As one grows older, the body, the metabolism, and the mind change. Various ailments and conditions knock on the doorstep and can take hold if one is not careful.  Below we list 10 most common health concerns for seniors which everyone should be aware of and can take steps to avoid or reduce their impact in the long run.

The 10 most common health concerns for seniors are:

• Cognitive decline. The decline ranges from mild to severe from person to person. It could mean difficulty in remembering, learning new things & tasks, concentrating as well as making decisions that impact their lives on a daily basis. Problems with memory, language, thinking, and judgment are part of cognitive decline. Cognitive decline could point towards the onset of Alzheimer’s disease which needs early medical intervention to slow its progression.
• Balance issues. As one grows older, balance issues come to the fore. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries in older adults. They cause serious injuries, hip fractures, broken bones, and can slow recovery for other chronic issues.
• Urinary health. Widely prevalent but rarely discussed openly are various issues that deal with the urinary system such as urinary incontinence, urinary tract infections, and urinary retention. The weakening of the bladder muscles leads to urine being retained in the bladder, poor bladder emptying, and incontinence, which can lead to UTIs.
• Heart disease.  It is the leading cause of death among people above the age of 65. Taking good care of the heart, leading a healthy active lifestyle and a good diet are good ways to prevent heart diseases. It is also important to manage high blood pressure and cholesterol to keep the heart healthy all the time.
• Osteoarthritis or osteoporosis. Millions of adults have low bone density or osteoporosis which requires regular treatment in the form of pills, injections, and physiotherapy.  Plus most seniors above the age of 80 or so develop osteoarthritis which is a painful condition. Exercising, vitamin supplements and a good diet protect your bones and joints from wear and tear.
• Diabetes.  Types 2 diabetes affects up to 25% of the population above the age of 65 and more. The numbers are rising due to a sedentary lifestyle, junk food, and high sugar intake, stress, and genetics.
• Lung diseases. As one grows older, the lung muscle weakens. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are common. Smoking and pollution exacerbate

these conditions. Lung strengthening exercises and a host of medications & devices are at hand to make breathing easier for patients.

• Oral health. Losing teeth is only one of the issues senior citizens deal with. Oral thrush and gingivitis are some of the others.  Therefore it is advisable to schedule a visit to a dentist every six months to nip minor issues in the bud.
• Hearing loss. It is common with age with different statistics pointing out that 1 in 3 seniors suffer from hearing loss after the age of 65 years. Maintain regular visits to the relevant specialist for a check-up.
• Vision Loss. Loss of vision, as well as eye issues like macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma, affect millions of senior citizens. Visit your eye doctor regularly (at least twice a year) for a check-up.

Be active, eat a good diet, maintain a positive attitude, keep learning new things and be regular with visiting health specialists – these are good preventives to deal with health concerns that might come with age.