One of the harsh realities of life is our bodies deteriorate as we grow older. Our skin gets wrinkly. Our hair goes gray. Our minds aren’t as sharp. It is what it is.
Most, if not all, elderly folks face problems concerning their health. And some of the issues they encounter still don’t have any real solutions to prevent them from taking place. Parkinson’s Disease research panel recruitment is still ongoing because we still don’t have the answers for it. Alzheimer’s dementia is still unpreventable. There’s still no specific method to get better bladder control for seniors. The list goes on and on.
But that doesn’t mean that you cannot prepare for it. In fact, much of our lives are somewhat focused on preparing for the time we get old and gray. Why do you think we’re encouraged to be debt-free? To have insurance? To secure our retirement? That’s not just to continue living the lifestyle that we want but also to have greater peace of mind coming into our golden years that should we encounter some of the common issues bothering the elderly, we won’t need to worry about the expenses.
That being said, we have listed below seven of the most common health issues older adults deal with so that you have a better idea of what to prepare for.
7 Common Health Issues Elderly People Are Faced With Today
1. Chronic Health Issues
The National Council on Aging reports that 77 percent of seniors have at least two chronic diseases while a whopping 92% has one. The most common chronic diseases are cancer, stroke, heart disease, and diabetes.
To lessen the risks of getting chronic diseases, one should maintain a healthy lifestyle and regularly go for physical check-ups.
2. Cognitive Impairment Concerns
A person’s ability to think and reason logically declines as they grow older. Cognitive health issues greatly face older adults, with dementia being the most common. It is estimated that 47.5 million people all over the world suffer from it.
While there are no cures to dementia at the time, treatments can be prescribed to help manage it.
3. Mental Health Issues
Over 50% of older adults aged 50 and above suffer from mental health issues, according to the World Health Organization. Depression is one of the main mental illnesses prevalent among the age group which is one of the top culprits for 18% of older adult suicides in the US.
Living a holistically healthy lifestyle and improving living conditions can help keep these issues at bay.
4. Physical Injuries
Physical injuries are not uncommon for seniors as their physical strength regresses as the years go by. This makes them prone to slips and falls which are the most common causes of older adults’ physical injuries and even death.
An increase in physical activity to help strengthen the bones, joints, and muscles, proper education, and modifications at home can help prevent accidents.
5. Oral Health
The elderly’s oral health is not just about losing teeth, even if it is quite common for 25% of adults aged 65 and above. There are also other issues such as gum disease, dry mouth, halitosis, and mouth cancer.
The best way to prevent these from happening is still a regular visit to your friendly neighborhood dentist.
6. Sensory Impaired Issues
Our senses start to become duller after quite some time. The first ones to go are usually sight and hearing which are very common in Americans over 70 years old. The CDC claims that one out of four Americans is hearing impaired while one out of six has a visual impairment.
While there’s really no way out with these two, impairment can be treated by the use of glasses and hearing aids.
7. Constipation and Bladder Control
An older adult’s quality of life can be greatly impacted by constipation and incontinence. However, just because you’re having a hard time controlling your digestive and urinary systems shouldn’t keep you from talking to your physician as there are often treatments for these conditions.
We hope that this somehow makes you realize how important it is not just to take good care of your health but also to financially prepare for it, too.