4 Ways to Improve Senior Male Health

As males age, their bodies undergo changes, which impact male health. Your metabolism slows down, your bones can become brittle and weak, and you may have trouble sleeping. These are just some of the issues that can impact male senior health —and it’s not just a matter of being tired all the time: these issues can lead to serious health problems if you do not manage them appropriately.

But don’t worry; we’ve got some tips for staying healthy at any age. June is Men’s Health Month, and we want to make sure that senior men know how to take care of themselves in the best way possible.

Here are some things you can do right now to improve senior male health:

Get Regular Checkups with Your Health Care Provider

Ensure that you’re getting regular screenings for diseases like cancer and diabetes; these diseases tend to come up more frequently as people get older. Prostrate screening is recommended once every three years, starting at age 50. Colorectal screening is recommended for both men and women age 45-75.

Preventative and proactive care is best, so don’t wait until something goes wrong before seeking medical attention. You can ask your doctor what tests to take based on your family history or previous health issues, such as high blood pressure, glucose monitoring, and cholesterol levels.

There are also additional vaccines you may want to consider as you age. The CDC recommends two doses of zoster vaccine for adults age 50 or older and one dose of pneumococcal vaccine for adults age 65 or older. These vaccines help prevent shingles and pneumonia.

Eat Right

It may sound boring, but eating well is one of the most important things you can do for your health as an older man.

You’re probably eating less than you used to because of reduced appetite or difficulty chewing, but it’s essential to keep up with your nutritional requirements.

Eating a balanced diet full of whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins helps keep your body running smoothly—and helps prevent diabetes and heart disease (two common ailments among seniors).

Try to eat small meals throughout the day instead of three big ones. Your body will thank you!

Exercise

Even if it’s just walking around the block once in a while, exercise is one of the best things you can do for yourself as a senior man. Try taking walks around your neighborhood or joining a gym. If your doctor gives you the all-clear, consider taking up yoga or swimming to get your heart pumping again—and have fun while doing it!

Regular exercise can help improve strength, help stave off bone loss due to lack of activity, reduce stress levels, and improve moods—all things that are important for seniors.

Get Plenty of Rest

Your body needs a good night’s sleep to repair itself and stay healthy. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep by following some of these tips:

●      Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet so you’re not distracted while trying to sleep

●      Set an alarm that doesn’t startle you awake—the gentle beeping of a clock radio or soft music are both excellent options

●      Take naps during the day if you need one—make sure they don’t interfere with your nighttime sleep

Enough sleep will help keep your mind sharp and your body strong.

Begin Your Healthy Living Journey

Even if you’re not a senior male, taking good care of your body can help you feel healthier and more energetic overall. At the very least, these steps will help keep you healthy now and prepare for your senior stage of life.

Ultimately, each individual needs to find a way to adopt a healthier lifestyle. By following the above recommendations, you can significantly reduce your chances of prematurely saying goodbye to your golden years by initiating a healthy lifestyle. 

Center for Family medicine is here to provide help, for men and women of all ages. Schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, today.