5 Chronic Medical Conditions that Warrant Geriatric Care

5 Chronic Medical Conditions that Warrant Geriatric Care

The improvement in healthcare and living conditions has extended the life expectancy of humans. As such, more people are living their dreams of reaching old age and being in good health. Even though old age is something to be celebrated, it comes with a handful of challenges. Chronic illnesses are a significant challenge among the elderly, with most seniors over the age of sixty relying on family caregivers to navigate through life.

Even though the elderly succumb to illnesses similar to those experienced by the younger generations, some conditions are more prominent in the elderly. As such, the care they need is dependent on their condition. If you have a loved one who requires constant care and has severe comorbidity problems, the Hollywood FL geriatric care team is ardent at providing compassionate care for the elderly. Some chronic conditions that may warrant the care of a geriatric include;

  1. Type 2 Diabetes

Even though diabetes can affect people from any age group, type 2 diabetes is most prevalent in older adults. It occurs when the body is incapable of producing enough insulin to oversee the conversion of excess sugars to glycogen. Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong condition that presents symptoms such as frequent urination, thirst, and general tiredness. The condition is manageable through regular exercise, diet changes, and attaining a healthy weight.

  1. Osteoporosis

Similar to losing muscle mass, loss of bone strength is a normal process when it comes to aging. Older people are likely to have low bone density. The condition does not present any symptoms, and it is only detected when one experiences a bone fracture. The condition can be managed by taking calcium and vitamin D supplements. Some weight-lifting exercises and exercises designed to enhance muscle strength will help manage the condition.

  1. Stroke

A stroke is a life-threatening medical condition that occurs when vital blood flow to the brain is discontinued. This can be due to a blocked artery or a leaking blood vessel that cuts off blow circulation in the brain. Some symptoms that will help identify when a stroke is about to occur include; a drooping face, slurred speech, and inability to lift both arms. You should seek immediate medical care to prevent life-long brain damage, disability, and even loss of life.

  1. Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease

Dementia is an all-encompassing term for different age-related conditions that lead to significant memory and cognition loss. These conditions occur when changes in brain regions cause nerve cells and their connections to stop working. Symptoms of dementia and other similar diseases may range from reduced motor coordination, personality changes, memory loss, difficulty verbally expressing themselves, depression, paranoia, confusion, slow movement, and inflexible muscles.

  1. Cancer

Even though major discoveries have yielded quality treatments for some types of cancer, the treatments can be super invasive. An early cancer diagnosis makes treatment less expensive, and you have better chances of beating the disease. With regular screening, it is possible to catch the symptoms early and counter them. Some of the symptoms to note at its onset include strange weight loss, blood in stool, urine, and when coughing, and aggressive lumps.

While some geriatric diseases are normal and cause less concern, some chronic health issues are severe and may require lifelong attention. It is important to ensure that your loved one has the best geriatric care to ensure their needs are met and that they live a life worth living.

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