November - Movember is a Great Time to Talk about Men's Health
November 9, 2023
Movember started in 2004 in Australia as a way for men to strike up conversations about men’s health issues that are often difficult to discuss. Men who participate in Movember take an oath to grow their mustache as much as they can during the month while also taking the necessary steps to ensure they are staying on top of their health.
If you have an aging dad or grandfather, having him partake in Movember can be a fun way to break the ice on some health topics he may normally be leery about discussing with you or his home care assistance team. While he grows and grooms his mustache, encourage him to take some time to learn about the top health conditions for elderly men. Awareness and an honest discussion are a great start to keeping your loved one’s good health a top priority.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and one in three men has some form of it. Older men are more likely to develop coronary artery disease, which occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries that supply the heart and can often lead to a heart attack. High blood pressure and congestive heart failure are also common forms of heart disease that can shorten your loved one’s life if not taken seriously and taken care of.
Depression
One of Movember’s original goals was to open the conversation about depression and suicide among men – young and old alike. For many of the older generation, talking about feelings and pain is not something they learned how to do when they were younger. If your loved one battles depression or anxiety, help him find someone he can talk to openly about it. While a therapist is great, even having a friend or a home care assistance provider that he trusts to open up to is beneficial.
Stroke
Years of bad lifestyle habits can lead to a stroke. Men are more likely to have a stroke and most strokes occur after the age of 65. If your loved one has bad lifestyle habits such as smoking, drinking excessively, or a poor diet, he may be more at risk for having a stroke. As he grows his mustache this month, have him also take positive steps toward more healthy living. If he needs to eat better, a home care assistance team can help with meals so that what he is eating will improve his health, or at the very least, not harm it anymore. If he has an addiction, look for professional assistance to help him break a lifelong bad habit.
Prostate Conditions
Older men are more vulnerable to prostate health issues like prostate cancer and an enlarged prostate. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer men have and almost all men over the age of 90 have an enlarged prostate. If your loved one has any signs of prostate issues, encourage him to get it checked out sooner than later.
Hopefully, as that mustache grows this month, so will your loved one’s knowledge of health issues that may affect him.
If you or your loved one is looking for Home Care Assistance or Placement Services in Palo Alto, CA, please call Familiar Surroundings Home Care.
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