Health of the Elderly: Challenges and Solutions in Decline Management

Introduction

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is one of the most common medical conditions in older adults. It is estimated that more than 60% of the elderly population has high blood pressure, which increases the risk of serious problems such as heart disease, stroke and kidney failure. Management of hypertension in the elderly requires special attention, because they often come together with various health problems (comorbidities), as well as physical changes that affect the effectiveness of the treatment. This essay will discuss the challenges they face in managing hypertension in the elderly as well as solutions that can be implemented to improve their quality of life.

Discussion

Challenges in managing hypertension in the elderly

1. Complex Physiological Changes

As we age, the body goes through many changes, including a decrease in the elasticity of blood vessels, which causes more resistance to blood flow. As a result, blood pressure tends to increase naturally in the elderly. Older people also experience reduced kidney function, which affects the body’s ability to regulate fluids and electrolytes, and interferes with blood pressure control. According to Whelton et al. (2018), these physiological changes make hypertension management more complicated, as the body’s response to antihypertensive drugs also changes with age.

1. Comorbidity and polypharmacy

Older people often have other medical conditions, such as diabetes, kidney disease, and heart disease, that make managing high blood pressure difficult. This condition requires the use of several medications at the same time, which is called polypharmacy. James et al. (2014) that the use of multiple medications increases the risk of adverse drug interactions, as well as increasing the possibility of side effects, such as orthostatic hypotension (drop in blood pressure when standing), which ‘ may cause dizziness and increase risk. to fall

1. Compliance with Treatment

Adherence to medication is a major problem for the elderly, especially due to factors such as cognitive impairment, depression, or the complexity of the treatment regimen. Some older people may forget to take medication or do so on purpose because they feel well. A study by Aronow et al. (2015) found that elderly people who do not comply with hypertension treatment are at a higher risk of developing serious complications such as stroke and heart attack.

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