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Chronic conditions are the leading cause of illness, disability and death in the United States and around the world. According to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, every chronic condition a person is diagnosed with lowers their life expectancy by two years.

New research into some of the conditions plaguing American seniors, however, is improving outcomes for those with some of the most common long-term illnesses. Alzheimer’s disease, for example, affects 11% of Arkansan seniors, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. It’s the most common type of dementia. 

In its early stages, Alzheimer’s symptoms may include trouble recalling recent events, remembering someone’s name or sticking to a budget. As the disease progresses, memory and cognitive function continue to decline. 

Those with Alzheimer’s disease experience a buildup of a type of naturally occurring protein, called amyloid plaques, in their brains. Dr. Gohar Azhar, a distinguished professor of geriatric medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, said new drugs are helping slow the progression of cognitive decline in some Alzheimer’s patients by targeting these plaques. 

“We have breakthrough new therapies called anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies. These drugs are given as intravenous infusions twice a month or once a month over a period of 12-18 months,” Azhar says. “These drugs work by removing the amyloid plaque from the brain.”

The best prescription for other chronic diseases, however, is prevention. One of the most common conditions Arkansans face is obesity – and related conditions, like Type 2 diabetes, are close in prevalence. 

“There are numerous complications of obesity and diabetes,” Azhar said. “Chronic kidney disease, heart failure and eventually kidney and heart failure; diabetes mellitus can cause problems with vision and blindness. Obesity can also affect the liver. There is also nerve damage, diabetic neuropathy and cognitive decline.”

As the diseases affecting a person stack up, their overall health will continue to decline, Azhar says. Seniors can benefit from specialized care from geriatricians who know how illness affects them differently than younger populations. 

“Geriatricians provide the best quality of care for older adults because they know all the changes in the body systems that occur with age, so they can adjust the medications and treatments accordingly,” Azhar says. “Geriatricians also provide holistic care in which they not only treat the patient, but they also assist and support the caregiver throughout the course of treatment.”

Try This:

“A heart-healthy diet is good for the brain,” Azhar says. The American Heart Association recommends eating whole grains; healthy proteins like nuts, fish, low-fat dairy and lean, unprocessed meats; a wide variety of fruits and vegetables; and little or no salt.

Something to Consider:

Memory care is a type of specialized care offered in many residential care settings, catered specifically to patients with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. “When it is moderately severe dementia and there is not enough support at home, a memory care facility may be a good choice,” Azhar says.

Top Causes of Chronic Illness

  1. Smoking
  2. Poor Nutrition
  3. Physical Inactivity
  4. Excessive Alcohol Use

Alzheimer’s

  • Affects 60,000 American seniors
  • 4th leading cause of death

— Arkansas Department of Health

Diabetes

  • Affects 15% of Arkansan adults
  • Costs Arkansans $3.1 billion annually

— American Diabetes Association

Kidney Disease

  • Affects 6,900 Arkansans
  • 4.2 times more likely to affect African-Americans than whites

— American Kidney Foundation

Cancer

  • 17,000 new diagnoses in Arkansas in 2020
  • Seniors’ risk 40 times that of 20-year-olds

— Arkansas Department of Health and National Cancer Institute

Depression and Substance Use Disorder

  • 17% of seniors in Arkansas diagnosed with depression
  • Arkansas ranks No. 2 in opioid prescriptions

— America’s Health Rankings and UAMS Geriatric Education Collaborative

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

  • Affects 233,000 Arkansan adults
  • Kills 2,338 Arkansans annually

— American Lung Association