Ever notice how the stuff that causes the biggest problems later is usually the quiet stuff first?
High blood pressure rarely announces itself. Blood sugar can drift up for years. Colon polyps don’t come with a warning label. And hearing changes? Most people chalk it up to “everyone mumbles now.”
That’s why a good screening routine matters in your 60s, 70s, and beyond. Not because you’re expecting something bad – but because you want fewer surprises and more control.
Below are eight checks worth keeping on your yearly (or regular) calendar, plus a handful of “bonus” ones to bring up with your doctor depending on your history.
A quick cheat sheet before we get into it
Not fancy – just practical:
| Check | What it helps catch | How often (typical) |
| Blood pressure | Stroke, heart, kidney risk | At least yearly (often more) |
| Cholesterol (lipid panel) | Heart disease risk | Every 4–6 years if low risk |
| Blood sugar (fasting glucose or A1c) | Prediabetes, diabetes | Often yearly if risk factors |
| Colon cancer screening | Early cancer / precancer | Start 45; routine through 75 |
| Skin check | Suspicious lesions | Risk-based |
| Dental exam | Gum disease, infections | Ongoing |
| Eye exam | Glaucoma, macular degeneration | Every 1–2 years after 65 |
| Hearing check | Safety, communication | As needed |
Now let’s talk about each one – like humans.
1) Blood Pressure: the “Silent” One You Don’t Want to Ignore
If you only track one number at home, make it this one.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends blood pressure screening for adults and also recommends confirming high readings with measurements outside the clinic (home or ambulatory monitoring) before starting treatment.
Why older adults should care: Blood pressure ties into stroke risk, heart strain, kidney health – the whole web.
Helpful tip: If your readings bounce around, bring a log (or take a photo of your cuff’s history). Doctors love data when it’s simple.
2) Cholesterol: Not Just “Bad vs. Good”
Cholesterol gets reduced to a morality play (“good HDL,” “bad LDL”), but what you really want is the whole picture – and context.
CDC guidance says most healthy adults should have cholesterol checked every 4 to 6 years, and people with certain conditions (heart disease, diabetes, family history) may need it more often.
Why it matters in retirement: Even small shifts can change your risk profile – and your plan (diet, activity, meds, follow-ups).
What to ask your provider:
- “Based on my age and history, how often do you want to check it?”
- “Do my numbers suggest lifestyle changes, medication, or just monitoring?”
3) Blood Sugar (Fasting Glucose or A1c): the Slow Creep
A lot of people think diabetes shows up with obvious symptoms. Sometimes it does. Often it doesn’t.
USPSTF recommends screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in adults ages 35 to 70 who are overweight or obese, and offering effective preventive interventions when prediabetes is found.
Real-world note: Even outside that age band, many clinicians keep an eye on A1c in older adults – especially if there’s family history, blood pressure issues, steroid use, or weight changes. This is one of the most common tests requested during home blood draws.
If you’re choosing between tests:
- Fasting glucose = snapshot of today
- A1c = trend over the past few months
4) Colon Cancer Screening: Awkward, but Wildly Effective
This is one of those screenings that has saved a lot of lives, partly because it can catch problems before they become cancer.
Research recommends colorectal cancer screening beginning at age 45 through 75, and says screening ages 76–85 should be individualized.
If you’re putting it off because of the colonoscopy: ask about options. There are stool-based tests and other strategies that may be appropriate depending on your risk and history.
5) Skin Cancer Awareness: A Quick Check With Nuance
A lot of “top screening lists” say “get a yearly skin cancer screening” like it’s a hard rule.
Here’s the nuance: Research says the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against routine clinician skin exams for screening in asymptomatic adolescents and adults.
So what should you do?
If you’re at higher risk (history of skin cancer, lots of moles, lots of sun exposure, blistering sunburns), it’s still very reasonable to talk to your clinician or dermatologist about periodic checks and what makes sense for you.
And regardless of risk: if something changes, itches, bleeds, crusts, or looks “off,” get it looked at. No heroics.
6) Dental Exams: Not Just About Teeth
A surprising number of health issues show up in the mouth first – infections, inflammation, dry mouth from meds, gum disease that affects eating (and nutrition), and so on.
NIH’s National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research highlights that older adults face common oral health issues and benefit from preventive care and treatment as part of staying healthy.
If you wear dentures: you still need dental visits. Gums change. Fit changes. Problems can hide under appliances.
7) Eye Exams: “I Can See Fine” Isn’t the Same as Healthy Eyes
Eyes are sneaky. Glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic eye changes can be progressing without obvious symptoms.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that adults 65+ get an eye exam every 1–2 years, even without symptoms.
Quick reminder: If you have diabetes, your provider may recommend more frequent eye checks.
8) Hearing: Quality of Life and Safety
If you’ve started avoiding noisy restaurants because it’s exhausting… that counts.
USPSTF says evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against routine screening for hearing loss in older adults without symptoms (another “it depends” area).
But age-related hearing loss is extremely common – NIDCD notes roughly 1 in 3 people ages 65–74 have hearing loss, and nearly half of those over 75 have difficulty hearing.
Practical approach: If you notice changes, don’t wait. A hearing evaluation is usually straightforward – and better hearing can mean safer driving, fewer misunderstandings with meds, and less social withdrawal.
6 Bonus Health Checks to Ask Your Doctor About
These aren’t always included on generic lists, but they come up constantly in real life.
1) Bone density (DEXA)
USPSTF recommends osteoporosis screening to prevent fractures in women age 65 and older (and younger postmenopausal women at increased risk). For men, evidence is currently insufficient.
2) Kidney function (creatinine/eGFR)
Not glamorous -very useful. Especially if you’re on blood pressure meds, diabetes meds, or multiple prescriptions.
3) Liver function tests
Often bundled with routine labs, and especially relevant if you’re on statins or other long-term medications.
4) Thyroid (TSH)
Worth a conversation if you’ve got unexplained fatigue, weight changes, palpitations, or temperature sensitivity.
5) Vitamin B12
Low B12 can look like “getting older” – fatigue, numbness/tingling, balance issues, brain fog – especially if you take certain medications long-term.
6) Vitamin D (with context)
USPSTF says evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against screening for vitamin D deficiency in asymptomatic adults.
That said, if you’ve had falls, fractures, low sun exposure, or bone health concerns, it’s a reasonable “should we check?” question.
Where myOnsite Healthcare fits into all of this
A lot of these checks require labs – and labs are where older adults often hit the “ugh, I’ll do it later” wall: transportation, long waits, mobility pain, bad weather, caregiver scheduling… you know the drill.
That’s why mobile phlebotomy services and home blood draw services have become such a game-changer.
At myOnsite Healthcare, our team brings lab testing at home to patients across the U.S., with employee-based, licensed mobile phlebotomists. We’re known for being on time (95% on-time draw rate), and patients consistently report they’d gladly do it again (99% satisfaction). We also support complex partners – including organizations like MSKCC – which means we’re used to getting collections done carefully and reliably.
If your annual checklist includes labs like cholesterol, A1c, kidney/liver panels, thyroid, or vitamin levels, doing them from your living room instead of a waiting room – with online access to results – is honestly, a relief.
Disclaimer
This content is for general information only and isn’t a substitute for medical advice. Screening recommendations can vary based on personal health history and risk factors, so it’s best to discuss what’s right for you with your healthcare provider.