The Common Culprits: Top Health Concerns for the Elderly
April 28, 2015
Health concerns is one of the leading reasons why seniors choose to move into a care community or to hire in-home care providers. At some point the challenge of caring for health conditions becomes too much to manage alone.
Read on to learn about the most common conditions among seniors that frequently require in-home care or a move to a full-time care community.
Arthritis
Statistics show that in 2010-2012, almost half of all adults over 65 – or more specifically, 49.7% of this demographic – suffer from this condition. Projections show that by 2030, there will be over 67 million Americans over 18 years of age who would have to endure the pain associated with arthritis.
This debilitating disease typically worsens with age. Sharp pain in the joints or back can make even the simplest tasks a challenge and require additional help to accomplish daily needs like dressing, eating, and walking.
Cancer
Cancer remains one of the most common conditions seniors face. Cancer.org estimates that in 2015, there will be over 900,000 new cases of the four major types of cancer among persons over 65. The treatments for cancer can often leave patients in need of special care to overcome sickness, dehydration, and other side effects of chemotherapy. Treating these side effects often requires continuous monitoring of health and the skill to clean and replace IV drip bags and other medical devices.
Diabetes
The love for sweets could bring about a major health problem, especially among seniors. Diabetes ranks high among elderly concerns. In terms of statistics, estimates show that there are around 29.1 million cases of diabetes in the United States, 8.1 million of which (or 27.8%) are undiagnosed.
Caring for a loved one with diabetes has its own set of special challenges besides performing regular blood testing for glucose levels or insulin injections. Diabetes patients often require strict diets to maintain a healthy blood sugar level. Add to that other health concerns that may require food restrictions and even the most seasoned cooks can find menu planning difficult. Care communities have professional dieticians on staff to prescribe a diet that meets strict medical requirements, yet maintains nutrition and variety of taste.
Heart Disease
Heart disease can become a reality for everyone, but even more so for seniors. In America, about 735,000 cases of heart attacks happen every year.
The numbers also show that 47% of these attacks happen outside the hospital. It’s imperative to take immediate action when a heart attack occurs to increase chances of survival and reduce damage to the already weakened heart. Care communities have trained staff available day and night to ensure your loved one gets the attention they need if a heart attack strikes.
Osteoporosis
As bones turn brittle over time, osteoporosis becomes a debilitating condition that affects mobility. Globally, osteoporosis is the cause for almost 9 million fractures every year. Proper care is important for seniors who have this condition, as injuries heal at a slower pace as we age.
Seniors living with osteoporosis may find they can no longer drive, or move sufficiently to accomplish basic tasks for self-care. At that point, proper care becomes necessary – and this is also where MyCareMatch.com steps in. Our database provides seniors and family members with the ability to choose the home and community care providers to fit their needs. With our service, it becomes easy to find the perfect living setup for any senior no matter what health condition they may be living with. Sign up with a free account today and start your search.
About the Author
Doug Breuer is co-founder of MyCareMatch.com and has worked in senior care for the last 9 years for the State of Oregon. From investigating cases of elder abuse to managing the delivery of long term care to residents of Central Oregon, Doug has been involved in all aspects of senior care.
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