Statistics indicate that 1 out of 3 elderly persons becomes sick each year. Because aging is inevitable, it is imperative to care for your health at all times. Sometimes, the choices you make in your younger years can significantly impact your older years. Therefore, you can make good lifestyle choices to improve your life’s quality when you age. However, sometimes, ill-health in the elderly doesn’t relate to life choices. Instead, it is an indication of a gradual deterioration of body processes. If you want to learn more about health problems in the elderly, you’ve come to the right place.
1. Hearing loss
Hearing loss in the elderly is pretty standard, although you might not be sure why that is, exactly. Although hearing impairment in this age group results from organ deterioration, it comes about primarily due to loud sounds over the years. Furthermore, the degree of loss varies in each person, making it more important to seek personalized care.
Therefore, a majority of senior citizens wear hearing aids to improve auditory function. Moreover, depending on the brand and quality of the device, you can replace hearing aids every 3-7 years. The lifespan of hearing aids, however, depends on quality maintenance, regardless of the brand.
2. Vision problems
The Global Foundation for the Blind has revealed that it is almost impossible for people to age without having vision problems at some point in their lives. The optic nerve naturally loses its strength as a person ages, leading to a decline in the visual field and peripheral vision.
The lens and eye muscles tend to lose their tone. That explains why declining vision is more prevalent in persons aged 75 and above than in other age groups.
However, among 60 to 64-year-olds, the numbers continue to increase annually. Sometimes, though, genetics play a significant role in vision health as a person ages.
If that is your case, there’s an increased chance of needing eyeglasses or eye surgery when you clock an advanced age. The secret to better eye health as you advance in years is to have regular checks. That way, any anomaly can be detected early and managed appropriately.
3. Cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease is responsible for over 50% of deaths in older males and females worldwide, with female cases peaking at 75%. Heart health is critical among senior citizens and is why the World Health Organization (WHO) has targeted 2025 to reduce annual cardiovascular deaths among the elderly drastically.
Meanwhile, according to many cardiac surgeons, the secret to excellent heart health is consciousness about what you eat and how you exercise. The heart is a strong muscle and, by its characteristics, needs regular activity to help keep it in excellent condition.
However, fat accumulation around the heart can interrupt the effective pumping of blood to the body. Over time, the heart suffers the effects of working overtime to compensate for its weakened state. If you do not want to add to the statistics, you will find it helpful to take care of your heart now rather than later.
As an old saying says, “Aging is not for the faint of heart.” So true! Taking care of oneself when young, gives one the best chance to age in the best manner possible.
These are all spot on. All my older relatives have hearing issues and it makes life difficult for everyone.
Biological degradation was accepted naturally. What’s not is degradation of affection by youth to elderly.