For over a century, research has consistently shown that, globally, men have a significantly shorter life expectancy than women. In the United States, a recent study found that this gap is widening, with an increase from 4.8 years in 2010 to 5.8 years in 2021.

While some factors are biological, numerous social and behavioral factors also contribute to this disparity. Exposure to greater risk, dangerous work, and cultural ideals that downplay connection and accountability can influence men to avoid medical care, ignore mental health struggles, and lead lonelier lives as seniors.

Fortunately, there are many steps that men can take to ensure they live healthy, connected, and fulfilling lives well into their older years.

Key Takeaways

In this article, we’ve compiled five tips for older men looking to enhance their health, ease loneliness, and foster relationships for a happier life.

• Taking control of your health information
• Examining daily habits and goals
• Prioritizing social connections
• Serving and caring for others
• Pursuing community

1. Take Control of Your Health Information

Let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room. There are many men who are content to let their spouse handle a substantial percentage of the administrative work that comes with adult life. These mundane tasks may include scheduling appointments, paying bills, organizing medical and other official documentation, and keeping track of important information such as your medication schedule or the name of your doctor.

While it can sometimes be helpful to have one person in charge of most or all of the family information, it’s difficult to take action to improve your health when you’re unorganized and underprepared. When your goal is to live a healthier life, tackling these tasks will set you up for greater success in both the short and long term.

Take the time to reflect on how you handle your own administrative tasks. Are your organizational systems set up to help, not hinder, your success? For example, if you had a perfectly organized filing cabinet before downsizing but now struggle to find the documents you’re looking for, take a moment to reorganize it to better suit your needs. You’ll be glad that you did.

Once you can confidently navigate your medical information, consider scheduling a doctor’s appointment, regardless of whether you see your doctor every month or haven’t seen a doctor in over 20 years. The medical system can be overwhelming, especially for first-time users or those who are no longer familiar with it. Remind yourself that it’s okay not to know everything and to ask for help when you need it.

2. Examine Your Daily Habits and Goals

Once you’ve taken ownership of your health information, it’s time to examine your habits and goals. Reflect on your current routines and consider what you would like to change.

• Are you prioritizing good nutrition and hydration?
• How often do you incorporate light to moderate movement into your day?
• Do you have healthy sleep habits?
• How many hours do you spend watching television?
• Are you taking your medications as prescribed?
• Do you make time to socialize or connect with family or friends?
• Do you have any hobbies you enjoy?
• Do you have a support network you can rely on?
• How do you spend the majority of your time?

Try to set at least one small daily goal and one larger long-term goal for yourself. For most people, changing old habits is very challenging, so be patient with yourself if it takes time to start seeing a difference. Remember, you’re not aiming for perfection. Developing healthier habits, such as taking your mental health seriously, avoiding a sedentary lifestyle, or even improving your sleep schedule, may require developing a healthier mindset after a lifetime of building an unhealthy framework.

3. Prioritize Social Connections

While there are many ingredients to living healthily as you age, research has shown time and time again that socialization is a key component of good senior health. Unfortunately, many seniors’ social circles shrink over time. This is particularly true for older men, especially if they live alone.

Societal norms encourage men to prioritize work over family, view women as romantic pursuits rather than potential friends, and avoid all vulnerability and intimacy with other men. While intimidating, making the conscious decision to begin unlearning and discarding these norms is ultimately freeing.

Older men who spend time building up their relationships with family, friends, neighbors, and their wider community can enjoy a more fulfilling old age. As an added bonus, they can more easily avoid the negative health effects linked with isolation and loneliness, including high blood pressure, heart disease, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, and more.

4. Consider Opportunities to Serve & Care for Others

For some older men, life after retirement is less than fulfilling. With many years dedicated to career development, productivity, and family provision, it’s understandable why the transition to a new season of life can be challenging.

We all want to live with a sense of purpose and find satisfaction in knowing that our contributions still matter. Fortunately, we can continue to feel useful as we age, despite society’s messages that speak otherwise.

Serving and caring for others, in any capacity, provides meaningful opportunities to share expertise, talent, empathy, compassion, time, and resources. Older men can find a sense of pride in giving back to their communities by serving on committees, offering rides to those who need transportation, working as registered volunteers in a library, national park, school, or museum, volunteering in a soup kitchen, or welcoming visitors at their local church. Those who are passionate about a subject of interest can teach or tutor, or continue to learn and support the learning experiences of others.

Volunteer opportunities can and should be adapted to support an individual's needs and preferences as they age. If health or mobility issues create a challenge in this area, consult with a physician, physical therapist, or social worker who can recommend options that would be the right fit.

5. Recognize the Value of Community

The value of community is especially evident later in life, when social connections dwindle, independence wanes, and the loss of a spouse or partner leaves a void that is never entirely replaced. For many older men, “managing” those challenges can look like a retreat from the very people and sources that motivate them. They choose to be isolated as they age because it requires less work than building the essential connections that will help them thrive.

Living in a community with other people can change that. Many older adults hesitate to consider making the move to senior living, but find relief and support once they do. Older men, in particular, may feel reluctant due to cultural norms that associate masculinity with self-reliance, independence, and resistance to change.

Although senior living communities are assumed to represent a loss of individuality and independence, the reality is actually the opposite. Senior living provides older adults a built-in community, making it easier to make new connections. There are typically healthy dining options, exercise classes and facilities, and similar health-focused resources available. Senior living communities also help you offload certain household maintenance and daily tasks, freeing up more time and energy to focus on creating new habits and reaching your goals.

Yes. Life can be Different—in a Good Way.

Are you supporting an older loved one who could benefit from the social support of a community? Or are you struggling to maintain your independence in your home environment without the support and camaraderie of other people nearby? Take the next step and experience how life could be different.

Avoid waiting until changing circumstances – physical, mental, emotional, and logistical challenges can suddenly make a move into senior living more difficult, stressful, or even impossible. Allow Stoney Brook’s professional team to provide the guidance you need. Our relationship-centered, Central Texas senior living communities are designed to enhance seniors’ total wellness. Schedule a complimentary visit to meet us in person or check out our free, insightful resources devoted to helping seniors and their caregivers. Subscribe to our blog, and read our eBook, Your Vital Guide to Senior Living and Care Options in Central Texas.