Sarah Cappoiella listened intently, taking copious notes, as geriatrician Dr. Danish Saeed walked his audience, step by step, through the maze of medical tests, medications and health concerns common to those in their "precious metal" years: silver hair and gold teeth.

Saeed, speaking to a full house at one of Blue Mountain Health System's Community Education lecture series, found his audience often surprised at the latest medical advice geared to helping older folks continue to live healthy, active and independent lives.Cappoiella, of Palmerton, said she didn't expect to learn that the combined HDL and LDL cholesterols should be under 200.By the time a person reaches his or her 60s, certain medical conditions are "prevalent in our age group, like hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, COPD. We can prevent further damage by keeping those medical conditions under control," Saeed said.He discussed a variety of preventive measures, including screenings, counseling, immunizations, and the use of substances to prevent disease, such as the use of low-dose aspirin to help reduce the chances of developing colon cancer.The talk, given at BMHS's Palmerton campus, focused on prevention: Good health habits, appropriate testing, age-related safety precautions and, most importantly, teamwork between doctor and patient.Health screenings should include an annual blood pressure test, as blood pressure tends to increase with age. Treating high blood pressure can reduce the likelihood of stroke and heart attack.Women should have mammograms, but opinions differ as to what age they should decrease or stop. Medicare covers annual screening mammograms.Colorectal screenings are also important. Saeed said experts recommend a colonoscopy every 10 years. Tests for skin, prostate or cervical cancer should also be done, as 40 percent of cervical cancer cases occur in women over age 65.It is not recommended that people over age 65 be routinely tested for pancreatic, ovarian, bladder, lung, or blood cancers, unless there is some indication the patient might have the disease.Doctors should counsel their older patients on nutrition, dental care, safety, smoking cessation, and exercise, Saeed said. Flexibility, stamina, mobility, balance and circulation can be improved through regular, gentle exercise such as walking, light weightlifting, dance and stretching.Older people should also keep track of their weight. Gaining too much isn't healthy, but losing more than 10 pounds over a six-month period can indicate malnutrition.All adults over 65 should also be checked for alcoholism if their doctors suspect they may have a problem. According to the American Geriatrics Society, about half of the population that is over age 65 drinks alcohol; up to 15 percent may be experiencing health risks from either the amount of alcohol they consume alone or the combination of alcohol use with medications and chronic diseases; 2-4 percent may have abuse or dependence (alcoholism).Saeed uses a method called "C.A.G.E." The acronym stands for these four questions that may indicate a drinking problem: Have you ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking? Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking? Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about your drinking? And, have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover (Eye-opener)?Doctors should also screen their older patients for hearing and vision loss. Saeed recommends keeping water heater temperatures set to between 100-120 degrees because many older people lose the ability to accurately sense heat and may be burned before they realize the water is too hot.Screenings for depression, dementia and thyroid disease are also important, Saeed said.Audience members asked questions about supplements such as fish oil and vitamin D. Saeed, while noting that while the benefits of many supplements have not been documented, fish oil and vitamin D are among those shown to improve health.