The health tests senior Australians must do

While most older Australians stay on top of heart and cancer check ups, there are several other tests those over 70 should do.

Dementia, cancer and heart disease are the nation’s top health fears and the risks increase as you age so its crucial to make sure you have regular health checks.

Keeping active will help keep these feared diseases at bay so make sure you do at least 30 minutes of moderate activity each day.

Alongside heart and cancer check ups getting your hearing and eyesight checked regularly is important.

‘I HAVE TO KEEP MOVING, BE ACTIVE’

Norman Wong has a master plan for staying physically fit and mentally sharp — and it revolves around playing table tennis.

The 94-year-old, who first took up the sport around 1970, is among a group of nearly 30 retirees who gather to play every Friday.

“I have never played tennis in a competition but just as a social games and I come to the club (Concord Senior Citizens Club in Sydney) regularly and try and get a game in every week,” Mr Wong said.

“I also still play regular tennis but can’t run as much as I used to. I’ve always felt I have to keep moving and be active and do something.

“I also enjoy sudoku and go on cruises when I can with my wife. It’s important to keep the mind always active in any way you can.”

Concord Senior Citizens Club members Barry Ford, Norman Wong, Alma Roberts and Michael Aldridge. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Fellow table tennis player Elma Roberts, 79, believes the importance of looking after your health needs to be “drilled in” to people before they hit the age of 70.

“People don’t tend to ever think about the future of what their health will look like when they get older,” Ms Roberts, who also hots the gym and plays golf, said.

“My generation is living much longer than before so it’s important to find a sport you enjoy early on in your life and keep playing when you’re well into your 70s, 80s and even 90s.

“So when you retire you don’t just sit back, you have mental and physical stimulation. The healthier you are the better chance you have of living to a healthy old age.

“Noone wants to live to the 80 or 90 and not enjoy their life because of their health issues.”

TAKE OUR HEALTH CALCULATOR

OUR GREATEST HEALTH FEARS

1. Dementia was voted our greatest health fear by 51 per cent of survey participants

2. Cancer, 46 per cent

3. Heart attack, 41 per cent

4. Parkinson’s disease, 31 per cent

4. Liver failure, 31 per cent

4. Diabetes, 31 per cent

5. Vision loss, 31 per cent

6. Osteoporosis, 28 per cent

7. Hearing loss, 27 per cent

8. Broken hips/bones, 26 per cent

9. Wheelchair bound, 24 per cent

10. Motor Neurone Disease, 17 per cent

Source: Health of the Nation survey, November 2023, by News Corp’s Growth Intelligence Centre

EXERCISE FOR THE OVER 70s

* At least 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day

* Walk at least 4400 steps a day at a pace of 1km every 16 minutes.

* Muscle strengthening exercises to combat thinning bones and stave off dementia

* Exercise with a friend or in a group to help beat dementia

HEALTH CHECKS FOR THE OVER 70s

* Get your eyes checked annually for glasses, cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration

* Have an annual hearing test; if necessary get a hearing aid to stay socially connected

* Do the poo test for bowel cancer every two years (after age 75 you have to pay for it yourself)

* Have breast cancer screening every two years (it is free until age 74). Check your own breasts for lumps regularly

* Have cervical cancer screening every five years (it is free up to age 74)

* Have an annual skin cancer check

* Get a bone density check

* Keep up to date with vaccinations for Shingles, pneumococcal, influenza and Covid

* People aged over 75 are eligible for an annual Medicare funded health check by their GP to check: blood pressure, blood sugar, continence, physical function, cognition and mood, nutrition, and whether they need help with daily living activities.

Originally published as The health tests senior Australians must do