Over 65's Health
Proactive, specialist healthcare designed to support independence and wellbeing for seniors, delivered by our expert GP team in Hamilton East
Hamilton East Medical Centre is committed to supporting our older patients to live active, independent, and healthy lives. As health needs change with age, our focus shifts toward proactive screening, chronic condition management, and preventative care tailored to the over-65 community.
Our GPs and nurses provide a supportive environment to discuss everything from mobility and heart health to cognitive wellbeing and vaccinations.
Core Senior Health Services at Hamilton East Medical Centre
Senior health checks - Comprehensive annual "WOF" assessments.
Chronic disease management - Specialist care for heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis.
Drivers’ Medicals (DL9) - Official medical assessments for driver’s licence renewals.
Preventative vaccinations - Shingles, Influenza, and Boostrix (Tetanus/Whooping Cough).
Medication reviews - Ensuring your prescriptions are optimised and safe.
Dementia and Cognitive Health
Dementia is an umbrella term for conditions that affect memory, thinking, and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily life. The most common form is Alzheimer’s Disease. Early diagnosis is essential for accessing support and planning for the future.
How Hamilton East Medical Centre Supports Over 65s Cognitive Health
Our GPs provide a safe and supportive environment to discuss changes in memory or cognitive function.
Memory assessments: We perform gentle, thorough clinical screenings to differentiate between normal age-related changes and cognitive decline.
Whānau support: We help patients and their families navigate the various support services and specialist pathways available across the Waikato.
Specialist referrals: When required, we coordinate referrals to geriatricians or neurologists for advanced diagnostic care.
Common Questions about Dementia
I’m feeling more forgetful lately - what should I do?
Book a memory assessment with your GP at Hamilton East Medical Centre. Forgetfulness can be caused by many factors, including vitamin deficiencies, stress, or medication side effects. Call 07 839 1232 to book a private discussion.
Is dementia a normal part of getting older?
No. While age is the biggest risk factor, dementia is not a normal part of aging. It is caused by physical changes and damage to brain cells.
How do doctors test for dementia in New Zealand?
Your Hamilton East Medical Centre GP will perform a cognitive assessment, which usually involves a series of questions and tasks to check memory and reasoning. We also run blood tests to rule out other treatable causes (like B12 deficiency or thyroid issues) and may refer you to a specialist or for brain imaging if required.
Where can I find more information on senior cognitive health?
Visit the Alzheimers New Zealand website. To discuss any cognitive health-related concerns, book an appointment with one of our friendly GP's at Hamilton East Medical Centre.
Heart Health
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is a leading cause of poor health in New Zealand. This includes Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD), where blood vessels supplying the heart muscle become narrowed, potentially leading to heart attacks.
How Hamilton East Medical Centre Supports Over 65s Heart Health
At Hamilton East Medical Centre, we provide comprehensive monitoring to assess your cardiovascular risk - the likelihood of having a heart attack or stroke in the next five years.
Risk assessments: We use the "Know Your Numbers" approach, tracking blood pressure and cholesterol to calculate your specific risk score.
Management plans: We provide ongoing clinical support for patients diagnosed with IHD or cerebrovascular disease.
Lifestyle Guidance: Our GPs offer practical, evidence-based advice on reducing risk factors through diet, exercise, and optimised medication.
Common Questions about Heart Health
How do I calculate my heart attack risk?
You can book a cardiovascular risk assessment at Hamilton East Medical Centre by calling 07 839 1232. We use your clinical data, age, and medical history to provide an accurate risk score and a proactive plan to manage it.
What is Ischaemic Heart Disease (IHD)?
IHD occurs when the arteries that provide blood to the heart muscle become clogged with fatty deposits. Regular screening at Hamilton East Medical Centre helps identify this early, allowing for intervention before a major cardiac event occurs.
What factors increase my cardiovascular risk?
Risk is determined by a combination of factors including age, smoking status, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and family history. Chronic conditions like diabetes also significantly increase your risk. A check-up at Hamilton East Medical Centre allows us to modify the factors within your control.
Where can I find more information about heart health?
Visit the Know Your Numbers website. To discuss any heart-related concerns, book an appointment with one of our friendly GP's at Hamilton East Medical Centre.
Osteoporosis and Bone Health
Osteoporosis reduces the density and strength of bones, making them more brittle and increasing the risk of fractures. It affects more than half of women and nearly a third of men over 60 in New Zealand.
How Hamilton East Medical Centre Supports Your Bone Health
Early intervention and proactive management can strengthen bones and significantly reduce the risk of debilitating fractures.
Bone density reviews: We identify patients at higher risk of skeletal weakness based on medical history and physical assessments.
Treatment pathways: We provide access to medical treatments and lifestyle advice specifically designed to improve bone quality and density.
Fall prevention: Our team offers guidance on balance and strength to help you stay active and safe in your own home.
Common Questions about Osteoporosis
Can osteoporosis be treated?
Yes. There are several effective treatments available in New Zealand that help strengthen bones. Speak to your Hamilton East Medical Centre GP about a bone health assessment to determine which management plan is right for you.
Why are hip fractures so concerning for seniors?
Fractures resulting from osteoporosis, particularly in the hip or spine, can lead to a permanent loss of mobility and independence. Proactive management at Hamilton East Medical Centre aims to prevent these injuries before they occur.
What are the early warning signs of thinning bones?
Osteoporosis is often "silent" until a bone breaks. However, early signs can include a loss of height over time, a change in posture (stooping), or unexplained back pain. If you’ve noticed these changes, contact Hamilton East Medical Centre for a bone density review.
Where can I find more information about osteoporosis?
Visit the Osteoporosis New Zealand website. To discuss any bone health-related concerns, book an appointment with one of our friendly GP's at Hamilton East Medical Centre.
Shingles
Shingles (Herpes Zoster) is a painful, blistering rash caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus. In older adults, it can lead to long-term nerve pain (post-herpetic neuralgia).
How Hamilton East Medical Centre Supports Shingles Prevention
We act as the primary provider for preventative vaccinations for seniors in Hamilton East, focusing on long-term immunity.
Vaccination coordination: We provide the Shingles vaccine to prevent the disease and its complications in adults aged 50 and over.
Funded eligibility: We facilitate access to funded vaccines for eligible age groups as part of the National Immunisation Schedule.
Acute management: If you develop a painful or unusual rash, our GPs provide urgent antiviral treatment to reduce the severity of the infection.
Common Questions about Shingles
Is the Shingles vaccine free in New Zealand?
The Shingles vaccine is currently funded for people at age 65. If you are in this age group, contact Hamilton East Medical Centre on 07 839 1232 to book your funded vaccination.
Can I get Shingles more than once?
Yes, it is possible to have multiple episodes of Shingles. Even if you have had it before, vaccination is often still recommended to prevent future outbreaks.
What is the '72-hour rule' for treating a Shingles outbreak?
Antiviral medications are most effective when started within 72 hours of the rash appearing. If you notice a painful, tingling, or blistering rash on one side of your body, call Hamilton East Medical Centre on 07 839 1232 immediately for an urgent appointment.
Can I catch Shingles from someone else who has the rash?
You cannot catch Shingles from someone else, but you can catch Chickenpox from them if you haven't had it before. Shingles is caused by your own dormant Chickenpox virus waking up.
Where can I find more information about Shingles?
Visit the Health New Zealand website. To discuss any shingles-related concerns, book an appointment with one of our friendly GP's at Hamilton East Medical Centre.
Senior Health Appointments in Hamilton
To book a senior health appointment at Hamilton East Medical Centre - including dementia, heart, osteoporosis, and shingles care - contact us on 07 839 1232, Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 5.00pm.
Common Questions about Senior Health
Is it free to see a doctor if I am over 65 in Hamilton?
While GP visits for those over 65 are not universally free like they are for children, they are heavily subsidised. At Hamilton East Medical Centre, enrolled patients aged 65 and over pay a reduced fee. If you have a Community Services Card (CSC) or a High Use Health Card, your consultation fee will be even lower. Call us on 07 839 1232 to confirm the current rates for your specific circumstances.
What should I do if I’m sick after hours?
For urgent concerns outside 8.00am–5.00pm, contact your local urgent clinic. For non-urgent advice, call Healthline on 0800 611 116. In a life-threatening emergency, dial 111. During clinic hours, call Hamilton East Medical Centre on 07 839 1232 for a priority appointment.
Do I need a special appointment for my Driver’s Licence medical?
Yes. Driver’s Licence renewals (DL9 medicals) for those aged 75 and over require a specific assessment of your vision, hearing, and general fitness to drive. These appointments often take longer than a standard consultation, so please mention you are booking a Drivers Medical when you call 07 839 1232. Remember to bring your current licence and any glasses or hearing aids you use for driving.
How do I check if I am eligible for the free Shingles vaccine?
In New Zealand, two doses of the Shingrix vaccine are currently funded (free) specifically for adults at age 65. If you have recently turned 65, you can call our nursing team at Hamilton East Medical Centre on 07 839 1232 to check your eligibility and book your doses. If you are older than 65 or have specific immune conditions, our team can advise if you are eligible for funding under the latest health guidelines.
16 Beale Street, Hamilton East, Hamilton 3210
PO Box 4096, Hamilton 3247
Phone: 07 839 1232
Email: hemc@hemc.co.nz
Opening hours:
Mon to Fri, 8.00am - 5.00pm
16 Beale Street, Hamilton East, Hamilton 3210
PO Box 4096, Hamilton 3247
EDI : hamestmc
Phone: 07 839 1232
Email: hemc@hemc.co.nz
Opening hours
Mon to Fri, 8.00am - 5.00pm
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