Are you having a
hard time with aging? You’re not alone. Many people struggle with
getting older, and our senior population is only growing; the number of
Americans over 65 is estimated to more than double—from 46 million to
more than 98 million—by 2060. And while the average American life
expectancy is higher than ever, we’re also sicker than ever. Here are
just a few of the conditions older Americans are dealing with today.
Arthritis
It’s estimated that more than half of people over 65 have been told
by a healthcare provider that
they have arthritis. In fact, it’s the leading cause of disability in
older Americans. Untreated, arthritis may only worsen, causing
stiffness, inflammation and swelling in the affected area—it can also
lead to pinched nerves and other more serious problems that hinder daily
activities.
Fall-Induced Injury
The risk of accidental falls and slips increases exponentially as you
age—in fact, more than one
in four older people fall every year, and less than half tell their
doctor about it. This is even more troubling when you consider that
falling even once doubles your chances of a repeat accident, and many
falls cause a serious injury like broken bones, fractures, head injuries
and more.
Osteoporosis
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention,
osteoporosis affects one in four women age 65 and older—a drastic
difference than the rate for men (one in 17). In fact, most don’t know
they even have it until they break a bone. If untreated, osteoporosis
can cause back pain, vertebrae issues, height loss, stooped posture and
increased risk of bone fractures.
Fatigue or Energy Loss
In a 2015 study examining the causes of fatigue in adults over 65,
researchers found 31 percent felt tired all the time. Although chronic
fatigue and energy loss can greatly affect daily activity, social
interactions and more, it can cause or facilitate poorer health, loss of
function, loneliness, depression, poor sleep and decreased physical
activity.
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