2. Heart disease
According to the CDC, heart disease remains the leading cause of death among adults over the age of 65, accounting for 489,722 deaths in 2014. As a chronic disease, heart disease affects 37% of men and 26% of women aged 65 years and older, according to the Federal Interagency. Aging Statistics Forum. As people age, they increasingly face risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which increase the risk of stroke or developing heart disease. Dr. Bernard’s tips for combating this health risk for older adults not only help fight heart disease, but can also improve older adults’ health across the board: “Exercise, eat well, have a good night’s sleep. Eating well means eating in a way that will allow you to maintain a healthy weight through a healthy, balanced diet.
3. Cancer
Cancer is the second leading cause of death among people over 65, with 413,885 deaths in 2014, according to the CDC. The CDC also reports that 28 percent of men and 21 percent of women over age 65 are living with cancer. If detected early through screenings, such as mammograms, colonoscopiesAnd skin checks, many types of cancer can be treated. And while you can’t always prevent cancer, you can improve your quality of life as a senior with cancer, including during treatment, by working with your medical team and following their recommendations for treatment. healthy life for the elderly.
4. Respiratory diseases
Chronic lower respiratory tract diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are the third leading 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 asthmaand 10 percent of men and 11 percent of women live with chronic bronchitis Or emphysema, according to the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics. Although having a chronic respiratory disease increases the health risks of older adults, making them more vulnerable to pneumonia and other infections, getting pulmonary function tests and taking the appropriate medications or using oxygen as directed will go a long way in preserving senior health and your quality of life.
5. Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease accounted for 92,604 deaths of people over 65 in 2014, according to the CDC. THE Alzheimer’s Association reports that one in nine people aged 65 and older, or about 11 percent, have Alzheimer’s disease, but because diagnosis is difficult, it’s difficult to know exactly how many people are living with this chronic condition. Yet experts recognize that cognitive impairments have a significant impact on the health of older adults in everything from safety issues to self-care to the financial burden of care, whether at home or in a residential facility.
6. Osteoporosis
“Osteoporosis can contribute to becoming less mobile and potentially disabled in the event of a fall and fracture or collapse of the vertebral bodies,” Bernard said. THE National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that 54 million Americans over age 50 have low bone mass or osteoporosis, putting them at risk for fractures or fractures that could lead to poor older adult health and quality of life scaled down. Additionally, they estimate that by 2020, this number will reach 64.4 million.
7. Diabetes
THE CDC estimates that 25 percent of people aged 65 and older live with diabetes, a significant health risk for older adults. According to CDC data, diabetes caused 54,161 deaths among adults over 65 in 2014. Diabetes can be identified and treated quickly with simple blood tests to measure blood sugar. The sooner you know you have diabetes or are at risk of developing it, the sooner you can start making changes to control the disease and improve your long-term health prospects.
8. Flu and pneumonia
Although influenza and pneumonia are not chronic illnesses, these infections are among the top eight causes of death in people over 65, according to the CDC. Seniors are more vulnerable to these diseases and less able to fight them. Health care recommendations for older adults include obtaining a vaccine against influenzaand get the pneumonia vaccine if your doctor recommends it, to prevent these infections and their potentially fatal complications.
9. Falls
The risk of falling the need for emergency care increases with age. Each year, 2.5 million people aged 65 and older are treated in emergency rooms due to falls, according to the CDC. This is more than in any other age group. And according to a study published in August 2015 in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, a third of people who go to the emergency room for a fall could find themselves there again within a year. Also be aware that most falls happen at home, where tripping hazards include rugs and slippery bathroom floors, according to a study published in January 2013 in the Journal of Injury and Violence Research.
10. Substance abuse
Analysis of data from the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions suggests that one in five people over the age of 65 have had a substance or alcohol abuse problem at some point in their lives . Alcohol and tobacco topped the list of non-medical substances consumed by survey participants. Substance and alcohol abuse are a health concern for older adults due to possible interactions with prescription medications, their impact on overall health, and increased health risks for older adults, such as falls, associated with intoxication.
11. Obesity
Obesity is a significant health problem for older adults heart disease risk factor, diabetes and cancer – all chronic diseases that impact quality of life. As the numbers on the scale increase, so does the risk of disease. Among adults aged 65 to 74, 36.2 percent of men and 40.7 percent of women are obese, meaning their body mass index is greater than or equal to 30 – according to the CDC. It may also indicate that an older person is no longer as active or mobile as they once were.
12. Depression
According to American Psychological Association, 15 to 20 percent of Americans over the age of 65 have suffered from depression. A threat to the health of older adults, depression can weaken immunity and compromise a person’s ability to fight infections. In addition to drug and therapeutic treatment, other ways to improve the quality of life of older people could consist of increasing physical activity: 59.4% of adults aged 65 and over do not achieve this. CDC Recommendations for Exercise— or to interact more socially — older adults report spending only 8 to 11 percent of their free time with family and friends, according to the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics.
13. Oral health
Healthy teeth and gums are important not only for a pretty smile and easy eating, but also for the overall health of older adults. According to CDC, 25 percent of adults over the age of 65 do not have natural teeth. As you age, your mouth tends to become drier and cavities are harder to prevent. Proper oral health care, including regular dental checkups, should therefore be a health care priority, Dr. Wei said.
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14. Poverty
In 2013, 45 percent of adults aged 65 and older had incomes below the poverty line, according to one study. Kaiser Family Foundation 2015 Report. This number takes into account available financial resources, debts such as taxes, valued benefits such as food stamps, out-of-pocket medical costs, geographic variations in housing expenses, and other factors. Older women are slightly more likely than men to live in poverty, and this gap widens among people over 80. Single older adults are also much more likely to live alone with fewer resources. Poverty affects the health of older adults if you cannot afford doctor visits, medications for chronic illnesses, and other essential health care needs for older adults.
15. Shingles
Remember that bout of chickenpox you had when you were a kid? It can come back as shingles when you are an adult. According to National Institutes of Healthone in three people over age 60 will get shingles, and 50% of all Americans will get it before age 80. It usually only affects one side of your body, starting as severe pain or tingling and then turning into itching. rash and possibly blisters. There is a vaccine available, so talk to your doctor.
Additional reporting by Carey Rossi
