Men's Health Week

“Momentum, momentum!” notes Irwan Anang, Manager - Aged Care Advocate and Complaints at The Salvation Army Aged Care, when asked why International Men’s Health week is significant. Australian Men’s Health Forum notes that Men’s Health Week is celebrated annually in the middle of June and serves as an opportunity to highlight the importance of men’s health, and to promote and support the health and wellbeing of men in our community. The week addresses both physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. 

Irwan says that Men’s Health Week is an important calendar event to acknowledge and reflect upon, especially with how busy life can get. “It is quite significant because when you have a moment, you will have time to look after yourself,” he says. Irwan’s career path has spanned working as an Assistant in Nursing, a Care Manager and Clinical Manager, before previously being the Centre manager at Maybanke Aged Care Centre, one of The Salvation Army Aged Care’s sites.  

Irwan’s advice to aging men takes the simple yet effective approach of, “the more the better.” Steps for men to keep well as they age include keeping up light exercise and watching one’s diet. “Simple things; more walking and more protein; the good thing about protein is that it is such a high-density food, and it gives you energy to last for the day, so you don’t feel hungry.” 

When moving into a residential aged centre, Irwan notes that there are plenty of opportunities for men to keep active. “Don’t be stuck in your room,” he explains. “You often do have the luxury of a single room, with a nice tv but try to go out. That’s the good thing about some of our homes is that we’ve got big outdoor space, nice gardens, footpaths; there are a lot of exercise classes that you can attend, yoga classes. And we have opportunities to be out in the community, so use that opportunity – we have Lifestyle Officers ready to help you.”  

Similarly, Gurpartap Dhaliwal, Manager - Accreditation, Compliance and Clinical Risk at The Salvation Army Aged Care, also reinforces the importance of advocating for men’s health. Gurpartap notes that Men’s Health Week is, “a reminder to myself to not take things for granted but think actively about my health and continue to work towards health goals,” he states. One simple step to promoting men’s health as Gurpartap notes is to get a yearly check up at the doctors.  

When considering how men can stay healthy and well as they age, Gurpartap reassures that, “age is just a number.” To ensure aging men are supported in their health, he outlines the importance of involving family members or friends in your journey to keep you accountable. “Remember to have regular screening check-ups with your health professional, such as a GP, and stay active, eat healthily and avoid harmful habits.” Gurpartap also emphasizes the importance of mental health, stating, “mental health matters – it is just as important as physical health. Reach out to your friends, family or a health professional if you are feeling down or stressed.”  

Gurpartap’s encouragement for this Men’s Health Week? “Look after yourself and make health and wellbeing one of your key priorities. Small steps can lead to big changes, and it’s never too late to start making healthier choices.”