Health risks involving senior men can be impacted by lifestyle changes.
In this month of celebrating Dad, now is the right 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 also designated as Men’s Health Month – something we must all pay attention to, as men are less likely than women to consult with the doctor, in spite of a reduced life expectancy and an increased tendency for a full 14 out of 15 of the primary reasons for death.
Editor in Chief for 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 choose a proactive stance toward healthcare to help reduce their danger of being diagnosed with these common elderly health problems in senior men:
- Cardiovascular disease. Followed by stroke, coronary disease is typically the number one cause of death around the world, and American men are at an especially high risk. Preventative steps to take consist of checking (and controlling) cholesterol and blood pressure, and switching to healthy lifestyle choices which include eating lots of vegetables and fruits, exercising, and stopping smoking.
- Prostate cancer. As many as 200,000 men are expected to be informed they have prostate cancer this year alone. Men need to talk to their doctors for a recommendation on prostate cancer screenings.
- Diabetes. Diabetes is a particular worry for men, because it frequently begins without exhibiting any observable symptoms prior to advancing to an unhealthy level, which could lead to stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, blindness and amputations. Research indicates that men who work out a minimum of a half hour per day can cut the risk of developing diabetes by half.
- Lung cancer. As many as 90% of lung cancer cases stem from smoking; so the good news is, non-smoking men have an advantage in preventing the disease. If your loved one smokes, encourage him to consult with the doctor for assistance with quitting.
- Depression. Men are just as likely to be impacted by depression as women; however, they are more inclined to push their feelings under the rug rather than seeking help. It is critical to understand that depression is a treatable issue – and left untreated, can lead to suicidal thoughts. Even though women are more likely to attempt suicide, men are more likely to carry out an attempt to completion.
At At-Home Care Company, the experts in home health care Des Moines and the surrounding areas depend on, our main priority is to make certain that the older adults within our care are as healthy and well as possible, and enjoying life to the fullest. If you are concerned about the health of a senior man in your life, we are available to help in a number of ways: transportation to medical appointments, preparation of healthy meals, encouragement to take part in exercise programs, and pleasant companionship to help keep loneliness – a significant factor in depression in older adults – at bay. Call us at (515) 292-2650 for additional information. We’re here to help; contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help when senior loved ones are impacted by these common elderly health problems!