As we age, our bodies may be more susceptible to diseases and certain health conditions. Men over age 65 can be particularly vulnerable to diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. To help reduce risk factors, it’s important to make healthy lifestyle choices and stay on schedule with recommended tests and screenings.
Your primary care provider can help you establish a diet and exercise routine that’s specific to your needs. To provide you with a general approach, The Bristal team has curated a list of healthy lifestyle tips for men over age 65.
Healthy Lifestyle Tips for Men Over Age 65
1. Focus on Your Cognitive Health
As we age, there are changes in the brain that can make learning complex tasks more difficult. Older adults can continue to learn new skills, but it may occur at a slower pace. Continuing to try new things, such as puzzles, learning a new language, reading books, or taking a class can help keep your brain healthy and sharp.
2. Stay Active
Staying active is essential to reducing the risk of diseases and maintaining a healthy lifestyle and weight. Including physical activity in your daily routine helps to strengthen your muscles and bones in addition to improving circulation, and also, your mood.
After consulting with your primary care provider on recommended exercises, try setting a schedule so it becomes part of your routine. Find activities you enjoy doing, and consider asking others to join you for accountability and motivational purposes.
Related: 7 Ways Seniors Can Be Proactive About Their Health >>
3. Eat a Nutritious Diet
There are many options and dietary recommendations to consider, so it’s best to consult your primary care provider for specific guidance. Often, a healthy diet will include high quantities of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and fish with limited servings of meat, processed food, and other foods high in sugar, salt, cholesterol, and fat.
Related: Try the MIND Diet for Better Cognitive Health >>
4. Take Vitamins and Medications as Directed
Taking any prescribed medicine and recommended vitamins can be critical to your health. If you are experiencing side effects or have concerns about anything you’re taking, you can discuss with your local pharmacist or healthcare provider.
It’s also important to not stop taking medication suddenly without a consultation first. Plan to bring all of your medications to routine exams to review with your provider
5. Quit Smoking and Reduce Alcohol Consumption
If you smoke, it’s never too late to quit. Smoking increases your risk of high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, and more. However, as soon as someone stops smoking, the body will begin to heal and help lessen the associated risks.
Drinking too much alcohol can affect prescription medications that you may be taking, increasing your risk of health problems. If you drink alcohol, try to limit consumption to no more than two drinks each day.
Recommended Health Screenings for Men Age 65 and Older
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm — Men between the ages of 65 and 75 who have certain risk factors such as obesity, tobacco use, and high blood pressure should consider an ultrasound to screen for this condition.
- Annual Checkups — It’s essential to visit your primary care provider at least once a year to monitor blood pressure, depression, diabetes, alcohol misuse, obesity, and high cholesterol. This is also an ideal time to come prepared with a list of questions or concerns.
- Colorectal Screening — Men should receive colorectal exams until age 75 and may require screenings beyond that age if recommended by your primary care provider.
- Dental Exams — Visit your dentist at least once a year for cleaning and an exam.
- Immunizations — Men over age 65 should consider getting a pneumococcal vaccine to help prevent or lessen the severity of pneumonia. Other recommended vaccines for this age group include shingles, tetanus, chickenpox, and flu. Hepatitis A/B vaccines are also suggested for those at risk, such as individuals who travel outside the United States.
- Prostate Cancer — Older men can talk to their healthcare provider about the different screening options for prostate cancer. The screenings should be done during routine checkups or more frequently if deemed high risk.
- Vision/Glaucoma — Routine eye exams are encouraged to check for glaucoma, an eye disease that can lead to damaged optic nerves and blindness.
Related: How to Care for Your Eyes as You Age >>
Additional Lifestyle Resources in The Bristal Blog
If you’re interested in additional lifestyle resources, learn more in The Bristal Blog. Get tips on topics like balance exercises, personal trainers, diabetes management, and more.
