Common Health Issues for Older People - Taking Care in Later Life
It was International Older Persons Day last week and it is staggering to think about the number of older persons in the world now and how times are changing.
Did you know that in the next fifty years the number of older persons will nearly quadruple from around 600 million to almost two billion? One in every ten people is now 60 years of age or older.
By 2050 that figure will become one in every five people.
People are living longer due to healthier lifestyles and advances in medicine which combat some of the major illnesses and diseases to which we are susceptible.
However as we get older we are not immune to the effects of ageing and our bodies need a little more care and attention.
Maintaining a healthy diet is difficult for all of us but more so as we age.
There are many reasons older people are not always able to maintain a balanced diet and, as the reserve of nutrients is used up,it can lead to malnutrition and the development of a range of other health related deficiencies.
There can be many reasons for this, notably: Loneliness: when you have been part of a family over many years and are then suddenly on your own through the loss of a loved one you lose the social side of eating and the thought of preparing food can lose its value.
Mental Health: older persons often suffer some form of dementia and can simply forget when it is time to eat.
Physical disability: can often prevent an older person from getting to the shops to buy food.
Medication: can affect any persons appetite Lack of knowledge: men in particular may have been in long marriages and may not have developed the skills and knowledge to prepare a healthy diet Finances:many older persons may not have sufficient income to be able to eat a healthy diet Food Groups It is really important to try and maintain a healthy diet.
Remember the old saying " we are what we eat" There are five different food groups in which food is catagorised;
Common Health Issues for Older Persons Malnutrition Poor diet is the cause of many diseases associated with older persons and though they may have been evident since childhood they are compounded by the ageing process.
Micronutrient deficiencies Poor diet is linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis.
Micronutrient deficiencies are often common in elderly people due to a number of factors such as their reduced food intake and a lack of variety in the foods they eat.
Older persons also suffer from reduced immune function which increases the mortality rate.
Obesity If we take in more energy than we use up we will become overweight.
As we become older we become less active so our energy intake and therefore our eating habits needs adjustment.
The western diet today consists of highly processed fast food which has limited nutritional value.
Mouth and Teeth Changes to the mouth and teeth may cause difficulties in chewing, mouth dryness and taste.
This could be due to ill fitting dentures, taste buds diminishing in sensitivity, the tongue enlarging affecting chewing and salivary glands not working as efficiently leading to dry mouth making it difficult to chew.
Swallowing Difficulties This can be a problem with older persons particularly after a stroke.
Weight loss Poor appetite combined with swallowing difficulties or illness can lead to weight loss.
Constipation Poor diet, reduced mobility and a poor diet can lead to constipation.
This can be helped by increasing fibre and ensuring adequate fluid intake.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome People with this condition can have diarrhoea, constipation or a combination of both.
There may be some abdominal pain.
If this is occurring seek medical advice.
Nutritional deficiencies Vitamin C, Folic Acid, Iron and Vitamin D are the most common deficiencies found in older persons.
Low levels of vitamin C are usually attributable to low intakes of fruit and vegetable.
Inadequate amounts of dietary iron and/or folic acid can cause anaemia.
This can also be caused by some other diseases so medical advice should always be sought.
Raw meat, oily fish, eggs, fortified cereals, green leafy vegetables' and pulses will help increase iron levels.
Liver, pulses, bread, fortified breakfast cereals, leafy green vegetables' and citrus fruits will all help in maintaining folic acid levels.
Vitamin Dis formed by the action of sunlight so encouraging older persons to spend more time outside during the summer months will reduce the risk of a vitamin D deficiency.
Margarine fortified with vitamin D, Oily fish, eggs and liver all supply quantities of vitamin D.
Supplements should be considered particularly if older persons are housebound.
Muscle and Bone Disorders As we get older we lose mobility and manual dexterity.
Exercise is important though this should be geared towards ability.
Calcium which supports strong bones can be found in milk and milk products.
Dehydration Dehydration may make you feel drowsy and confused.
Adequate fluid levels are vital.
Older people are at greater risk of dehydration as their kidneys may not function as well as when they were younger.
As our senses diminish with age we may not feel thirsty even though our bodies are dehydrating.
Understanding how and why our bodies may change as we get older is the first step to prevention.
As varying symptoms occur we can be proactive to counter balance any deficiencies and help maintain our body's natural health.
If you have an older relative that you care for you can follow some of the simple steps identified in this article to monitor their health but don't forget if you have any major concerns always seek medical advice.
Did you know that in the next fifty years the number of older persons will nearly quadruple from around 600 million to almost two billion? One in every ten people is now 60 years of age or older.
By 2050 that figure will become one in every five people.
People are living longer due to healthier lifestyles and advances in medicine which combat some of the major illnesses and diseases to which we are susceptible.
However as we get older we are not immune to the effects of ageing and our bodies need a little more care and attention.
Maintaining a healthy diet is difficult for all of us but more so as we age.
There are many reasons older people are not always able to maintain a balanced diet and, as the reserve of nutrients is used up,it can lead to malnutrition and the development of a range of other health related deficiencies.
There can be many reasons for this, notably: Loneliness: when you have been part of a family over many years and are then suddenly on your own through the loss of a loved one you lose the social side of eating and the thought of preparing food can lose its value.
Mental Health: older persons often suffer some form of dementia and can simply forget when it is time to eat.
Physical disability: can often prevent an older person from getting to the shops to buy food.
Medication: can affect any persons appetite Lack of knowledge: men in particular may have been in long marriages and may not have developed the skills and knowledge to prepare a healthy diet Finances:many older persons may not have sufficient income to be able to eat a healthy diet Food Groups It is really important to try and maintain a healthy diet.
Remember the old saying " we are what we eat" There are five different food groups in which food is catagorised;
- Fruit and vegetables -We should all aim for five portions per day.
(mixed fruit and veg) - Bread, Cereals and potatoes - Minimum five portions per day
- Milk and Dairy - Three portions per day
- Meat, fish or alternatives - Two portions per day
- Fats and sugars - Use in moderation
Common Health Issues for Older Persons Malnutrition Poor diet is the cause of many diseases associated with older persons and though they may have been evident since childhood they are compounded by the ageing process.
Micronutrient deficiencies Poor diet is linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and osteoporosis.
Micronutrient deficiencies are often common in elderly people due to a number of factors such as their reduced food intake and a lack of variety in the foods they eat.
Older persons also suffer from reduced immune function which increases the mortality rate.
Obesity If we take in more energy than we use up we will become overweight.
As we become older we become less active so our energy intake and therefore our eating habits needs adjustment.
The western diet today consists of highly processed fast food which has limited nutritional value.
Mouth and Teeth Changes to the mouth and teeth may cause difficulties in chewing, mouth dryness and taste.
This could be due to ill fitting dentures, taste buds diminishing in sensitivity, the tongue enlarging affecting chewing and salivary glands not working as efficiently leading to dry mouth making it difficult to chew.
Swallowing Difficulties This can be a problem with older persons particularly after a stroke.
Weight loss Poor appetite combined with swallowing difficulties or illness can lead to weight loss.
Constipation Poor diet, reduced mobility and a poor diet can lead to constipation.
This can be helped by increasing fibre and ensuring adequate fluid intake.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome People with this condition can have diarrhoea, constipation or a combination of both.
There may be some abdominal pain.
If this is occurring seek medical advice.
Nutritional deficiencies Vitamin C, Folic Acid, Iron and Vitamin D are the most common deficiencies found in older persons.
Low levels of vitamin C are usually attributable to low intakes of fruit and vegetable.
Inadequate amounts of dietary iron and/or folic acid can cause anaemia.
This can also be caused by some other diseases so medical advice should always be sought.
Raw meat, oily fish, eggs, fortified cereals, green leafy vegetables' and pulses will help increase iron levels.
Liver, pulses, bread, fortified breakfast cereals, leafy green vegetables' and citrus fruits will all help in maintaining folic acid levels.
Vitamin Dis formed by the action of sunlight so encouraging older persons to spend more time outside during the summer months will reduce the risk of a vitamin D deficiency.
Margarine fortified with vitamin D, Oily fish, eggs and liver all supply quantities of vitamin D.
Supplements should be considered particularly if older persons are housebound.
Muscle and Bone Disorders As we get older we lose mobility and manual dexterity.
Exercise is important though this should be geared towards ability.
Calcium which supports strong bones can be found in milk and milk products.
Dehydration Dehydration may make you feel drowsy and confused.
Adequate fluid levels are vital.
Older people are at greater risk of dehydration as their kidneys may not function as well as when they were younger.
As our senses diminish with age we may not feel thirsty even though our bodies are dehydrating.
Understanding how and why our bodies may change as we get older is the first step to prevention.
As varying symptoms occur we can be proactive to counter balance any deficiencies and help maintain our body's natural health.
If you have an older relative that you care for you can follow some of the simple steps identified in this article to monitor their health but don't forget if you have any major concerns always seek medical advice.
