Primary preventive measures for older women must be accomplished early in life to make an impact later in life. Prevention for the older person includes maintaining quality of life, preserving function, preventing collapse of family support systems, and maintaining independence in the community.

Primary preventive measures are optimally accomplished early in life to make an impact later in life.

Goals of preventive care for the older woman

1. The percentage of US adults older than age 65 years is growing rapidly and expected to almost double between 1995 and 2030 (12.8 to 20 percent).

2. Life expectancy for women is longer than that of men, at all ages older than age 65 years. By age 85, only 45 men will be alive for every 100 women. This significantly changes the social environment in which older women live. Understanding the specific needs and circumstances of an individual woman helps to guide preventive health decisions.

3. The annual physical examination encompasses screening and preventive counselling. Both primary preventive measures (i.e., interventions targeted at preventing specific conditions in asymptomatic persons) and secondary preventive measures (i.e., screening for early detection and treatment of modifiable risk factors or preclinical disease) are described.