When it comes to aging and health, there’s good news and not-so-good news. The good news is that as a population, Americans are living longer than ever before and many people will live long and healthy lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) once you make it to age 65, you can live another 19 years on average. The not-so-good news is that there are many age-related diseases, disorders and problems that may interfere with independence and quality of life.
More good news is that most of these health problems can be avoided by reducing risk factors associated with them. Prevention includes a healthy diet and good nutrition, getting some regular exercise, sleeping well, not smoking, and reducing stress. It’s also important to know your family history and its risk for certain diseases. It’s also recommended to get regular checkups and monitor your brain health as you age.
Common Age-Related Health Concerns
Arthritis
Arthritis is the most common chronic, age-related disorder among people 65 years and older. The CDC reports that almost half of the older population in the U.S. has some form of the condition. Unfortunately, many older adults will experience pain and lower quality of life.
Heart Disease
Heart disease has been a leading cause of death for decades and it continues to be the number one killer of people over age 65. It is a chronic condition that is associated with a number of risk factors including high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Cancer
Cancer remains the second leading cause of death among people 65 years and older. Currently, more men develop cancer than women. Fortunately, it can be treated with early detection through screenings such as mammograms, skin checks, and colonoscopies.
Nutritional Problems
As we age our bodies simply don’t absorb important vitamins and nutrients like it used to at younger ages. Many people will lack vitamins B12 and B6, calcium and vitamin D.
Oral Health
Some nutritional problems are due to poor oral care as well as age-related changes like dry-mouth, cavities, and loss of teeth. Healthy teeth and gums are important as we age and we now know that certain neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s may originate in the mouth and gut.
Sleep Problems
Sleep problems are not directly related to aging itself, insomuch that it’s associated with medical conditions and the medications prescribed for them. Sleep patterns may change also because of a lack of activity or movement causing daytime drowsiness and early morning rising.
Memory Loss
One of the most feared age-related conditions is memory loss because most people associate it with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. While some loss in memory is normal with age, it’s not normal to be unable to name close friends or family or completely forget recent events.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Many experts refer to Alzheimer’s as one of the most important diseases of the 21st century and for some good reasons. We are living longer and with each passing year, we increase our risk of developing this chronic, irreversible, incurable, neurodegenerative disorder. One in ten individuals over age 65 has Alzheimer’s and this number is expected to increase significantly in the near future.
Respiratory Diseases
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic lower respiratory diseases combined are the third leading cause of death among people 65 and older. Many older adults struggle with asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis, all of which can reduce one’s activity and quality of life.
Flu and Pneumonia
As we age our immune system doesn’t protect us from germs, bacteria and viruses like it used to when we were younger. Unfortunately, seniors make up the bulk of those who die or are hospitalized for flu-like conditions. Age increases the changes for serious flu complications including pneumonia, lung disease, heart conditions and sepsis.
Osteoporosis
According to The National Osteoporosis Foundation, more than 54 million Americans over the age 50 have low bone mass or osteoporosis. This makes the risk of falling, experiencing a bone break or fracture much higher. It can also lead to decreased mobility and disability.
Falls
Falls are dreaded by many seniors who have already had a serious injury due to a fall. They may also develop a fear of falling which may reduce their level of physical activity and independence. The risk for falls requiring hospitalization increases with age and most falls take place within the home.
Diabetes
According to the CDC, 25% of people 65 and older have diabetes and almost 50% qualify as prediabetic. Either condition can cause serious complications with advanced age. Fortunately, a simple blood test can identify the problem and the earlier it’s diagnosed the better.
Weight Gain & Obesity
Weight gain and obesity are risk factors associated with a variety of serious health conditions, namely heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. The higher the weight the greater the risk. Roughly 36% of men and 41% of women between the ages of 65 and 74 are obese.
Substance Abuse
Some may associate using substances like drugs or alcohol with younger people, but it is well-known that older adults and seniors also have substance abuse issues. The National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions reports that 1 in 5 people 65 years and older have had a substance-related problem at one point in their lives. Substance abuse is dangerous to begin with, but mixing substances with prescription medication and declining health could be a recipe for disaster or death.
Alcohol Tolerance Changes
We cannot consume alcoholic beverages like we used to in our youth. Alcohol tolerance tends to move in different directions as we age. The older we become, smaller amounts of alcohol can make us intoxicated and significantly slow down our reaction time.
Depression
While depression isn’t inevitable with aging, we face more losses in our later years than any other time throughout our lives. And these losses can lead to depression, which can complicate one’s overall health and well-being. We aren’t exactly sure how many seniors are depressed because many don’t seek help from their doctors. Even when they visit their doctor, symptoms of depression may be shrugged off as “normal aging”. Seniors with serious health problems and limitations are more likely to become depressed than those who are relatively healthy.
Poverty
A sizable percentage of the elderly population lives at or below the poverty level, roughly 45%. Many are single and live alone with few resources. They are unfortunately at a higher risk for poor nutrition, declining health, injuries, depression, lack of medical care and earlier death.
Shingles
When we are young, we might develop chicken pox and when we are much older, we run a risk of developing shingles. According to the National Institutes of Health, 1 out of 3 people 60 and over will develop shingles and 50% will experience it to some degree by the time they reach their 80th birthday. A vaccine is available and experts agree that it can be effective in reducing the risk of developing shingles.
Final Thoughts on Age-Related Health Concerns
We are all aging differently. Some people watch what they eat, run on their treadmill and practice yoga. Others enjoy eating what they want, consume alcohol in excess, smoke tobacco products and live sedentary lives. Still, some will age quite well despite their unhealthy lifestyles. And there are those healthy older adults who do everything right and still become ill due to a bad genetic hand dealt at birth.
We don’t have to become ill as we age. We actually have lots of tools at our disposal to reduce the risk of certain diseases and avoid some altogether. Lifestyle and prevention matter when it comes to health and aging. And it’s the simple things like food, activity, sleep and stress management that can lead us into our healthy senior years.