Strong at every stage

Women’s health needs evolve over time, requiring personalized care at every life stage. Get expert advice about steps you can take to maintain your well-being for life.

Laying the groundwork

Preventive care should take a holistic approach for all women, notes Dr. Janet Pregler, MD, Director of the UCLA Women’s Health Center. For younger women, “screenings and lifestyle planning lay the groundwork for long-term wellness. Regular monitoring for high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol is vital, as these conditions often go unnoticed until later in life.”

Dr. Vijaya Surampudi, MD, MS, a clinical nutritionist and endocrinologist at UCLA Health, emphasizes the importance of health span — not just living longer, but living well. “We don’t want to just live long. We want to live life to the fullest.” She underscores three critical pillars of well-being: nutrition, exercise and sleep.

Aging with strength and purpose

For older women, the focus shifts to cognitive health, mobility and independence. Dr. Pregler introduces the Five M’s as a framework for aging well:

• What Matters Most: Personal goals should guide health care decisions.
• Mind: Cognitive interventions to promote long-term memory health.
• Mobility: Maintaining physical function for long-term independence.
• Medications: Avoiding potential medication interactions.
• Multi-complexity: A holistic approach to addressing multiple health concerns that often come with aging.

Dr. Ko highlights the importance of social connection. “The Harvard Study for Adult Development shows that the quality of your relationships is directly tied to happiness, health, and longevity.” She recommends asking yourself: How can I feel connected? How can I feel healthy? How can I feel purposeful?

Advocating for yourself is crucial at every stage of life. “If a woman experiences a situation where it seems like her questions are just not being answered… it may be important to change providers,” says Dr. Pregler. Dr. Ko echoes this sentiment: “Be picky about your doctor. You shop around for a partner, for a dress, for a gym—why not for your doctor? The strength of that relationship is critical.”

Take charge of your health. Schedule a health care visit to discuss your symptoms and concerns, or to start building a personalized wellness plan to guide your health journey through all life stages. “You are the author of your story,” says Dr. Ko. “You are the captain of your team. [Your doctor is] your coach, standing by your side—play by play.”

Support for your journey

Holistic preventive care

Holistic care looks at body, mind and spirit to treat root causes, not just symptoms. Your Medicare yearly “Wellness” visit is a great chance to create your personalized health plan with your provider to address your individual needs and concerns. And best of all, Medicare covers 100% of the cost — no deductible. Visit medicare.gov to find providers who accept Medicare assignment.

Women's health

Findhelp, the largest network of free or reduced-cost social assistance programs and resources in the United States, is available to all members of the UC community. For women’s health resources in your area, go to findhelp.org, enter your ZIP code and search for “women’s health.”

Connection and purpose

The UC community offers many opportunities for connection — including travel opportunities for retirees. Learn more about how to stay engaged as a UC retiree or emeritus.

And you can meet, talk, laugh and share experiences with other people in your stage of life over the phone and online through Findhelp’s Well Connected program.