Living well,
at every age.
Health assessments, medicine reviews, memory and mobility, vaccines and support to stay independent, with a GP who knows your history. Bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card.
Good to know before you book.
A yearly health assessment
Medicare funds an annual health assessment from 75, or from 55 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
It is a longer appointment to look at your whole health and plan ahead.
Book a health assessment (opens HotDoc in a new tab)Bring your medicines
Bring all your medicines, including vitamins and creams, so we can check they still suit you.
A pharmacist home medicines review can be arranged through your GP.
Read about medicine reviewsBring someone along
You are welcome to bring a family member or carer to your appointment.
Tell reception if you would like us to speak with them on your behalf.
Call (02) 6543 8424Free vaccines for older adults
Flu, shingles and pneumococcal vaccines are free for eligible older adults.
Your GP or nurse can check what you are due for.
See vaccines by age
Find the care that fits.
Choose a topic to see what is involved, the questions people ask most, and how to book.
A full check, once a year.
The 75 and over health assessment, or from 55 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, is a longer, Medicare-funded appointment. It looks at your physical health, mood, memory, eyesight and hearing, medicines, mobility, home safety and the support you have.
It is a chance to plan ahead and pick up problems early, while there is more that can be done.
- Book a health assessment
- Talk it through with your GP
- Tests, treatment or referral if needed
- Follow-up and review
How often can I have one?
Once every 12 months if you are eligible.
Is it bulk billed?
Yes, for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card.
Fewer medicines, working better.
As we get older, the way our bodies handle medicines changes, and it is easy to end up on several medicines from different doctors. A regular review checks that each medicine is still needed, the dose is right, and nothing interacts.
Your GP can also arrange a home medicines review, where an accredited pharmacist visits you at home to go through your medicines.
- Book a medicine review
- Talk it through with your GP
- Tests, treatment or referral if needed
- Follow-up and review
Should I stop a medicine that makes me feel unwell?
Talk to your GP first. Some medicines should not be stopped suddenly.
What is a home medicines review?
A pharmacist visits you at home to review your medicines, then reports to your GP. Ask your GP whether you are eligible.
Noticing changes in memory?
Occasional forgetfulness is common, but changes that affect daily life, such as getting lost in familiar places, repeating questions or difficulty managing money or medicines, are worth checking. Some causes, such as low thyroid, low vitamin B12, medicine side effects, depression or infection, can be treated.
Your GP can do an initial assessment, arrange tests and refer to memory services and support when needed.
- Book a memory check
- Talk it through with your GP
- Tests, treatment or referral if needed
- Follow-up and review
Should I come with a family member?
It often helps. Someone who knows you well can describe changes you may not notice.
Where can families get support?
The National Dementia Helpline is on 1800 100 500.
Staying steady and independent.
Falls are a common reason older Australians lose independence. Your GP can look at the causes, such as medicines, eyesight, blood pressure, balance and strength, and arrange physiotherapy, an occupational therapy home assessment, or other support.
Tell your GP about any fall, even if you were not hurt.
- Book a falls check
- Talk it through with your GP
- Tests, treatment or referral if needed
- Follow-up and review
What can reduce my risk of falling?
Regular strength and balance exercise, a medicine review, eye checks, good footwear and removing trip hazards at home all help.
Can I get help at home?
Your GP can help you connect with My Aged Care for an assessment for home support.
Planning for the future.
If you need help at home, My Aged Care is the starting point for government-funded aged care services. Your GP can help with referrals and the health information needed for assessments.
Advance care planning means thinking about the care you would want if you could not speak for yourself, and writing it down. Your GP can talk this through with you and your family.
- Book a planning appointment
- Talk it through with your GP
- Tests, treatment or referral if needed
- Follow-up and review
How do I contact My Aged Care?
Call 1800 200 422 or visit the My Aged Care website.
What is advance care planning?
Thinking about and recording your wishes for future health care, and choosing someone to speak for you if needed.
The numbers worth knowing.
Key facts about screening and care, at a glance.
75years
Yearly health assessment from
From 55 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
65years
Free flu and shingles vaccines from
For eligible people.
70years
Free pneumococcal vaccine from
For eligible people.
Checks and vaccines by age.
Programs that generally apply to older adults. Move the slider to see what is relevant around each age.
75years
General information about Australian programs, not a personal plan. Talk it through with your GP.
- Bowel screeningA free home test kit every 2 years up to age 74.
- Flu vaccine every yearFree for people aged 65 and over.
- Shingles vaccineFree for eligible people aged 65 and over.
- Pneumococcal vaccineFree for people aged 70 and over.
- Bone densityMedicare covers bone density scans from 70.
- 75 and over health assessmentA Medicare-funded check every 12 months from 75 (from 55 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).
Everyone involved, around you.
Your care can involve more than one person. Choose a part of your care team to see how it fits together.
Your care team
Pharmacist
A home medicines review can be arranged through your GP.
Repeat prescriptionsYour care team
Allied health
Physiotherapists, occupational therapists and others, by referral.
Allied healthYour care team
My Aged Care
Support at home. Call 1800 200 422.
GPs with an interest in older adults.
These GPs list care of older adults among their interests. All are bulk billing GPs for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card.
Care of older adults and geriatric medicine, nutrition and general adult medicine, with research experience in cognition and Alzheimer's disease.
Book with this GP (opens HotDoc in a new tab)Geriatric medicine and healthy ageing, chronic disease, and asthma and COPD.
Book with this GP (opens HotDoc in a new tab)Female GP Registrar. Care of older adults and chronic disease management.
Book with this GP (opens HotDoc in a new tab)Chronic disease care and preventive health.
Book with this GP (opens HotDoc in a new tab)
Make the most of your appointment.
A little preparation gives you and your GP more time for what matters to you.
What to bring
Your ticks are saved on this device only.
What your care will cost.
GP consultations, including 75 and over health assessments, are bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card. Vaccines on the National Immunisation Program are free for eligible older adults.
Bulk billed
GP consultations
GP consultations and health assessments, for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card.
Bulk billed
Free vaccines
Flu from 65, shingles from 65 and pneumococcal from 70, for eligible people.
Set by the provider
Other providers
Pathology, imaging, allied health and specialists set their own fees. Medicare rebates may apply.
If things change between visits.
- Getting worse?(02) 6543 8424Call reception and tell them things have changed, so you can be seen at the right time.
- When we are closed1800 022 222healthdirect, for health advice any time of day or night. My Aged Care is on 1800 200 422.
- In an emergency000Chest pain, sudden breathlessness, or signs of stroke: face drooping, arm weakness or speech difficulty. The nearest emergency departments are at Muswellbrook and Scone hospitals.
Signs that need urgent help
- Chest pain, sudden breathlessness, or signs of stroke: face drooping, arm weakness or speech difficulty
- Sudden confusion or a sudden change in behaviour
- A fall with a head injury, especially if you take blood thinners, or a fall where you cannot get up
- Severe pain, or a new inability to walk or stand
Older adults questions, answered.
If yours is not here, call (02) 6543 8424 and reception will help.
What is the 75 and over health assessment?
A yearly, Medicare-funded longer appointment for people aged 75 and over, or 55 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, covering your whole health.
Is it bulk billed?
Yes. GP consultations and health assessments are bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card.
Can a family member come with me?
Yes. You are welcome to bring a family member or carer, and you can tell us if you would like us to speak with them on your behalf.
Which vaccines are free for older adults?
Flu from 65, shingles from 65 and pneumococcal from 70, for eligible people.
How do I get help at home?
Contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. Your GP can help with referrals and health information for the assessment.
Nothing matches that. Try a broader word, or call reception on (02) 6543 8424.
Related reading and services.
- Chronic condition careService
- Health assessmentsService
- ImmunisationService
- GP chronic condition plansHealth Journal article
- Our teamMeet the GPs
- All services37 services on Segenhoe Street
This page is general health information. It is not advice about your own situation and does not replace a consultation with your doctor. In an emergency, call 000.
Here for the years ahead.
Book online any hour, or call reception from 8:00am, Monday to Friday. Bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card.