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Treating a health condition early on improves quality of life. So what warning signs should you look out for in elderly loved ones?
© Danielle Robertson Consulting Pty Ltd t/as DR Care Solutions
Some good news to start with - we are living longer!
Since official recording keeping began 116 years ago, our death rate has fallen 38% (41% for males and 34% for females). Australian men now live to the median age of 79 years and women 85 years.
To extend the quality of life of an ageing loved one, let’s first focus on the most common underlying causes of death of Australians[1].
For men, the most prevalent underlying cause of death[2] across all age groups is coronary heart disease; and for women it is dementia including Alzheimer’s Disease.
Figure 1: Leading underlying causes of death in Australia, by sex, 2021
Source: AIHW National Mortality Database; Table S3.1
Looking at the over 65 age groups, the occurrence of coronary heart disease and dementia is pronounced.
Figure 2: Leading underlying causes of death, by age group, in Australia, 2019-2021
Source: AIHW National Mortality Database; Table S3.2
What are the signs of coronary heart disease?
| 1. | Shortness of breath or fatigue, especially during exercise; feeling tired most of the time. |
| 2. | Chest pain; pressure or tightness in the chest (like someone is standing on your chest); palpitations. |
| 3. | Indigestion or nausea. |
| 4. | Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper belly area or back. |
| 5. | Light headedness and fainting. |
| 6. | Pain, numbness, swelling, weakness or coldness in the legs or arms.[3] |
What are the signs of dementia, including Alzheimer’s Disease?
| 1. | Short-term memory loss. |
| 2. | Difficulty performing familiar tasks. |
| 3. | Problems with language, such as referring to "the thing" rather than naming the object. |
| 4. | Disorientated in using their diary or calendar. |
| 5. | Poor or decreased judgement, such as wearing winter clothes in summer or wearing the same clothes. |
| 6. | Problems with concentration, planning, or organising. |
| 7. | Misplacing things. |
| 8. | Changes in mood or behaviour. |
| 9. | Trouble with images or spatial relationships such as judging distances, seeing objects in three dimensions, and determining colour and contrast.[4] |
Speaking directly to your loved one about your concerns may cause unnecessary stress and an outright refusal to see their doctor.
Instead, offer to take your loved one to their doctor for a general check-up and mention to the doctor, via their receptionist, that you have observed these signs.
The information in this blog is not to be taken as medical advice. Please speak to your GP.
Need help caring for a loved one? Please feel free to call me, Danielle Robertson, at any time for an initial discussion on how to set up the right care, support and assistance at the right time and in the right place.
Resources
[1] The statistics in this blog are taken from the latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report on "Deaths in Australia" last updated on 11 July 2023.
[2] "Underlying cause of death" is defined as the disease that began the train of events leading to death.
[3] For more detail on heart disease warning signs, read this DR Care Solutions blog, Is Your Heart Feeling Your Age?
[4] For more detail on dementia warning signs, read this DR Care Blog, Is It Dementia? Early Signs Of Dementia
