Keep your health appointments

New research has revealed the increasing cost of living is causing important health checks, such as hearing and eye tests, to be put off.

The trend is causing a greater risk of developing conditions that could be silently progressing, resulting in a greater impact on health in the long run.

A survey, carried out by YouGov and commissioned by SpecSavers, revealed Australians were already adjusting spending to make ends meet by doing less socialising (58 per cent), putting off holidays (55 per cent) and spending less on groceries (53 per cent).

Health is also under threat, with more than half (52 per cent) of Australian parents aged 18-50 forgoing health appointments, including healthcare costs and health services.

Older Australians (aged 65 and older) who are already more vulnerable to health issues are making cuts to everyday expenses by choosing to socialise less (71 per cent) and spending less on groceries (54 per cent), but also by compromising on their health with almost half (46 per cent) forgoing health appointments

While both families and older Australians are making the basic lifestyle adjustments such as reducing spending on socialising, food and holidays, healthcare professionals are concerned that health appointments are being put on the backburner.

“We can’t stress enough how important it is to maintain your regular health appointments, including your hearing and your eye checks,” Specsavers Waurn Ponds optometrist David Truong said.

“We understand that parents, families, and older Australians have shifted their priorities to combat the cost of living – but your health is something that you can’t put a price on.

“Getting your eyes tested regularly is critical because many eye conditions, like glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, are characterised by a lack of symptoms, and if left untreated, can lead to severe complications, even loss of vision.

“Similarly, we encourage anyone who is experiencing changes in their hearing to speak to one of our Audiology Professionals. Hearing loss can deteriorate over time, and if left untreated can lead to lowered mental stimulation and isolation from friends and family. Some studies have also found that hearing loss can lead to an increased risk of dementia.

“When it comes to both eyes and ears, simply waiting for the problem to go away may be extremely detrimental to your overall health.”

The emerging trend is mirrored by data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics that showed Australia is experiencing its largest annual increase in living costs in more than two decades and, a recent Roy Morgan study that found 33 per cent of Australians were either cancelling or deferring medical appointments due to their expenses.