Stroke
The American Stroke Association (ASA) notes that stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. Stroke mortality rates among women are slightly higher (60%) than among men (40%). Additionally, when it comes to life expectancy after strokes, research indicates that over 75% of stroke victims survive a first stroke during the first year.
Stroke is one of the age-related diseases prevalent in elderly individuals, with 66% of hospitalized cases being people over the age of 65. Many stroke survivors are able to recover functional independence over time, but 25% are left with a minor disability and 40% experience moderate-to-severe disabilities.
A stroke occurs when the brain’s vital blood flow is cut off. This causes brain cells to die, it can lead to permanent disability, and it can be life threatening. Strokes are very common among older adults, so it is important to know the signs and symptoms so you can seek medical attention as soon as possible.
The uncertainty of how long the effects will last, or whether abilities will improve with time, makes determining whether or not you or your loved one remains at home very difficult.
Arthritis
This chronic disease is one of the most common age-related diseases older adults experience. It is encountered between the age group of 65 or older. It leads to pain and decreases the mobility of the body. As a result, it hinders the daily living of the people.
Arthritis causes joint pain and chronic inflammation. The two types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis, the more common of the two, is a result of normal wear and tear. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the lining of the joints.
There is no cure for arthritis, but it can be managed with painkillers and corticosteroids. Symptoms include: pain, stiffness, and tenderness of the joints, inflammation around joints, limited or restricted movement
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is another common age-related diseases among older adults.
Osteoporosis is defined as a systemic skeletal disease with the characteristics of low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissues. In clinical practice, osteoporosis is usually diagnosed by the bone mineral density (BMD) criteria or the occurrence of a fragility fracture. Osteoporosis results in increased bone fragility and subsequent accumulated fracture risk. With decreased BMD as people age, osteoporosis becomes more prevalent among older individuals.
Like losing muscle mass, losing bone strength is part of the normal aging process, but people with osteoporosis experience this decline more quickly than most people. It can be treated with medication and supplements like calcium and vitamin D. Weight-bearing exercises and exercises designed to increase muscle strength can also help older adults manage the condition.
Chronic Kidney Disease
Kidney disease can develop at any time, but those over the age of 60 are more likely than not to develop kidney disease. As people age, so do their kidneys.
According to recent estimates from researchers at Johns Hopkins University, more than 50 percent of seniors over the age of 75 are believed to have kidney disease. Kidney disease has also been found to be more prevalent in those over the age of 60 when compared to the rest of the general population.
Kidney infections, kidney inflammation, high blood pressure, and diabetes can all lead to chronic kidney disease. This condition affects the kidneys and can lead to kidney failure, and there is presently no cure. Another unfortunate reality is that early symptoms do not commonly appear — instead, the condition is usually identified through urine tests ordered for other medical conditions.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
COPD is the group of conditions includes asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema.
The best known condition under this category of illness is chronic bronchitis. Bronchitis is caused by an infection affecting the lungs and airways, contributing to a buildup of excessive mucus. The body tries to displace this buildup through coughing.
Smoking is one of the biggest contributing factors to the development of chronic bronchitis, which means that quitting is the best way to overcome it. A healthy diet is also important — as are rest, hydration, and the treatment of headaches.
Seniors with allergies should take over-the-counter or prescription medications to minimise seasonal or indoor triggers. Adults over the age of 65 should also get annual flu and pneumonia vaccinations as recommended.
Homecare helping elderly woman going down the stairs
Depression
Mental health is also as important as physical illness. About 15 to 20 percent of populations above 60 or above are suffering through it. The disorder is often very risky because this mental health disease can’t be underdiagnosed and can’t be undertreated.
While aging in their own home helps older adults maintain their independence, it can also be isolating. The loss of a spouse, siblings, or friends often leads to a decrease in physical and social activity. As such, recognizing depression symptoms becomes increasingly important. Prolonged depression leads to an increase in mortality and disability, higher health care utilization, and longer hospital stays. Signs that an aging adult is depressed, such as grumpiness, weight loss, and extreme fatigue, often get brushed aside as being age-related symptoms.
Depression in older adults may be difficult to recognize because older people may have different symptoms than younger people. For some older adults with depression, sadness is not their main symptom. They could instead be feeling more of a numbness or a lack of interest in activities. They may not be as willing to talk about their feelings.
If you are a health care provider of an older person, ask how they are feeling during their visits. Research has shown that intervening during primary care visits is highly effective.
Conclusion
Chronic age-related diseases are persistent — sometimes even permanent — and so they require regular attention. Older adults should consider having a chronic care management team in place to help them achieve their health goals and maintain their quality of life. This is especially true of elderly patients who are managing multiple chronic conditions at a time.
As a caretaker, one must have knowledge of every medicine, and routine check-ups of their patients. Therefore, a reliable caretaker must be hired to fill in the medical gaps. The sophisticated caretakers are trained, qualified nurses, therefore, they are attentive towards responsibility. From personal assistance to routine medical checkups, they keep account of every activity to safeguard their patient’s well-being.
