Life stages: the 60s

General, Prostate | Mensvita | September 15, 2009 at 6:44 AM

lifestage_60s

Life Stages: the 60s

The 60s can be a good time in your life. If you have kids, they are probably grown and out of the house, and perhaps grandchildren have entered the picture. This is a time in your life where you may be free to do the things you enjoy, but never had time for.

It is important, however, to keep in mind that taking good care of yourself may help you live a longer, more productive, more pain-free life.
It is important that you stay active at this age. Staying active can help you maintain flexibility and strength, help keep your bones, brain, and mind healthy, and help you keep excess pounds off. Walking is an exercise almost anyone can do.

Any amount of time spent exercising is better than spending no time exercising. This may be a good time to take up a new sport or leisure activity such as tai chi, yoga, bocci ball, or depending on your fitness level, perhaps taking up softball, bowling, or hiking. Always check with your doctor before starting any new activity or exercise program.

If you have aches and pains, discuss these with your doctor. Sometimes anti-inflammatory drugs or other drugs will be prescribed, but keep in mind there are sometimes alternatives to drugs such as acupuncture and mind/body exercises.

Lifting weights is a good activity to add to your exercise program if okay-ed by your doctor. You tend to lose muscle and bone density as you age, and lifting weights will help slow both of these processes as well as help you lose and/or maintain your weight, as muscle burns more calories than fat.

Exercise is good for the mind, as it helps to create and maintain brain connections, as well as helps to ward off depression. Socializing is also an excellent way to help keep a sharp mind and healthy brain. If you feel depressed for over two weeks and are having other depressive symptoms such as not sleeping, over-eating or not eating, feelings of worthlessness, or any feelings of self-injury or suicide, it is important that you see your doctor immediately, as in most cases, depression is treatable with drugs and/or therapy.

Volunteering is a good way to stay active, meet new people, and feel productive, while giving to others.
Other health issues to be aware of at this age are colon/rectal cancer, other cancers, diabetes, cardio-vascular disease, hearing and vision problems, and any other health issues that may run in your family. Loss of libido and hair loss are often concerns which you may want to discuss with your doctor, but they are not usually life-threatening problems.

You are basically the same person as you were before turning sixty. At this stage in life you will have losses to cope with, but hopefully you have gained wisdom through life and are well equipped to deal with them. Getting older is a time to do the things you want to do, not a time to focus on what you can no longer do.

Stay active, eat a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight, and stay socially active. Research has shown that those who are more socially active and have more support and spend more time giving to others and interacting with others, generally live longer, and are generally happier and healthier.

To ensure ongoing health, the screening tests below are recommended.

Test	Frequency
Blood pressure	Every two years
Cholesterol	Every five years, unless you have had a problem in the past, in which case it is recommended every year.
Colorectal exam	Every five years, unless you are in a high risk category, in which case an annual exam is recommended
Prostate	The digital rectal exam should be done annually.
Testicular examination	Self-examination monthly, examination with every regular check-up
Eye examination	Every one to two years
Type 2 diabetes	Every two years