June is Men’s Health Month. Find out how lifestyle changes can help improve health.
In this month of celebrating Dad, it is the perfect time to take steps to ensure the men in our life are as healthy and physically fit as they can be. In addition to Father’s Day, June is likewise designated as Men’s Health Month – something we should all pay attention to, as men are not as likely than women to go to the physician, in spite of a decreased life expectancy and an increased tendency for a full 14 out of 15 of the primary factors behind 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 take a proactive stance to healthcare in reducing their danger of being diagnosed with these health risks impacting senior men:
- Cardiovascular disease. Followed by stroke, cardiovascular disease is typically the top reason for death worldwide, and American men are at an especially heightened danger. Preventative measures involve monitoring (and controlling) cholesterol and blood pressure levels, and implementing healthy lifestyle choices; for example, eating plenty 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 year alone. Men need to talk with their doctors for guidelines on prostate cancer screenings.
- Diabetes. Diabetes is a particular worry for males, as it sometimes starts off without exhibiting any outward symptoms before advancing to an unhealthy level, which might result in stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, blindness and amputations. Studies show that men who regularly work out a minimum of half an hour a day can cut the risk of developing diabetes by 50%.
- Lung cancer. Nearly 90% of lung cancer cases stem from smoking; and the good news is, non-smoking men are at a fantastic advantage in preventing the disease. If your senior loved one smokes, encourage him to talk with a doctor for assistance in stopping.
- Depression. Men are just as likely to be impacted by depression as women, yet are more likely to push their thoughts and feelings under the rug rather than seek help. However, it is critical to understand that depression is a treatable condition – and left untreated, may result in suicidal thoughts. Even though women are more likely to attempt suicide, men are more likely to carry out an attempt to completion.
At Anthem Home Care, provider of senior home care in Ingleside and the surrounding cities, our priority is to ensure the seniors in our care are as healthy and well as possible, and enjoying life to the fullest. If you’re worried about the health of a senior man in your life, we are here to assist in a number of ways: transportation to medical appointments, preparation of healthy meals, motivation to engage in exercise programs, and pleasant companionship to keep loneliness – a primary contributor to depression in seniors – at bay. Call us at 361.643.2323 or email us via our online contact form for more information.