Most Common Health Concerns That Comes With Aging

Getting older can bring health challenges. By being aware of these common chronic conditions, you can take steps to stave off disease as you age.

1. Arthritis

“Arthritis is probably the number one condition that people 65 or older contend with. It affects 49.7 percent of all adults over 65 and can lead to pain and lower quality of life for some aging adult. 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

2. Heart Disease

Heart disease remains the leading killer of adults over age 65, accounting for 488,156 deaths in 2013, the most recent statistics. As a chronic condition, heart disease affects 37 percent of men and 26 percent of women 65 and older. As people age, they're increasingly living with risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, that increase the chances of having a stroke or developing heart disease. All you need do is Exercise, eat well, get a good night’s rest. Eating well means eating in a fashion that will allow you to keep a healthy weight with a well-balanced and healthy diet."

3. Cancer

Cancer is the second leading cause of death among people over age 65, with 407,558 deaths in 2013. According to reserach, 28 percent of men and 21 percent of women over age 65 are living with cancer. If caught early through screenings such as mammograms, colonoscopies, and skin checks, many types of cancer are treatable. And though you're not always able to prevent cancer, you can improve quality of life as an aging adult living with cancer, including during treatment, by working with your medical team and maintaining their healthy senior living recommendations.

4. Respiratory Diseases

Chronic lower respiratory diseases, such as COPD, are the third most common cause of death among people 65 and older, annually taking 127,194 lives. About 10 percent of men and 13 percent of women are living with asthma, and another 10 percent of men and 11 percent of women are living with chronic bronchitis or emphysema, according to research. Although having a chronic respiratory disease increases adult health risks, making you more vulnerable to infections such as pneumonia, getting lung function tests and taking the correct medications or using oxygen as instructed will go a long way toward preserving adult health and your quality of life.

5. Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease accounted for 83,786 deaths of people over age 65 in 2013, according to the research. It’s difficult to know exactly how many people are living with this chronic condition. However, experts acknowledge that cognitive impairment has a significant impact on aging adult health across the spectrum, from issues of safety and self-care to the cost burden of care in the home.

6.Osteoporosis

“Osteoporosis can contribute to becoming less mobile and potentially disabled should you fall and have a fracture or as the collapse of vertebral bodies. Research shows that estimates that a higher percentage of aging adult over the age 50 are affected by low bone mass or osteoporosis, putting them at risk for a fracture or break that could lead to poor senior health and reduced quality of life. What’s more: It is estimates that by the year 2020 that number will increase.

7.Diabetes

About 24 percent of men and 18 percent of women older than 65 are living with diabetes, a significant senior health risk. According to research, diabetes caused deaths among adults over age 65 in recent years. Diabetes can be identified and addressed early with simple blood tests for blood sugar levels. The sooner you know that you have or are at risk for diabetes, the sooner you can start making changes to control the disease and improve your long-term senior health outlook.

8. Substance Abuse

Research shows that one in five people over 65 have had a substance or alcohol abuse problem at some point in their lives. Alcohol and tobacco topped the list of nonmedical substances abused by survey participants. Substance and alcohol abuse are a concern for aging adult health because of possible interactions with prescription medications, their impact on overall health, and the increased senior health risks, such as falls, associated with intoxication.

9. Obesity 

Obesity is an important senior health risk factor for heart disease, diabetes, and cancer — chronic conditions that impact quality of life.  As the numbers on the scale increase, so does the risk for disease. Of the adults between 65 and 74, 76.9 percent of men and 73.8 percent of women are overweight—meaning that their body mass index is greater than or equal to 25. It can also be a signal that an older adult isn’t as active or mobile as he or she once was.

10. Depression

According to research, aging adult over 65 years have experienced depression, a threat to aging adult health. Depression can lower immunity and can compromise a person’s ability to fight infections. In addition to treatment with medication and therapy to improve mood, possible solutions to improve aging adult living might be to increase physical activity — 59.4 percent of adults 65 and older do not meet recommended amount of exercise — or to interact more socially — aging adult report spending just 8 to 11 percent of their free time with family and friends.

11. Oral Health

Healthy teeth and gums are important not just for a pretty smile and easy eating, but also for overall senior health. According to research, 25 percent of adults over 65 have no natural teeth. As you age, your mouth tends to become dryer and cavities are more difficult to prevent, so proper oral health care, including regular dental checkups, should be an aging adult health care priority,

15. Shingles

Remember that bout of chicken pox you had as a kid? It comes back as shingles as an adult: one out of three people over 60 will get it. Researchers say that 50 percent of all aging adult will experience shingles before they are 80. It usually affects only one side of your body and starts out with severe pain or tingling, and then develops into an itchy rash and possibly blisters. There is a vaccine available, so talk to your doctor about it.