FOR most older adults good health ensures independence, security, and productivity as they age.

Yet millions of people struggle every day with health and safety challenges, such as chronic disease, falls, and mental health issues — all of which can severely impact quality of life.

Older adults are disproportionately affected by chronic conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease. Nearly 95 per cent have at least one chronic condition, and nearly 80 per cent have two or more.

The leading causes of death among older adults in the United States are heart disease, cancer, COVID-19, stroke, chronic lower respiratory diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes.

Chronic diseases can limit a person’s ability to perform daily activities, cause them to lose their independence, and result in the need for institutional care, in-home caregivers, or other long-term services and supports.

Multiple chronic diseases account for two-thirds of all health-care costs and 93 per cent of Medicare spending. Yet less than three per cent of US health-care dollars are spent on prevention to improve overall health.

Falls

More than one out of four older adults fall each year, and three million adults over 65 are treated in emergency departments for unintentional fall injuries each year.

As a result of falls, every 11 seconds an older adult is treated in the emergency room; every 19 minutes an older adult dies.

Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among older adults, causing hip fractures, head trauma, and death.

Older adults are hospitalised for fall-related injuries five times more often than for injuries from other causes.

Between 2000 and 2020, rates of deadly falls increased for all older adults, with the greatest increase among those age 85 and older. For adults over 85, the rate tripled among women from 99.2 per 100,000 population in 2000 to 269.8 in 2020 and doubled among men from 145.4 in 2000 to 329.6 in 2020.

The US spends $50 billion a year treating older adults for the effects of falls, 75 per cent of which is paid for by Medicare and Medicaid. If fall rates are not reduced, direct treatment costs are projected to reach $101 billion by 2030.

Fear of falling can lead older adults to limit their activities, which can result in more falls, further physical decline, depression, and social isolation.

Physical activity

Regular exercise can help older adults stay independent and prevent many health problems that come with age. According to the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, older adults should do two types of physical activities each week to improve their health — aerobic and muscle strengthening.

These guidelines recommend that older adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week and muscle strengthening activities on two or more days a week.

A 2014 study found that 28 per cent of adults aged 50 and over surveyed reported no physical activity, aside from their regular job, over the past month.

Oral health

Oral health is important for overall health and well-being, but 35 per cent of older adults have not seen a dentist in the last year.

About 17 per cent of older adults no longer have any natural teeth.

Of those with teeth, about 16 per cent of older adults have untreated tooth decay and over 70 per cent have periodontal (gum) disease.

Poor oral health can negatively impact nutrition and proper management of chronic conditions.

Behavioural health

One in four older adults experiences a behavioural health problem, such as depression, anxiety, or substance abuse.

These problems can complicate the treatment of other medical conditions, reduce quality of life, increase use of health-care services, and lead to premature death.

In 2020, nearly 14,500 people 60+ died by suicide. Men aged 85 and over have a suicide rate that is about four times higher than the rate for all ages.

Excessive alcohol use accounts for more than 23,000 deaths among older Americans each year.

Depression and other behavioural health problems are not a normal part of ageing and can be treated. Despite the availability of effective interventions, 66 per cent of older adults are not receiving the care they need.

Infectious disease prevention

Nearly nine in 10 deaths from COVID are among people 65 and over and 70-85 per cent of seasonal flu-related deaths occur in older adults, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While lifesaving vaccines are available, research shows COVID vaccine uptake has slowed among older

adults.

New research shows that older adults may be at a higher risk of long COVID, a post-COVID-19 condition in which virus symptoms persist, return, or develop. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), possible risk factors include older age and pre-existing health conditions.

Source: National Council on Aging