1. What Are The Common Elderly Diseases?
Researchers say that common elderly diseases may include one or more of the following: Arthritis, Cancer, Cardiovascular (Blood Pressure and Heart Disease), Cerebrovascular (Strokes), Dementia, Depression, Diabetes, Falls and Injuries, Gastrointestinal Disorders, Hearing impairment, Memory, Nutrition, Osteoporosis, Parkinson's Disease, Respiratory Disease, Pressure ulcers, Sleep problems, Thyroid Disease, Urinary Disorders and Visual impairment. However, age may not always go with disease or disability. In fact, several centenarians around the world have none of these ailments.
2. Does Disease Strike Elderly Men and Women Alike?
Not quite, according to a report published in the British Medical Journal. Surprising as it may sound, heart disease is more common in elderly women than in any other category. Researchers only say that it may not be readily obvious. It may take a decade more before women show the signs of heart disease. Research again reveals that, postmenopausal women in the United States are 10 times more likely to die of heart disease than of breast cancer or hip fracture. However, with adequate care most of these elderly diseases have been successfully managed. Advances in novel drug development are paving the way for women to lead a healthy lifestyle into ripe old age.
3. Is Disease Burden the Same Everywhere?
According to the World Health Organization, elderly individuals account for a substantial proportion of the world population. And 75 percent of them may be in the Third World alone. In fact, elderly diseases may be more conspicuous in 7 of the 10 nations with the largest elderly populations. China and India top the list with the largest share of elderly diseases. Even so, the rapid economic progress in recent years has seen cost-effective health care systems in these countries on par with developed nations.
4. Prompt Attention for the Elderly
Researchers have been successful in developing new drugs and interventions tailored to elderly patients. Increasingly, women are being screened and followed up. For example, breast and cervical cancer and postmenopausal osteoporosis are considered top priorities in several parts of the world. New guidelines have been developed to offer screening for colorectal cancer and diabetes among elderly men and women. Prevention of injuries or health risk based on heredity and genes is on the top burner. Seniors everywhere are being addressed by the caregivers at hospitals and clinics at a discounted rate. Public health insurance in certain parts of the world favors elderly patients by providing access to life-saving drugs, often for free or at a minimal expense.
5. Delaying Death and Disease
Advances in medicine and health care should mean better living conditions and longer life. Certain drugs can help prevent dementia and cancer and there are antioxidants available that may protect against various age-related disorders. Changes in diet and lifestyle should help control or treat high blood pressure. A planned exercise program and a well-balanced home health care should bring new order into the life of elderly people and reduce hospital admissions. Creative new ways of delaying the onset of disease and disability are creating a huge impact in reducing the morbidity and mortality among the elderly.
