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Men’s Health Month
June 1st starts Men’s Health Month, the celebration started in 1992 to help address the growing concern of men’s health. Did you know men have an average life expectancy of FIVE YEARS SHORTER than women? According to menshealthmonth.org this is because men are more hesitant to see a doctor. Research finds that women visit the doctor twice as often as men.
Senior Men need to make those doctors’ appointments a priority. Men are more vulnerable to certain health conditions, such as diabetes, heart conditions, and dementia, many of these conditions go unnoticed without regular doctors’ appointments. At Life Plan Communities, like eliseo they offer a sense of security when it comes to having a community dedicated to playing a part in your retirement goals to include your health. eliseo offers a MultiCare Clinic on campus for easy access to your primary care physician.
Men’s Health Month aims to bring more attention to these preventable health conditions and promote early detection and treatment in men of every age.
Senior Men
Older gentlemen should pay attention to the signs their body sends and schedule annual checkups with their primary care physicians to go over a care-plan to best fits their health needs. Doing this not only helps aid in a long life but a happy one with a better quality of life.
80 is the new 60, there is a perception that once you hit 65 years old you retire and your health decreases. If you look at some of the most powerful men in the World you will see Donald Trump is 73, Pope Francis is 83, and Bill Gates is 64. The National Council on Aging found that 80% of seniors ensure chronic health conditions like heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. Men face unique problems that often go unaddressed, such as testosterone deficiency, prostate cancer, and premature ejaculation. By eating right, getting active and exercising the brain you can help alleviate some of these issues.
Regular Screenings
Senior men should regularly schedule screens for abdominal aortic aneurysms, blood pressure, colorectal cancer, depression, diabetes, lipid disorders, and STD’s. Research from the Health in Aging Foundation found that 40% of men who become sick put off seeing a doctor for several days, and 17% would delay “at least a week” before seeing their physician.
Life Plan Communities can add a sense of security with health clinics on their campus but if you still reside in your home and you are unable to make it to a physician office you can utilize companies like Dispatch Health. These companies are considered “urgent cares on wheels.” They treat common conditions like the flu, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, asthma, respiratory, ear, nose, and throat concerns. The great thing is they work with most insurance companies and if they happen to not work with your insurance, they have been found to be pretty affordable.
Keep Track of Your Information
Seniors, not just men, should keep a comprehensive list of all medications and doses they are taking. They should also have an emergency medical card that has their current medical information and emergency contact numbers listed. This information can be kept in a wallet, on your fridge, in a Ziplock in your freezer, or hung on the back of your front door. Having this will help emergency services if you should ever need them.
source: https://www.epilepsywalletcard.com
Activity
Depending on mobility and physical capabilities, older gentlemen should try to include half an hour of physical activity into their day, five times a week. Many Life Plan Communities offer a Wellness Program. Again, places life eliseo, have Wellness Studios that offer seven days a week classes at all levels of physical capabilities. These classes can include, low impact pool classes, yoga, standing and or sitting workouts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxvdTsrXqSc‘
You can even find many of these classes on YouTube to do on your own time.
The important thing is to do what you can to improve your strength, balance, and flexibility. Remember that age is just a number and don’t let that stand in the way of your health goals.
Happy Men’s Health Month.
eliseo
TLRC is nestled in the gorgeous South Puget Sound area, residents enjoy attractive living facilities, a host of amenities, innovative programs, and a sense of community not found anywhere else.
contact information:
Phone: 253.752.7112
Address: 1301 N. Highlands Pkwy, Tacoma, WA 98406
Sources
Men’s Health Month: Bringing Awareness To Men’s Health Issues During The Month Of June
https://www.healthinaging.org/tools-and-tips/tips-good-health-later-life-older-men
https://www.ncoa.org/news/resources-for-reporters/get-the-facts/healthy-aging-facts/