COMMON HEALTH ISSUES AMONG THE ELDERLY
All systems of the body are affected by the aging process. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 88% of those over 65 years of age have at least one chronic health condition.
I. Please reference the list below for the common diseases, conditions, and health concerns affecting individuals 65 years or older:
II. HEART DISEASE BASICS:
Heart disease and stroke incidence rises steeply after age 65, accounting for more than 40 percent of all deaths among people age 65 to 74 and almost 60 percent at age 85 and above.
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD): is a narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. These small blood vessels are called coronary arteries, which is why CHD is also called coronary artery disease. CHD is caused by the buildup of plaque in the arteries to your heart. This may also be called hardening of the arteries.
For more information on Heart Disease and Stroke, visit the American Heart Association Factsheet
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD): is a narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. These small blood vessels are called coronary arteries, which is why CHD is also called coronary artery disease. CHD is caused by the buildup of plaque in the arteries to your heart. This may also be called hardening of the arteries.
For more information on Heart Disease and Stroke, visit the American Heart Association Factsheet
III. HEART DISEASE DEMOGRAPHICS & SOCIOECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women and for most racial/ethnic groups including whites, blacks, and Hispanics.
Factors that increase risk of heart disease:
-high blood pressure
-high LDL
-cholesterol
-diabetes
-being overweight or obese -physical inactivity
Among elderly persons, non-Hispanic whites (39.1%), men(42.4%), and those aged 75 and older (44.3%) were more likely than others to report a diagnosis of heart disease. Individuals living in the West (34.2%) were less likely than those living in the Midwest (39.4%), South (38.1%), or Northeast (37.4%) to have been diagnosed with heart disease.
Factors that increase risk of heart disease:
-high blood pressure
-high LDL
-cholesterol
-diabetes
-being overweight or obese -physical inactivity
Among elderly persons, non-Hispanic whites (39.1%), men(42.4%), and those aged 75 and older (44.3%) were more likely than others to report a diagnosis of heart disease. Individuals living in the West (34.2%) were less likely than those living in the Midwest (39.4%), South (38.1%), or Northeast (37.4%) to have been diagnosed with heart disease.
At first glance, there are no major distinctions between a young heart and an old heart. For example, cardiac output—the amount of blood pumped through the heart each minute—averages 4 to 6 quarts per minute at rest, and doesn't change much with age.
However, there is one important difference between a healthy resting young heart and an older one: heart rate. When lying down, the rates of young and old hearts remain about the same. But when we're sitting, heart rate is less in older people compared to younger men and women. This is due to the age-associated changes in the sympathetic nervous system's signals to the heart's pacemaker. As we age, some of the pathways in this system may develop fibrous tissue and fat deposits.
However, there is one important difference between a healthy resting young heart and an older one: heart rate. When lying down, the rates of young and old hearts remain about the same. But when we're sitting, heart rate is less in older people compared to younger men and women. This is due to the age-associated changes in the sympathetic nervous system's signals to the heart's pacemaker. As we age, some of the pathways in this system may develop fibrous tissue and fat deposits.
IV. CANCER
V. DIABETES
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10.9 million or 26.9% of Americans 65 years or older has diabetes.
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy needed for daily life.
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy needed for daily life.
The people most at risk of getting diabetes are overweight women over forty years old.
The disease itself carries many risks, including eye disorders, nerve disorders, kidney failure, hypertension, gum disease, as well as increased risk of stroke, heart attack, limb amputations, and high blood pressure.
MEDICARE CAN HELP
Medicare will pay to help you learn how to care for your diabetes. It will also help pay for diabetes tests, supplies, special shoes, foot exams, eye exams, and meal planning. For more information about what Medicare covers, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit their website: http://www.medicare.gov/
national_diabetes_fact_sheet_2011.pdf | |
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VI. DEMENTIA
Dementia is not a single disease in itself, but rather is a collective term used to describe the problems that people with various underlying brain disorders or damage can have with their memory, language and thinking. Alzheimer's disease is the best known and most common disorder under the umbrella of dementia.
The General Symptoms of Dementia Include:
Memory loss, difficulty with communication, complex tasks, planning and organizing, coordination and other motor functions, problems with disorientation, such as getting lost, personality changes, inability to reason, inappropriate behavior, paranoia, agitation, and hallucinations.
Below is a short video of my 82 year old grandmother, who was diagnosed with dementia 3 years ago. She is still functioning well and is not even aware of her disease, although her memory loss is obvious to her family members.
The General Symptoms of Dementia Include:
Memory loss, difficulty with communication, complex tasks, planning and organizing, coordination and other motor functions, problems with disorientation, such as getting lost, personality changes, inability to reason, inappropriate behavior, paranoia, agitation, and hallucinations.
Below is a short video of my 82 year old grandmother, who was diagnosed with dementia 3 years ago. She is still functioning well and is not even aware of her disease, although her memory loss is obvious to her family members.
VII. ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder that damages and eventually destroys brain cells, leading to memory loss and changes in thinking and other brain functions. It usually develops slowly and gradually gets worse as more brain cells wither and die.
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 50-80% of dementia cases.
Scientists have identified several hallmark Alzheimer's brain abnormalities, including:
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 50-80% of dementia cases.
Scientists have identified several hallmark Alzheimer's brain abnormalities, including:
- Plaques, microscopic clumps of a protein called beta-amyloid peptide
- Tangles, twisted microscopic strands of the protein tau
- Loss of connections among brain cells responsible for memory, learning and communication. These connections, or synapses,
transmit information from cell to cell. - Inflammation resulting from the brain's effort to fend off the lethal effects of the other changes under way
- Eventual death of brain cells and severe tissue shrinkage
alzheimersfacts_figures_2013.pdf | |
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VIII. Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects one’s movement. PD involves the malfunction and death of vital nerve cells in the brain, called neurons. PD primarily affects neurons in the area of the brain called the substantia nigra. (pictured next to)
These dying neurons produce dopamine, a chemical that sends messages to the part of the brain that controls movement and coordination. As PD progresses, the amount of dopamine produced in the brain decreases, leaving a person unable to control movement normally.
RISK FACTORS
Age-Young adults rarely experience Parkinson's disease. It ordinarily begins in middle or late
life, and the risk continues to increase with age.
Heredity-Having a close relative with Parkinson's disease increases the chances that you'll also develop the disease. However, your risks are still small unless you have many relatives in your family with Parkinson's disease.
Sex-Men are more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than are women.
Exposure to toxins- Ongoing exposure to herbicides and pesticides
may put you at a slightly increased risk of Parkinson's
disease.
PRIMARY SYMPTOMS
Tremor- Tremor, or shaking, usually begins in your limb, often your hand or fingers. You may notice a back-and-forth rubbing of your thumb and forefinger, known as a pill-rolling tremor.
Slowed movement(bradykinesia)- PD may reduce your ability to move and slow your movement. Muscle stiffness may occur in any parts of your body.
Impaired posture and balance- Posture may become stooped, or you may have balance problems as a result of PD.
Loss of automatic movements- Decreased ability to perform unconscious movements, including blinking, smiling or swinging your arms when you walk.
Speech changes- may have speech problems as a result of PD. You may speak softly, quickly, slur or
hesitate before talking.
Writing changes- Writing may appear small and become difficult
These dying neurons produce dopamine, a chemical that sends messages to the part of the brain that controls movement and coordination. As PD progresses, the amount of dopamine produced in the brain decreases, leaving a person unable to control movement normally.
RISK FACTORS
Age-Young adults rarely experience Parkinson's disease. It ordinarily begins in middle or late
life, and the risk continues to increase with age.
Heredity-Having a close relative with Parkinson's disease increases the chances that you'll also develop the disease. However, your risks are still small unless you have many relatives in your family with Parkinson's disease.
Sex-Men are more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than are women.
Exposure to toxins- Ongoing exposure to herbicides and pesticides
may put you at a slightly increased risk of Parkinson's
disease.
PRIMARY SYMPTOMS
Tremor- Tremor, or shaking, usually begins in your limb, often your hand or fingers. You may notice a back-and-forth rubbing of your thumb and forefinger, known as a pill-rolling tremor.
Slowed movement(bradykinesia)- PD may reduce your ability to move and slow your movement. Muscle stiffness may occur in any parts of your body.
Impaired posture and balance- Posture may become stooped, or you may have balance problems as a result of PD.
Loss of automatic movements- Decreased ability to perform unconscious movements, including blinking, smiling or swinging your arms when you walk.
Speech changes- may have speech problems as a result of PD. You may speak softly, quickly, slur or
hesitate before talking.
Writing changes- Writing may appear small and become difficult
IX. FALLS
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, each year, one in every three adults age 65 and older falls. Falls can cause moderate to severe injuries, such as hip fractures and head traumas, and can increase the risk of early death.
Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries. The death rates from falls among older men and women have risen sharply over the past decade. In 2010, the direct medical costs of falls, adjusted for inflation, was $30 billion.
Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries. The death rates from falls among older men and women have risen sharply over the past decade. In 2010, the direct medical costs of falls, adjusted for inflation, was $30 billion.
X. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
American Heart and Stroke Association:
ohttp://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heartpublic/@wcm/@sop/@smd/documents/downloadable/ucm_319574.pdf
Alzheimer’s Association:
ohttp://www.alz.org/downloads/facts_figures_2013.pdf
ohttp://www.alz.org/braintour/3_main_parts.asp
American Society of Clinical Oncology:
o http://www.cancer.net/sites/cancer.net/files/cancer_in_older_adults.pdf
Center for Disease Control and Prevention:
ohttp://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_heart_disease.htm
o http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2011.pdf
ohttp://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research:
ohttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dementia/DS01131/DSECTION=causes
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services:
ohttp://meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_files/publications/st408/stat408.shtml
ohttp://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus11.pdf
The Health Trust:
ohttp://www.healthtrust.org/initiatives/aging/facts.php#2
ohttp://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heartpublic/@wcm/@sop/@smd/documents/downloadable/ucm_319574.pdf
Alzheimer’s Association:
ohttp://www.alz.org/downloads/facts_figures_2013.pdf
ohttp://www.alz.org/braintour/3_main_parts.asp
American Society of Clinical Oncology:
o http://www.cancer.net/sites/cancer.net/files/cancer_in_older_adults.pdf
Center for Disease Control and Prevention:
ohttp://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_heart_disease.htm
o http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2011.pdf
ohttp://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research:
ohttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dementia/DS01131/DSECTION=causes
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services:
ohttp://meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/data_files/publications/st408/stat408.shtml
ohttp://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus11.pdf
The Health Trust:
ohttp://www.healthtrust.org/initiatives/aging/facts.php#2