Getting older can bring senior health challenges. By being aware of these common chronic conditions, you can take steps to stave off disease as you age. For many senior living includes carefully managing chronic conditions in order to stay healthy.
1. Arthritis
Arthritis is probably the number one condition that people 65 or older contend Studies estimate that it affects 49.7 percent of all adults over 65 and can lead to pain and lower quality of life or some seniors. Although arthritis can discourage you from being active, it’s important to work with your doctor to develop a personalized activity plan that, along with other treatment, can help maintain senior health.
2. Heart Disease
According to studies, heart disease remains the leading killer of adults over age 65, accounting for 489,722 deaths in 2014. As a chronic condition, heart disease affects 37 percent of men and 26 percent of women 65 and older. As people age, they’re increasingly living with risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, that increase the chances of having a stroke or developing heart disease. Advice for addressing this senior health risk not only helps with heart disease but can improve senior health across the board. Eating well means eating in a fashion that will allow you to keep a healthy weight with a well-balanced and healthy diet.
3. Cancer
Cancer is the second leading cause of death among people over age 65, with 413,885 deaths in 2014, according to studies. Studies also report that 28 percent of men and 21 percent of women over age 65 are living with cancer. If caught early through screenings, such as mammograms, colonoscopies and skin checks, many types of cancer are treatable. Although you’re not always able to prevent cancer, you can improve your quality of life as a senior living with cancer, including during treatment, by working with your medical team and maintaining their healthy senior living recommendations.
4. Respiratory Diseases
Chronic lower respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are the third most common cause of death among people 65 and older, with 124,693 deaths in 2014, according to studies. Among people 65 and older, about 10 percent of men and 13 percent of women are living with asthma and 10 percent of men and 11 percent of women are living with chronic bronchitis. Although having a chronic respiratory disease increases senior health risks, making you more vulnerable to pneumonia and other infections, getting lung function tests and taking the correct medication, or using oxygen as instructed, will go a long way toward preserving senior health and your quality of life.
5. Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s diseases accounted for 92,604 deaths of people over age 65 in 2014, according to studies. Reports state that one in nine people age 65 and older, which is about 11 percent, have Alzheimer’s disease, but because diagnosis is challenging, it’s difficult to know exactly how many people are living with this chronic condition. Still, experts acknowledge that cognitive impairment has a significant impact on senior health across the spectrum, from issues of safety and self-care to the cost burden of care, either in the home or a residential facility.
6. Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis can contribute to becoming less mobile and potentially disabled should you fall and have a fracture or as the vertebral bodies collapse. People over the age of 50 are affected by low bone mass or osteoporosis, putting them at risk for a fracture or break that could lead to poor senior health and reduced quality of life. What’s more, they estimate that by the year 2020 that number will rise to 64.4 million.
7. Diabetes
Studies estimates that 25 percent of people ages 65 and older are living with diabetes, a significant senior health risk. Diabetes can be identified and addressed early with simple blood tests for blood sugar levels. The sooner you know that you have or are at risk for diabetes, the sooner you can start making changes to control the disease and improve your long-term senior health outlook.
8. Influenza and Pneumonia
Although the flu and pneumonia aren’t chronic conditions, these infections are among the top eight causes of death in people over age 65, according to studies. Seniors are more vulnerable to these diseases and less able to fight them off. Senior healthcare recommendations include getting an annual flu shot, and getting the pneumonia vaccine if recommended by your doctor, to prevent these infections and their life-threatening complications.
9. Falls
The risk of falls requiring emergency room care increases with age. Each year, 2.5 million people ages 65 and older are treated in emergency departments because of falls, according to studies. That’s more than any other age group and, one-third of people who go to the emergency room for a fall may find themselves there again within one year, according to a study published in August 2015. Also be aware that most falls occur in the home, where tripping hazards include area rugs and slippery bathroom floors.
10. Substance Abuse
Studies suggests that one in five people over 65 have had a substance or alcohol abuse problem at some point in their lives. Alcohol and tobacco topped the list of nonmedical substances abused by survey participants. Substance and alcohol abuse are a concern for senior health because of possible interactions with prescription medication, their impact on overall health, and the increased senior health risks, such as falls, associated with intoxication.
Unique Health offers quality home health care services at the client’s home or chosen facility. This includes short and long-term patient care. At registration for the services an evaluation of the client’s condition and requirements are made by a registered nurse. The applicable nurse is then placed according to the client’s need. This service is typically offered to those clients who need nursing assistance at home after for example surgery, or a client who is too weak and needs assistance with basic care around hygiene, nutrition and mobility.
Unique Health has been established in 1988, the client care base has grown more than 50% with continuous growth opportunities. The structure of the company enables Unique Health to adapt to market needs. For this reason Unique Health offers services 24/7 and nationally in South Africa. Unique Health also offers intellectual property and assistance to similar companies outside the borders of South Africa.