3 Conditions Affecting Older Adults That May Require Specialist Care

Updated on November 30, 2022

As people start to get older, there are many health conditions that they may be more prone to, which can leave them with problems that affect their everyday lives. Although not all of these may prevent them from living independently, some of these conditions may require specialist care, and you must be aware of these as a healthcare professional. With that in mind, here’s a brief guide to some of the conditions that may affect older adults and could need professional care if an elderly person develops them. 

Strokes

Strokes can occur when there is a lack of blood flow to the brain. As blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain, any blockage or restriction can cause a stroke. If brain cells go without oxygen for a short time, they may be able to recover. Still, if it’s for a longer time, these cells may take much longer to recover or may never do so at all. 

Stokes can happen to anybody at any age; however, they’re more likely to occur in older people, leaving many to wonder how much of a role age actually plays. Furthermore, strokes occurring in the elderly are far more likely to have more serious, prolonged outcomes, such as lingering symptoms and longer periods of hospitalization. 

While older adults are more at risk of stroke, developments in medical science are enabling older patients to have better recovery prognoses than ever before, with many patients recovering even in their 80s and 90s after a stroke. 

For older patients who take longer to recover (or who may continue to suffer from symptoms following a stroke), many care facilities are now equipped with the staff and equipment to look after patients – even those suffering from severe symptoms, such as reduced mobility and speech problems.

For example, Signature at Reigate Grange is an example of such an establishment with accommodative facilities, where trained carers can help elderly patients lead as normal a life as possible after a stroke while continuing their recovery plan as prescribed by their doctor.

Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s is another condition that develops over a long period, and many people can live with it without the need for specialist care for many years. However, since Parkinson’s gradually impacts the brain, someone with Parkinson’s will eventually find that their mobility worsens and that they start to shake and move slower. 

Not only this, but Parkinson’s can also make mental health conditions like depression and anxiety occur, and people with Parkinson’s may develop insomnia, dizziness, and problems with sweating and swallowing. All of these symptoms can impact the life of someone with Parkinson’s in a major way and prevent them from enjoying a good quality of life. 

As such, people with Parkinson’s may need to stay in contact with medical professionals so that they can get the support they need when they are struggling with their condition’s progression. 

Diabetes

Although diabetes can be dealt with in itself, many people with diabetes also develop other conditions at the same time, such as heart disease and hypertension. Not only this, but they may experience muscle loss, may find that their legs swell, or that their vision is impacted by their diabetes, especially if they are not able to control their condition well. 

If that is the case, the person with diabetes should look for specialist care, such as a home help service, that can ensure that they can maintain a good quality of life even as they battle the condition. This will then ensure that diabetes does not cause the early death that it can if it is ignored or not looked after appropriately. 

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.