Don’t Wait for Symptoms


Retirement changes many routines. The morning alarm disappears, office deadlines become history and there is finally more control over how we spend our time. One routine, however, should become more disciplined after 60: looking after our health.

Many people visit a doctor only when something hurts. That approach can be risky because high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis and several cancers may develop without obvious early symptoms.

A sensible post-retirement habit is therefore to schedule a preventive health review at least once a year. This does not mean ordering every test advertised in a hospital package. A doctor should recommend investigations according to your age, sex, family history, existing conditions, medicines and previous results.

Consult Doctor Before Tests

Blood pressure deserves regular attention. Hypertension may remain unnoticed for years, and preventive guidelines recommend screening adults aged 40 and above annually. Blood sugar and cholesterol should also be discussed with your doctor, particularly when there are risk factors such as excess weight, diabetes, hypertension or a family history of cardiovascular disease. Cancer screening is another area where awareness matters.

For colorectal cancer, established preventive guidelines recommend routine screening through age 75, with several options available, including stool-based tests and colonoscopy at appropriate intervals. Between 76 and 85, the decision becomes more individual and depends on health and previous screening history.

Men should discuss prostate health with their doctor rather than automatically adding a PSA test to every annual package. PSA screening can identify prostate cancer, but it can also lead to false-positive results, unnecessary biopsies and treatment of cancers that might never have caused harm. The appropriate decision therefore depends on age and individual risk.

Women should similarly discuss age-appropriate breast and cervical cancer screening with their doctors. Bone health becomes increasingly important too. Current preventive guidance recommends osteoporosis screening for women aged 65 and above.

Personal Health Calendar

This is something many retired people overlook. The seasonal flu vaccine is recommended every year for adults and is particularly important for people with chronic health conditions. Older adults should also ask their doctors about pneumococcal vaccination and the two-dose shingles vaccine.

A simple idea can help: maintain a personal health calendar after retirement. Record your annual medical review, vaccination history, medicines, blood pressure and important screening dates. Keep previous reports together so that changes can be compared over time. If your doctor recommends follow-up after three, six or twelve months, put the date into your calendar immediately.

Preventive healthcare should also include things that cannot be measured through a blood sample. Have your eyesight and hearing assessed when necessary. Pay attention to dental health, mobility, balance, sleep, memory, emotional wellbeing, nutrition and unexplained changes in weight or appetite. Most importantly, do not assume that feeling healthy means everything inside the body is healthy.

Early detection cannot prevent every serious illness, nor can every disease be successfully treated simply because it is discovered early. But appropriate screening and regular medical care can identify several important health problems before they become more difficult to manage.

Retirement planning therefore should not end with pensions, investments and health insurance. Preventive healthcare deserves a place in the plan too. You worked for decades to build financial security for retirement. Give the same attention to protecting the body that will allow you to enjoy it.

RetiredPeople.in is a global digital community where retired people can connect worldwide 24x7x365, showcase their talent, skills, experience and wisdom, and connect with relevant service providers for different requirements during this phase of life. Registration is free at https://www.RetiredPeople.in

Prevention may require a few hours every year. Neglect can sometimes cost much more.


Amrit Pal Singh 
Mobile: +91 98766 25076
Email: info@retiredpeople.in 

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