Aging Related Diseases Top Journals

Aging related diseases means "diseases of the elderly". Diseases like cancer, arthritis, cataracts, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer's disease increases rapidly with aging. Aging Related Diseases is a disease that is most often seen with increasing frequency with increasing senescence. Essentially, aging-associated diseases are complications arising from senescence. The aging process is unique among health conditions in that the vast majority of us will get to experience it. By 2050, the American 85 years old and over population will triple. Clinicians and the public health community need to develop a culture of sensitivity to the needs of this population and its subgroups. Sensory changes, cognitive changes, and weakness may be subtle or may be severe in the heterogeneous population of people over age 85. Falls, cardiovascular disease, and difficulty with activities of daily living are common but not universal. This paper reviews relevant changes of normal aging, diseases, and syndromes common in people over age 85, cognitive and psychological changes, social and environmental changes, and then reviews common discussions which clinicians routinely have with these patients and their families. Some hearing and vision loss are a part of normal aging as is decline in immune function. Cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis and dementia are common chronic conditions at age 85. Osteoarthritis, diabetes, and related mobility disability will increase in prevalence as the population ages and becomes more overweight. These population changes have considerable public health importance. Caregiver support, services in the home, assistive technologies, and promotion of home exercise programs as well as consideration of transportation and housing policies are recommended. For clinicians, judicious prescribing and ordering of tests includes a consideration of life expectancy, lag time to benefit, and patient goals. Furthermore, healthy behaviors starting in early childhood can optimize quality of life among the oldest-old.

The percentage of national populations over age 65 has been increasing in the last 10 years and will continue to rise for another 20 years due to improved life expectancies and a post-World War 2 baby boom. Beginning in 2030, the numbers of adults over age 85 will rise quickly. By 2050, the number of adults over age 80 around the globe will triple from 2015 numbers . Some nations are aging even faster. Now is the time for the public health community to plan for the “older-older age wave.” Many cities have begun to explore how to make themselves more “elder-friendly.” As the baby boom-generation ages from 65 to 85, there will be a more intense need for services in the home and in community and institutional settings.

The aging process currently encompasses more than a generation and exceeds three decades. The common framework for describing different older adult populations is “young-old” , “old” , and “old-old.” The “young-old” are people in their 60s and early 70s who are active and healthy. The “old” are people in their 70s and 80s who have chronic illnesses and are slowing down with some bothersome symptoms. The “old-old” or “oldest-old”  are often sick, disabled, and perhaps even nearing death.

When caring for older adults as a clinician or as a caregiver, predicting the future and then planning for the most likely aging trajectories are key steps. This paper presents a model for the clinical and public health needs of adults over age 85.

The changes associated with a chronologic age of 85 can be divided into a few domains: normal aging, common diseases, and functional, cognitive/psychiatric, and social changes.