Age, family genetics, and gender make it nearly impossible for older adults to avoid becoming a chronic disease statistic.
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Eighty percent of adults 65 and older have at least one condition, while 68% have two or more. You probably have a parent or grandparent who is managing a condition right now, or perhaps you are managing one yourself. |
With these kinds of odds, you might wonder if there is even anything you can do to prevent the onset of a condition, or make managing an existing condition easier. The answer is yes. Here are ten common chronic conditions adults 65+ on Medicare were treated for in 2015, and what you should know about each.
In the ensuing weeks, we will look at each of these conditions and report viable treatments for each.
This week we share the second most common- high cholesterol.
47% of older adults are treated for high cholesterol – a condition that occurs when your body has an excess of bad fats (or lipids), resulting in your arteries getting clogged, which can lead to heart disease.
Lifestyle factors you can control when it comes to preventing or managing high cholesterol include:
- Abstaining from smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
- Being active each day
- Managing your weight
- Minimizing saturated fats and trans fats in your diet
When these tactics aren’t enough
The above tips can help you avoid or successfully manage a chronic condition. However, if you or someone you know is struggling to manage a chronic condition, there are programs in your community that can help, like the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP). CDSMP is a 6-week, interactive, small-group workshop that helps participants build the skills necessary to control how chronic conditions affect their life.
