Fall brings packed calendars, shorter days, school activities, and the beginning of holiday planning. As routines change and schedules become busier, the basic care needed to stay healthy can be easy to postpone.

From preventive visits to medication refills, it can be difficult to stay proactive about your health when everything else is competing for time.

A seasonal health plan does not need to be complicated. It can begin with scheduling one appointment, reviewing your medications, or talking with your healthcare professional about a concern you have been putting off. Taking a few practical steps now can help you stay on top of your health and prepare for the months ahead.

“Fall is a good time to catch up on the care that gets pushed aside when life is busy,” said Robert A. Pascasio, MS, LFACHE, CEO of Concho County Hospital District. “A checkup, a medication question, or a new symptom can be a simple place to start. Our goal is to make it easy for people to begin with Concho Medical Clinic and stay connected to the local services they need.”

Put routine care on the calendar

If you have delayed a routine checkup, chronic-care follow-up, medication review, Medicare Annual Wellness Visit, or recommended screening, consider scheduling it before the end-of-year rush begins.

“Putting off healthcare needs where symptoms seem manageable risks worsening conditions, which means patients often end up in the ER when they don’t need to. We want to avoid patients getting to a place where they need emergency care, which can be more expensive and worse for the well-being of the patient,” said Michelle Briley, RN, Concho County Hospital chief nursing officer and emergency department director. “We make it as easy and simple as possible to get these needs addressed as a critical rural healthcare site.”

Concho Medical Clinic provides primary care for patients of all ages, including preventive visits, same-day care for illness, chronic-condition management, medication support, Medicare Annual Wellness Visits, and vaccinations such as flu shots. Routine visits give you an opportunity to:

• Discuss changes in your health
• Review medications and request needed refills
• Manage diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, and other ongoing conditions
• Ask about appropriate screenings and recommended vaccinations
• Talk through new symptoms or questions before they become bigger concerns
• Build an ongoing relationship with your healthcare team

Primary care is not only for when you are sick. Regular visits can help identify potential concerns earlier, keep chronic conditions under better control, and give you a clearer plan for maintaining your health.

Prepare before respiratory illness season peaks

Flu, COVID-19, RSV, common colds, and other respiratory illnesses often circulate during the fall and winter. Physician groups and clinical experts recommend several layers of prevention, including staying current on immunizations, practicing good hand hygiene, taking steps for cleaner indoor air when practical, and staying home and away from others when you are sick.

Recommendations for seasonal immunizations may differ based on age, pregnancy, health history, and other factors. Talk with your healthcare professional about what is appropriate for you.

It also helps to prepare before someone in your household becomes ill. Check basic supplies, refill routine medications, keep an updated medication list, and save Concho Medical Clinic’s phone number: 325-869-9250.

Pay attention when symptoms change

Cough, fever, fatigue, congestion, body aches, and sore throat can occur with several respiratory illnesses. Symptoms alone do not always reveal what is causing the illness, so pay attention to how you feel and whether your symptoms are improving, staying the same, or getting worse.

Contact Concho Medical Clinic if symptoms concern you, are not improving as expected, or are making it harder to manage an existing health condition. People who are at greater risk of complications should contact a healthcare professional early because some treatments work best when started promptly.

Concho Medical Clinic offers on-site flu testing when appropriate. If a healthcare professional determines that additional testing or imaging is needed, Concho County Hospital provides clinical laboratory services plus digital X-ray and CT imaging in Eden. These local services can support evaluation, diagnosis, and follow-up for many common health needs.

Keep chronic conditions steady during busy weeks

Holiday travel, family gatherings, changing meals, and disrupted routines can make chronic conditions more difficult to manage. Before the busiest weeks arrive:

• Check that you have enough medication
• Schedule needed follow-up visits
• Complete ordered laboratory work
• Continue monitoring blood pressure, blood sugar, or other health measurements as directed
• Know when and how to contact your healthcare professional
• Carry an updated medication list when traveling

If your usual symptoms or health measurements change, do not wait until after the holidays to reach out. Your healthcare professional can help you determine whether your care plan needs to be adjusted. For patients within the City of Eden who have difficulty getting to the clinic, scheduled home visits may also be available when clinically appropriate and based on clinician availability.

Prepare for holiday travel

A few simple steps can make holiday travel less stressful. Refill medications before leaving, pack an updated medication list, bring necessary health supplies, and address concerns before you get on the road.

During long drives, take breaks to move when it is safe to do so, stay hydrated, and take medications as directed. If you are sick before a gathering, staying home can help protect older adults, infants, pregnant family members, and loved ones with chronic conditions.

Know what should not wait

Concho Medical Clinic can help with many preventive, routine, and minor illness needs, but serious or life-threatening symptoms require immediate attention.

Call 911 or seek emergency care for symptoms such as severe difficulty breathing, persistent chest pain or pressure, confusion, seizures, significant dehydration, severe weakness, or any sudden symptom that is deeply concerning.

The Emergency Department at Concho County Hospital is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As a Level IV Trauma Center, the hospital can provide prompt evaluation and stabilization and coordinate transfer when a higher level of trauma or specialty care is needed.

Take one practical step today

The season ahead will be busy, but your health does not have to become an afterthought. Schedule the appointment you’ve put off, review your medications, prepare for common illnesses, and contact your healthcare professional when something changes.

To schedule care at Concho Medical Clinic, call 325-869-9250.