Over time, we’ll inevitably see the nature of the world’s populations changing. This is especially true with regard to older adults. Between 2020 and 2050, the global population of those aged 60 and older is expected to double in size from 1.4 billion to roughly 2.1 billion.
If you’re projecting to be part of this demographic, you may be wondering what you can do to begin preparing for a healthy senior life as early as today. One of the most important things you can do is become familiar with some of the top health concerns you may face. To help get you started, we’ll discuss some of them below.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a term generally used to describe the wear and tear of joint tissues over time, leading bones to rub directly against each other and causing both pain and mobility issues. Though treatable (to an extent) through medication and physical therapy, arthritis also puts you at risk of accidental falls and further injuries. Consequently, in addition to those treatments just mentioned, fall detection alarms are a good investment. Whether you decide to age in place or enter a senior living facility, these solutions can be used to automatically detect falls, and instantly alert caregivers. Furthermore, devices like our eazense establish these protections without using cameras –– which enhances your safety while maintaining your independence and security.
Diabetes
This condition occurs when your body has difficulties processing sugar. You may develop Type I diabetes genetically. However, the majority of older adults with diabetes have specifically developed Type II over time due to lifestyle choices. You can start working to decrease the likelihood of this development by first having your local healthcare provider check if you have prediabetes. This condition signifies higher-than-average blood sugar levels, but still gives you time to reverse the process of developing Type II diabetes. You may be recommended oral medications and a balanced lifestyle to do so. Using a blood glucose monitoring device like the one from Care Touch can help you stay on track as well.
Hearing impairments
Age-related hearing loss, or presbycusis, is fairly common among older adults. However, you may also develop other hearing issues like tinnitus (or the presence of ringing in your ears), or even sudden deafness. However, losing your hearing often occurs gradually –– and you may not realize that it’s happening. That’s why annual screenings with a trained audiologist are so crucial. They’re highly familiar with the current treatment technologies and equipment needed for optimal ear health, so they can help you spot and mitigate hearing losses sooner with the help of hearing aids and other assistive devices.
Sight impairments
Your sight can also deteriorate over time simply due to wear and tear. Some conditions you may develop include cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma — and, if you have diabetes, diabetic retinopathy. All of these can cause your eyesight to blur. However, there are key differences between them. Cataracts are the most treatable, for instance, while AMD is the most common and the leading cause of blindness among older adults. But again, you can combat these conditions’ development early by making balanced lifestyle choices. It’s equally important to visit a professional optometrist every couple of years — annually if you already use glasses or contact lenses — so you can spot signs of vision loss early.
Cognitive issues
Experiencing some memory loss as you age is normal. However, you may also develop dementia or Alzheimer’s, which can both significantly impair your cognitive abilities. That’s why it’s important to learn the signs of such diseases from local mental health resources and get medical intervention as early as possible. Though there is currently no cure for either condition, regularly checking in with your local healthcare provider can give you the maximum benefit available from modern treatments. It can even allow you to sign up for clinical trials and studies that will advance our understanding of these diseases.
Aging is inescapable, as is the fact that our bodies will become less capable of dealing with our daily activities over time. However, arming yourself with knowledge of common conditions will help you to improve your preparation, stave off some common conditions, and put yourself in the best position to remain healthy well into your senior years.
content intended only for the use of sofihub.com By Peach Knowles