Author: PMSI Support

Key Takeaways

• Preventative screenings help catch health issues early, while Medicare covers many of them.
• Tracking daily health signs gives seniors more control and confidence.
• NJ Primary Care offers Jersey City seniors personalized preventative care planning.
• Being proactive about screenings, lifestyle, and immunizations supports long-term independence.

Introduction

Turning 60 is a major milestone — and for many adults, it marks a shift toward thinking more proactively about long-term health. For seniors in Jersey City, the best way to stay independent and thriving is through preventative care: screenings, wellness visits, and small daily habits that catch problems before they escalate.

At NJ Primary Care, we focus on keeping our senior patients healthier for longer with comprehensive, personalized care. This guide walks you through what preventative healthcare really means after 60, what to expect, and how to stay on track.

Book your annual wellness visit with NJ Primary Care today.

Why Preventative Healthcare Matters After 60

As we age, our risk for certain health conditions increases — but early detection often makes the difference between simple management and serious complications. Preventative care focuses on catching issues early, monitoring risk factors, and helping you feel confident about your health.

Key benefits include:

• Lower risk of hospitalizations
• More manageable treatment options
• Better quality of life
• Reduced healthcare costs over time

At NJ Primary Care, preventative care is never one-size-fits-all. We tailor it to your personal health history, lifestyle, and goals.

Essential Screenings You Shouldn’t Skip

Annual Wellness Visit

Covered by Medicare, this visit focuses on your full health picture — including fall risk, cognitive changes, depression screening, and personalized prevention planning.

Blood Pressure & Cholesterol

High blood pressure and cholesterol often show no symptoms. Regular checks help prevent stroke, heart attack, and kidney damage.

Blood Glucose Monitoring

If you’re at risk for diabetes or prediabetes, screenings can help you take early steps with diet and activity before medication becomes necessary.

Cancer Screenings

• Colorectal cancer: Colonoscopy every 10 years, or more frequently with risk factors
• Breast cancer: Mammograms for women every 1–2 years
• Prostate cancer: PSA tests for men based on age and risk

Vision & Hearing

Changes to vision or hearing can affect your safety and independence. Annual checks are recommended.

Not sure what you’re due for? Schedule an appointment and we can review your records and build your screening plan.

What Medicare Covers

Medicare Part B covers a wide range of preventative services at no cost if your provider accepts Medicare. These include:

• Annual wellness visits
• Cardiovascular and diabetes screenings
• Mammograms and colonoscopies
• Depression and alcohol misuse screening
• Obesity counseling
• Bone mass measurements
• Vaccines (flu, pneumonia, COVID-19)

At NJ Primary Care, we will help you maximize your Medicare benefits and ensure you’re not missing important screenings simply because of timing or paperwork confusion.

Track These 5 Vital Signs Daily

Between visits, you can still stay on top of your health by tracking small daily indicators. These signs help you catch patterns, notice changes, and support your medical team with valuable information.

• Blood Pressure – Check at the same time daily. Use a home monitor with a large screen and auto inflation.
• Blood Sugar – Especially important if you have diabetes or are prediabetic. Monitor before meals and bedtime.
• Weight – Sudden changes (5+ lbs) in either direction can indicate fluid retention, loss of appetite, or other issues.
• Sleep Quality – Keep a sleep journal or use a wearable device. Poor sleep impacts heart health and mood.
• Pain Levels – Rate daily (0–10) and note what triggers it or brings relief.

Tip: Bring your logs to appointments — Our medical providers use them to adjust medications, make referrals, or recommend therapies.

Immunizations You May Need

Staying current on vaccines is another core part of preventative care. After 60, the immune system weakens, making infections more serious.

Vaccines recommended by NJ Primary Care include:

• Flu Shot: Every fall
• Shingles (Shingrix): 2 doses, for adults over 50
• Pneumococcal Vaccine: Protects against pneumonia and meningitis
• COVID-19 Boosters: Updated as needed per CDC guidelines
• Tdap Booster: Every 10 years

All are available at  our Jersey City locations. We’ll help review your vaccine history and fill in any gaps.

Lifestyle Matters Too

Your daily habits are part of your prevention plan, too. At NJ Primary, we help seniors build healthy routines that work for their body and schedule.

Nutrition

• Focus on colorful vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains
• Reduce added sugars and salt
• Drink water throughout the day

Exercise

• Aim for 30 minutes of movement most days
• Walking, stretching, and balance exercises help prevent falls
• NJ Primary can refer you to physical therapy if needed

Mental Wellness

• Stay socially connected with friends or groups
• Talk to your provider about stress, grief, or memory concerns
• We offer screenings for depression and cognitive changes

How Often Should You See Your Doctor?

Here’s a general guide for check-ins after 60:

• Wellness visit: Yearly
• Bloodwork (cholesterol, glucose): Every 6–12 months
• Cancer screenings: Based on risk and prior results
• Vision/hearing: Annually
• Medication review: Every visit or with any medication change

Our providers will create a personalized schedule for you and make it easy to stay on track.

How NJ Primary Care’s Doctors Support Senior Preventative Health

At NJ Primary Care, preventative care is at the heart of what we do. For our senior patients, we provide:

• Personalized screening and vaccine schedules
• Routine wellness visits that go beyond “just a checkup”
• Help with Medicare coordination
• One-on-one education about nutrition, medication, and risk management
• Clear follow-ups and compassionate support

Have questions or ready to take the next step? Schedule your wellness visit today.

Final Thoughts

Preventative care is a lifelong investment in your well-being. After 60, it becomes one of the most powerful tools you have for living with independence, dignity, and strength.

At NJ Primary Care, we’re here to walk with you — not just when something feels wrong, but to help you keep feeling right.

Contact us to get started with your personalized preventative care plan.

Breast Cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women in India and the most common cancer diagnosed in American women. Statistics show 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. To add perspective- think about 8 of the closest women you know in your life. One of your dearest friends or family members will hear the words “you have breast cancer”. When breast cancer is detected at an early stage the survival rate increases dramatically.

A mammography is the first step a woman can take to look for signs of breast cancer before any symptoms can develop. Breast cancer prevention also starts withe healthy habits-such as limiting alcohol and staying physically active. In this issue of NJ Primary Care’s Health & Wellness newsletter the Mayo Clinic offers tips and steps you can take to help reduce breast cancer risk. Some risk factors, such as family history, can’t be changed. However, there are lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk.

Getting your flu shot is also an act that helps protect those around you, from your kids to your elderly neighbors. A quick visit to your primary care doctor in Jersey City can be the difference between staying healthy and spending a week feeling miserable. Want to know how a simple shot can keep you and your loved ones safe this season? Keep reading.

What Can You Do To Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer?

Research shows that lifestyle changes can decrease the risk of breast cancer, even in women at high risk. To lower your risk:

• Limit alcohol. The more alcohol you drink, the greater your risk of developing breast cancer. The general recommendation — based on research on the effect of alcohol on breast cancer risk — is to limit yourself to no more than one drink a day, as even small amounts increase risk.
• Maintain a healthy weight. If your weight is healthy, work to maintain that weight. If you need to lose weight, ask your doctor about healthy strategies to accomplish this. Reduce the number of calories you eat each day and slowly increase the amount of exercise.
• Be physically active. Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight, which helps prevent breast cancer. Most healthy adults should aim for at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity weekly, plus strength training at least twice a week.
• Limit postmenopausal hormone therapy. Combination hormone therapy may increase the risk of breast cancer. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of hormone therapy. You might be able to manage your symptoms with nonhormonal therapies and medications. If you decide that the benefits of short-term hormone therapy outweigh the risks, use the lowest dose that works for you and continue to have your doctor monitor the length of time you’re taking hormones.

Can a Health Diet Prevent Breast Cancer?

Eating a healthy diet might decrease your risk of some types of cancer, as well as diabetes, heart disease and stroke. For example, women who eat a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil and mixed nuts might have a reduced risk of breast cancer. The Mediterranean diet focuses on mostly on plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts. People who follow the Mediterranean diet choose healthy fats, such as olive oil, over butter and eat fish instead of red meat.

Contact NJ Primary Care for Your Breast Cancer Screening

As an internal medicine physician, Deval Gadhvi, MD is skilled at performing exams, treating illnesses and answering patients’ questions.  In 2015, at just 39 years old, Dr. Gadhvi’s life drastically changed when she was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. The physician, with no known risk factors, was now the patient fighting for survival. Her experience as a cancer survivor gave Dr. Gadhvi a new mission in life-to help bring awareness to young girls and women and offer screenings to the most vulnerable communities.  Her organization Let’s Save Ma is a 501(c) 3 dedicated to raising breast cancer awareness for women at an early age. Early detection can save lives, one screening at a time.

If you have not been in for a while and need to schedule an appointment for a Mammogram, click here now to access our online appointment scheduler. You will also have the opportunity to download our health newsletter.