You’re living a fabulous life. Having already raised your children and your husband, you’re looking forward to seeing your grandchildren and the birth of your great grandchildren. Keeping you healthy and energetic, just like any fine machine, requires regularly scheduled maintenance.
So, what does the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services recommend for your tune up during those years past 64?
Reproductive health has been ongoing if you have followed the recommended regiment of pap and pelvic exams. These exams, as well as tests for sexually transmitted infections, should be continued at the advice of your healthcare provider. Chlamydia, HIV and other STI tests are particularly advisable if you have new or multiple partners.
Get a mammogram every one to two years and a clinical breast exam each year. Self examination of your breasts should be monthly if not more often.
That big, loving heart of yours needs to be monitored as advised with blood pressure checked every two years and a cholesterol test as needed according to womenshealth.org.
If you have not had a bone mineral density test, this is the time to get one. Talk to your provider about repeat testing and any restorative measures that may be necessary.
Your physician will probably recommend the influenza vaccine on a yearly basis. At age 60 it is recommended that the herpes zoster vaccine be administered. If you have not had this vaccine, it is a preventative measure against shingles. Other vaccines that are recommended are the pneumococcal vaccine (one time only) and tetanus booster (every 10 years).
Colonoscopy, a test given every 10 years, is recommended for women over age 60. It is advised that an annual fecal occult blood test be administered along with the routine health screening. Every five years a flexible sigmoidoscopy is recommended.
You’re going to want to keep your eye care up-to-date to see those grandchildren. Your hearing must also be kept in top form so that you can hear the music’s beat for that dance class you have most likely already joined. Get your eyes examined every one to two years and your ears tested every three years.
Dental health has improved so much during the last generation that it is not unusual that you have all of your teeth in healthy condition. There’s no reason to stop that now! Continue with those exams and annual cleanings. My grandmother, now 90, always says: “Life is short; eat dessert first.” With those healthy teeth, you can bite into anything you want! Enjoy!