Health in Your 60s

Sensory decline: As you age, it's normal for your vision, hearing and senses of smell and taste to gradually decline a bit. The American Academy of Ophthalmology now recommends that between the ages of 40 and 64, adults with no risk factors or signs of eye disease get a baseline screening. Then based on the results of that initial screening, an ophthalmologist will prescribe the necessary follow-up exams. If you are age 65 or over, the American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests you have complete eye exams by your eye doctor every one to two years to check for cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other eye conditions.

Treatable eye conditions common in older age include cataracts, which cloud the lens of the eye, dry eye conditions and glaucoma, in which the eye builds up pressure that can cause blindness. Ask your health care professional about which screening tests make sense for you.

Other conditions: There's a whole range of medical conditions that could begin in your 60s, or some health problems that you've managed over the years may become more frequent or bothersome. Not all conditions are inevitable symptoms of aging, however, and could be signs of a serious problem. A wise approach is to ask your health care professional what's normal and associated with aging and what's not, with your personal medical history and age in mind.