In this month of honoring Dad, it is the perfect time to take measures to guarantee the men in our life are as healthy and physically fit as possible. In conjunction with Father’s Day, June is likewise designated as Men’s Health Month – something we should all pay attention to, as men are less likely than women to see a healthcare professional, in spite of a reduced life expectancy and a greater tendency for a full 14 out of 15 of the primary factors behind death.
Editor in Chief of the American Journal of Men’s Health, Demetrius Porche, DNS, RN, sums it up: “Men put their health last. Most men’s thinking is, if they can live up to their roles in society, then they’re healthy.”
Encourage the older men in your life to take a proactive position to healthcare to help reduce their danger of being diagnosed with these key health risks for men. Here are just a few proactive healthcare benefits.
- Coronary disease. Followed closely by stroke, cardiovascular disease is typically the top reason behind death worldwide, and American men are at a particularly heightened danger. Preventative actions to take include monitoring (and managing) cholesterol and blood pressure, and switching to healthy lifestyle choices such as eating an abundance of fruits and vegetables, exercising, and stopping smoking.
- Prostate cancer. As many as 200,000 men are likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer this coming year alone. Men need to talk with their doctors for guidelines on prostate cancer screenings.
- Diabetes. Diabetes is a particular concern for males, because it sometimes starts without showing any observable symptoms prior to advancing to a dangerous level, which might lead to stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, blindness and amputations. Research indicates that men who exercise a minimum of 30 minutes a day can reduce the threat of developing diabetes in half.
- Lung cancer. As many as 90% of lung cancer cases stem from smoking; so the great news is, non-smoking men are at a good advantage in preventing the disease. If a senior loved one smokes, encourage him to talk to the doctor for help in stopping.
- Depression. Men are just as likely to be impacted by depression as women, but they are more inclined to push their emotions and thoughts under the rug rather than seeking assistance. It’s important to note that depression is a treatable affliction – but if left untreated, can cause suicidal thoughts. And even though women are more likely to attempt suicide, men are more likely to carry out an attempt to completion.
At Morning Glory Home Care, our main priority is to ensure that the seniors within our care are as healthy and well as possible, and enjoying life to the fullest. If you are worried about the health of a senior man in your life, we are available to help in a variety of ways: transportation to medical appointments, preparation of healthy meals, encouragement to be involved in exercise programs, and friendly companionship to keep isolation – a major contributor to depression in seniors – at bay. Email us or give us a call at 618-667-8400 to find out more about home health care in Alton, IL and the surrounding area. Our team of caregivers can help seniors understand proactive healthcare benefits.