International Men’s Health Week 2024

We spoke to Private HomeCare carer John Madu today on the topic of International Men’s Health week, which runs from Monday 10th until Sunday 16th June. This week is celebrated in many European countries, as well as in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada.

John has worked with Private HomeCare for 9 years. He  works exclusively with male clients.

Can you tell is what it is like meeting a new client for the first time John?

I introduce myself. Clients ask me where I come from? Understandably, they don’t open up immediately. They hide ailments and feelings. This all changes within 2 to 3 weeks, as soon as I start working with them and when we get to know each other a little bit more. Trust is earned not given.

Can I make you a cup of tea?

This is a good example. When I offer to make my clients a cup of tea, many refuse initially as they do not want me to help or they want me to know they can make the tea. Eventually, they relax enough to let me make tea for them!

Can you describe the carer / client relationship as it develops over time?

When I work with my clients for one, two or three years, they soon treat me like family. Some do not have families or regular visitors, so the role of a carer is even more important. One of my clients is temporarily in hospital now and asked me to visit him as we have a strong relationship. He wanted to come home with me but I told him it was not time to come home with me yet.

How do you build trust with clients?

It depends on the way you help people. When clients see that I am helping them, whether it is simply being with them, chatting with them, encouraging them and helping them in many ways, they start to trust me and relax. Their confidence in me grows.

Do you enjoy working with older people?

I really love it. When men reach a certain age, in my experience they will open up and speak about their life experience, and lessons they have learnt and want to share. People in their 80s and 90s have great advice and nothing to hide. They have lived through wars, work, hardship and of course family time.

Speaking from personal experience, younger men are not so open. So that is why I think International Men’s Week is a very good idea, to get men to understand their health and talk to people about it if necessary.

Do you recommend that men should talk about their health?

I think that men can worry a lot about uncontrollable things. For example, as a man I worry about making money and caring for my family. It is very necessary to go to the doctor and check your health if you think there is something wrong.

Last question John, why are you working with Private HomeCare for so long?

Private HomeCare is lovely. Lovely people work there. They assist anytime you call them. That is way I am here so long.

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Why is there a need for Men’s Health Week?  

Research shows that men experience a disproportionate burden of ill-health and die too young:

• Men in Ireland die younger than women.
• Males have higher death rates than females for almost all of the leading causes of death and at all ages.
• Men’s poorer lifestyles are responsible for a high proportion of chronic diseases.
• Late presentation to health services can lead to a large number of problems becoming untreatable.

Each year, there is a specific theme for Men’s Health Week.  During 2024, the theme for the island of Ireland will be ‘Know Your Numbers’ and the key message to everyone is men’s health counts.

‘Know your Numbers’ is a population-wide attempt to increase awareness of the key numbers that policy makers / service providers / men / important people in men’s lives need to know.

Sometimes, these relate to medical issues (e.g. blood pressure, heart rate, cholesterol level), but they also need to include key statistics on the state of men’s health (or ill health) in Ireland, as well as the contact numbers for helpline and support services that can maintain men’s health.

The celebration of Men’s Health Week on the island of Ireland during 2024 is funded by the Health Service Executive Health and Wellbeing and the Public Health Agency.

Share this with male family, friends and colleagues. It just might make a difference!