Common Health Problems In Elders: Treatment For Elderly Health Issues

Common Health Problems In Elders: Treatment For Elderly Health Issues . Old age is not a disease; it is the final phase of life that a man has to pass through, before making a permanent exit from this planet called earth. Of course, no one wants to become old. Everyone wants to remain young and live long. Unfortunately, even if it is not desired, old age is bound to come. Every elderly individual has to experience the pains and pleasures when he passes through this phase of life.

The average life expectancy of individuals has increased in modern age, thanks to better health facilities, medical advancement, and surgical care.

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However, there are several health issues an elderly has to face by the age he turns 65. They begin to appear clinically as reduced muscle power, vision problem, forgetfulness, difficulty in movement due to joint problems, or breathlessness on slightest exertion (as a result of heart or lung problem). Many of these issues are either environment related or occur due to genetic inheritance.

Common Health Issues In Elderly People

Here are some of the specific health issues that need a special mention in geriatric medicine.

Besides attending the physical health issues, assessment of an elderly person should also cover the psychological parameters.

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Special emphasis should be made for diseases that are unique to old age, such as post menopausal osteoporosis, prostatic enlargement, diabetic coma, recurrent urinary and respiratory tract infections and many more diseases.

Dementia: it is a clinical syndrome which is characterized by gradual deterioration in intellect, memory and cognitive functions due to gradual degeneration of brain cells in elderly. Some of the diseases that are common with old age are Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson disease, Huntington’s chorea.

• Forgetting recent events and words or deeds is characteristic early symptoms of this disease.
• Lack of concentration.
• Difficulty in performing familiar tasks.
• Unable to solve simple calculations.
• Change in personality and mood.
• Withdrawal from society and loss of interest in surrounding.

Urinary incontinence: it is a common problem in old people. It is a contributing factor for pressure sores or bed sores, depression and recurrent urinary tract infection. The condition is more common in women. At least 20 – 30 % of elderly patients have urinary incontinence, still many more percentage remain undetected as sizable elderly population do not tell their physician regarding this problem. Incontinence of urine, apart from being a sanitation issue can interfere in a person’s daily life. It can have severe social repercussions and influence overall quality of life.

Heart disease: heart attack, hypertension, stroke, cardiac arrest, peripheral arterial diseases are some of the leading cause of death in elderly above the age of 65 in America. Patient suffering from these diseases may find doing simple exertion work difficult as they become breathless easily. Due to peripheral arterial disease there are chances of gangrene of extremities.

Accidental falls: Falls can be defined as an unintentional change in position that can make the person to land on the ground. Falls that cause fracture of different part of the body, especially the hip is common old age problem. Recurrent falls can increase the mortality rate in old people.

Pressure sores: also called bed sores, this skin breakdown occur more commonly in old people whose body parts are subjected to pressure, friction, shearing etc. primarily, pressure on the bony parts can cause ischemia and necrosis of the tissue. A large sore can be formed that can go deeper into the tissue and muscles. It can also involve the bones.

Vision problem: age related macular degeneration is a common health issue in old age. Hypertension in old age can also complement in degeneration of macula. Here the patient is not able to visualize the central part of the object. He is only able to see the periphery of an object.

Arthritis: osteoarthritis is common geriatric problem that can affect the mobility of an old person. Pain and restricted mobility of the joint can affect the person to perform his daily work.

Insomnia, depression, hearing loss etc are elderly symptoms that can have an insurmountable impact on their daily life.

Treatment For Elderly Health Problems

In order to provide healthy and good life to elderly people, it is necessary to have a multidimensional approach. The aim is not only to provide care, but also to prevent symptoms and rehabilitate the patients from the old age diseases.

Elderly people should be taught of positive health practices that can contribute for a happy and pleasant old age. Physical exercise, healthy balanced diet, management of stress and avoidance of smoking and alcohol should be stressed upon. Besides, joint family system, interest in spiritual and social activities will be valuable in the twilight years of life.

Rehabilitation is essential after stroke, hip fracture and even after myocardial infarction or after long bed rest. The main goal of rehabilitation is to help the patient to function independently, so that he is able to carry out his daily routine life without any hassle.

In case of pain as in arthritis, the treatment may include heat, cold application, traction, massage, acupressure and acupuncture.

Finally when the elder patient is terminally ill, nursing care at home and support from the family may be ideal from emotional point of view.