Men’s Health Week has a recipe for ageing well

Media release - next week is International Men’s Health Week 2007

Men’s Health Week has a recipe for ageing well

Helping Kiwi men have fulfilling and happy lives as they grow older is the aim of this year’s International Men’s Health Week (11 – 17 June).

Age Concern New Zealand and the College of Nurses (Aotearoa) NZ are leading the celebrations and are urging men to look after their health and well-being. This year the focus is on keeping connected.

Age Concerns around the country will be offering activities to raise awareness about men’s health issues.

“Our plan for ageing well for senior men is: Keep Connected,” says Age Concern spokesperson Alistair Stewart. “That includes keeping connected with your health care professional; connected with your family and friends; and connected with your community.”

Age Concern and the College of Nurses have found that one of the ingredients for health and well-being is for men to keep active and involved throughout their senior years.

There is a stereotype that men can find it hard to adjust to life after paid employment, but Alistair Stewart says that most men now have opportunities to use their senior years productively.

“Many men tell us they’ve never been busier since they’ve retired.”

Two senior men, Blenheim’s Leo McKendry (72) and Taupo’s Gordon McDowell (75) have agreed to share their stories for Men’s Health Week. Both are having very successful retirements despite some health problems.

Their lives are typical of many of today’s senior men.

More are continuing in employment, sometimes working fewer hours. Others have activities both inside and outside the home such as helping in the local community, learning new skills, and being an active grandfather.

Keeping involved is part of the recipe but Age Concern says that men should also remember that it’s important to take care of physical health worries and see a health professional regularly – it may prevent minor health problems becoming more serious.

Dr Stephen Neville of the College of Nurses is pleased that awareness of men’s health and well-being is receiving more attention than previously but says that there is a need for more men-friendly health services to meet the specific health needs of men.

ENDS

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