The most widespread health conditions affecting those 65 and older include arthritis, heart disease, stroke, cancer, pneumonia and the flu. Accidents, especially falls that result in hip fractures, are also unfortunately common in the elderly. What are the problems faced by senior citizens?
What factors affect the quality of life of older adults?
From this perspective, the psychological and social variables that we have found to be related to the quality of life of older adults are environmental quality, the use of spare time and community facilities, the capacity for personal autonomy and for carrying out basic activities of daily living, and the quantity and quality of social contacts.
What are the most common health problems for older adults?
Of the adults between 65 and 74, 36.2 percent of men and 40.7 percent of women are obese — meaning that their body mass index is greater than or equal to 30 — according to the CDC. It can also be a signal that an older adult isn’t as active or mobile as he or she once was. 12. Depression
What are the health risks of ageing?
Age brings a higher risk of chronic diseases such as dimentias, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, and cancer. These are the nation’s leading drivers of illness, disability, deaths, and health care costs.
How does poor nutrition affect older adults' health?
Poor nutrition or malnutrition can compound other health issues in older adults. In weak areas such as the immune system, health problems can get inflamed. In older adults over the age of 65, malnutrition goes often undiagnosed.
What are the most common health problems of older adults?
Some of the most common health problems in the elderly include:Cognitive decline. ... Balance issues. ... Oral health problems. ... Heart disease. ... Osteoarthritis or osteoporosis. ... Respiratory diseases. ... It's estimated that 25 percent of adults age 65 and older have type 2 diabetes. ... Influenza or pneumonia.More items...
What are the 3 most common problems of aging older adults?
According to the National Council on Aging, about 92 percent of seniors have at least one chronic disease and 77 percent have at least two. Heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes are among the most common and costly chronic health conditions causing two-thirds of deaths each year.
What are the factors that could impact affect the health of an older adults?
Risk factors for older peoplean increase in physical health problems/conditions e.g. heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease.chronic pain.side-effects from medications.losses: relationships, independence, work and income, self-worth, mobility and flexibility.social isolation.More items...
What are some common health problems in older adults What are the main causes of death in older adults?
About three-fourths of all deaths are among persons ages 65 and older. The majority of deaths are caused by chronic con- ditions such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. During the 20th century these chronic diseases replaced acute infections as the major causes of death.
What are five common diseases in elderly patients?
While this is by no means a comprehensive list of ailments experienced by older adults, these and other chronic diseases are among the more common:Arthritis.Cancer.Chronic Kidney Disease.Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.Dementia, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's.Diabetes.Osteoporosis.Stroke.
What are the four major problems of an elderly?
The four major old age problems include:Physical problems.Cognitive problems.Emotional problems.Social problems.
Why is the quality-of-life important for the elderly?
A sense of control over one's own life also has beneficial effects. These results point up the importance of considering perceptions about personal factors, social participation and environmental factors in older adults' QOL.
What factors influence ageing?
The most notable exogenous factors influencing degree of aging were sun exposure and smoking. Other possibly contributory lifestyle factors include alcohol consumption, stress, diet, exercise, disease, and medication.
What are the most common health conditions?
As for diseases, here are the most frequently mentioned concerns:obesity: 15%cancer: 14%diabetes: 2%drug & alcohol abuse: 2%heart disease: 1%flu: 1%mental illness: 1%AIDS: 1%
What are the disease that are common for adults?
Common IllnessesAllergies.Colds and Flu.Conjunctivitis ("pink eye“)Diarrhea.Headaches.Mononucleosis.Stomach Aches.
What are the top causes of death in seniors?
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 the CDC. Seniors are more vulnerable to these diseases and less able to fight them off.
What is the number one condition that people over 65 have?
“Arthritis is probably the number one condition that people 65 or older contend with,” says geriatrician Marie Bernard, MD, deputy director of the National Institute on Aging in Bethesda, Maryland. The CDC estimates that it affects 49.7 percent of all adults over 65 and can lead to pain and lower quality of life for 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.
What percentage of people over 65 say their health is good?
Then you too can be among the 41 percent of people over 65 who say their health is very good or excellent, according to the CDC. 1. Arthritis. “Arthritis is probably the number one condition that people 65 or older contend with,” says geriatrician Marie Bernard, MD, deputy director of the National Institute on Aging in Bethesda, Maryland. ...
How many people died from heart disease in 2014?
Heart Disease. According to the CDC, 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, according to the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics.
What is the third most common cause of death among people over 65?
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 the CDC. Among people 65 and older, about 10 percent of men and 13 percent of women are living with asthma, ...
How many people have Alzheimer's?
The Alzheimer’s Association reports 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.
Why is obesity important for seniors?
Obesity. Obesity is an important senior health risk factor for heart disease, diabetes, and cancer — all chronic conditions that impact quality of life. As the numbers on the scale increase, so does the risk for disease.
What are the health problems of an elderly person?
The causes of malnutrition can stem from other health problems (seniors suffering from dementia may forget to eat), depression, alcoholism, dietary restrictions, reduced social contact and limited income. Committing to small changes in diet, such as increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables and decreasing consumption of saturated fat and salt, can help nutrition issues in the elderly. There are food services available to older adults who cannot afford food or have difficulty preparing meals.
What are the health problems that older adults face?
Oral health issues associated with older adults are dry mouth, gum disease and mouth cancer. These conditions could be managed or prevented by making regular dental check-ups.
What is the best way to prevent chronic disease?
The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion recommends meeting with a physician for an annual checkup, maintaining a healthy diet and keeping an exercise routine to help manage or prevent chronic diseases.
What is the most common mental disorder among seniors?
A common mental disorder among seniors is depression, occurring in seven percent of the elderly population. Unfortunately, this mental disorder is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Older adults account for over 18 percent of suicides deaths in the United States. Because depression can be a side effect of chronic health conditions, ...
How often do seniors die from falling?
Every 15 seconds, an older adult is admitted to the emergency room for a fall. A senior dies from falling every 29 minutes, making it the leading cause of injury among the elderly. Because aging causes bones to shrink and muscle to lose strength and flexibility, seniors are more susceptible to losing their balance, bruising and fracturing a bone. Two diseases that contribute to frailty are osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. However, falls are not inevitable. In many cases, they can be prevented through education, increased physical activity and practical modifications within the home.
What are the most common chronic health conditions?
According to the National Council on Aging, about 92 percent of seniors have at least one chronic disease and 77 percent have at least two. Heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes are among the most common and costly chronic health conditions causing two-thirds of deaths each year.
How many people have dementia in the world?
The most common cognitive health issue facing the elderly is dementia, the loss of those cognitive functions. Approximately 47.5 million people worldwide have dementia—a number that is predicted to nearly triple in size by 2050.
Cognitive Health
In the aging process, a decreased connection in brain cells is observed which impacts all cognitive functions including the ability to think, learn, and memory. Common cognitive health conditions in older adults are dementia and Alzheimers.
Mental Health
In addition to decreased cognitive function, many older adults experience a decline in mental health. It is common for elders to get lonely and feel depressed and this can get exacerbated by other health conditions.
Poor Nutrition
Poor nutrition or malnutrition can compound other health issues in older adults. In weak areas such as the immune system, health problems can get inflamed. In older adults over the age of 65, malnutrition goes often undiagnosed.
Cancer
The CDC reports that nearly half a million deaths in seniors were because of cancer. Cancer is the second leading cause of death for adults over the age of 65. While cancer is not preventable, you can manage or improve the quality of living. In best cases, when caught early, cancer can be treatable.
Chronic Diseases
Older adults are more susceptible to developing chronic diseases. The National Council on Aging reports that about 92 percent of older adults suffer from at least one chronic disease and 77 percent have at least two. Chronic diseases are likely to compound issues and cause other medical problems.
Falls
Older adults are more likely to experience serious injuries with longer recovery periods. Bones shrink and muscles lose strength and flexibility as a result of the aging process. Falls are particularly frequent and the leading cause of injury.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
A surprisingly high percentage of sexually transmitted diseases are found in the elderly, particularly in nursing homes (where the number can be higher than the general percentage). Sexual desire does not disappear with age and, due to this, it is still pertinent that seniors follow safe sex precautions.
What are the health problems of the elderly?
Some of the most common health problems in the elderly include: Cognitive decline.
What is the leading cause of death for adults over the age of 65?
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for adults over the age of 65. Conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol need to be managed properly and taking good care of your heart are vital to avoid developing heart disease in your later years. Osteoarthritis or osteoporosis.
How many people have low bone mass?
Osteoarthritis or osteoporosis. The National Osteoporosis Foundation reports that around 54 million adults over age 50 have low bone mass or osteoporosis, and almost all adults over age 80 have some form of osteoarthritis. Exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet can help protect your bones and joints.
How to help your bones and joints?
Exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet can help protect your bones and joints. Respiratory diseases. Conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can worsen the older you become. However, there are variety of medications available that allow you to breathe easier.
What percentage of people with hearing loss are 65?
Age-related eye issues like macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma affect millions of older adults, and 43 percent of people who experience hearing loss are 65 or older.
How to recognize Alzheimer's early warning signs?
It’s important to recognize the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s, as early intervention and treatment can be key in slowing the progression of the disease. Balance issues. Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults, and maintaining your balance and mobility is key in fall prevention. Oral health problems.
Is 65 years old good?
According to the CDC, 41% of adults age 65 and older report that they are in good or excellent health. This is good news, considering average life expectancy is on the rise, with many of those 65-year-olds living to celebrate birthdays beyond the age of 80.
How to help arthritis pain in older adults?
Be active. Physical activity, such as walking, bicycling, and swimming, decreases arthritis pain and improves function, mood, and quality of life. Better physical function reduces the risk of falls and fall-related injuries and helps older adults stay independent.
How many people die from Alzheimer's disease?
Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia, is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that affects nearly 6 million Americans. It is the fifth leading cause of death for those aged 65 or older.
How many people have arthritis?
In the United States, 23% of all adults, or more than 54 million people, have arthritis. It is a leading cause of work disability, with annual costs for medical care and lost earnings of $303.5 billion. CDC recommends several proven ways to help people manage arthritis symptoms:
How to help arthritis?
CDC recommends several proven ways to help people manage arthritis symptoms: Join a self-management education program, such as the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, that teaches the skills and confidence to live well with arthritis every day. Be active.
How many people are up to date on preventive services?
Increasing the use of preventive services by adults aged 50 or older is a key public health strategy, given the rapid aging of the US population. Unfortunately, only 25% of adults aged 50 to 64 and less than 50% of those 65 or older are up to date on these potentially life-saving services.
What is cognitive impairment?
People with cognitive impairment find it hard to maintain their health or manage other chronic conditions. Early detection of cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s and other dementias, provides an opportunity to manage other chronic health conditions and plan for the future.
Does Alzheimer's disease cause cognitive decline?
Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias slowly destroy the brain, leading to cognitive declines (such as memory loss, language difficulty, or poor executive function) and functional declines (such as less ability to do activities of daily living and self-care).
Why is physical activity important for older adults?
In addition, 1 in 3 older adults fall each year, and falls are a leading cause of injury for this age group.2 Physical activity can help older adults prevent both chronic disease and fall-related injuries.
Why do older people go to the hospital?
Older adults are also more likely to go to the hospital for some infectious diseases — including pneumonia, which is a leading cause of death for this age group. Making sure older adults get preventive care, including vaccines to protect against the flu and pneumonia, can help them stay healthy.
What is the goal of the 2030 Healthy People?
population will be age 65 or older.1 Healthy People 2030 focuses on reducing health problems and improving quality of life for older adults.
