Staying Healthy Over 50 in the UK

Turning 50 often makes you think more seriously about your health, and the good news is the NHS has plenty of practical support to help you stay on track. From routine GP visits and free screenings to ways you can donate blood, plasma, or organs, there are lots of simple steps worth taking.

I’ve pulled together everything from the key checks, regular appointments, and donation options into one straightforward guide. All based on current NHS info – always check official sites or speak to your GP for advice that fits your situation.

Start Here: Regular Checks with your GP

Your GP surgery is the best first port of call. There isn’t one universal annual MOT for every healthy person, but several reviews are recommended or easy to request.

The NHS Health Check (often called the midlife MOT) is free for ages 40–74 without certain pre-existing conditions like diabetes or heart disease. Offered every five years, it covers blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI, waist measurement, lifestyle questions, and your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

Over 65? You’ll also get info on dementia signs. Takes about 20–30 minutes and ends with personalised advice. If you haven’t been invited, just call your GP surgery or local council to arrange one.

If you have a long-term condition (diabetes, high blood pressure, heart issues, asthma, etc.), you should get annual reviews with your GP or practice nurse. These usually include relevant blood tests (HbA1c, cholesterol, kidney function), medication reviews, foot checks (for diabetes), blood pressure, and lifestyle support.

For people over 75, many practices offer an annual health check on request. It’s a good opportunity to review your medicines, mobility, mood, and any concerns. Ring reception to book.

Other things worth discussing regularly with your GP:

• Blood pressure monitoring (more often if raised).
• Medication reviews, especially if you’re on multiple tablets.
• Vaccinations – annual flu for many over 50/65, plus shingles, pneumococcal, and COVID boosters as advised.
• Lifestyle topics: diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol, weight, and mental wellbeing.
• Falls prevention if you’re over 65 or at risk.
• Blood tests as needed (full blood count, kidney/liver function, vitamin D, etc.).

Key contacts

Call your GP surgery first. For non-emergency NHS advice, ring 111. Don’t wait for symptoms – book that appointment and have an open conversation.

Giving Back: Blood, Plasma, and Organ Donation

Once you’re looking after your own health, donating can feel really rewarding and genuinely helps others.

Blood Donation: Saves lives every day for accident victims, surgery patients, and more. You need to be generally healthy, aged 17–65 (or older if you’ve donated before), and weigh at least 50kg. Sessions take around an hour including checks.

You can donate every 12–16 weeks. Download the NHS Give Blood app or visit www.blood.co.uk to sign up and book. Call 0300 123 23 23 with questions.

Plasma Donation: Plasma is turned into medicines for immune disorders, clotting problems, and other conditions. It’s done at dedicated centres in Birmingham, Reading, and Twickenham. You can often donate more frequently than whole blood. Same basic eligibility – check the website for full details. https://www.blood.co.uk/plasma/

Organ and Tissue Donation: Registering takes just a couple of minutes and one donor can save up to nine lives while helping many more through tissue (corneas, skin, bones, etc.). You can choose specific organs/tissues or opt out. In England there’s an opt-out system for adults, but recording your wishes makes things clear for your family. Living donation (e.g., a kidney or part of your liver) is possible for some. Register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk or call the 24/7 Organ Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23. Tell your loved ones what you’ve decided.

General donation tip: Both blood/plasma and organ donation are voluntary and free (paying donors is illegal in the UK). Demand is always high, especially for certain blood types and from diverse communities.

NHS Screening Programmes for Over-50s

These population programmes focus on early detection of cancers and other conditions. They’re invitation-based if you’re registered with a GP, so keep your contact details up to date. Screening is for people without symptoms – contact your GP promptly if you have concerns (e.g., bowel changes, breast lumps, urinary issues).

Breast Screening (Mammogram): Offered every three years to women and people with breasts aged 50 up to 71 (first invitation between 50–53). Over 70? You can self-refer. It’s a quick X-ray. Trans/non-binary individuals – check with your GP. If not invited by ~53, contact your local breast screening service (find via NHS.uk or your GP). More info: NHS Breast Screening

Bowel Cancer Screening (FIT Home Test Kit): Sent every two years to people aged 50–74. Simple at-home test for hidden blood in stool. Over 75? Call the free helpline on 0800 707 6060. If no kit arrives when expected, contact the helpline or your GP. More info: NHS Bowel Cancer Screening

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening (mainly for men): One-off ultrasound scan in the year you turn 65 to check for dangerous swelling in the aorta. Men (and trans women/non-binary assigned male at birth) are invited automatically. Over 65 and missed it? Self-refer via your local service (search on NHS.uk). More info: NHS AAA Screening

Lung Health Checks: For ages 55–74 who have ever smoked (current or former). Involves a lung assessment and possibly a low-dose CT scan if higher risk. Available in more areas now – ask your GP or search locally. More info: NHS Lung Cancer Screening

Prostate Cancer: No routine population screening on the NHS, as the PSA blood test isn’t considered reliable enough for everyone (risk of overdiagnosis). Men over 50 (or earlier with family history or Black ethnicity) can discuss a PSA test with their GP. Targeted screening exists for a small high-risk group (e.g., certain BRCA2 carriers aged 45–61), but it’s limited. Action: Talk to your GP about symptoms or risks – no automatic invitation. More info  https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/psa-test/

Other Relevant Checks:

• Cervical screening for people with a cervix, up to age 64 (every 3–5 years, HPV test) – continues automatically. More Info https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cervical-screening/
• Diabetic eye screening if you have diabetes (regular/annual). https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/diabetic-eye-screening/
• Other health checks: Over-40s/50s may get the NHS Health Check mentioned earlier for cardiovascular risk.

General advice for screenings: They’re optional – read the information and balance benefits versus risks. Programmes evolve (e.g., bowel screening age lowered, lung rollout continuing), so check NHS.uk for the latest.

Register with a GP and keep details current to receive invitations.

Looking after your health after 50 doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Start with your GP for regular reviews, consider donating if you can, and attend those screening invitations. Small consistent actions make a big difference for you and for others.

For personalised advice, speak to your GP surgery. Here’s to feeling strong and making the most of the years ahead!

Disclaimer -This document is for the UK use only, and serves purely as information and educational material only.   Please consult your General Practitioner in the first instance or the 111 NHS  service at  https://111.nhs.uk/  if you need help and support in any of these areas.

Rentasenior is a UK online portal for seniors aged 50 years or over to offer their skills and expertise to their local community.