Care for older adults in Brookfield
Health care often gets more involved after 65. There are more medicines, more doctors and more questions. Our internal medicine doctors help older adults and their families keep it all in one place.
- Medicare accepted
- Dr. Ghani and Dr. Gill
- Brookfield, IL
Maple Medical Center in Brookfield, IL, cares for older adults, including people with Medicare. Dr. Ghani and Dr. Gill help with Medicare wellness visits, medicines, falls, memory, vaccines and several conditions at once. Ask us to schedule your yearly Medicare wellness visit by calling (708) 485-4050.
Care that keeps up with you
Health needs often change after 65. You may see more doctors and take more medicines. One health problem can affect another.
Our doctors, Dr. Ghani and Dr. Gill, are internists. Internists are trained to care for adults of all ages, with many different health problems.
Many of our patients are seniors. Our aim is simple: one doctor who knows your whole story.
Your yearly Medicare wellness visit
Medicare Part B covers two kinds of prevention visits. Both are planning visits. Medicare says neither one is a full physical exam.
The “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit happens once, within your first 12 months of Part B. It reviews your health history and the screenings and vaccines you may need.
After that, Medicare covers a yearly “Wellness” visit once every 12 months. You and your doctor build or update a personal plan to help prevent illness.
When you call, ask us to schedule your yearly Medicare wellness visit. If you also have a new health worry, Medicare suggests a separate visit for it. That keeps the wellness visit focused on prevention.
The two Medicare visits, side by side
| Question | "Welcome to Medicare" visit | Yearly "Wellness" visit |
|---|---|---|
| When can I have it? | Within your first 12 months of Part B | After your first 12 months of Part B, and at least 12 months after a Welcome visit |
| How often? | One time only | Once every 12 months |
| What does Medicare say it includes? | Your health history, a simple vision test, body mass index, a depression check and a screening checklist | Height, weight and blood pressure, a prescription review, a memory check, health advice and a prevention plan |
| Is it a physical exam? | No. Medicare says it isn’t a full physical exam. | No. Medicare says it isn’t a routine physical exam. |
| What does it cost? | Medicare says you pay nothing for the visit if your doctor accepts assignment. Extra tests may cost you. | Medicare says you pay nothing for the visit if your doctor accepts assignment. Extra tests may cost you. |
What to bring to your wellness visit
Medicare suggests bringing your records, your family history and a full medicine list. The other items help too.
- Your Medicare card and any other insurance cards
- Medical records, including your vaccine records
- Your family health history
- Every medicine you take, including vitamins and supplements, with how often and why
- The names of your other doctors and specialists
- Your glasses and hearing aids, if you use them
- A short list of your questions
What we talk about with older adults
Your medicines
Your doctor goes over every pill, vitamin and supplement. The aim is to spot doubles, side effects and medicines you may no longer need.
Falls and balance
The CDC says falls are the leading cause of injury death in adults 65 and older. Tell your doctor about any fall, even a small one.
Memory and thinking
If memory changes worry you or your family, tell us. Medicare’s yearly wellness visit includes a check for signs of memory problems.
Hearing
Hearing often changes slowly. Our office lists a hearing test and ear cleaning among its services.
Learn more ›Vaccines
Some vaccines are recommended for most adults 65 and older. See the list below.
Learn more ›Planning ahead
Medicare’s prevention visits include an offer to talk about advance directives. These papers record your wishes for future care.
Vaccines to ask about after 65
The CDC adult vaccine schedule lists these for many people 65 and older. Your doctor will tell you which ones you need. Call us to ask which vaccines we carry.
- A flu shot every year
- Pneumococcal vaccine to help prevent pneumonia, recommended for adults 50 and older
- Shingles vaccine, two doses, for adults 50 and older
- RSV vaccine, one dose, for everyone 75 and older and for adults 50 to 74 at higher risk
- A tetanus booster (Td or Tdap) every 10 years
- COVID-19 vaccine: ask your doctor whether a current dose is right for you
Several conditions, one plan
Many older adults live with more than one long-term condition. Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and arthritis often appear together.
Each condition can affect the others, and so can the medicines that treat them. Your doctor looks at all of them together, not one at a time. Read more about managing long-term conditions.
Family members and caregivers can be a real help. A second person at a visit can take notes and ask questions. To let a family member call us about your care, ask our office what is needed.
If you go into the hospital
If you are admitted to a hospital, a hospital doctor, often called a hospitalist, may also care for you. Your Maple doctor and the hospital physician stay in touch.
After you go home, you come back to see your Maple doctor. Bring your discharge papers and any new medicines to that visit.
Dr. Ghani is affiliated with UChicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange. Ask us about other hospitals, or read our hospital care page.
Medicare and your plan
We accept many insurance plans, including Medicare, but not every plan. Call (708) 485-4050 and we’ll check yours before your visit.
Medicare Advantage plans differ from one another, and plans change every year. See our insurance page for more.
Questions we hear about senior care
Is the Medicare wellness visit the same as a physical?
No. Medicare says the yearly Wellness visit isn’t a routine physical exam. It focuses on your prevention plan, your medicines and a memory check. Medicare doesn’t cover routine physicals, though some Medicare Advantage plans may. Call us to check your plan.
Can an internist stay my doctor as I get older, or do I need a geriatrician?
An internist can stay your doctor. Internists are trained to care for adults of every age, including older adults, and many people keep the same internist for decades. A geriatrician has extra training for older adults with many complex problems, memory loss or frailty. If you think that would help, ask your Maple doctor.
When can I have my first yearly Wellness visit?
After you’ve had Part B for more than 12 months. It also can’t be within 12 months of a “Welcome to Medicare” visit. You don’t need the Welcome visit first to qualify.
Do I pay anything for the wellness visit?
Medicare says you pay nothing for the visit itself if your doctor accepts assignment. If other tests or care happen at the same visit, you may owe coinsurance or a deductible. Ask us before your visit if you’re unsure.
I take a lot of medicines. What should I do?
Put every medicine in a bag and bring it to your visit. Include vitamins, supplements, creams and eye drops. Your doctor can check for doubles and interactions. Please don’t stop a prescribed medicine on your own.
I fell but didn't get hurt. Should I mention it?
Yes. Tell your doctor about any fall, even one without an injury. A fall can point to a medicine side effect, a balance problem or another issue worth checking. The USPSTF says exercise programs can help prevent falls in older adults at higher risk.
Does Medicare cover my vaccines?
Medicare Part B covers some vaccines, such as flu and pneumococcal shots. Others, like shingles, are usually covered by Part D drug plans. Call us or your plan to check.
Related care
Vaccines
Vaccines protect you from illnesses that hit older adults hardest, like flu, pneumonia and shingles. Our doctors help you see which shots you are due for and where to get them.
Learn more ›Chronic condition care
Chronic diseases are health conditions that last a long time, like diabetes or high blood pressure. Our internal medicine doctors help adults and older adults keep them under control, year after year.
Learn more ›Preventive care & screenings
Preventive care helps find health problems early, often before you notice anything. Our doctors help adults and older adults know which screenings fit their age and history.
Learn more ›Primary care & internal medicine
Primary care is the doctor you see first for check-ups, new problems and long-term health. At Maple Medical Center, our internal medicine doctors care for adults and older adults.
Learn more ›Ready to see a doctor who knows you?
Call our Brookfield office and our team will find a time that works for you. We accept many insurance plans, including Medicare, but not every plan. We’ll check yours before your visit.
Important information
This page is general information, not medical advice. Medicare rules and vaccine advice can change, so check Medicare.gov or ask us for current details.
If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911.