Father’s Day Is an Opportunity to Ask Dad About His Health

By Rick Beavin, California Medicare President, Humana

With Father’s Day coming up, many of us are looking forward to this day of celebration when we can express our love and gratitude for all that Dad has done for us over a lifetime. Those of us with fathers in their golden years may find that Father’s Day becomes more poignant with each passing year, as the person we have always depended on now turns to us more and more often for help and support.

As the dynamic between parent and child shifts, it can sometimes be difficult to talk with our dads about the new challenges that arise with aging. Whether we talk with our fathers in person or by phone or video chat, our conversations can often dance around difficult subjects – or we may avoid them altogether, figuring that we can wait until we find the “right time” to talk. But as some of us learn the hard way, if we keep waiting for the right moment, sometimes it’s too late.

This Father’s Day, I want to encourage everyone with aging fathers to consider using some of that time with Dad to ask him about his health. Perhaps you have a father who is already very open with you about his health and keeps you updated. But as a man and a father, I can tell you that we tend to be a bit more reserved when it comes to volunteering this information.  A recent study found that 60 percent of men do not go to the doctor, even when they fear they have a serious medical condition.

But sometimes we kids want to know and need to know – certainly because we care about our dads’ well-being, but also because many of us will end up as caregivers for our aging parents. Let’s try and flip the statistics and use Father’s Day as an opportunity to ask our dads about their health. If you anticipate this may be difficult, here are a few tips that may help get the conversation started.

Plan ahead.

Think about how and when you want to start the conversation with your dad. For example, you might want to find time – or make time – when you can speak with him one-on-one rather than with the whole family present.

Come prepared.

Do some homework on the kind of health issues that often arise for men his age. Here are some resources. Think of questions you’d like to ask your dad, such as: How recently has he seen a doctor? What did the doctor say about his health? Is he having any problems with his medications?

Show empathy.

Going into the conversation, try to put yourself in your dad’s shoes and think about how he might feel about sharing information about his health with you. Be aware that health can be a sensitive issue for many people, one that often brings up fears about loss of privacy and autonomy.

Be encouraging.

Use the conversation as an opportunity to encourage your dad to be proactive about his health, such as getting regular check-ups and health screenings. A little encouragement can go a long way. Check here for a list of common health screenings for men.

Re-assess your approach, if   needed.

It’s possible that your father simply will not want to talk about his health when you approach him. If that happens, step back and consider taking a different approach. Perhaps he would be more willing to have a conversation about his health by email rather than in person or by phone. Or, he might be more responsive to just one or two questions rather than an extended conversation.

We all want to be there for our dads when they need us. Part of “being there” is being willing to initiate this kind of conversation with them, no matter how awkward or unwelcome it may seem, at least at first.

And who knows? He may actually surprise you and respond more willingly than you ever could have predicted. Maybe it’s he who has been waiting for you to signal your willingness to talk – and even more importantly, to listen.

I wish you a very happy Father’s Day.

Rick Beavin. based in Los Angeles, is California Market President at Humana.