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Older Men

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• Additional Resources

Health often becomes the focus of many men's lives as they grow older. For one, health problems can affect a man's quality of life and ability to work to a desired age. And health problems that threaten disability or death often first show up in the latter half of life. Emotional health is another important concern of aging men, whose risk of suicide goes up with age. Retirement, death of a spouse, and illness can greatly impact a man's mental health.
The good news is that older men can improve their health outcomes and quality of life by keeping attune to their own feelings and body symptoms. To stay in control of your health as you age, take these steps:

• Educate yourself health issues that are common to older men, such as prostate cancer, diabetes, depression, and Alzheimer's disease.
• Attend health promotion and wellness events to learn how lifestyle choices and health behaviors can impact your health.
• See your doctor on a regular basis. Find out what screenings you need. Some screenings, such as for osteoporosis, might be new to you. Learn the pros and cons of suggested treatment plans and medicines for any health problems you have. Ask about taking aspirin daily to prevent heart attack if you are at risk for heart disease.
• Stay connected to family and community, particularly in your post-retirement years.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   Age Page: Sexuality in Later Life - This brochure describes the normal physical changes in men and women that come with age, the effects of illness or disability, and emotional concerns of sexuality in later life.

   http://www.niapublications.org/agepages/sexuality.asp

2.   Age Page: Urinary Incontinence - This publication describes the types of urinary incontinence, diagnosis, treatment, and management. It also gives a list of additional resources.

   http://www.niapublications.org/agepages/urinary.asp

3.   Alzheimer's Disease Fact Sheet - This fact sheet discusses how Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging. It describes the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and care for those with Alzheimer's disease.

   http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/adfact.htm

4.     Exercise: A Guide from the National Institute on Aging - This 80-page illustrated booklet provides healthy older people with scientifically accurate recommendations about exercise. In addition to providing sample exercises, the booklet explains the benefits of the exercises, how to stay motivated, and how to track your progress.

   http://www.niapublications.org/exercisebook/ExerciseGuideComplete.pdf

5.   Kidney Stones in Adults - This publication contains information on kidney stones, causes, who gets them, symptoms, treatments, and prevention methods.

   http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/stonesadults/index.htm

6.   Osteoporosis in Men - After age 50, six percent of all men will suffer a hip fracture as a result of osteoporosis. Despite these compelling figures, a majority of American men view osteoporosis solely as a "woman's disease." This fact sheet discusses the issue of osteoporosis in men, and explains the known causes, how osteoporosis is diagnosed in men, what treatments are available, and how it can be prevented.

   http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Osteoporosis/men.asp

7.   Pills, Patches, and Shots: Can Hormones Prevent Aging? - This brochure discusses some of the important hormones in our bodies and what role they play. It also discusses how are bodies are affected by the decline in hormones as we age and whether to consider hormone supplements.

   http://www.niapublications.org/tipsheets/pills.asp

8.   Pocket Guide to Staying Healthy at 50+ - This booklet describes the ways that people over 50 can stay healthy. It gives information on the prevention of major diseases or conditions through living habits, screening tests, and immunizations.

   http://www.ahrq.gov/ppip/50plus/

9. Hair Loss (Copyright © AAD) - This pamphlet provides a basic overview of hairloss and its causes.

   http://www.aad.org/public/Publications/pamphlets/HairLoss.htm

10. Hair Loss and Its Causes (Copyright © AAFP) - This fact sheet discusses excessive hair loss, "common baldness," causes of hair loss and options for treatment.

    http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/men/general/081.html

11. Healthy Aging: Keeping Mentally Fit as You Age (Copyright © GMHF) - This publication gives tips on how to keep your body and your mind healthy as you age.

    http://www.gmhfonline.org/gmhf/consumer/factsheets/hlthage_mental.html

12.   Patient Guide to Androgen Deficiency Syndromes in Adult Men (Copyright © Hormone Foundation) - This report contains information on testosterone, its production, treatments for low testosterone, symptoms, and data from clinical trials.

    http://www.hormone.org/Resources/Patient_Guides/upload/Androgens_and_Men_Patient_Guide.pdf...

Organizations

1.   Administration on Aging, HHS
2.   National Diabetes Education Program
3.   National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, NIH, HHS
4.   National Institute on Aging, NIH, HHS
5.   Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center, NIAMS, NIH, HHS
6. Alliance for Aging Research
7. American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)

= Indicates Federal Resources