Living with a chronic disease or condition can be a difficult, expensive, and frustrating medical experience. When you feel as if your chronic disease is controlling your life, AgeWell is here to help.
At AgeWell Medical Associates in Colorado Springs, we are well-versed in handling chronic conditions for all of our patients. We specialize in older adult care, exclusively serving those aged 60 and older. Thanks to our experienced staff, we can provide care and resources to help you manage your chronic conditions best.
Please get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment:
What Is a Chronic Disease?
A chronic disease is a health condition that is persistent or otherwise long-lasting in its effects. The term chronic is often applied when the disease lasts more than three months, requires ongoing medical attention, and/or limits activities of daily living. Our providers help you live with or manage the symptoms by developing a treatment plan with you.
What Is Chronic Disease Management?
As touched on above, when a medical professional develops a treatment plan for a chronic disease, this is called chronic disease management. It might not cure your disease, but it will help you manage the symptoms. It is designed to control the condition, causing your disease to be considered stable.
Most Common Types of Chronic Disease in Older Adults
Arthritis:
According to the National Institute on Aging, arthritis is likely the number one chronic condition affecting individuals over 65. It is estimated that nearly half of all older adults have some form of arthritis they live with daily.
Heart Disease:
The CDC names heart disease as the leading killer of adults over 65 years of age. Heart disease is also a common chronic condition. The risk factors for heart disease include having diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure, all of which are monitored in chronic disease management.
Respiratory Diseases:
Another category of chronic diseases is those affecting the lungs. These can include asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. Older adults should be monitored closely for these chronic diseases, as they are more susceptible to pneumonia and other respiratory infections.
Osteoporosis:
The National Osteoporosis Foundation states that 54 million people over 50 live with osteoporosis in some form. This, of course, means they are at a greater risk for bone fractures. The disease has no obvious symptoms, so many people don’t know they have osteoporosis until they suffer a fracture. Fractures can be life-altering, causing pain, disability, and loss of independence. Early treatment can assist with the preservation of bone health.
Diabetes:
The American Diabetes Association says that over 29% of individuals over the age of 65 live with diabetes. The CDC states it was the 8th leading cause of death in the United States in 2020. Uncontrolled diabetes can cause multiple other complications such as kidney disease, renal disease, skin ulcers, and loss of vision. Thankfully, when addressed early and managed well, the long-term outlook for a patient improves.
Depression:
Although many consider depression a purely mental health condition and not a medical problem, depression is a very real medical condition that can cause chronic problems. According to Mental Health America, more than two million of the 34 million Americans aged 65 and older suffer from some form of depression.
Dementia:
Dementia is a general term for loss of memory and other mental abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life. Physical changes in the brain cause it. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, but there are many other types. The Alzheimer’s Association states that about one in nine people (10.8%) aged 65 and older have Alzheimer’s dementia. They explain that since diagnosing Alzheimer’s is difficult, the actual number is likely higher.
Have More Questions?
If you or your loved one lives with a chronic condition listed above, you are not alone. In fact, if you are 60 years of age or older, there is an 85% chance you live with at least one chronic condition, according to the CDC. Thankfully, at AgeWell Medical Associates, our providers can help you manage your chronic conditions.
Contact us today to schedule your medical appointment: