Manage your health in your 70s and older

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Key facts

Ask your doctor about regular cardiovascular health checks.
Go for your cancer screening tests when you get the reminders.
Have regular sight and hearing checks and falls risk assessments.
Aim for a healthy lifestyle by eating well, being active — try to limit your alcohol and quit smoking.
Have regular dental check-ups and the recommended vaccinations.

What can I do to stay healthy in my 70s?

Staying healthy in your 70s and older involves making good lifestyle choices as well as having regular health checks.

There are things you can do to help you stay healthy in your 70s such as:

quit smoking if you are a smoker
eat well
limit the alcohol you drink
be physically active
get immunised

Staying healthy will help lower your risk of:

Quit smoking

You can get support to quit smoking from your doctor, who may also give you nicotine replacement therapy or other medicines to help. Learn how to quit smoking, or try a service such as Quitline on 13 7848.

Eat well

It is important to have a balanced diet, to eat well and to stay within a healthy weight range.

You should try to:

eat 2 serves of fruit and 5 serves of vegetables per day
avoid sugar, saturated fat and salt

A healthy diet also includes:

grains
legumes or beans
lean meats
poultry
fish
milk, yoghurt and cheese

If nuts, grains, hard fruits or vegetables hurt your teeth, try:

milled whole grains
cooked canned fruits and vegetables
nut pastes

If you have a chronic health problem or are not sure if you are eating well, speak with your doctor or a dietitian.

Limit alcohol

Drink no more than 10 standard alcoholic drinks a week and no more than 4 standard drinks on any day.

If you plan to drive, it is best not to drink at all.

Be physically active

Try to do at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on most, preferably all, days of the week. Moderate-intensity physical activity is good for your heart, lungs and blood vessels. It includes activities such as fast walking and swimming.

It is important to be physically active as you get older. If you don't already exercise, you can start with 10 minutes once or twice a day and slowly increase the amount of exercise you do and how often.

If you are unsure what kind of activity is safe for you, check with your doctor.

You should also choose strength, balance and flexibility exercises. These will help you to maintain stronger muscles and bones.

Increasing your daily activity can help you:

reduce your risk of falls
maintain a healthy weight
improve sleep
improve your mental health

What health screening tests should I do in my 70s or older?

If you are in your 70s or older, there are some health screening tests you can do to help manage and prevent health conditions that are more common at this age.

Talk to your doctor about what tests you need, based on your current health and family history. Most healthy people in their 70s or older should have routine screening tests such as:

an osteoporosis risk assessment
a blood pressure check and check for an irregular pulse
a falls risk assessment
a flu vaccination
a dental check-up
a hearing test
an eye test

Every 2 years

have a mammogram (females, until age 74 with a higher risk of breast cancer)
have a check for bowel cancer (until age 74)

Every 3 years

have a diabetes risk assessment

Every 5 years

have a heart disease risk assessment (until age 79)
have your cholesterol and lipids tested
have a cervical screening test (females, until age 74)

Ask your doctor how often you need a:

skin cancer check (if you're at risk)
depression risk assessment
falls assessment

What health problems are common in my 70s and older?

Some health problems may become more common as you get older, especially if you have other risk factors. There are also things you can do in your 70s to help prevent these conditions from developing or worsening.

Cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) includes:

You should have regular cardiovascular risk assessments — how often you need these tests depends on your risk factors. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples should have an assessment every 2 years.

Your doctor may:

ask you questions
test your blood pressure and cholesterol
check for other health conditions such as atrial fibrillation

You can help prevent CVD by following the healthy lifestyle recommendations above, as well as reducing high blood pressure and cholesterol.

High blood pressure

How often you need your blood pressure checked will depend on your cardiovascular (CVD) risk. Your doctor will guide you.

If your blood pressure is high, follow the lifestyle recommendations to try to reduce it. Your doctor is also likely to prescribe medicine for high blood pressure.

During your blood pressure review your doctor may check for arrhythmia (an irregular heartbeat).

Cholesterol and lipids

You should have your cholesterol and lipids checked every 5 years with a blood test. It should be checked at least every 2 years if you have a higher risk of CVD and do not already take medicine.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples should be tested at least every 2 years.

You can help maintain a healthy cholesterol level with exercise and a healthy diet. Your doctor may also prescribe medicine to lower your cholesterol.

Type 2 diabetes

You should be tested every 3 years to see if you have type 2 diabetes, or every 12 months if your blood glucose has ever been high. Your doctor will organise a blood test to check your glucose level.

If you're an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, you have diabetes screening every year.

Exercise, a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent type 2 diabetes.

Stroke

Your doctor may ask you about symptoms and risk factors related to stroke. If you have atrial fibrillation or another reason to be at high risk of stroke, your doctor may examine you and ask about your symptoms. They may recommend medicines for any risk factors you may have, to reduce the chance of you having a stroke.

Immunisation

As you grow older you are at increased risk of some vaccine-preventable diseases. Some of these diseases can cause serious complications.

Talk to your doctor about whether you need any of the following vaccinations or booster shots:

dTpa (diphtheria, tetanusand whooping cough)
herpes zoster (shingles)
pneumococcal vaccine
influenza
COVID-19

Kidney disease

If you are at high risk for kidney disease this should be checked every 1 to 2 years. Your doctor will arrange a blood test and a urine test.

Breast cancer

A screening mammogram is recommended every 2 years for females at lower risk from breast cancer until they are 74 years old. Females at higher risk may have an individual program developed by their doctor.

You should be familiar with the look and feel of your breasts. See your doctor if you see or feel any unusual changes.

Skin cancer

Your doctor may check your skin when you visit for an appointment for another reason. If you are at high risk for skin cancer you should have a complete skin check every 12 months. If you have very high risk, then this test should be every 6 months. Ask your doctor about your risk of skin cancer.

If you notice any new or changing skin spots, see your doctor.

Ensure that you are SunSmart and protect your skin from future sun damage.

Cervical cancer

You should continue to be screened for cervical cancer until the age of 74 years. The cervical screening test has replaced the Pap test. It detects human papillomavirus (HPV) and should be done every 5 years. HPV is a common infection that can lead to cervical cancer.

If you've had a Pap test, ask your doctor when you need to have your first cervical screening test.

At any age, if you have any symptoms such as pain or vaginal bleeding, you should see your doctor.

Colorectal (bowel or colon) cancer

Your doctor will assess your risk of colorectal cancer. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, they may recommend a colonoscopy.

Otherwise, if you are aged 50 to 74 years, it is recommended to test for bowel cancer using a faecal occult blood test (FOBT) every 2 years.

The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program will send you a free testing kit every 2 years, from 50 years of age. You can take a sample of your faeces (poo) yourself.

Depending on your results, your doctor may recommend that you have a colonoscopy.

Osteoporosis and fracture

Osteoporosis is when bones lose minerals and become more brittle. If you have osteoporosis, you have a higher chance of fractures.

Your doctor may ask you screening questions to assess your risk. You can also use the Know Your Bones self-assessment tool. Your doctor may recommend a bone mineral density scan if you have a condition or take medicines that mean you are more likely to break a bone.

To help prevent osteoporosis, have 1,300mg calcium per day if you are aged 70 years or more. This can come from food or supplements.

You should also:

follow healthy lifestyle recommendations
get enough vitamin D

Your doctor may also prescribe medicine to help strengthen your bones.

People over 70 years who have a bone scan may be eligible for a Medicare rebate.

Tooth decay and gum disease

Here are some tips to help prevent tooth decay and gum disease:

Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
Use dental floss daily.
Limit foods and drinks high in acid and sugar, especially between meals.
Visit a dentist at least once a year.

Falls

When you are 70 years or over, your doctor may assess your risk for falls every year, or every 6 months if you've already had a fall.

You can help prevent falls by following the nutrition and exercise advice above. Your doctor may also give you some exercises to do to reduce your risk of falling. It is useful to ask your pharmacist to review your medicines too.

Vision and hearing

You should have your hearing checked by your doctor, or by having a hearing test if you are having trouble hearing.

After the age of 65 your eye test is covered by Medicare once per year.

Aged care services

You may be eligible for aged care services if you:

need help at home with everyday tasks
can no longer live at home on your own
have recently been in hospital

The types of care available range from help in your home to being supported to move into an aged care home.

To find out if you're eligible for aged care services, you will need to have an assessment.

The cost of aged care services depends on:

the type of care you're eligible to receive
the aged care provider you choose
your financial situation

Dementia

If you are older than 70 years, your doctor may ask questions to assess you for dementia. The assessment might discuss your memory and ability to plan.

Mental and emotional health

In your 70s and older, you may face health conditions that affect your mental and emotional health. Try to manage your stress, seek support, and address anxiety or low mood early — this can help protect your emotional and physical health.

Increasing your daily physical activity can improve your wellbeing, help reduce stress and improve your mental health.

Speak to your doctor if you are feeling depressed or anxious. They can check your mental health by using a mental health assessment tool if you:

have a low mood
have trouble sleeping
are unable to control worrying thoughts
have suicidal thoughts

If you, or someone you know, is having suicidal thoughts and is in immediate danger, call triple zero (000). For help and support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Resources and support

You can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Call the Heart Foundation on 1300 362 787 for information on CVD management, nutrition and healthy eating, blood pressure, quitting smoking and physical activity.

View the Australian Government Physical Activity and Exercise Guidelines for Australians aged over 65.

Eat for health has a range of information and resources on diet and nutrition, as well as the Australian Dietary Guidelines.

Read about how to quit smoking, or try a service such as Quitline on 13 7848.

Visit My Aged Care for information about aged care services.