Why Certain Risks Increase with Age
Over the years, the body changes: muscles and bones become weaker, the immune system works more slowly, and the senses and reaction times decline. As a result, certain health risks increase significantly from age 70. When family caregivers know these risks, they can take countermeasures early and respond correctly in an emergency.
The Five Most Common Health Risks from Age 70
- Risk of falling: Declining muscle strength, balance disorders, or vision problems increase the risk of falls and broken bones.
- Cardiovascular diseases: These include high blood pressure, heart attack, and heart failure – often gradual and unnoticed for a long time.
- Dementia and other cognitive impairments: With increasing age, the risk of conditions such as Alzheimer's disease rises.
- Malnutrition and dehydration: A reduced sense of thirst, loss of appetite, or difficulty eating can cause serious health problems.
- Infections: The immune system becomes less effective with age, making flu or pneumonia more frequent and more severe.
Keeping Other Risks in View
Besides these five, there are other common risks: osteoporosis increases bone fragility, diabetes often goes undetected in old age, vision and hearing impairments limit independence, and social isolation negatively affects mental health. Many of these risks reinforce one another – those who see poorly fall more often; those who are lonely often eat worse.
Prevention Is Possible
Regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate fluids, social contact, and regular medical check-ups are the most effective means against many age-related risks. Good fall prevention and an up-to-date medication plan also contribute significantly to safety.
Keeping an Eye on Health with mendracare
Especially when several family members provide care together, it is important to notice changes early. With mendracare, you can record observations on health, nutrition, mood, and irregularities centrally in the daily log. This way, the care team recognizes warning signs in time and can respond together before a risk becomes an emergency.
