Addressing the Top Health Concerns for Seniors: Key Issues and Practical Solutions
Reflecting on the past year, it’s crucial to acknowledge the health challenges many seniors faced. From physical issues to mental health struggles, these issues have a significant impact on individuals and communities.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common health issues that have emerged throughout the year. This can shed light on the trends and challenges that shape the collective well-being.
How can you prevent it?
Staying active is the best way to prevent and delay health issues such as heart disease, cancer, or diabetes. Moreover, staying active plays a huge role in lifting your mood, so it can ease feelings of depression. Getting old can sometimes lead to a sedentary life, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Senior centers, local churches, synagogues, or shopping malls usually offer exercise and walking programs to help you stay moving.
Other than staying active, eating well is just as important. It’s easy to fall into unhealthy eating habits, especially if you live alone, but for healthy aging, you should fill your plate with nutrient-rich foods and avoid the temptation of sugary snacks or empty calories.
These were the most common health issues among seniors in 2024:
1. Obesity or Overweight
Extra weight or obesity significantly raises your risk of developing health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, gallbladder issues, sleep apnea, or arthritis. Moreover, it’s believed to be linked with certain types of cancer like endometrial, breast, colon, or prostate.
If you’re looking for ways to manage your weight, you can get helpful guides to support your journey at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute from the National Institutes of Health.
2. Tobacco Addiction
The use of tobacco is the leading cause of preventable illness and early death in the U.S. You may believe this is not a disease, but it is called “tobacco dependence”. While quitting smoking can be challenging, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that people seeking help from their doctors have more chances to succeed.
If you try to quit smoking, don’t hesitate to get support and guidance from a healthcare professional, as this can make a big difference in your health journey.
3. Substance Abuse
Often linked to drugs and alcohol, substance abuse may not commonly be associated with seniors. Well, it seems that just like younger people, older adults also turn to legal or illegal substances to self-medicate, a fact that leads to serious health issues.
Seniors might also accidentally (or intentionally) mix medication with alcohol, putting their health at risk.
There are many stereotypes about aging, so many healthcare providers may not even ask seniors about substance use, delaying identification as well as the proper treatment. It’s important for both healthcare professionals and seniors to stay aware of the risks and have open conversations about substance abuse.
4. HIV/AIDS
Last year, HIV/AIDS affected around 15% of seniors over 50. The rate of HIV diagnoses in this age group is rising more than twice as fast as in younger adults.
Many seniors are less likely to use condoms, and because of their naturally weakened immune system, they are more vulnerable to the virus.
The symptoms of HIV are fatigue, weight loss, skin rashes, dementia, and swollen lymph nodes. It’s easy to mistake these symptoms for signs of aging. With all the stereotypes about drug use and sexual activity in older adults, these issues are overlooked many times, which is why seniors are underrepresented in research, prevention, programs, and intervention efforts.
5. Mental Health
People start to get used to the idea that dementia is a normal part of aging. It’s not! It can be caused by many factors: medication side effects, vision, hearing problems, infections, diabetes, nutritional imbalances, or even kidney failure.
There are many types of dementia, and it includes Alzheimer’s disease. Some forms can be temporary, and with proper diagnosis and effective treatment, patients have big chances of recovery.
However, depression is the most common mental health issue in older adults. If left untreated, depression can even lead to suicide. Elderly white men have the highest suicide rate of any age group, higher than adolescents.
It’s important to recognize and treat mental issues in seniors the right way to ensure their well-being.
6. Injury and Violence
Each year, one in three people over 65 experiences a fall. Specialists advise this group to exercise to improve their balance and strength, reducing the risk of injury, as physical activity along with regular medication can be very helpful.
Modifications at home can also prevent accidents: adding grab bars or removing trip hazards can be a real help. Home security can prevent intrusions, and installing easy-to-use fire prevention is another crucial step, as seniors are twice as likely to die in a home fire as the general population.
7. Environmental Quality
Pollution impacts everyone, and government studies have shown that low-income communities, as well as racial or ethnic minorities, are more likely to be living in places with higher environmental risk. Additionally, a larger percentage of older adults live above the poverty line compared to the general population, so they are more vulnerable to environmental challenges.
8. Immunization
Pneumonia and influenza are among the top 10 causes of death in older adults. The focus on influenza vaccination already made a positive impact, but pneumonia continues to be a serious threat. Keep in mind that vaccination is an important preventive measure for this age group.
9. Access to healthcare
Even if seniors are not monitoring their health as often as they should, there is a nationwide shortage of geriatricians. URMC Shands is out with one of the largest teams of geriatricians in the country. At URMC, access to healthcare is within reach. It offers a range of services across various hospital locations, including the VA Hospital in Canandaigua, community settings, and senior housing.
What should seniors be aware of?
This year, seniors should be aware of several key health considerations as they age. They should set specific health goals that can help them maintain well-being and improve their quality of life. These are some things they should be mindful of and set some health goals.
They should be aware of chronic conditions, as many seniors are at higher risk for conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and high blood pressure. They should regularly monitor and proactively manage on time to prevent complications.
Cognitive decline such as dementia becomes more common with age, so keeping the brain engaged and seeking early symptoms for memory issues can help delay or keep on track cognitive decline.
Because seniors take multiple medications, this can lead to interactions or side effects, so it is incredibly important to review medications regularly with their healthcare providers to ensure effectiveness and safety.
Loss of balance and mobility can lead to falls, so seniors should engage in regular physical activity and make sure they get their homes modified to reduce fall risk.
Aging can impact hearing and vision, so regular eye and hearing exams can help with detecting and treating issues early.
Proper nutrition is the key to maintaining strength, energy, and health over time. Dehydration can be a concern because seniors don’t feel thirsty often.
What should seniors focus on in 2025?
- Staying active
- Improving mental health
- Eating a nutrient-rich diet
- Tracking health metrics
- Prioritizing sleep
- Strengthening Social Connections
- Safety
- Schedule Regular Screenings
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