Getting older isn’t always easy. The older you get, the higher the risk of chronic health conditions. Learn more about the five most common chronic diseases in the elderly. Find out what it means for your family if your parent is diagnosed with one.
Hypertension
More than half of all older adults have hypertension (high blood pressure). This is a challenging chronic health condition as there may be no symptoms until high blood pressure has caused other issues like headaches, dizziness, nosebleeds, and an irregular heartbeat.
Yearly visits with your doctor are the key to knowing if you have high blood pressure. It’s also helpful to get a blood pressure reading at home using a home blood pressure cuff or by sitting down at a machine in a pharmacy or grocery store.
A healthy diet and weight loss can help lower blood pressure. Getting enough moderate exercise is also important. If those steps do not help, your mom or dad may need to go on prescription medications.
High Cholesterol
High cholesterol affects almost half of all older adults. It’s also hard to tell that you have it without getting a blood test at the doctor’s office. When cholesterol levels are high, it can cause arteries to plug up and lead to heart disease and stroke.
Like high blood pressure, it’s not possible to feel that you have high cholesterol. It’s often undetected until it leads to a blocked artery.
A diet low in saturated fats and plenty of daily exercise help keep cholesterol levels in the normal range. Losing weight is also helpful. Your mom or dad may need medications to help lower their cholesterol levels if diet, weight loss, and exercise are not enough.
Arthritis
About one in three older adults have some form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common form. It’s expected as you age as it involves wear and tear on the cartilage in the joints. As the cartilage wears down, the bone may start to rub against the other bone in the joint.
Joints often affected by arthritis include the ankles, wrists, fingers, knees, and hips. The pain may cause mobility issues. It can make it hard to complete daily activities.
Pain relievers that help with inflammation can help ease the pain. Losing weight is another suggestion your parents’ doctors may have. While the pain may make it hard to consider exercising, movements are needed to help keep the joints healthy. If the arthritis is severe, joint replacement surgery may be recommended.
When one of your parents has a chronic health condition, the amount of help they need each day may increase. One way to meet their changing needs is by hiring senior care services.
Senior care aides can help your parents with everything from safe transportation to housekeeping tasks. Call a senior care expert to learn more about prices and services in your area.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Senior Care in Spartanburg, SC, contact Heart of the Carolinas Home Care at 864-991-3116. Providing Home Care Services in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Anderson, Spartanburg, Mauldin, Seneca, Laurens, Charleston, Columbia and the surrounding areas.
Sources:
https://www.ncoa.org/article/the-top-10-most-common-chronic-conditions-in-older-adults
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