Seniors are living longer and longer thanks to modern medicine.
As seniors age, it’s not uncommon to develop any of a range of chronic conditions or illnesses.
If a senior is suffering from any of these ailments, it’s important to get a diagnosis and proper treatment. Seniors tend to be more vulnerable to certain conditions as they age.
Here are handful of common senior citizen illnesses and conditions to look out for:
- Alzheimer’s Disease: According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Disease is “a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior.” This type of cognitive impairment can not only impact the senior’s mental health, but overall health, which can lead to death. In fact, 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
- Arthritis: You are more likely to get arthritis, or joint stiffness, as you get older. About 50 percent of U.S. seniors, aged 65 or older, reported that they’ve been diagnosed with arthritis between the years of 2013 and 2015, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.
- Cancer: Cancer is one of the most common chronic conditions that seniors, aged 65 or older, face. In fact, the CDC has designated it the second leading cause of death of seniors. Regular checkups and screenings are key to helping catch cancer early in order to treat it more effectively.
- Depression: In today’s society, mental health disorders are sometimes not held with the same weight as medical conditions. However, depression is a very real and prominent condition affecting seniors. It’s not surprising that everything that comes with aging can get you down, but it’s critical to get this condition treated as depression can lead to a lower immunity.
- Heart Disease: Designated by the CDC as the leading killer of seniors 65 or older, heart disease is one of the most common chronic conditions seniors face. Seniors are more likely to develop heart disease from aging-related risk factors like high cholesterol and blood pressure. Keeping a healthy lifestyle even as you age is the key to helping curb the likelihood of getting heart disease.
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