​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.