Adults age 65 and older are at high risk for diabetes. In fact, diabetes is very common in older adults. About three of every ten of this age group have diabetes. Sadly, many of these individuals have diabetes but don’t know it. That’s one reason why screening for diabetes is essential for adults ages 65 and older.

What’s another reason that screening is so important for older adults? About four of every ten adults 65 and older have pre-diabetes. Pre-diabetes is a condition in which a person’s blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not yet at the level of diabetes. Knowing you have pre-diabetes is important because there’s some good news about pre-diabetes. Research shows that people with pre-diabetes can greatly reduce their chances of developing diabetes by losing a small amount of weight and increasing their physical activity.

Finally, screening is important for adults ages 65 and older because diabetes has been called a “silent killer.” You can have diabetes or pre-diabetes without having any symptoms. Or, you might have symptoms but they are slight, and you don’t feel you a need to see a doctor or even mention them to a doctor. Getting screened for diabetes once a year, as Medicare allows for most adults 65 and older, can take away this problem.

What’s the bottom line? Millions of older adults have diabetes or pre-diabetes but don’t know it. That’s why if you are 65 or older, and covered by Medicare, you should ask your doctor or other health care provider if you should be screened for diabetes.