Based on statistics compiled by the CDC, over 85% of all Americans aged 65+ have at least one chronic health condition, and 60% have two or more. It’s a fact that living with a chronic disease increases a senior’s risk for both falling and being admitted to the hospital. For that aging loved one in your life, these four conditions are most likely to cause a trip to the hospital when you least expect it.
Common Conditions in the Elderly
Unlike accidental falls, chronic health conditions do not appear suddenly. Most take years to develop and usually present with warning signs along the way. Each year, these chronic conditions send millions of older adults to the hospital:
COPD
Starting with emphysema and chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related issues. As the fourth leading cause of death in the US, over 16 million people have COPD- although the actual number may be much higher. COPD is usually caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most commonly cigarette smoke.
COPD symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath or trouble taking a deep breath
- Excess phlegm, mucus, or sputum production
- Frequent coughing or wheezing
Diabetes
Diabetes is caused by the body’s inability to make or use the hormone insulin. When sugar (glucose) cannot enter the cells, it builds up in the body and damages blood vessels. That excess glucose can then cause serious and often life-threatening complications. The two main forms of diabetes are Type 1 and Type 2.
Affecting a vast majority of seniors living with the disease, Type 2 diabetes gradually comes about when the body still produces insulin but is unable to use it like it once did. This causes blood glucose levels to rise. If diabetes is not managed properly, damage to tissues throughout the body is possible, including the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. People with Type 2 diabetes are at higher risk for complications like vision loss, heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and other health problems.
Heart disease
This term describes several diseases that affect the heart, including coronary artery disease (CAD). As CAD gradually decreases blood flow to the heart, a heart attack is possible. The more time that passes without receiving treatment to restore blood flow, the greater the damage to the cardiac muscle. Sometimes heart disease goes undiagnosed until the patient experiences a heart attack, heart failure symptoms, or cardiac arrhythmia symptoms.
Strokes
Also known as cerebral vascular accidents (CVAs), strokes are another common condition that frequently causes hospitalizations. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting enough oxygen and nutrients. The victim’s brain cells will then start to die within minutes. As a medical emergency, prompt treatment can help reduce stroke-related brain damage and other complications.
How to Prevent Hospital Visits
Although each condition listed above has specific risk factors, they all share many of the same ones. As a result, these are some general ways that older adults can manage- or completely avoid- these chronic conditions:
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a nutritious, heart-healthy diet
- Avoid unhealthy habits like smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, and drinking alcohol to excess
- Maintain a healthy blood sugar level
- Take all prescribed medications on time, on dose
If you’d like to learn more about how to help your loved one manage a chronic condition, read the book Thriving at Home: A Handbook for Preventing Hospital Stays by Dave Tasto. For more information about how to obtain a copy of Dave’s book visit www.thrivingathomehealth.com.
Quality In-Home Care for Seniors with Chronic Conditions
Caring for an aging loved one with a chronic condition isn’t easy when you can’t always be there. When you need some assistance, contact Assisting Hands Home Care. While proudly serving seniors and families in communities Northwest of Boston, Assisting Hands provides professional in-home care services that allow our clients to remain safely and comfortably in their own homes.
From a few hours a day to around the clock, our client-centered services include respite care, personal care, hospice care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, Parkinson’s support, and Veteran’s support. At Assisting Hands, we deliver quality home care you can trust! To learn more now about our dependable caregivers, or to schedule a consultation for a senior in our service area, please visit us at Assisting Hands Home Care – Boston Northwest.
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