As we continue to lead longer lives, we become more likely to develop different kinds of health problems. One challenge aging adults in particular are likely to face is living with multiple health problems. More than half of all adults 65 and older have three or more ongoing medical problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, or arthritis. Figuring out the best course of treatment for multiple health problems can be tricky. For example, prescribing medications for a patient with multiple health problems is more complicated than it is when the patient has one health problem, because a drug that may be useful in treating one health problem may make another worse. That is why both patients and healthcare providers have a role to play in figuring out the best solution to these health problems.
What Health Problems Are Aging Adults at Higher Risk For?
Staying aware of the common health problems your seniors might face helps plan for the prevention and stay prepared for any impending health emergency.
Common conditions in older age include hearing loss, cataracts, and refractive errors, back and neck pain and osteoarthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, depression, and dementia. As people age, they are also more likely to experience several conditions at the same time.
Older age is also characterized by the emergence of several complex health states commonly called geriatric syndromes. They are often the consequence of multiple underlying factors and include frailty, urinary incontinence, falls, delirium, and pressure ulcers.
6 Common Health Conditions in the Elderly: How to Manage Them
1. Heart Disease
The heart is one of the most vital body organs that pumps blood to various parts of the body. Aging can cause changes in the heart and blood vessels, increasing the chances of heart disease. This is a chronic condition is a leading cause of death among aging adults, nearly two-thirds. The concern gets manifold since the symptoms of heart disease are not always apparent and are highly likely to get ignored.
Ways to prevent and manage heart-related ailments in aging adults include:
- Keeping check and restricting the intake of bad fats (trans fats and saturated fats)
- Motivating to cut down on alcohol (or remove it altogether) and quit smoking
- Exercising at least 20 to 30 minutes every day
- Limiting daily salt intake to reduce sodium consumption
2. Diabetes
This is chiefly a lifestyle-related condition that results in an inability to process sugar by your body. High blood sugar can have serious long-term effects on health and can also lead to kidney disease, heart disease, etc. The risk of getting diabetes increases as people age. In fact, adults aged 65 or older are at a greater risk of becoming diabetic.
Ways to prevent and manage diabetes in aging adults include:
- Avoiding a sedentary lifestyle and keeping active in day-to-day routine
- Reducing carbs and unhealthy fats in the diet
- Testing for blood sugar levels from time to time
- Taking medicines (and not skipping any dose) as advised by your doctor
3. Dehydration
Dehydration is a sign that your body lacks enough levels of fluids. The absence of adequate body fluids can have an adverse impact on your health, particularly in aging adults, because it can be linked to other serious health problems like urinary tract infections, electrolyte imbalance, etc.
Ways to prevent and manage dehydration in aging adults:
- Drinking at least three liters of water every day. People with heart failure need to be watchful of excess water intake.
- Limiting the intake of fluid-depleting drinks like alcohol and caffeinated beverages
- Eating more fruits, drinking herbal teas, etc.
4. Chronic Constipation
Not being able to defecate properly and feeling full is a fairly common problem in the elderly. This might not have any immediate serious implications, but when it becomes frequent and severe, it can lead to troublesome issues such as bloating, indigestion, nausea, and stomach pain. The major cause of constipation can be as simple as a lack of physical activity and fiber in the diet.
Ways to prevent and manage constipation in aging adults:
- Including more fruits and green leafy vegetables in the diet to consume more roughage
- Keeping well-hydrated
- Exercising regularly to maintain healthy bowel movements
- Seeking expert help if the lifestyle changes do not help
5. Conditions Related to Mental Health
Similar to physical health, mental health tends to deteriorate with age. This pretty well explains why around 15 percent of people aged 60 and above are affected by at least one mental health condition. Elderly people are likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and anxiety.
Ways to cope with most mental health issues:
- Staying connected with neighbors, family, and friends. Technology in today’s digital age is a great way to stay connected with loved ones.
- Adopting a pet
- Picking up a new hobby like gardening, knitting, pottery, etc.
- Journaling to keep a check on feelings and emotions
6. Bone and Joint Related Disorders
Conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and muscle aches are common health problems in aging adults. In fact, arthritis affects almost half of all people of age 65 and older. Bone and joint-related disorders can have a massive impact on the quality of life as they affect your participation in daily activities.
Ways to manage symptoms in aging adults include:
- Participating in physical activities within your range of movements
- Consuming enough calcium and vitamin D-rich foods to never fall short of these nutrients
- Ensuring to get enough sun
- Including various anti-inflammatory foods in the daily diet such as nuts, seeds, fatty fish like salmon, etc.
- Getting tested for arthritis and related conditions as and when advised by your doctor
- Having fall support in bathrooms to avoid any accidental fall.
How to Manage Chronic Illness
Chronic diseases are persistent — sometimes even permanent — and so they require regular attention. Older adults should consider having a chronic care management team in place to help them achieve their health goals and maintain their quality of life. This is especially true of aging adults who are managing multiple chronic conditions or health problems at a time.
As more older adults experience more age-related changes, geriatric medicine will become an increasingly important part of their medical regimen. Older patients who are managing a chronic condition can benefit from the support of a home healthcare team. In addition to healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle, regular contact with reliable health professionals can help prevent poor health.
Tips for Working With Your Healthcare Provider When You Have Several Chronic Health Problems
Gather All Information About Treatment Options
You should work with your healthcare provider to understand all of your options for care and take an active role in deciding what kind of care you would like. For example, you should ask your provider to tell you how long each treatment option may take to work because some treatments may take longer than others to show benefits.
Decide Who You Want to Include in Decision Making
Decide if you want to make all of your care decisions on your own or include others in the decision-making process. These can include spouses, family members, or friends. You should always let your healthcare providers know right away if you have questions or concerns, want to stop treatment, or want to try something new.
Make Sure Your Healthcare Provider Understands Your Priorities for Care
Decide what treatment outcomes are important to you. For example, you may want to remain as independent as you can for as long as possible. Because of this, you may prefer a treatment with fewer side effects, even if this treatment may not prolong your life as long as other treatments. This is just one example—you should ask your healthcare provider how different treatment options will affect the aspects of your life that are most important to you, such as your level of independence, stamina, or pain.
Ask About “Trade-Offs” Between the Benefits and Risks of Treatments
Most medications and other treatments have both benefits and risks. Talk with your healthcare provider about the possible benefits of each treatment, as well as possible drawbacks such as increased risks of disability, new health problems, and poorer quality of life. Understanding all of the pros and cons of each treatment will help you decide which option is best for you.
Communicate With Healthcare Professionals About Ongoing Treatment
Let your healthcare professional know, immediately, if a treatment doesn’t seem to be working or is causing problems. Since there isn’t a lot of research examining how older adults with complex health problems respond to treatments, your healthcare provider may not be able to predict exactly how a treatment will affect you. Because of this, it’s very important for you or your caregiver to tell your healthcare provider—right away—if a treatment doesn’t seem to be working or is causing side effects.
Speak Up if Your Treatment Plan Is Too Complicated to Manage
Studies have found that the more complicated treatment instructions are, the more likely patients are to stop following them. Let your healthcare provider know if your treatment becomes too complicated or difficult for you to follow. Make sure you understand all instructions before you leave your provider’s office. Ask them to work with you to make instructions as simple and easy to follow as possible.
Make the Most of Treatments That Cause Few or No Side Effects
Your healthcare providers should make the most important and effective treatments the highest priority. Your treatment plan should fit your needs and preferences while getting you the most benefits and the least number of risks. Among other things, your providers should be able to tell you about non-medication treatment options—and how to use those when possible—to avoid potentially dangerous interactions between medications as well as other potential side effects. Ask your healthcare provider if there are non-medication options for at least some of your symptoms.
Promedcare
Being a family-owned business, the owners of Promedcare are engaged in the day-to-day operations and get to know both clients and caregivers on a first-name basis. Having both owners and staff present vs. working remotely with our clients creates a feel of FAMILY and allows Promedcare to create an environment of care that reduces turnover and increases dedication to the brand. We provide 24/7 service with the ability to interact with Senior Management and the owners as needed.
Promedcare has evolved into a caring business that focuses on individuals’ specific needs and preferences. This type of care fosters independence, happiness, and a sense of familiarity by acknowledging older individuals’ desire to age in the comfort of their own homes.
For some, it’s to provide extensive ongoing care for an aging senior. For others, we offer a much-needed break or, respite care – such as a night out with a spouse, vacation, or simply a few hours of quiet time at home – for family members who provide regular care. We offer a wide range of care services customized for each individual client.
Promedcare services include Personal Care Services, Companion Care Services, Dementia / Alzheimer’s Care Services, and Respiratory Solutions.
Contact us today to see how Prodmedcare can help you!