60s+ —maturity and experience
In your 60s, you have the maturity and experience to understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle. You could be approaching retirement and want to be sure you are healthy enough to enjoy the freedom this new change will bring you. No matter what your circumstances—eating well, getting 30 minutes of physical activity a day and making healthy lifestyle choices can help you enjoy your 60s and beyond.
Now that you've most likely gone through menopause, you've found some new challenges with your health as you age. Your joints may be starting to weaken and you're at increased risk for many diseases including heart, diabetes and urinary/gastrointestinal incontinence.
If you don’t have one already, it is important
to find a physician to partner with you on your path to health and
wellness. See your doctor regularly so he or she can
provide preventive screenings and immunizations, and coordinate your health
care needs. Make sure you get an annual health check-up and talk with your
doctor about any health issues or emotional concerns you may have.
Recommended
screenings
Staying healthy is a combination of caring for yourself and getting the right medical care decade by decade. Here's a guide to help you keep track of recommended routine screenings:
Health screenings in your 60s:
Annual eye exam
Annual flu vaccine
Annual screening for coronary disease
Annual wellness visit
Bone density test by age 65
Clinical breast exam every year
Pneumonia vaccine at age 65
Regular dental exams and cleaning
Shingles vaccine age 60, if you had chickenpox earlier in life
Additional screenings depending on your health status:
Annual skin check
Cholesterol screening
Colonoscopy every 10 years
Fasting plasma glucose test
Low dose CT scan for lung cancer if a smoker
Mammogram every one to two years
Pap test and HPV test with pelvic exam
Health tips
The key to maintaining a healthy and balanced life is to make small changes each day to see improvements in your health. Here are some health tips for your 60s and beyond:
Do not smoke
Eat well
Form a relationship with a physician you like and trust and have regular exams
Get 1,000 mg of calcium with vitamin D per day
Get 30 minutes of exercise daily
Get seven to eight hours of sleep a night
Maintain a healthy body weight
Watch for signs of depression
Wear sunscreen
Conditions and services in
your 60s
As a
woman, you may develop different health issues throughout your life that need medical
attention. Below is a quick reference about medical conditions and services in
your 60s.
Staying healthy—physically, mentally and emotionally—in your 60s and beyond helps ensure a good quality of life in your golden years. It's never too late to start taking care of your health.