12 Most Common Health Concerns that Affect Aging Seniors
By Cheri Platte, Managing Director, Circle of Care Home Care
Aging is a part of life. We will all go through it eventually. Unfortunately, there are some health concerns that come along with getting older. Knowing what they are can help better prepare you to find the right solution as early as possible.
12 Most Common Health Concerns that Affect Aging Seniors
1. Arthritis
The statistics on arthritis by the CDC show that as we age there is a higher chance of you being diagnosed with it. In fact, almost 50% of adults over the age of 65 reported that they have been diagnosed with arthritis.
It is easy to fall into a pattern of inactivity because of discomfort. working with a personalized activity plan with a doctor and caregiver is the best way forward.
2. Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading killer of people over the age of 65. This is not linked to being of a certain age but linked to health and lifestyle. As we age, we tend to get more sedentary and are not as concerned about what we eat. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the best prevention for all types of heart diseases.
3. Cancer
There is a large number of the elderly population who are living with cancer. It is not really preventable, but if you catch it early, most types are curable. This is why going for screenings and check-ups regularly is imperative.
People diagnosed with cancer can still have a good quality of life while being treated if they work with their medical team and caregivers to maintain healthy living conditions.
4. Depression
Over 15% of Americans who are older than 65 experience depression. This can lead to many other health problems. It is so important to make sure that older people feel loved, supported, and cared for. Luckily, this is one of the most easiest to treat and support families with simple home care.
5. Cognitive Diseases
A cognitive disease is one that affects a person’s ability to think and remember information. Alzheimer’s disease is by far the most common of these, affecting one in nine people over the age of 65.
If you find that you or your loved one is showing signs of memory loss or a difference in thinking, it is best to make an appointment with a doctor to discuss a way forward.
6. Physical Injury
There are more people who end up in the emergency room due to a fall who are over the age of 65 than any other age group. This is due to weaker bones and lower muscle density that happens naturally when you age.
There are steps that you can take to prevent falling. These include keeping physically strong and making sure the environment is safe.
7. Diabetes
There is a significant amount of elderly people that suffer from diabetes. If diagnosed, then the patient must go onto a treatment plan to help manage it. Besides medication, healthy eating and lifestyle is crucial.
8. Obesity
Obesity causes a major risk for other diseases like heart attacks, diabetes, and hypertension. About 35% of American’s over the age of 65 were obese in 2010. It can easily be prevented by living a healthy and active lifestyle.
9. Shingles
One in three people over the age of 60 are expected to have shingles. A weakened immune system, injury, and some medications can be reasons for this to be common in older adults. It is treatable and usually does not come back once cured.
10. Oral Health
This is often overlooked but if our oral health is not on point it can lead to difficulty maintaining a healthy diet and lead to other conditions. Oral conditions can be prevented by simply going for regular check-ups with a dentist.
11. Substance Abuse
This might be shocking to some, but it is more prevalent in the elderly than once thought. There are many reasons and risk factors, so it is important to keep checking on your elderly loved ones to make sure that they are happy and doing well.
12. Malnutrition
Malnutrition is often caused by other health issues and can go undiagnosed in older adults for quite some time. Making sure that elderly people get proper nutrition is vital for their health and well-being.
Final Words
Eating well, staying active, and taking care of our mental health are the keys to having a long happy life. As we get older, this becomes more difficult due to some of the concerns we have discussed above.
If you are an aging senior or have an aging loved one under your care, it is okay to reach out for help. Circle of Care provides relief to family caregivers and addresses specific health issues allowing the elderly to live an independent and dignified life.
Whether it is simple home care duties or more advanced specialized care, we have the experience to handle it. Contact Circle of Care for a free consultation to see how we can provide the services you need.
Cheri Platte
Managing Director
CIRCLE OF CARE, LLC
Cheri Platte is a home care expert and a professional consultant for family caregivers. She has been a compassionate advocate for the elderly for over 20 years now. As the Managing Director for Circle of Care, she focuses on providing excellent and high-quality home care solutions for families who care for their loved ones.
Her mission is to educate the public on the benefits of home care and home health, assist families in developing individual care plans, and help them plan for the advanced stages of aging, emphasizing on what matters most in terms of quality of life for the loved one. The company culture enables Circle of Care to hire and retain hundreds of professional care team members who are skilled and compassionate and produces a word-of-mouth referral network in the Southern California communities they serve. They are trusted by families, doctors, nurses, social workers, hospitals, nursing homes, senior communities, Long Term Care Specialists and other esteemed members of the healthcare industry. When not helping families in need, Cheri spends time mentoring other business owners and rising professionals plus volunteering at various organizations.
