Healthy living in your 80s

You're in your 80s! What can you do to be as healthy as possible? Your annual wellness visit is a good time to talk to your doctor or nurse about your personalized prevention plan. This plan helps prevent disease and disability based on your current health and past history.

Every day I will try to:

Eat healthy — use the MyPlate Plan tool 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:

Blood pressure

Chickenpox

Flu

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C

HIV

Lung cancer (80 and younger, if you smoke now or quit within the last 15 years*)

Osteoporosis

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.