Keisha Hill, Gleaner ReporterMen, you are not in your teens any more. Just one look in the mirror tells you that. The idea that ageing is inevitable can be a difficult concept for many men to accept. Ageing, from the male perspective, is frequently associated with loss of physical and mental function and vitality.
The implied stigma that comes with ageing often prevents men from dealing with important health, social and psychological issues associated with the process.
Good health and good planning, in a nutshell, is the best strategy for staying independent as males grow older.
Regular doctor's visits
Regular doctor's visits and screening tests can uncover conditions such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis before symptoms develop, and when treatment is most effective.
Men should also consider a healthful diet, regular exercise. Not smoking can help them avoid many diseases altogether. Good health habits can also keep a man's body strong, and helps to protect him from falls —a leading cause of broken bones, hospital stays and disability.
A healthy mind is essential for basic daily functions, from preparing meals to taking medicines to balancing a chequebook. A man's mind can be kept sharp by challenging and exercising it. Research shows that card games, word puzzles, reading and stimulating conversation can all help.
Put finances in order
Financial health is another important part of staying independent. Males should put their finances in order by talking to a financial advisor and reviewing their investments. If resources are limited, men should find out if they qualify for public benefit programmes.
According to Kevin Richards, vice-president of Investment Management at First Global Financial Services Limited, males tend to have a more aggressive investment style.
"Investments in stocks and bonds tend to be male dominated, and trading activities such as currency and options trading tend to be the domain of males" Mr. Richards said.
"As for long term financial goals I believe that if most men should adopt a long term strategy in stocks or real estate most will tend to realise long term goal - the world's most successful investors invest in stocks and do so for the long haul." Mr. Richards advised.
Men may also consider their solutions for earning money, such as renting out a room in their home. They can also look into options, such as reverse mortgages that allow them to borrow money, if necessary, against the value of their home.
Richards also recommends that older men purchase long term care insurance. "The younger you are when you take it out, the less it costs. If you are just under 60, a good policy can be very affordable," he explains.
Long-term care insurance ...
Helps pay for health care services making it possible for persons to keep living at home even if they can't do everything for themself
Helps with health care expenses related to long-term illness or disability.
Many older men are also exchanging the role of wage and salary worker for that of the self-employed, according to a study just released by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Public Policy Institute.
The study identifies factors that either "push" or "pull" the older male to self-employment. For example, older males may be forced out of wage and salary work into self-employment because of poor health, while greater personal wealth and more education may incline them toward self-employment.
Men's vital stats
Life expectancy at birth for most Jamaican males is 73 years in comparison to females, that is 78 years.
In 2002, the population 40 years and over totalled over 267,000 comprising 124,000 males.
Males are the fastest growing segment of the population, increasing by about 1.5 per cent annually.
The population of older males is projected to reach an estimated 471,783 (14.5 %) by 2025.
- Source:Demographic Statistics: Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN)
