Preventive care after 60: screenings and vaccines (what to ask)
Topic: Medications & Doctor Visits
Reading time: 2 min
Preventive care isn’t about doing “every test.” It’s about doing the right checks for you, based on age, history, and overall health.
At your next visit, ask about these categories
- Blood pressure and cardiovascular risk
- Diabetes screening (if appropriate)
- Bone health and fracture risk
- Cancer screenings based on age and history
- Vision/hearing checks
- Vaccines recommended for your age/conditions
Helpful questions
- “Which screenings matter most for me right now?”
- “What’s the benefit of this test at my age?”
- “How often should I repeat it?”
- “Are there vaccines I should get this year?”
Note: Guidelines can change and vary by country and personal risk factors. Your clinician can tailor recommendations to your situation.
Bring a “one-page summary”
- Current meds/supplements
- Major diagnoses and past surgeries
- Family history highlights
- Your top goals for the year (walking, weight, pain, sleep)
Use our Doctor Visit Checklist to create this quickly.
Ask your clinician (starter questions)
- “What’s the most likely explanation in my case?”
- “What serious causes are we ruling out?”
- “Could any medications or supplements contribute?”
- “What’s the simplest next step?”
- “What should make me call you sooner or seek urgent care?”
If you want to prepare for a visit, try the Doctor Visit Checklist. For general support, browse Topics.