Fortunately, although this incorrect concept is still alive and well in some areas of the United States, the pressure-filled taboo on men of any age that they should always remain strong and that visiting a medical professional can be seen as ‘unmanly’ is abating.
As a man, especially one over the age of sixty-five, there are certain changes you should make to both your attitude to your physical health and also new ways to ensure you are taking care of your emotional health too. With this in mind, continue reading to learn some important health advice for men over 65.
Regular Medical Examinations
As previously touched upon, it is far more likely that a man will avoid making an appointment with their medical doctor than a woman, and furthermore, older men are even less likely to do this in a timely fashion.
For convenience and for a lesser amount of upheaval to your day, it is strongly advisable to register with an online NHS GP, which will mean making and attending medical appointments substantially easier and more accessible.
The most important screenings and checks, although not a complete list, for older men, include the following:
- An annual blood pressure check
- A high blood cholesterol level test
- A periodic bone health evaluation
- Colorectal and prostate cancer screenings
- Annual vision and hearing checks
- Dental check-ups every year
Always Have Your Shots!
Another key piece of advice for men who are focused on becoming and remaining as healthy as possible as they become older is to always make sure to have their appropriate medical shots. Obviously, everyone is different, and a comprehensive guide to what specific injections you individually need will only be accurate from your doctor.
However, as a general rule, you should be having, approximately every six or seven years, a pneumonia vaccination and an annual shingles (herpes zoster) injection every year. Additionally, a combination booster of diphtheria and tetanus every ten years is also necessary, as well as a flu shot immediately before the flu season begins around September and October.
Work to Reduce Your Risk of Fractures & Falls
As the body gets older, for both men and women, it is far more likely that a simple trip over the front step to your home can cause much more damage than it would for a younger person. For this reason, it is logical to strive to reduce the risk of falling and fracturing one or more of your bones as much as feasibly possible.
Remove any hazards in your home, especially around the front and back entrances to the property and around the stairs, hall, and landing, and be sure to make bone health of optimum priority.
Bone-building exercises such as light jogging, power walking, or simply regularly walking around the neighborhood will work to strengthen your bones as it will the rest of your body. Undertaking strength-building exercises and working on your stretching capabilities, your overall balance, and how flexible your limbs are will all also serve to reduce the risk of damage from falls and trips.
