The Golden Years – 60 and Beyond!

Women's Health

  3. The Golden Years – 60 and Beyond!

Just because you are getting older and the bones may ache a little more than they used to, doesn't mean that you can't live an amazing, fulfilling and healthy life! Hopefully by this stage in your life, you can begin to think about retirement and staying as healthy as you can to enjoy things you have always wanted to do!

Staying healthy may take a little more effort at this stage in life. Doctor's appointments may come more frequently and feeling as good as possible may not come as easily as it once did. However, these are the golden years so do whatever possible to stay healthy and make them your best years yet!

General Health

General Health

  • A minimum of a once a year checkup is recommended.
  • All women over 60 should have a bone density test to screen for osteoporosis. Calcium supplements and exercise help prevent this disease.
  • Cholesterol screenings should be a priority at each checkup. High cholesterol is often responsible for heart attacks and strokes.
  • A diabetes screening is a good idea after age 60. Remember that exercise and a good diet can often control or dramatically reduce your risk of diabetes.
  • A rectal exam every few years is very important. Also, your doctor may suggest a colonoscopy that can often detect early stages of colon cancer.
  • Your blood pressure should be checked on a regular basis.
Heart Health

Heart Health

  • According to Everyday Health, 84% of people over the age of 65 die from heart disease. Some of these deaths could be prevented by taking proper care of yourself.
  • Suggestions to help with heart health are maintaining a proper weight, exercise, healthy eating, quit smoking, minimize stress, minimize alcohol consumption and get the proper screenings necessary such as cholesterol and blood pressure checked.
Eye and Ear Health

Eye & Ear Health

  • After the age of 65, you should have your eyes checked every one to two years. Eye diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration are more common at this stage in life.
  • 30 percent of all people experience some hearing loss after the age of 60. Get your ears checked as often as necessary. When others say they believe you need a hearing aid, you may.
Skin Health

Skin Health

  • Continue with a good face washing and skin care routine.
  • Stay away from extreme sun exposure and use sunscreen. If you are a smoker, now is the time to stop. Both of these are incredibly bad for your skin.
  • Wrinkles are inevitable but you can have fewer if you take care of your skin.
Dental Health

Dental Health

  • Oral health can begin to decline for many as they age. Your once a year dental appointment, may become two to three times a year.
  • Root decay, gum disease, tooth loss, dry mouth and diminished taste are some prevalent issues in senior adults.
Breast Health

Breast Health

  • You should still have a doctor examine your breasts once a year and continue with self-breast exams.
  • Breast cancer is more prominent the older you get so mammograms are important at least once every two years.
Gynecological Health

Gynecological

  • After 65, most women can stop pap smears if they have had at least 3 consecutive years of negative results.
  • Women who have had a total hysterectomy may choose to not have pap smears.
Immunizations

Immunizations

  • Consult with your physician about which ones may be necessary for you in your senior years.
  • Most of the common immunizations for elderly people are flu, whooping cough, shingles, pneumonia, and tetanus shots.

There will be days when you feel like you are for sure getting older and you may not feel as good and as young as you once were. Know your body enough and let friends or family know if you are not feeling well and may possibly need help in any way. Otherwise, enjoy some time for yourself, but also be true to yourself.