Healthy living in your 60s

You're in your 60s! What can you do to be as healthy as possible? Be healthier with one, or all, of the steps below! Get the conversation started at your next well-woman visit with this list.

Every day I will try to:

Eat healthy — use the MyPlate Plan to get started

Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity. Each week I will do aerobic activity and exercises to improve my balance and strengthen my muscles. I will talk to my doctor about any conditions that limit my ability to do regular physical activity.

Get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep

Reach and maintain a healthy weight

Get help to quit or don't start smoking

Limit alcohol use to 1 drink or less

Wear a helmet when riding a bike and wear protective gear for sports

Wear a seatbelt in cars and not text and drive

Not use illegal drugs or misuse prescription drugs

I will talk to my doctor at least once a year about:

My weight, height, diet, and physical activity level

My tobacco and alcohol use

Any violence in my life

Depression and any other mental health concerns

Who will make health care decisions for me if I am unable to

I will ask my doctor if I need these tests, medicines, or vaccines this year:

Low-dose aspirin

Blood pressure

Chickenpox

Cholesterol

Colorectal cancer

Diabetes

Flu

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C

HIV

Lung cancer (if you smoke now or quit within the last 15 years*)

Mammogram

Osteoporosis (65 and older*)

Pap and HPV (65 and younger*)

Pneumonia

Shingles

Sexually transmitted infections

Tetanus, diphtheria, or whooping cough

Tuberculosis

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* The decision to get any medical test or procedure, at any age, is a personal one between you and your doctor. These age ranges may not apply to every person.

These guidelines are based on recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the Women's Preventive Services Guidelines, the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.