Health Risks In Older Adults

As a person ages, theirs body cannot perform the way it used to. This will cause many elderly people to loose their job or choose to go into retirement. Both of these options cause a loss in health care as well and a reduced or exterminated income. Here alone lies a reason that the elderly population is challenged. The elderly population also has a tendency to develop a chronic illness that can be life threatening if not treated or controlled properly. This means that need for health care treatments also increases. At least 40% of those over age 65 will have nutrition-related health problems requiring treatment or management (Gigante, 2012). It is important to realize that 10% of people over the age of 65 and will develop Alzheimer’s disease and 50% of those over the age of 85 will develop this disease (Gigante, 2012). More elderly African American men and women use government aid than white men and women. Therefore, this population will be vulnerable because of the lack of funding, proper health care and insurance.

The most common health problems within older people and causes of health problem are respiratory and heart disease, stroke, cancer, fractures and diabetes. If we can improve services, we can minimise risks of getting these diseases leading to less health problems and less hospital admissions. Problems like malnutrition are also more common in older people as the prevalence has been estimated to be between 11%-44% in the general hospital population but 29%-61% in older

With an older adult it can be a difficult time of their life as they are going through the aging process. They physical appearance include hair turning grey, bones becoming fragile, skin wrinkles, sight and hearing deteriorates and sense of taste and smell is reduced. Their intellectual development has declined as they find it difficult to remember, they are too confused to manage affairs but

The well-being and safety of your aging loved one is important to you. Since you cannot be with them every day, you want to make sure they are receiving the best care possible. Although, you know that your senior loved one needs assistance at home they might not be as open to the decision. There are things that you can do to communicate your worries and concerns with your aging senior.

Most aging adults do not receive the necessary preventive services to help promote health and wellness during this stage of life. These preventive services include vaccinations and screenings. These important services help detect many diseases, delay their onset, or identify them early in their most treatable stages to ensure healthier, longer, and more productive lives for older adults (Prevention, 2011). Better people take care of themselves the longer they will live. People who balance: the right diet, making better choices and not acting sedentary has a better chance in living longer lives.

Kristen Isgro highlights the challenges that the mothers and caregivers go through on a daily basis. Three groups of women, ages ranging from 33 to 66 and all having a child with Down syndrome, discussing the issues such as how they advocate for their children. They also discuss what they have learned from experience dealing with health care providers and educators, and deal with how their children are viewed in different settings.

Physical changes, mental changes, cultural and environmental changes. These changes can make it hard for an older person to seek help due to independence, and stubbornness. Depending on the change it can cause trust issues and fear in them.

As this video illustrates, eating a well-balanced diet can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type two diabetes. If your loved one already has a chronic disease, then elderly in home care can help your loved one better manage the symptoms. For example, senior care can help reduce high blood pressure, lower cholesterol and manage diabetes. Senior care can also help your loved one learn to eat better,

Older adults are at a stage in life where they have to come to terms with their “inevitable decline” (Gladding, pg. 301). Older adults may suffer from “loneliness, fear and loss” (Gladding, pg. 302). They have been facing “chronic health problems that require increased attention” (Gladding, pg. 302). Many older people have difficulty transitioning to a “retirement lifestyle and long for their professional roles” (302). Many elderly also experience “limited socialization and interpersonal activities” (Gladding, pg. 303). Depression “affects 121 million people worldwide and is the leading cause of disability” (Pépin, Guérette, Lefebvre & Jacques, pg. 117).

Recognition, evaluation and treatment of this population requires interdisciplinary approach. The interdisciplinary approach collaborate with various groups to provide adequate resources to the vulnerable population. The internal and external factors impact health status of older adults and contributes to vulnerability risk. The internal factor occur due to physiological changes such as increasing age, gender, sensory impairment, memory impairment, substance abuse along with medical co morbidities, malnutrition, decrease in performance of activity of daily living or dependency on care giver or

Health care will be needed more in the older population than any other. The old age is growing continuously. There are more of the older adults today than babies. Older adults are more likely to have a long-term illness. During the 80’s the government said they were no longer able to pay for health care. This resulted in eligibility and limits in paying off the payments. If limits continue to be present, this can result in the poor and older people to face untreated illnesses and have a higher risk of death. Physicians are mainly trained to watch over the youth meaning the less interest in helping the older adults. The older population will be neglected and can be mis-diagnosed. Those who also have lack of transportation will also end up with inadequate care.

As people grow older, they develop dental problems which lead to nutritional intake issues. Cognitive function declines affecting memory, decision making, conversing, and problem solving. In addition, falls can occur with mental status disturbances. Lack of social interaction, depression, and anxiety also crop up in the elderly. Sleep patterns are altered by restless legs, snoring, and disrupted breathing sequences. At times, pain can be constant from arthritis, osteoarthritis, or other medical issues (Tabloski, 2014).

Some cannot afford this because it is very expensive and some might not even have that kind of money to pay for a home care. Elderly people that cannot afford home care have to rely on the help from family members. Most need help from a caregiver because they cannot take care of themselves. Vision is also a problem for many elderly people. Frequently, they need help getting to places so giving directions is a good way to lead them. Elderly people tend to forget how to do basic things. Walking and going to the bathroom is one of the biggest problems because they are unable to accomplish it independently. Elderly people have assist rails to go to bathrooms and also to get in and out of their bed. Dressing is also a problem because some forget how to dress themselves or are physically unable to dress themselves. They require aid from another person. Those who have difficulty breathing have concentrators in either their house or room if they are in a assisted living home. Oxygen tanks are more useful when an elderly person goes on an outing. Besides experiencing physical needs elderly people also become very emotional.

Chronic disease and conditions are usually defined as those diseases which last for more than six months and which have a severe effect on the life of the individuals (Chronic Conditions and Injury, para.1). While chronic diseases can affect people of all ages and demographics, these types of diseases are very often found in the elderly. Chronic disease are also characterized by "…multiple risk factors, long latency periods, a prolonged course of illness and functional impairment or disability" (Key indicators of progress for chronic disease and associated determinants, 2011, p. 1). Chronic disease is also found to be more prevalent in the ageing demographic of most countries.

Many people think that a person who has Down syndrome doesn’t live a normal life. Although they do have to work harder at some things, they can do most things that everyone else can do. Some have more issues than others. People with Down syndrome face obstacles such as physical and behavioral abnormalities, health issues, working, and social development skills, but there are different ways we can help.