It’s no secret that when it comes to seeking medical advice (and possibly other forms of advice!), blokes are not known for their enthusiasm.
Some reports have warned about a ‘quiet crisis’ being underway in men’s health, making them more vulnerable to various disorders at all ages across the lifespan. The problem is that men are more likely to take risks in their health behaviours, less likely to seek help, and are less likely to have strong and supportive social networks.
When it comes to dementia, the picture is no different.
New figures compiled by Alzheimer’s Australia show that men with a diagnosis of dementia or who are caring for a person with dementia really need to speak up to avoid missing vital support and information about the condition.
Figures from the National Dementia Helpline service show that only one in five callers to the free service are men. The same figures show that, in addition to 78 per cent of total callers to the service being female, there are almost four times as many daughters ringing the Helpline as sons, and almost three times as many female partners than male partners calling.
Men under-represented in support services
Funded by the Federal Government, the National Dementia Helpline is a service available via telephone, email and web-based voice call (such as Skype) right across Australia. It is designed to provide practical information and support to anyone concerned about their own – or a loved one’s – cognitive decline.
While about 60 per cent of the estimated 353,800 people with dementia in Australia are women, the other 40 per cent are men. In addition, men are often the main or a significant carer of a partner, spouse, parent, friend or sibling who has a dementia diagnosis.
Alzheimer’s Australia Vic CEO, Maree McCabe says the concern is that managing dementia is not easy and when they don’t speak up, men may miss out on access to really helpful information, support and the resources they need.
“Managing dementia can be a very tough, challenging and, at times, lonely journey,” she says. “One call could really make all the difference.”
Double jeopardy for men
Research presented in the Australian Psychological Society journal, InPsych in 2012, suggests that men do not seek help as much as women “because of their greater independence and self-reliance.”
“Similarly, rather than seeking help, men have been shown to respond to mental health and physical symptoms through a number of strategies: denial; a ‘toughen up’ attitude that assumes they just need to ‘shake it off’; and by convincing themselves that they can manage their symptoms alone.“
The article points out that this becomes a ‘double jeopardy’ for men because research shows that men who identify strongly with many traditional masculine gender ‘norms’ have both an increased likelihood of depressive symptoms and more negative attitudes towards seeking help. In the longer term, this further increases their vulnerability to poorer health.
Mr Rob Trinca, who lives with dementia, said the National Dementia Helpline had given him and his wife support in how to tell their children about his diagnosis.
“It is a great place to start with any dementia-related question.
“Talking with the National Dementia Helpline links you with others affected by dementia and professionals supporting people with dementia,” Mr Trinca said.
Go right ahead
If you think you could benefit from taking the first step, don’t delay calling The National Dementia Helpline. It operates Monday – Friday, from 9:00am to 5:00pm, excluding public holidays. It can be contacted on 1800 100 500 or by email on onlinesupport@alzheimers.org.au.
