In Your 60s: Prioritize Strength, Independence, and Joy
For many women, the 60s are a time of redefinition, a phase where careers wind down, families evolve, and personal identity often shifts. While aging is inevitable, the way you experience it is not. At this stage, your healthcare should empower you to stay strong, independent, and vibrant, not simply “manage” your aging body.
Women in their 60s benefit most from a proactive, comprehensive care approach that supports mobility, sharp thinking, disease prevention, and emotional well-being. With the right provider and mindset, this decade can be one of reflection and renewal.
Make Strength a Central Goal
Muscle mass naturally declines with age, but strength is far from lost. In fact, it becomes one of the most important predictors of how well you’ll age. From balance and bone density to energy and metabolism, strength supports your ability to stay active and independent.
Dr. Jana Baatenburg MD, co-founder of Concierge Medicine of West Michigan, notes, “For women in their 60s, we shift the focus toward longevity and mobility. We discuss strength training, resistance exercises, and how to make movement sustainable, especially when joints or old injuries get in the way.”
Even gentle strength-building, like using resistance bands, practicing yoga, or walking with light hand weights, can make a measurable difference. The key is consistency and working with a provider who tailors recommendations to your body and goals.
Keep Screenings and Vaccines on Schedule
Your 60s are a continuation, not a pause, of proactive screening. Depending on your personal and family history, you may need to:
Continue mammograms every 1–2 years
Schedule your colonoscopy if you haven’t already or are due for a repeat
Get a DEXA scan (bone density test) to assess osteoporosis risk
Stay current on vaccinations like shingles, pneumococcal, flu, and COVID-19 boosters
Monitor cholesterol, glucose, and blood pressure regularly
Dr. Maria Clarinda Buencamino-Francisco, MD, of Concierge Medicine of South Shore, shares, “Many chronic illnesses that surface in our 60s: hypertension, type 2 diabetes, osteopenia, all can start subtly. Regular screenings help us intervene before symptoms become serious.”
Your doctor should also revisit any medications you’ve been on long-term, checking for interactions or alternatives as your body’s needs evolve.
Support Cognitive and Mental Wellness
Cognitive health can shift in subtle ways throughout your 60s. Word retrieval may slow. Focus might waver. But these changes are not inevitable, nor do they always signal decline.
Social connection, brain-stimulating activities, quality sleep, and cardiovascular health all play a role in preserving brain function. Chronic stress, untreated anxiety, and isolation, on the other hand, can take a toll on memory and mood.
It is also important to discuss any changes in emotional well-being. Life transitions like retirement, caregiving, and widowhood can trigger unexpected mental health shifts. Don’t hesitate to talk openly about feelings of sadness, loss, or anxiety with your provider.
Adjust Habits for Joint Health and Fall Prevention
Joint stiffness, arthritis symptoms, and balance challenges can interfere with mobility if left unchecked. However, small changes in your daily routine can protect your joints and lower your fall risk.
Some strategies include:
Choosing low-impact exercises like swimming or tai chi
Adding anti-inflammatory foods to your diet, like leafy greens, berries, and omega-3s
Prioritizing good footwear and keeping walkways clutter-free
Using strength and balance training to maintain core stability
Your provider may also recommend physical therapy, supplements like calcium and vitamin D, or a review of home safety measures.
Make Time for Joy and Purpose
The science of aging well consistently points to one thing: joy matters. The 60s can be a time to rekindle passions, spend time with chosen family, and explore new interests. Whether gardening, volunteering, learning a new skill, or traveling, doing more of what lights you up has emotional and physical benefits.
Consider this the decade to say yes to yourself more often. It’s not indulgent. It’s preventive.
Women’s Concierge Care That Supports the Whole You
At Ms.Medicine, we know that thriving in your 60s isn’t about denying aging; it’s about meeting it with intention. That’s why our network of providers delivers whole-person care designed for women at every life stage.
Download your free checklist: Thrive in Your 60s, which includes a guide to your annual physical, preventive screenings, and questions to ask your doctor.
Then, find a provider near you to begin building a care plan that works for your unique life. You deserve a provider who sees the full picture and gives you the space to show up fully in your next chapter.
