Back when I still was working in public relations at our local hospital, I paid close attention to the various health observances in each month. Quite often we used those observances as a reason to feature a hospital service or to offer helpful tips on maintaining good health. Women’s Wellness Day was a huge undertaking every year, complete with a luncheon, vendor booths and a morning full of speakers who educated us on a variety of women’s health issues. Invariably this event raised the question, “Why not sponsor a men’s health fair?” The answer was always the same, “because men do not like to think about their health and probably would not attend.”

On the surface, that seems to be unfair. Certainly all men are not the same, and some may have attended. But it is fair to assume, based upon our experiences with our own husbands, that men would not likely be willing to give up a Saturday to sit through health presentations. Consequently, the entire topic of men’s health is challenging. How do we communicate to men about their health? How do we help them pay attention to the prevention of health issues before they become life-threatening events? So, to all my male readers out there, this column is for you today. June is Men’s Health Month, so I am going to give it my best shot to provide you with a different kind of “honey do list.”

My husband likes to tell a story about a man who sold a horse to a neighbor. Once the neighbor had the horse hooked up to his wagon, he simply could not get the animal to move at all despite the fact that the farmer had promised him that the horse was up to the task. Upon hearing his neighbor’s complaints, the farmer came over with a 2-by-4 in his hand. He promptly gave the horse a good whack across the nose, and it started right up. When his neighbor questioned the tactic, the farmer simply stated, “Well, you just have to get his attention first!”

Sometimes, when it comes to paying attention to health issues, men can be a little bit like that horse. But the result of ignoring warning symptoms or not addressing risk factors early, is having to deal with a health issue after it has become much more complex to treat. As an example, taking daily medication to effectively control blood pressure and elevated cholesterol addresses the risk factors of heart disease in the future. Left uncontrolled, both can eventually lead to heart attacks that can be fatal.

As my husband has gotten older, he has had to come to terms with the fact that he simply cannot do everything he used to be able to do. This was difficult for him as it is for most men. Quite frankly, it can be difficult for women as well. No one likes to admit they are aging and that those extra years, and maybe extra pounds, now get in the way of tasks that once had been quite easy to complete. I can still remember my husband climbing up into our backyard maple tree with a bow saw in one hand so he could trim off dead branches. One year he accidentally relied on a dead branch to support him. The branch broke, and he tumbled to the ground; thankfully, nothing was damaged except a bit of his pride. A few years ago, he climbed up on top of the garage roof to trim that same tree and had a devil of a time getting back down. Now he trims the tree from the ground using a long-handled trimmer with a rope pulley that operates the blade. With a little innovative thought, there is a safer way to do just about anything.

The point is that we need to look at our bodies like an aging lawnmower or an older model car. We can keep it running if we pay close attention to its needs now that it has a few more years or miles on it. Preventive maintenance keeps the furnace running and the washer and dryer functioning for many years beyond what is typically expected. We owe our bodies and our health the same care and consideration. If we pay attention and make a few adjustments, we can stay feeling good and able to function well in the years we have remaining. These retirement years can be golden, but not without our help. So, here is your new “to do” list, courtesy of Healthgrades e-newsletter.

1. Hang out with family and friends. You are never too busy to spend time socializing. Research has proven that social ties can help you survive health problems, make you happier, and even prolong your life.

2. Don’t smoke. Smoking is the major cause of lung cancer. Lung cancer kills more men than any other type of cancer. Smoking is also linked to heart disease, stroke, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD. And half of all long-term smokers will die because they use tobacco. The good news is that as soon as you stop smoking, you start to decrease your risk of developing chronic diseases. So, if you have been a smoker for a long time, it is never too late to improve your health by discontinuing the habit.

3. Eat a healthy diet. It turns out that the old saying, “You are what you eat” is true. Ignore all those ads for fast food that make it look “manly” to eat a giant burger loaded with cheese and bacon. Food like this will kill you! Too many fatty foods and sugary drinks increase your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. And you’ll risk packing on the pounds. Instead, work on eating more vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains. It is surprising how tasty these alternatives can be.

4. Break a sweat. Exercise can reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, colon cancer and other health problems. It can also keep your weight down and sharpen your judgment. Plus, you will likely sleep better and live longer. So, try to get at least two and a half hours of moderate-intensity activity every week. This can include things like yard work, riding a bike, and shoveling snow.  Do take breaks from time to time and stay hydrated.

5. Take a break and unplug. Small amounts of stress can energize you and sharpen your ability to perform well. But too much stress over time can cause serious physical and mental health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, digestive problems, sleeplessness, and depression. To de-stress, get some exercise, meet up with friends, and put the phone away.

6. Get plenty of sleep. As we age, sleep becomes a challenge. Too little sleep is linked to obesity, accidental injuries, heart disease, depression, and diabetes. It also puts you at risk of car accidents due to drowsy driving. Sleeping seven to nine hours per night can improve your work performance, your physical safety, and your body’s ability to fight disease.

7. Get regular medical check-ups. Even if you feel fine, regular checkups and screenings are vital for protecting your health. They will help you spot signs of serious diseases and conditions early, when you have a better chance of successfully treating them. You’ll also be more likely to find problems before they cause painful or bothersome symptoms. And you’ll live a longer and more active life free of disability. 

8. Lend a hand. Studies have found that helping other people can decrease blood pressure, stress levels, and chronic pain. It can also prevent depression and can even help you live longer. And helping others doesn’t have to be a big, time consuming task. You can donate to a fundraising drive, mow a neighbor’s grass, or run a race for a charity.

9. Don’t skip the sunscreen. Men are twice as likely as women to develop the most common types of skin cancer – basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. Why? Men spend an average of 10 more hours in the sun every week than women do, and they aren’t as likely to use sunscreen. Luckily, skin cancer is highly preventable. Make it a habit to wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, and don’t forget the hat and sunglasses.

10. Limit alcohol. Too much alcohol can lead to injuries, cancer, psychological problems, damaged relationships and high blood pressure. Try to keep that daily Happy Hour to two drinks–such as a bottle of beer or one and half ounces of hard alcohol. 

So, hopefully this list served to get your attention and helped you to see that practicing this short list of preventive maintenance strategies will add years to your life and keep you more comfortable throughout these retirement years. But, if it didn’t, then you know what comes next … just ask that horse I talked about earlier! 

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NURSING HOMES

The usual senior living activity calendars and senior center menus are not being published to avoid confusion. Due to the coronavirus and the vulnerability of the elderly population, daily life in the senior living facilities and senior centers has changed dramatically.

All living facilities have closed their doors to public visitation, and the activity calendars have been modified to allow for one-to-one room visits only and individualized activities to keep residents engaged and active as much as possible while remaining within the health and safety guidelines provided by state health experts. Group games are being substituted with individualized activities residents can do in their respective rooms. Staff are providing supplies as well as “overhead announcement bingo and trivia” games and “hallway games” that can be played in individual rooms or by sitting within individual room doorways. YouTube and DVDs are being utilized to provide religious services. A big dose of gratitude and appreciation goes out to all senior care staff for their creativity, caring and perseverance through a difficult situation.

All senior centers have also been closed to any center-based activity. Until they re-open, no information is being published that talks about activities typically available at these centers. Meals continue to be delivered. Some centers are also preparing meals to be picked up. Menus are printed below for those centers who are either preparing take-out or providing home delivered meals. Questions can be directed to the individual centers at the numbers all listed below.

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SENIOR CENTERS

Alpha-Mastodon Center

906-875-3315

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Breen Center

906-774-5110

Crystal Falls Center

Head cook: Lucy Korhonen

906-875-6709

Crystal Lake Center – Iron Mountain

(906) 239-0278

Home-delivered meals only. Menu for week —

Monday: Sweet and sour chicken, rice, Oriental blend vegetables.

Tuesday: Egg bake, oatmeal, spiced applesauce .

Wednesday: Scalloped potatoes with ham, corn, dinner roll.

Thursday: Beef stroganoff, noodles, peas.

Friday: Ham and cheese sub sandwiches, carrot salad, pudding.

For questions on the center’s home-delivered meal program, call Christine McMahon at 906-774-2256

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Home-delivered and/or takeout meal menu for week:

Monday: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, carrots.

Tuesday: Omelets, hash browns, pears.

Wednesday: Spanish rice, peas, coleslaw.

Thursday: Chicken pot pie, side salad.

Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Home-delivered meals only. Meal menu for week:

Monday: Hash brown sausage casserole, stewed tomatoes, fruit.

Tuesday: Cook’s choice: entre, vegetable, fruit.

Wednesday: Pasties with gravy, coleslaw, fruit.

Thursday: Homemade pizza, dark green salad, fruit, birthday cake.

Friday: Pork steak, baked sweet potatoes, confetti bean salad, fruit, cookies.

Fence Center/Town Hall

715-336-2980 – RSVP for meal at 855-528-2372

Same as ADRC menu, home-delivered only.

Florence Community Center/Town Hall

RSVP for meal at 715-528-4261

Same as ADRC menu, home-delivered only.

Tipler Town Hall

715-674-2320 – RSVP for meals.

Same as ADRC menu, home-delivered only.

Hillcrest Senior Dining Center, Aurora

715-589-4491 – RSVP for meals

Same as ADRC menu, home-delivered only.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Pam Haluska

906-498-7735

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Home-delivered and/or takeout meal menu for week:

Monday: Mushroom cheeseburgers, seasoned fries, mixed vegetables, fruit, milk.

Tuesday: Tuna noodle casserole, peas and carrots, roll, fruit, milk.

Wednesday: Brats with sauerkraut, potato salad, baked beans, fruit, milk.

Thursday: Pork chops, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, fruit, milk.

Niagara Northwoods Senior Cafe and Center

Meal site manager: Corrie Maule, 715-251-1603

Senior center director: Jill Anderson, 715-251- 4154

Norway Center

Director: Susie Slining

906-563-8716

The center will remain closed; however, take-out meals will be prepared for pick-up — must call ahead. Menu for the week:

Monday: Chicken pot pie, mixed vegetables, biscuit, fruit, juice, milk, dessert.

Tuesday: Taco salad with vegetable toppings, sour cream, corn, fruit, juice, milk, dessert.

Wednesday: Liver or burger with onions, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, milk, bread, fruit, juice, dessert.

Thursday: Spaghetti or polenta with meat sauce, spinach, garlic bread, fruit, juice, milk, dessert.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Call for home-delivered and/or take-out meal menu

FARM TO FAMILY PROGRAM

The food box pick-up schedule —

— Kingsford: 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday at 621 N. Hooper St. (across from Trico);

— Sagola: 10 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, senior center;

— Felch Township: 9 to 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Felch Community Center on M-69;

— Iron River: 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, Iron River Senior Center parking lot.