As seniors age, their normal bodily functions tend to slow down or stop working. Consequently, they tend to develop chronic conditions that alter the way they live.
If you have a senior, it is ideal to know the possible chronic conditions they could suffer from. Noticing the symptoms early enough can help stop or slow down the disease before it takes a severe turn. Here are the most common chronic conditions to watch out for in your elderly one.
High Blood Pressure
A silent killer and a severe condition, high blood pressure affects approximately 58% of seniors. The downside of high blood pressure is that your senior may not exhibit any symptoms. A blood pressure check will reveal whether your elderly one has high blood pressure or not.
High blood pressure can impair the functioning of other vital organs such as the kidney and heart. It can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
To prevent high blood pressure, you can
- Advise your senior to exercise frequently
- Reduce alcohol and salt intake
- Help them avoid stressful situations
You can monitor your loved one’s blood pressure level at home with the use of a blood pressure monitor.
Hearing Loss
Age-related hearing loss is quite common among older adults. About one in every three people between 65 and 74 has hearing loss. It is common for your senior to feel embarrassed or withdraw from people since they can’t discern what is said.
If your senior complains about a ringing in their ears, they probably have tinnitus. A medical ear check can help reveal what the issue is. You can learn more about tinnitus and how to prevent or treat it.
High Cholesterol
High levels of cholesterol are detrimental to your senior’s health. Despite the body usually producing cholesterol, excess levels can result in heart disease or clogging up of the heart’s arteries.
To prevent high cholesterol, it is advisable to have your senior:
- Quit smoking
- Exercise frequently
- Consume less trans and saturated fats
- Reduce alcohol intake
You can take your senior for a cholesterol check every six months. If they have high cholesterol levels, the doctor can advise them to have medical examinations more often.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where your senior’s blood has high sugar levels. Approximately 1.5 million adults are diagnosed with diabetes each year in the United States. Senior adults represent about 26.8% of this figure.
If diabetes goes untreated, your senior may experience severe health conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, or blindness.
To manage diabetes, you can advise your senior to
- Exercise regularly
- Consume more vegetables, grains, and fruits.
- Consume non-fat or low-fat dairy
Speak to a nutritionist to understand the proper diet combination for your senior.
Conclusion
The number one way to prolong your senior one’s life is through a healthy lifestyle. While a balanced diet and frequent exercise can help with this, it is essential to have medical checkups for your senior regularly. Regular medical checkups can also help reveal other medical conditions your elderly may be suffering from.
GLOBAL HEALTH AGING 
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