The well-being of your residents is the top priority of your team members. Using information from the Center for Disease Control on the most common chronic conditions affecting residential care residents, we've created this resource to help your staff understand what's happening in a resident's body when he or she suffers from these diseases. We've also outlined the warning signs to help them recognize changes in a resident who may be developing a chronic condition.
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Understanding the Chronic Illnesses Affecting Senior Living Residents
2. In a recent study the Center of
Disease Control outlines the
10 most common chronic
conditions affecting senior
residents of residential care
facilities.
3. What is it?
Blood pressure is the force of
blood pushing against artery
walls as it is carried throughout
your body. Blood pressure is
measured by counting heart
beats and the rest between
beats.
High blood pressure means
your heart and arteries are
working too hard, which can
lead to stroke, heart attack or
kidney problems.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
4. Warning Signs
• Individuals who are
overweight
• A family history of high blood
pressure
• Men over 45/Women over 55
• Long-lasting stress
• Smoking
• Excess alcohol drinking
• A diet in high sodium and low
in potassium
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
5. What is it?
Dementing disorders affect
parts of the brain, causing
problems with memory,
thinking, language, emotions
or movement.
Alzheimer’s Disease is the
most common form of
dementia in people over 65
years old, affecting 5.1 million
seniors.
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE/
OTHER DEMENTIAS
6. Warning Signs
• Forgetfulness/Memory loss
• Lack of concentration or
confusion
• Language or speaking skills
• Poor judgement
• Personality changes and
mood swings
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE/
OTHER DEMENTIAS
7. What is it?
Heart disease is a catch-all
description that includes many
cardiovascular conditions,
including heart attack, stroke,
cardiac arrest and high blood
pressure.
Heart attacks affect 1.1 million
people each year. They occur
when blood flow to a section of
heart muscles becomes
blocked, which can cause heart
muscles to become damaged
or begin to die.
HEART DISEASE
8. Warning Signs
• Chest pain or discomfort that
lasts more than a few minutes
or that goes away and returns
• Upper body discomfort in
arms, back, neck, jaw or
stomach
• Shortness of breath, with or
before chest pain
• Nausea
• Cold sweats
HEART DISEASE
9. What is it?
Depression is a common
mental illness that effects not
only your emotional state but
your physical well being as well.
It affects more than 6.5 million
Americans 65 years old and
older.
DEPRESSION
10. DEPRESSION
Warning Signs
• Persistent sad, anxious,
empty feeling
• Irritability, agitation or
restlessness
• Fatigue and decreased energy
• Feeling worthless or helpless
• Thoughts of death or suicide
11. What is it?
Arthritis attacks and inflames
the body’s joints, causing
swelling, redness and pain.
Arthritis can be caused by the
break down of cartilage,
autoimmune disease or the
formation of acid in the joint
spaces.
ARTHRITIS
13. What is it?
Osteoporosis is a condition that
is marked by low bone mass
and deterioration of bone
tissue. Frail bones lead to
increased fractures of the hips,
vertebra and wrists and a
longer healing period. It’s most
common (68%) in women.
OSTEOPOROSIS
14. OSTEOPOROSIS
Warning Signs
• Seniors with thin or small frame
builds are at a higher risk
• Drugs including prednisone,
corticosteroids, antidepressants
and thyroid hormones can
increase your risk
• People with Crohn’s disease,
lupus or rheumatoid arthritis are
at a higher risk
• A history of anorexia is a
warning sign, because it lowers
hormone levels and interferes
with bone building
15. What is it?
When you suffer from diabetes
your body cannot produce or
use insulin properly. As a result,
sugars, starches and other
foods cannot properly convert
into energy. The most common
type is Type 2 Diabetes or
Adult-Onset Diabetes.
DIABETES
17. What is it?
COPD, also called emphysema
or chronic bronchitis, is a lung
disease that makes breathing
difficult. In most cases, your
airways are partially blocked, so
it’s hard to get air in and out of
your lungs. Shortness of breath
occurs from even the most
simple tasks.
COPD
18. Warning Signs
• Constant coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Excess production of sputum
• Wheezing
• Inability to take a deep breath
COPD
19. What is it?
Cancer occurs when cells in
your body become abnormal
and start producing more
abnormal cells. They form
together in a mass (tumor)
which can hurt surrounding
tissue and organs. They can
also break away and spread to
other areas of the body.
CANCER
20. Warning Signs
• Lumps or growths on any part
of the body
• A sore throat that does not heal
• A persistent cough or sore/
hoarse throat
• Discomfort when swallowing/
eating
• Unusual bleeding
• Feeling very weak or tired
CANCER
21. What is it?
A stroke develops when the
blood supply to your brain is
interrupted or a blood vessel in
your brain bursts. The lack of
oxygen and nutrients from
blood or sudden bleeding into
the brain can cause brain cells
to die.
STROKE
22. Warning Signs
• Sudden numbness/weakness
in one side of the body
• Sudden confusion or trouble
speaking/understanding
speech
• Sudden trouble with vision
• Sudden dizziness, loss of
balance or trouble walking
• Sudden severe headache
STROKE