During your 60s, continue to be mindful of cardiovascular disease and personal health risk factors. Talk to your doctor about continued health maintenance and management. Make sure you are getting treatment for any health conditions.
To ensure optimal health while in your 60s, you should:
- Do stretching and flexibility exercises each day
- Eat five servings of fruit and vegetables each day
- Schedule preventive screenings and exams, such as:
- Cholesterol panel — total, LDL, HDL and triglycerides
- Blood pressure checks
- Thyroid test (TSH)
- Fasting blood glucose
- Annual physical exams for men and women
- Annual pap smears with human papillomavirus (HPV) testing until age 65 (then discuss with your primary care provider), mammograms, and annual clinical breast exams and monthly self-breast exams for women
- Annual testicular and prostate exams, and PSA screenings for men
- Bone density screenings for women
- Colonoscopy
- Hearing and vision exams (as needed)
- Semi-annual dental visits for exams and cleanings
- Skin exams (as needed)
- Up-to-date immunizations: influenza “flu” (annually); tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) (once every 10 years); pneumococcal (talk to your healthcare provider): Zoster (one dose for shingles prevention)
- Practice safety:
- Always wear seat belts
- Don’t text and drive
- Don’t drink and drive
- Protect yourself from the sun
