As per the 2011 Census report, India is home to approximately 104 million senior citizens, with males comprising 51% of the count and females, 53%. Another study suggests that this number would increase to reach 173 million by the year 2026.
It is worthwhile to know that this demography is the most exposed to both common to severe health problems, typically due to the advancing age. It thus becomes all the more important that individuals above the age of 60 years take necessary preventive measures and opt for treatment at the right time for improved health.
Below mentioned are thus some of the most prevalent medical concerns that cloud the health of an average individual above 60 years of age.
Senior citizens and their major health issues
- Chronic ailments
A study says that as much as 92% of all senior citizens suffer from chronic health problems, leading to a further deterioration of their health. Some of the most common chronic ailments that have become a cause of concern for the elderly include cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and stroke.
These are also among the health conditions with the costliest of treatments available. Thus, financing the treatments for these chronic diseases poses another challenge for senior citizens.
Lack of funding can be a critical deterrent in receiving timely healthcare assistance and pose a risk of severe complication. Nevertheless, with easy availability of health EMI cards, such an immediate financial burden can be mitigated. With a convenient health card download, these financial tools are easy to use as well.
- Cognitive decline
One of the commonly identified issues that surface with advancing age is the decline of one’s cognitive abilities. Deterioration in cognitive health interferes with an individual’s ability to recollect, learn or think.
Among the most recognised health problems leading to cognitive decline include dementia and Alzheimer’s.
With the prevalent grip on the elderly health, these medical conditions are only expected to worsen with a possibility to triple by 2050. Healthcare experts have linked the increase in these cases with persistent chronic issues like hypertension, diabetes, depression, etc.
- Increasing physical injuries
Advancing age also brings with it the risk of fragility, thus putting senior citizens at the risk of sustaining severe injuries due to accidental falling. As one advances in age, the body muscles and bones lose their flexibility and strength, thus making him or her prone to balance loss.
Also, weakened bones are a result of prevailing osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, thus making the elderly frail. While no specific remedy is available for such conditions, timely adoption of prevention methods can help delay, or in some cases, altogether avoid such health problems from occurring.
- Low nutritional level in the body
Another major health concern for an elderly is the lack of necessary body nutrients or malnutrition. Such nutritional deficiency largely remains under-diagnosed in senior citizens, exposing them to a risk of contracting a host of other ailments. These health problems can result from ignorance, dietary restrictions, etc.
Treatments for the major health concerns of the elderly
Prevalent medical concerns of the elderly must be attended to at the earliest for a reduction in severity at least, if not a complete cure. A lot of health problems of individuals in their advanced ages are not completely treatable. Rather, they require extended medical assistance to reduce health degradation and cope up with day-to-day life.
For example, chronic conditions like rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, hypertension, diabetes, etc. often require patients to remain on continued medication. However, other chronic ailments, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer are curable.
While cures are not available for health problems involving cognitive decline like dementia, healthcare professionals suggest extended treatment plans along with medications for the ailment’s management. Also, in the case of injuries, patients are advised to follow routine physical activities for both prevention and recovery, along with suitable therapies.
Similarly, health concerns involving low nutritional levels in the elderly are addressed via treatments that involve medication along with lifestyle changes and continued monitoring.
Thus, whether undergoing a treatment, carrying out preventive routines or maintaining regular consultations with healthcare specialists, the elderly require more healthcare assistance than any other age group. It simultaneously also creates a financial burden on the earning member of a family.
To mitigate such financial strains created by healthcare assistance for a senior citizen in their family, individuals can opt for financing tools like a Bajaj Finserv Health EMI Network Card.
These cards suitably provide emergency financial assistance for a range of medical assistances availed. Also, once you have applied for the health card and availed it, other family members can use it too.
With easy health card download facilities, financial institutions only improve their accessibility and utility. You can meet minimum eligibility to apply for a health card and fulfil all healthcare funding needs of an elderly in your family with ease.
