Reviewed by Dr Zoe Wyrko
You might have heard the old expression: ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’. And when it comes to ageing parents, that couldn’t be more true.
As our parents get older, ensuring they attend basic, preventative health checks can make a big difference. It helps spot potential issues early, when they’re often easier to treat or manage, and can even help prevent more serious problems down the line.
Whether it’s vision, vaccinations or vital signs, here are the key health checks worth helping your parent stay on top of – or arranging on their behalf if you’re supporting their care.
(And if you’re supporting an older relative, don’t forget to stay on top of your own health checks too!)
NHS health check
If your parent or elder relative is still under 74 and doesn’t have any pre-existing health issues, their GP – or in some areas local council – should invite them in for an NHS health check every five years.
This is a free 20–30 minute assessment for healthy adults aged 40–74 to check for risks of common health concerns, such as heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
If you think your relative may have missed an invitation, you or they can contact their GP surgery to arrange it.
After 75, GPs should offer annual reviews. These reviews focus on general wellbeing and preventive care, including identifying any risks to their independence, such as falls or social isolation, and helping connect them with local support services.
Hearing tests
Many older people don’t want to admit they have trouble hearing, but 71% of people in the UK aged 70 years and older have hearing loss. Instead of getting it checked, many adapt by turning up the TV volume, avoiding social occasions and asking others to repeat themselves.
If you suspect your parent or relative does have hearing loss, it’s important they get it properly diagnosed and addressed as early as possible. Unmanaged hearing loss can have serious implications for their health and wellbeing, and has been linked with increased risk of dementia.
Many high street audiologists offer free hearing checks, including Boots and Specsavers. Some also offer home visits.
Eye health checks
Regardless of age, the NHS recommends sight checks every two years – even if you don’t wear glasses. In over 70s, a sight test is recommended annually.
As well as picking up on the early signs of glaucoma and other potential health issues, regular eye checks help ensure they have the right glasses prescription and maintain good vision – important for mobility, independence, and quality of life. Poor vision can put older people at risk of falls, driving accidents and making mistakes with medications.
People aged 60 and over are eligible for free NHS eye tests every two years, which they can get at most opticians. NHS Online offers a handy optician finder to make it simple.
If your parent is physically or mentally unable to get to the opticians, Specsavers has a helpful Home Visits service.
Dental checks
It’s not uncommon for older people to neglect their dental health for various reasons.
It’s really important your parent sees a dentist at least annually, and more often if there are known issues.
Skipping dental check-ups doesn’t just risk tooth loss – poor dental health can affect their overall health, nutrition, and emotional well-being.
Foot care
Regular toenail and foot care with a qualified chiropodist or podiatrist is very beneficial for older people, as maintaining good foot health can help minimise mobility problems and reduce the risk of falls.
NHS Online offers a list of chiropodists and podiatrists by area. You may have to pay for care unless your parent has a specific condition that requires management, such as diabetes, in which case contact their GP first, as they may be eligible for NHS-funded footcare.
Diabetes: If your parent or elder relative is living with diabetes, regular foot checks are absolutely essential. Their NHS GP or diabetes clinic should be in touch to arrange these, usually annually. It’s really important to attend these checks, as they help identify early signs of complications that could lead to serious foot problems.
Find out more about diabetes foot checks.
Vaccinations
The NHS recommends several vaccines for older people to protect against illnesses that pose a greater risk with age.
Commonly recommended vaccines include:
- Flu vaccine (annual)
- Pneumococcal vaccine
- Shingles vaccine
- RSV vaccine
- COVID-19 vaccine (seasonal or booster)
Which ones they need and when will vary depending on their age, health conditions and vaccination history.
You can find a full list of recommended vaccinations by age on NHS Online.
In most cases, your parents’ NHS GP will be in touch to organise scheduled vaccinations, though they may be administered at a local pharmacy or vaccine clinic instead of the GP surgery.
If they’re unsure whether they’re up to date on their vaccines, they can check their NHS App or request a copy of their vaccination record from their GP practice.
Screening programmes
The NHS offers several free screening programmes for older people aimed at early detection of serious conditions, before symptoms appear.
A summary of these are below, and you can learn more about NHS screening here.
Women aged between 50 and 71 will automatically be invited for breast screening every three years to check for signs of breast cancer. The appointment takes around 30 minutes and involves a simple breast x-ray (mammogram).
Women over 71 are still eligible for screening but will not be invited automatically. They can self-refer by contacting their local NHS breast screening unit.
People aged 50 to 74 who are registered with an NHS GP should be automatically sent a
bowel cancer screening kit every two years.
Screeninginvolves using the test kit to collect a small stool sample at home and returning it by post for laboratory analysis.
People aged 75 and over can still take part in bowel cancer screening every two years, but they won’t receive the test automatically. To request a kit, call the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening helpline on 0800 707 6060.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
AAA screening is offered once to men aged 65 to check for a bulge or swelling in the aorta (the main blood vessel between your heart and tummy), which can be life-threatening if it bursts. The test is a quick, painless ultrasound.
Men over 65 who have not previously been screened can self-refer by contacting their local AAA screening service. This screening is not routinely offered to women, unless there’s a family history or other risk factors.
Blood pressure checks
For most older adults, an annual blood pressure check is recommended – more often if they have high or low readings, or are on certain medications.
High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, while low blood pressure can cause dizziness and falls, so it’s important that any issues are identified early and managed appropriately.
However, in very old age (typically over 80 or 85), treatment with blood pressure medication should be carefully considered, as over-treatment can sometimes cause more harm than good. Any concerns should be discussed with their GP.
Free blood pressure checks are available at many pharmacies in England for people aged over 40. You can also buy a home monitor from a pharmacy or online.
Find out more about NHS blood pressure checks
Medication reviews
While not a ‘health check’ in the traditional sense, medication reviews are an important part of keeping older people safe and well, especially if they’re taking multiple medicines (known as polypharmacy).
As we age, our bodies process medications differently, and side effects – like dizziness, confusion, or falls – can become more common.
For most older adults, a medication review is recommended at least once a year, or more often if there are concerns. This can be arranged through their GP practice.
A review checks:
- Whether all current medications are still needed
- If the doses are still appropriate
- Side effects or interactions between medicines that may be causing problems
These reviews are free on the NHS and can often be done over the phone or in person.
Learn more about NHS medication reviews
In summary
Proactively supporting your ageing parents to stay on top of basic preventative health checks can make a huge difference to their long-term health, independence, and quality of life – especially if they find it difficult to arrange or attend appointments, or are becoming more forgetful.
But even with the best intentions, it’s easy for things to slip – especially when you’re juggling work, caregiving, and everything else life throws at you.
If you remember nothing else, remember the mantra: ears, eyes, teeth, feet.
Extra tip: Keeping someone well starts with paying attention at home. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for any marked changes in their mood, memory or behaviour, particularly if they are walking more slowly, skipping meals or struggling to hear. If you spot any of these changes, try to get them checked out by a doctor sooner versus later so any problems can be looked at and treated early.
Common questions
- How often should older people have blood tests?
It depends on their health conditions and medications. People with long-term conditions like diabetes or taking certain medications may need blood tests every 6–12 months. Check with their GP.
- Is there screening for prostate cancer?
There’s no national screening programme in the UK, but men over 50 can request a PSA blood test after discussing the risks and benefits with their GP.
- How can I check what health checks or vaccines my parent has had?
If they use the NHS App, their vaccination history and some test results may be visible there. Otherwise, contact their GP surgery and ask for a copy of their medical summary (with their consent).
- Do you have to pay for these checks?
Most essential health checks for older adults – like blood pressure checks, NHS screening programmes, eye tests, and vaccines – are free on the NHS.
Dental care and foot care may carry a cost unless there’s a medical need, so check eligibility first with their GP, dentist, or on NHS Online.
- What if my parent isn’t registered with an NHS GP?
They’ll need to register with an NHS GP to access most NHS health checks and screening. It’s free to register, and you can help them do it online or by visiting a local GP surgery with proof of address.
- Can I pay to get everything checked in one go?
Many private providers offer comprehensive health assessments that bundle multiple checks into one appointment, often including blood tests, blood pressure, and general lifestyle assessments. However, eye, dental and hearing tests are usually not included as standard.
