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🌳 Preventive Health
Ages 60+

Health Checks in Age 60 and Above

At 60 and beyond, the focus shifts from preventing disease to managing it well, preserving independence, and maintaining quality of life. Proactive health management in this decade can make the difference between years of good health and years of dependency.

📋 Your life stage: Retirement or near-retirement. Children grown. Grandchildren. A slower pace but not necessarily a healthier one — this is when the cumulative effects of decades of diet, blood pressure, blood sugar, and lifestyle become fully visible. In Nigeria, family often provides care — but that care is best supported by proactive management that reduces dependency and preserves function.

Recommended Screenings & Tests

Blood Pressure
Every 3 months; monthly if unstable or on adjusting treatment
Hypertension at this age carries very high stroke risk. Blood pressure targets may be modestly relaxed (below 140/80mmHg for most people over 80) to avoid falls from over-treatment. Annual ambulatory monitoring is helpful.
👥 Everyone
HbA1c and Fasting Glucose
Every 6 months with diabetes; annually without
Diabetes management in older adults must balance glucose control against hypoglycaemia risk. Targets may be adjusted. Annual monitoring even without known diabetes.
👥 Everyone
Kidney Function (eGFR)
Every 6 months with diabetes or hypertension; annually otherwise
Most medication adjustments in older adults are driven by kidney function changes. eGFR monitoring guides safe prescribing.
👥 Everyone on regular medications
Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk
Annually
Statin decisions in this age group balance benefit (ongoing in 60s, diminishing in 80s) against polypharmacy risk. Review with your doctor.
👥 Everyone
ECG (Electrocardiogram)
Annually from age 65
Atrial fibrillation (AF) — the most common heart rhythm disorder — is common from 65+ and massively increases stroke risk. AF is silent in many people. Annual ECG or pulse check detects it.
👥 Everyone
Bone Density (DEXA Scan)
Every 2 years if osteoporosis is being managed; every 3–5 years otherwise
Osteoporosis increases fracture risk significantly with age. A hip fracture in an older adult carries very high mortality. Bone density monitoring guides treatment and fall prevention.
👥 Everyone, especially women and those with a previous fracture
Falls Risk Assessment
Annually
Falls are the leading cause of injury death in older adults in Nigeria. A falls risk assessment identifies contributing factors (medications, blood pressure on standing, balance, vision, home hazards).
👥 Everyone over 65
Cognitive Screening (MMSE or MoCA)
Annually from age 65
Early dementia is frequently missed — attributed to "old age." Early identification allows planning, support, and in some cases treatment to slow progression.
👥 Everyone over 65; those with memory concerns sooner
Eye and Hearing Examination
Annually
Glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, cataracts, macular degeneration, and age-related hearing loss all increase from 60+. Sensory loss significantly increases falls and cognitive decline risk.
👥 Everyone
Prostate PSA (Men)
Annually (discussion with doctor about when to stop)
Prostate cancer risk peaks in the 60s and 70s. Treatment decisions in older men involve life expectancy and quality-of-life considerations — shared decision-making with your doctor.
👥 All men
Medication Review
Annually — full review of all medications
Polypharmacy (taking 5+ medications) is common in this age group and carries serious risks — drug interactions, falls, cognitive effects, and kidney burden. Annual review by a doctor or pharmacist prevents harm.
👥 Everyone on 3 or more regular medications

Vaccines to Consider

💉 Influenza (annual)
Flu is far more serious in older adults — complications include pneumonia and heart attack. Annual vaccination is strongly recommended.
💉 Pneumococcal vaccine
If not previously received — protects against the most dangerous strains of pneumonia.
💉 Shingles vaccine (Shingrix)
Two doses 2–6 months apart from age 50. Shingles (caused by the same virus as chickenpox) causes severe nerve pain and can lead to long-term complications.
💉 COVID-19 booster (as available)
Older adults remain at highest risk of severe COVID-19. Keep boosters up to date per current guidance.

Lifestyle Priorities at This Stage

1
Prevent falls — it is a medical priority
Falls cause fractures, hospitalisation, loss of independence, and death in older adults. Review medications for those causing dizziness, ensure home safety, maintain leg strength, and have vision checked. This is as important as blood pressure control.
2
Move every day — even gently
Sitting for prolonged periods accelerates muscle loss, blood clot risk, and cognitive decline. Aim for 30 minutes of walking or movement daily — even in shorter intervals. Strength and balance exercises twice weekly reduce fall risk by 30%.
3
Maintain social engagement
Social isolation is an independent risk factor for dementia, depression, and early death. Meaningful human connection is medicine.
4
Review all medications with your doctor annually
Medications appropriate at 50 may be unnecessary or harmful at 70. The kidney and liver process drugs less efficiently with age. Annual medication review by your doctor prevents accumulation of unnecessary prescriptions.
5
Adequate protein intake
Muscle loss (sarcopenia) accelerates after 60. Adequate protein (minimum 1g per kg body weight per day) slows this process and helps maintain strength and function.

Red Flags — Never Ignore These

🚨 Sudden weakness, speech difficulty, facial drooping, arm weakness — STROKE emergency — call ambulance immediately (FAST)
🚨 Chest pain or severe breathlessness — cardiac emergency
🚨 Falls, even apparently minor ones — especially a fall with loss of consciousness
🚨 Sudden confusion or altered mental state in an older adult — delirium is a medical emergency
🚨 Sudden worsening of memory or behaviour that is out of character
🚨 Any new swallowing difficulty or significant unintentional weight loss
🚨 Blood in stool, urine, or unexplained anywhere
🚨 Post-menopausal vaginal bleeding — must be investigated without delay
🚨 Increasing shortness of breath — especially lying flat (may indicate heart failure)

Frequently Asked Questions

How many medications is too many?
There is no fixed number, but 5 or more medications significantly increase drug interaction and side effect risk. An annual medication review with your doctor ensures each medication is still needed, at the right dose, and not interacting harmfully with others.
Is memory decline inevitable with age?
Mild slowing of processing speed is normal with age. Significant memory loss, confusion, or personality change is not normal — and warrants assessment. Dementia is not inevitable, and early diagnosis allows better planning and care.
Should I stop statins as I get older?
This is an individual decision. Statins provide ongoing cardiovascular protection into the 70s for many people. The benefit diminishes and side effect risk increases with very advanced age. Discuss this with your doctor at your annual review.
How do I know if a fall is serious enough to go to hospital?
Any fall with head injury, loss of consciousness, inability to weight-bear, or severe pain warrants immediate medical assessment. Older adults can have "internal injuries" without obvious external signs.
My relative has become confused and unwell very quickly — what should I do?
Sudden confusion in an older adult (delirium) is a medical emergency. Common causes include urinary tract infection, pneumonia, medication effects, and stroke. Go to the emergency department immediately — do not wait.

Related Pages

Health Checks in Your 50sStroke Warning SignsStroke Prevention in NigeriaWhat Is eGFR?After High Blood Pressure Diagnosis

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