15 Health Conditions to Watch for in Seniors

A very common health issue that most older adults face is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage at the ends of bones deteriorates. There are about 3 million US cases of osteoarthritis per year.

One way to tell if one is experiencing arthritis is if they are suffering from painful joints, stiffness, or mobility issues.. To combat the effects of arthritis, seniors can exercise more, stay within their recommended weight, and avoid smoking.

There are a multitude of heart diseases that affect seniors, ranging from coronary artery disease to high blood pressure. It is estimated that about 30% of men and 25% of women have some sort of heart disease.

Heart disease can be caused by conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and more. To spot heart disease, look at the conditions that lead up to it. If you notice a routine of unhealthy behavior, high stress levels, poor hygiene, or if you know it runs in the family, make sure to take steps to prevent heart disease.

Actions one can take to prevent heart disease include reducing/managing stress, exercising daily, maintaining a healthy weight, and practicing good hygiene.

Similar to heart disease, there are a number of cancers that one can have, such as breast cancer, skin cancer, prostate cancer, and more. Cancer is the second most common cause of death, right behind heart disease.

Signs of cancer vary. One person may exhibit no symptoms or signs, while another may have symptoms like persistent coughing, a shift in bowel habits, blood in stool, lumps, etc. The best way to detect cancer in seniors is to ensure that they visit their primary care physician at least once a year.

Reduce the risk of cancer by maintaining a healthy eating regimen, refraining from smoking, exercising daily, and using protection from the sun.

There are a multitude of heart diseases that affect seniors, ranging from coronary artery disease to high blood pressure. It is estimated that about 30% of men and 25% of women have some sort of heart disease.

Heart disease can be caused by conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and more. To spot heart disease, look at the conditions that lead up to it. If you notice a routine of unhealthy behavior, high stress levels, poor hygiene, or if you know it runs in the family, make sure to take steps to prevent heart disease.

Actions one can take to prevent heart disease include reducing/managing stress, exercising daily, maintaining a healthy weight, and practicing good hygiene.

Alzheimer’s disease, a very common form of dementia, affects the memory, thinking, and behavior of seniors. There are an estimated 5 million Americans that are living with Alzheimer's, with an expected rise to 16 million by 2050.

A few early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s include loss of memory that disrupts daily routine, difficulty in completing familiar tasks, confusion of time/place, and changes in mood/behavior. Because this disease occurs due to age and genes, there aren’t many proven prevention tactics. Still, one can attempt to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s by exercising daily, eating healthy, and living a positive lifestyle so that the brain is in its top condition.

As seniors age, so do their bones. Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones weaken and become brittle because the body is unable to generate new bone in place of old bone removal. This is a common condition. In fact, an estimated 50% of women and 25% of men over the age of 50 will experience a broken bone due to osteoporosis.

When it comes to osteoporosis, there aren’t many symptoms that are easily noticed. The few signs of osteoporosis are loss of height over time, degrading posture, and bones fracturing with ease.

To maintain healthy bones, seniors can be proactive by consuming sufficient amounts of protein, calcium, and vitamin D. Alongside these, daily exercise and maintaining an appropriate body weight will help combat bone loss and fractures.

Diabetes, a disease that affects about 25% of people over the age of 65, occurs when there is too much sugar in one's blood. Different types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, and gestational.

Diabetes is considered the silent killer, due to the disease being out of physical sight and within the bloodstream. Common symptoms that may be difficult to notice are hunger, fatigue, dry mouth, itchy skin, blurred vision, and more frequent urination. It is even possible that there may be no symptoms present.

Preventative measures against diabetes include managing stress, eating healthy, and increasing physical activity. Make sure to consume plenty of fiber and whole grains, and to overall make healthier choices.

Diabetes, a disease that affects about 25% of people over the age of 65, occurs when there is too much sugar in one's blood. Different types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, and gestational.

Diabetes is considered the silent killer, due to the disease being out of physical sight and within the bloodstream. Common symptoms that may be difficult to notice are hunger, fatigue, dry mouth, itchy skin, blurred vision, and more frequent urination. It is even possible that there may be no symptoms present.

Preventative measures against diabetes include managing stress, eating healthy, and increasing physical activity. Make sure to consume plenty of fiber and whole grains, and to overall make healthier choices.

Diabetes, a disease that affects about 25% of people over the age of 65, occurs when there is too much sugar in one's blood. Different types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, and gestational.

Diabetes is considered the silent killer, due to the disease being out of physical sight and within the bloodstream. Common symptoms that may be difficult to notice are hunger, fatigue, dry mouth, itchy skin, blurred vision, and more frequent urination. It is even possible that there may be no symptoms present.

Preventative measures against diabetes include managing stress, eating healthy, and increasing physical activity. Make sure to consume plenty of fiber and whole grains, and to overall make healthier choices.

When people think of aging, they often associate it with the idea of losing teeth. Losing teeth is actually a result of poor dental hygiene, not old age. There are an estimated 10% of seniors aged 65 to 74 with gum disease.

Symptoms of gum disease include bad breath, toothaches, bright red gums, loose teeth, and loss of teeth. Practicing proper oral hygiene will reduce the risk of gum disease for seniors and help them stay clear of dentures. Proper oral hygiene includes brushing twice a day, flossing regularly, avoiding smoking and tobacco, and visiting the dentist.

Addiction among seniors is a serious issue that affects roughly 20% of the elder population. Addiction to alcohol and substances in seniors can be caused by things like retirement, death of a loved one, financial hardship, family conflict, etc.

To know if addiction has overcome a senior, one should look out for physical health problems, a neglect in appearance, financial problems, and changes in mood and behavior. To combat addiction, one can manage stress/anxiety, put themselves in positive environments, and if necessary, see a therapist.

Shingles is a reactivation of chickenpox that usually comes back in one's senior years. There are an estimated 200,000 cases of shingles in the U.S. each year. Symptoms of shingles are similar to chickenpox in that redness, blisters, and scabs appear throughout the body.

The greatest way to prevent shingles is to stay away from people who are infected and to receive vaccines. As a senior, the varicella-zoster immunization will lessen the effects of severe symptoms that come with shingles.

Kidney disease makes it more problematic when seniors need to eliminate waste from their body. Affecting about 40% of seniors, kidney disease can arise gradually or immediately.

Signs of kidney disease include fatigue, itchiness, swelling, high blood pressure, lack of appetite, and an imbalance of electrolytes. Other symptoms include discolored urine, foamy/bubbly urine, and upset stomach.

To prevent kidney disease, seniors should maintain a healthy blood pressure, eat healthy, control cholesterol, and avoid smoking and tobacco products. Despite kidney disease being treatable, it is best to be as cautious as possible.

Loss of vision among seniors is a prevalent health issue that affects roughly 33% of people by the age of 65. Vision loss comes in different forms such as cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and blurred vision.

Vision loss symptoms include vision that is distorted, narrowed, clouded, blurred, or lost. Additional harbingers of vision loss coming about are swollen eyes, white areas in the pupil, heavy discharge, floating spots or “spider webs”, sensitivity to light, or eye pain.

To prevent vision loss, wear sunglasses when appropriate, exercise regularly, avoid smoking, eat healthy, and visit an eye doctor periodically.

Elderly people falling is a major health concern that affects 2.5 million seniors each year. A fall can result in minor bruises, but can also be fatal.

There are a large variety of risk factors that may trigger a senior to fall from physical risk factors to lifestyle and environmental factors. Some physical risk factors include the health issues we stated above. In terms of environmental risks, it is best to update a senior’s home for safety to reduce the risks of falls by doing things like installing grab bars, clearing paths, and increasing visibility.