The men who mean the most to us deserve to feel their best. For senior men, staying on top of preventive care is a major step toward a healthy, active life and the people closest to them can help.

Susan F., national director of health services at The Goodman Group, has seen firsthand how much of a difference early action can make. "We know so much more than we used to," she says, "and we have a lot more resources now that we didn't have back then."

Screenings to Put on the Calendar

Routine screenings are a simple and effective way for senior men to stay ahead of their health. Susan recommends starting with a prostate exam annually, noting that it is something many men put off. Urology appointments are just as important to keep. "It's all part of aging. And if they go in, there are several medications that can help," she says.

Heart health is another area that needs regular attention. Blood pressure checks, cholesterol panels and conversations with a primary care provider about cardiovascular risk can catch anything early. 

Susan says to set appointments in advance and get them on the calendar. "It's always nice to make those appointments annually rather than guessing whether it's been a year or nine months," she says. "And then you realize it's actually been almost two years."

Signs That are Good to Know

Knowing what to look for between appointments is just as valuable as the appointments. Susan points to a few subtle signs that are good to bring to a health care provider. 

Shortness of breath when standing or waiting, unexpected dizziness, new or unusual fatigue and any numbness or discomfort in the arms are all good reasons to check in with a doctor. "All of those things can show signs of a weakening state, which could be cardiac issues," she explains.

Sharing these observations with a health care provider opens the door to more personalized support and peace of mind for the whole family.

How Loved Ones Can Help

Susan shares that spouses are often a natural first line of support when it comes to keeping health appointments on track. They often have years of shared health history and routines to draw on. 

Her suggestion is to pair appointments together. Then it becomes a shared event rather than a solo errand, and an opportunity to keep each other accountable.

For adult children, the approach that tends to work best is making the visit feel like more than just an appointment. "Make it a day or part of a day," Susan says. "Go to your appointment, then go to lunch. Go for a walk. Maybe go see your grandkids or your great-grandkids. So it's more of an event than just something we have to get done."

For older men living in or considering a senior living community, the support structure runs even deeper. Team members help manage follow-up appointments, coordinate transportation and make sure that something raised at one visit is addressed at the next. "It's always better if you have a second person there," Susan notes, "because people can come back from an appointment saying 'nothing' when actually there were quite a few things to discuss."

The Role Community Plays

Senior living communities managed by The Goodman Group offer built-in support that makes staying current on health care more manageable. Quarterly care conferences give residents and their families a regular opportunity to review health status, ask questions and address anything that may have come up. 

On-site fitness programming supports strength and cardiovascular health as part of everyday life. And educational programming throughout the year means residents have access to health information on an ongoing basis.

Susan says cost and logistics are two of the most common reasons men delay care. Communities can help address both by looking into what is already covered and arranging transportation so that getting to an appointment is one less thing to figure out.

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is just show up. A phone call, a shared appointment or an outing built around a check-up can be enough to get started. 

The senior men in your life have people in their corner. That support is everything.