Walt Disney once said, “growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional”.
Australian males are getting older, and with age comes new challenges in accessing reliable health information and social services.
This article looks at two common barriers older men face in managing their health and some solutions to assist decision making.
Are Australia’s Men Ageing?
A report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare outlined that-
- The median age of Australian males has increased from 35.3 years in 2003 to 37.7 years in 2022.
- The proportion of men over 65 years has increased from 13% to 16% of the total male population over the same timepoint.
Why is Australia’s Population Ageing?
There are a combination of reasons why the Australian population is ageing, due in part to unique demographic contexts and the advance of medical science. The baby boomer generation of the 1950s and 1960s has been the primary contributor to the present ageing population in combination with falling birth-rates (a factor across much of the developed world).
Alongside this phenomenon has been the advances in medical research and health science which has made the human species more able than ever to better manage disease and disease outcomes.
Men as they age are looking to assume greater control over their health and wellbeing, and to determine which services will work best for them. There are however notable barriers that older men need to navigate in order to make informed decisions over their health.
What are the Barriers for Older Men’s Help Seeking?
Barrier 1: Digital Literacy.
Digital literacy is described as the ability of a person to locate, evaluate and communicate information via digital platforms or online programs. The COVID pandemic accelerated the digitalisation of many aspects of healthcare previously attended in in-person. For example, telehealth consultations with a GP, online prescriptions to a pharmacy and remote vital signs assessments for your heart specialist.
A systematic review of health literacy programs for older adults supported the view that improving digital literacy in older persons yields better informed decision making. This is supported in another systematic review which found that higher ehealth literacy; ‘was related to better behavioural and cognitive outcomes’.
Barrier 2: Physical Challenges.
Physiological changes which can occur for many men (and women) include, changes in cognitive status, mobility, and eyesight which can limit the ability for some to access health supports and information in a timely manner.
These barriers are often compounded as children are living further away from their ageing parents, which limits the availability of physical assistance an older person may require to attend medical appointments or pathology tests.
Strategies to Improve Digital Literacy.
The Australian Government has developed a free online learning course aimed at improving digital literacy titled; ‘Be Connected’.
Working with the assumption that you have access to a computer, tablet or smart phone, the program steps participants through modules on using health technology, conducting online information searches and cybersecurity amongst many other topics. It’s comprehensive, easy to use and free to access at any time.
Strategies to Improve Men’s Ageing.
A meta-analysis reviewing health ageing and exercise in longitudinal cohort studies found that higher levels of physical activity improved the odds of healthy ageing by 39%.
Exercise has the dual ability to be both a preventative and a treatment option for a range of acute and chronic conditions. Exercise has positive benefits for sleep, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, falls reduction, depression and a host of related conditions.
For men who are receiving treatment for prostate cancer, the effects of exercise on improving outcomes have been hugely encouraging. Exercise has been shown to improve muscle mass and strength on men receiving hormone therapy for prostate cancer, and improve urinary incontinence rates following radical prostatectomy.
Expert Opinion: Eloise Milthorpe (Director of Population Health for Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District).
Eloise Milthorpe says that for those who can access online information, knowledge of reputable websites can be a challenge. “There is a plethora of health information out there, the question is- whether it’s reliable or not”.
She advises that older people should consider accessing health information from places such as pharmacies which are free, accessible and reliable. “For social supports, many local councils offer free or subsidised recreational activities that older people can access within the suburbs they live in. Being involved in such programs can assist older men develop a sense of community and belonging”.
For older consumers wanting information on their medication, the NPS Medicines Wise website ( https://www.nps.org.au/medicine-finder) contains reliable up-to-date information.
