Check-up Checklist: What to ask your doctor when you’re over 60, according to experts

January 29, 2025 | 2 min read

Most people dream of aging in good health and in good spirits, but there’s no denying that the pursuit gets a little more complicated once you pass 60.

The older you get, the greater the risk of chronic disease, injury, cognitive decline, and other factors that impact longevity.¹ “Even among generally healthy people, we know there’s often an accumulation of factors that have an impact at this age,” says Dr. Stephen Pomedli, Primary Care Physician at Cleveland Clinic Canada, Manulife’s Medical Director.

Keeping regular appointments with your primary care provider, and using these meetings as productively as possible, can help keep you on track. Here are some questions to ask your primary care provider or nurse practitioner when you’re over the age of 60, recommended by medical experts:

What to ask your doctor about routine screenings

• Ask when you’re due for your next home-based stool test, colonoscopy, mammogram, pap test, or other cancer-screening procedure. “Recommendations on when and how often to do these tests are evolving, and depends on your personal and family history, so it’s important to ask what’s right for you,” says Dr. Pomedli.
• Request tests to measure your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. Clarify how often you should be getting these factors checked—as these levels can often worsen with age.

• Ask for a review of your medication mix. “It’s good to check in at this stage and make sure you’re right where you need to be with the medications,” says Dr. Al Qahwash, Director, Cardiac Program and Critical Care at St. Mary’s General Hospital in Kitchener, ON, home of the Manulife-supported PREVENT Clinic.
• Ask about the efficacy and value of any supplements you may be taking.
• Discuss whether you’re sticking to your medication schedule—and be open to discuss any challenges you’re having. “Medication adherence can be really critical in controlling chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure or diabetes” Dr. Pomedli explains.

What to ask about brain health and mental health

• Ask about tactics and tools you can use to bolster your brain and mental health in this phase of life – including strategies to support regular physical activity, nutritious eating habits, and adequate sleep.
• Talk to your provider about further assessments, such as a neurological exam or cognitive test, if you are experiencing changes in your memory or thinking that affect your daily life.
• Share the level of social connection you have with friends and family, or if you are experiencing any feelings of loneliness. “Research shows social connection to be very important for our brain health and mental health, and therefore a contributor to well-being and longevity,” says Dr. Michelle Roseman, with Cleveland Clinic Canada.

Taking some time to prepare for your check-up is a good idea at any age, says Karen Cutler, Head of Underwriting and Chief Underwriter for Manulife’s Individual Insurance business. It can help address all your key concerns, while also bolstering your confidence during clinic visits, which might otherwise feel stressful. 

“It’s important to advocate for your own health,” she says. “Do what you can to take control of your meeting. That can often be something as simple as going in with a list, and saying ‘I have four, or five, or six questions for you.”

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or treat a condition. If you have questions or concerns about your specific situation or are seeking medical advice, contact your medical doctor or your healthcare provider.

Cleveland Clinic Canada
Manulife is proud to have Cleveland Clinic Canada on board as Medical Director for our Group Benefits operations. Cleveland Clinic Canada has a wealth of global healthcare expertise and shares our goal to help Canadians live longer, healthier, and better lives. Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit organization that has been at the forefront of modern medicine since 1921. In recent years, Cleveland Clinic has worked with progressive companies in Canada and around the world to prioritize the health and well-being of their employees, customers, and communities.

 St. Mary’s PREVENT Clinic
In alignment with our Impact Agenda and our commitment to sustained health and well-being, Manulife Canada is proud to support the PREVENT Clinic powered by Manulife. Located within the St. Mary's Cardio Pulmonary Rehabilitation, the clinic serves as a multidisciplinary, risk-factor reduction program for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.