According to the CDC, 1 out of 3 older adults falls sick annually, primarily due to changes within the body as they advance in age. Although most organs may not function as they used to as people age, there are ways to slow down the aging process. Fortunately,, technological advancement and a better understanding of the human body, fitness, and overall wellbeing has improved, which helps to improve the quality of life of older adults. Have you wondered which health conditions are most common and what they entail? Below are a few worth knowing.
- Hearing loss
The US Department of Health and Human Services reports that two out of every three senior citizens aged between 65 and 74 experience some hearing loss. This hearing loss often happens because some hearing organs may not perform at optimum function as the body ages. Hearing loss can be acute or chronic, depending on the dominant factors.
Thankfully, with technological advancement, older adults can continue to live quality lives with hearing aids, which come in varied designs. Additionally, depending on the degree of loss in hearing, the audiologist will recommend the device that suits personal preferences while addressing the specific issue at hand. Nonetheless, always be mindful of the processes and procedures involved during a fitting. The essential factor is the hearing aid programming that enables the device to function adequately in any setting and benefits users.
- Vision deterioration and associated problems
According to the American Foundation for the Blind, many people experience vision loss in their old age. Their studies reveal the prevalence rates stated below:
- 60 to 64 years – 12% prevalence
- 65 to 74 years – 12.2% prevalence
- 75 years and above – 15.2% prevalence
Vision deterioration after a certain age is almost inevitable in many cases. The eyes are more likely to lose their sharp focus as relevant eye muscles and the lens weaken. Although younger people also experience eye problems either due to hereditary or physiological factors, the prevalence rate is higher in older people. Sometimes, the earlier the condition is detected, the higher the chances of slowing it down or getting a more result-oriented treatment option.
- Heart disease
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among persons aged 65 and above across the United States. The American Heart Association discovered that 69.1% of men over the indicated age have heart disease, whereas 67.9% are women. Although the statistics show that males suffer cardiovascular disease more than females, it’s still prevalent among the aged. As such, physicians and dieticians recommend staying away from certain predisposing factors such as smoking, regular alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyles, etc., to improve heart health. A healthy diet and regular check-ups also play a vital role in helping the heart stay strong and function properly. Of course, another great way to improve overall heart health is by following a regular physical fitness program like practicing yoga or Pilates. If you’re nervous about starting out in a group setting, you should also consider private instruction in either of these modalities like we offer here at Thrive.
It’s not uncommon that these health conditions are typically associated with old age. However, with regular medical checks and a healthy lifestyle, most of these can be identified, stalled, managed, or eliminated to live a stress-free and fulfilling life even in your older years.