular check-up.
Dr Cowan says: “It's important to come forward because leaving problems untreated could make them more challenging to treat in the future, so if you're booked in with your dentist for a check, please do attend.
“NHS dental checks allow your dentist to see if you have any dental problems and help you keep your mouth healthy. These take place in intervals, usually between three months and two years.”
Cancer screenings
The NHS currently provides screening programs for cervical cancer, breast cancer and bowel cancer, so it's worth checking your post to make sure you haven't missed an invitation this winter.
The screenings can help to diagnose cancer, or the risk of cancer, earlier and thereby improve the likelihood of successful treatment.
You need to be registered with a GP and have an up-to-date address to be invited to a screening. Breast and cervical cancer screening eligibility is the same across the UK but eligibility for bowel cancer screening varies based on where you live.
Maxine Lenza, health information manager at Cancer Research UK, explains: “Bowel cancer screening is offered to people in Wales and Scotland every two years between the ages of 50 and 74. In England it's offered every two years to people between the ages of 54 and 74, but this is slowly being extended to people aged 50-54. In Northern Ireland it's offered every two years to people aged 60-74.”
“Breast cancer screening is offered to women (including some transgender women), some transgender men and some non-binary people aged 50-70 in the UK. Cervical screenings are offered to women, some transgender men and some non-binary people aged 25-64 in the UK.”