I’m a woman ages 76 or older

Ask for the following preventive care

For all women your age:

Life habits

Ask to have your weight, height and waist circumference measured. Ask your doctor whether you have a healthy weight.

Ask for advice on how to eat better and move more, especially if you have:

• Excess weight
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes or prediabetes
• High cholesterol
• Cardiovascular disease
• Depression
• Cancer

Have your blood pressure checked at least every two years.

Discuss your risk of developing diabetes. If you have a high risk, a screening test will be recommended. Take the CANRISK questionnaire to know your diabetes risk level.

Ask your doctor to test your cholesterol every 5 years and evaluate your risk of cardiovascular disease. Ask your doctor whether a small dose of aspirin every day and/or a cholesterol-lowering medication are good options for you.

Ask your doctor if you need screening tests for the following sexually transmitted or blood-borne infections: chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. Ask your doctor about how to reduce your risk of getting these infections.

Ask whether you should get a test for osteoporosis.

Talk to your doctor about the benefits and drawbacks of a screening test for colorectal cancer. To prepare for this discussion, visit this website.

Ask for a screening test for cervical cancer (Pap test).

Most of the time, women your age no longer need this test, but there are exceptions. Ask your doctor for more information.

Flu shots

Ask for your yearly flu shot. Ask whether you should also get vaccinated for:

• Tetanus
• Haemophilus influenzae type b
• Hepatitis A and B
• Meningococcal disease
• Pneumococcal disease
• Shingles

If your doctor suggests a new exam, treatment or procedure,

 ask the following 4 questions:

1. Do I really need this exam, treatment or procedure?
2. What are the drawbacks?
3. Are there simpler and safer options?
4. What happens if I do nothing?

If you are regularly taking medication or supplements,

For some women your age, depending on personal and family risk factors:

If you smoke, ask for help to overcome your addiction to nicotine.

Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health. With the support of a health professional, you will maximize your chances of success.

If you smoke or have ever smoked, ask your doctor whether a screening test for lung cancer is a good option for you. To prepare for this discussion, visit this website.

If you feel sad or discouraged or have little interest in life, discuss this with your doctor.

If games of chance or gambling are creating problems in your life, ask your doctor for help.

If alcohol, cannabis, medications or other drugs are creating problems in your life, ask your doctor for help.

If you are the victim of violence, abuse or neglect, tell your doctor.

If you or your loved ones think your hearing has deteriorated, talk to your doctor.

If a family member has had colon, breast or ovarian cancer, tell your doctor. Your doctor may recommend additional screening tests.

If you have fallen in the past year or have balance problems, tell your doctor.
Ask whether an exercise program, physiotherapy and/or vitamin D are good options to reduce your risk of falling.

The recommendations on this page come from the following sources: