Lifespans in America are getting longer. On average, when a person reaches 65, he or she has almost 20 years left. However, the odds of developing a chronic health condition increase as individuals get older. Some problems are life-threatening, while others lower the quality of life. The good news is that these medical conditions can be managed effectively. .

"Arthritis" is actually a catch-all term that includes more than ahundred medical conditions that cause joint pain. Inflammation ofthe joints is a frequent symptom. Arthritis can strike at any age,but it is strongly associated with age. Almost half of all Americansage 65 and older have some form of arthritis.Severe arthritis canrestrict movements, and make it difficult to perform normalactivities.

Arthritis

Heart Diseases

Heart diseases are the leading cause of death among seniors inthe United States. There are several common conditionsreferred to as heart disease. Arteriosclerosis is a narrowing ofarteries due to plaque buildup. If a blood clot forms, this canblock blood flow, and cause a heart attack. Congestive heartfailure means the heart cannot pump enough blood to meetthe body's needs. Heart valve problems and irregular heartbeat(arrhythmia) are other major heart diseases. These conditionsare treatable using surgery, medication, diet and exercise. Ifheart disease is managed properly, people often enjoy manyyears of active life.

Respiratory Diseases

Respiratory diseases are a leading cause ofdeath among seniors. Common conditionsinclude asthma, which leads to difficultybreathing, and pneumonia. Of majorconcern is chronic obstructive pulmonarydisease, or COPD. With COPD, air sacs inthe lungs are damaged (referred to asemphysema), and this combines withchronic bronchitis or inflammation ofmucous membranes to produce coughingand difficulty breathing. Respiratorydiseases can be managed with medicationexercise, and smoking cessation.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis means loss of bone mass. This is common among seniors and makes bones brittle and easily broken. The risk of a serious fracture due to a fall goes up dramatically. Osteoporosis is treatable with proper medication. A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D is also helpful.

Diabetes

When a person has diabetes, the body can't produce enough insulin to properly regulate the level of glucose or blood sugar. Diabetes may be diagnosed with a blood sugar test. Proper management of diabetes is a must. If blood sugar gets out of control it can lead to a diabetic coma and death. In addition, long-term effects can cause damage to vision, blood vessels, kidneys and legs. Diabetes is treatable with insulin, other medications, diet and exercise.

With all of these age-related conditions, being proactive is critical. Healthy lifestyle choices like proper diet, exercise and breaking unhealthy habits like smoking can enable a senior to remain active for years.

At Home Care Assistance of South Jersey, we help seniors by providing trained,compassionate caregivers that supply assistance with activities of daily living (e.g.,meal preparation, medication reminders, personal care, etc.). We invite you to call ustoday to speak with a professional care manager at 856-396-6414 about our services.

Home Care Assistance South Jersey Address : 28 N Maple Ave Evesham Township,NJ 08053

Contact # 856-396-6414http://homecareassistancesouthjersey.com/