Your 60-Something Game Plan: Six Crucial Ways to Guard Your Health
Turning sixty is less a finish line and more a starting line for smarter self-care. Preventive check-ups now mean fewer surprises later, and the latest science shows it’s never too late to tilt the odds in your favor. Below, find the screenings, habits, and mindset shifts that top clinicians urge every adult age 60 and beyond to adopt.
Must-Have Screenings for Adults at Average Risk
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Annual well-visit & blood pressure check – a 15-minute appointment can spot creeping hypertension before it harms your heart, kidneys, or brain.
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Lipid panel every 5 years (or sooner) – if cholesterol numbers creep above target, medication plus lifestyle tweaks can prevent strokes and heart attacks.
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Colorectal cancer screening through age 75 – stool DNA tests, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy, depending on preference and family history.
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Diabetes or pre-diabetes screening every 3 years – a simple fasting glucose or HbA1c test keeps blood sugar in check before damage sets in.
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Breast cancer mammography – guidelines range from annual to biennial after 55; personalize with your physician based on breast density and risk factors.
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Cervical cancer screening – discontinue at 65 only if prior results were consistently normal and you’re not at high risk.
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Lung cancer low-dose CT – once-yearly through age 80 for former or current smokers with a 20 pack-year history who quit within the past 15 years.
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Abdominal aortic aneurysm ultrasound – one-time between 65 and 75 for men who have ever smoked.
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Bone density test (DEXA) – baseline at 65 for women, and for men with risk factors; repeat every 5 years or sooner if osteopenia is found.
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Vision & hearing checks – every 1–2 years keeps driving safe and curbs social isolation.
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Immunizations kept current
- High-dose influenza vaccine annually
- Shingles vaccine (two-dose Shingrix) if never completed
- Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) booster every 10 years
- Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV20 or PCV15 + PPSV23) per CDC age-based schedule
Everyday Power Moves You Can Start Today
Small shifts multiply. A study from the University of Cambridge shows replacing thirty minutes of sitting with light daily walking lowers all-cause mortality by 17 percent in people over 60.
- Quit tobacco completely. Even at 65, lungs regain elasticity within months of stopping; risk of cardiac events drops within a year.
- Stack short walks. Ten-minute strolls after breakfast, lunch, and dinner total 4,500 steps—half the recommended 9,000 for older adults.
- Protect your plate. Aim for the DASH or Mediterranean pattern: half the plate veggies, quarter lean protein, quarter whole grains, healthy fat on top.
- Prioritize sleep hygiene. Eight hours of quality sleep boosts vaccination antibody response and sharpens memory.
- Tend the mind. Daily puzzles, learning a new language, or social clubs reduce dementia risk and elevate mood.
- Medicine cabinet audit. Once a year, bring every pill to your physician or pharmacist for a deprescribing review. Many drugs interact and raise fall risk.
- Open conversations. Discuss advance directives and end-of-life preferences now, so future decisions reflect your wishes.
Quick Recap: Your Six-Step 60+ Health Roadmap
- Book an annual visit – let your provider update the screening checklist to fit your personal and family history.
- Keep vaccinations current – they’re not just for kids.
- Move more, sit less – movement is medicine.
- Eat colorfully and mindfully – nutrients trump calories.
- Check senses annually – clear sight and sound ward off depression and falls.
- Talk early, talk often – share health choices with loved ones while you’re healthy and lucid.
Approach each decade with curiosity and commitment; your sixties can be your healthiest chapter yet.
Vaccines for your 60s
Immunizations That Deserve a Spot on Your Calendar After 60
Pneumococcal Defense – Your Pneumonia Shield
Once you pass 65, a one-time pneumococcal injection dramatically lowers your odds of:
- Hospital-grade pneumonia
- Meningitis inflammation
- Life-threatening bloodstream infections
Federal health authorities now urge every older adult to discuss the specific shot—PCV20 or PCV15 followed by PPSV23—with a clinician during their next visit.
The Brand-New RSV Vaccine – A 2023 Game-Changer
For decades, respiratory syncytial virus blindsided adults 60 and up. In 2023 the FDA released a single-dose RSV vaccine that slashes hospital stays and major complications. Schedule a conversation with your provider: the shot is optional but increasingly recommended for anyone with asthma, heart disease, or a compromised immune system.
Big Three “Booster Bunch” – Never Skimp
Three additional defenses should be current, no exceptions:
- Shingles – Two doses of Shingrix keep the agonizing rash and nerve pain away.
- COVID-19 – Stay aligned with annual boosters tailored to emerging variants.
- Seasonal Influenza – Dr. Robert M. Biernbaum, WellNow Urgent Care’s chief medical officer, stresses the flu vaccine is not just for kids, but a cornerstone of adult protection. “It’s advised every single year from six months to 80-plus,” he notes.
Next Steps
Bring this checklist to your provider, review your medical history and risk factors, and plot out the ideal timeline for your vaccinations. A proactive appointment now can spare you prolonged illness later.
New screenings to consider in your 60s
Senior Screening Snapshot: Bones and Blood Vessels
Who Needs a Bone-Density Scan—and When?
- Women 65+: The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion urges women to schedule a painless, X-ray-style bone-density test. Identifying low bone density early slashes the chance of unexpected fractures.
- Men 65+: If you’re concerned about skeletal strength, begin the conversation with your doctor or nurse about whether a test is right for you.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: One-Time Ultrasound Check-Up
Men
- Ages 65–75 who have ever smoked qualify for a single abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening using ultrasonography, per the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Women
- Routinely skipped? Not always. If you have a family history of AAA, bring it up with your clinician to decide on screening next steps.
Screenings and tests to continue into your 60s
Staying Proactive in Your 50s, 60s & Beyond
A practical list of medical, dental and mental check-ups you should still pencil into every calendar year.
Essential Screenings You Likely Started in Midlife – Keep Them Going
While new tests become relevant, these remain the backbone of adult preventive care:
Cancer-Specific Screenings by Risk Level
Colorectal Cancer
Lung Cancer
HIV & Other STIs
Sex-Specific Essentials
For Women
For Men
Important Footnote
Guidelines reflect the average-risk adult. Your family history, personal risk factors and physician’s judgment may shorten or extend intervals. Never swap this checklist for customized medical advice. Think of it as a conversation starter with the clinician who knows your story best.
