Analysis of Health Problems in Old Age: A Comprehensive Study

This research report, titled "Kinds of health problems that are suffered by old age people in old age stages," investigates the multifaceted health challenges faced by the elderly population. It begins with an introduction outlining the prevalence of health issues in old age and provides background information on the aging process. The report identifies various health problems such as arthritis, hypertension, dementia, heart disease, and osteoporosis. It delves into the impact of these health issues on the personal lives of older adults, including physical limitations, mental health challenges, and social isolation. The report also examines the reasons behind the occurrence of health problems, including lifestyle factors, chronic conditions, and lack of attention to diet and exercise. Furthermore, it proposes ways to reduce health problems, such as promoting healthy lifestyles and providing support systems. The research methodology includes an overview of the investigation method, research design, data collection methods, research approach, and research philosophy. The report concludes with a discussion of the ethical considerations, possible outcomes, and a conclusion summarizing the key findings.

Systematic Research

Table of Contents
Title - “Kinds of health problems that are suffered by old age people in old age stages.”..............1
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
Background..................................................................................................................................1
Problem and Justification............................................................................................................2
Rationale of study........................................................................................................................2
Aims and objectives of research..................................................................................................2
Hypothesis...................................................................................................................................3
Literature Review.............................................................................................................................4
Types of health problems faced by old age people......................................................................4
Impact of health problems on personal life of older people........................................................5
Reasons behind occurrence of health issues among old age people............................................7
Ways in which health problems within older age people can be reduced...................................8
Research Methodology..................................................................................................................12
Types of investigation method...................................................................................................12
Research design.........................................................................................................................13
Data collection methods............................................................................................................13
Research approach.....................................................................................................................14
Research Philosophy..................................................................................................................14
Timescale for proposed plan (GANTT chart)...........................................................................15
Feasibility of the project............................................................................................................17
Ethical considerations................................................................................................................17
Possible Outcomes/ Result.............................................................................................................18
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................19
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................20

Title - “Kinds of health problems that are suffered by old age people in old
age stages.”
Introduction
There are different types of age problem that occur to people who belong to old age. Old age can
be described as the age which is nearing or surpassing the life expectancy of human being (Bauld
and et. al., 2018). In the life cycle age of human being, old age is the last age which and these
people are also called senior citizens. This can be frustrating for older person who is suffering
from old age problems along with this is affect other family member also (Ahnlund and et. al.,
2020). In this research project different types of health problems or issues through which old age
person suffer is identified as well as analysed properly. This research project will include proper
study of health issues and along with this, different health problems are also identified. This
research project will also cover different sources of data collection that will assist in gather
accurate data regarding research topic.
Background
Getting older one of the major issues of human being as it lead to bring any health and
mental issues. There are various kinds of problems and issues that is faced by person of old age
group (Torres, 2019). Old age is seem as daunting as it leads to greying of hair, wrinkles as well
as forgetting different things. It is very important to understand and determine different types of
issues and problem that is faced by people at older age (Wu and et. al., 2020). There are various
prevention measures that can be placed for loved one in order to path them for health age. These
preventions will support old age person to deal with issues as well as overcome old age problem.
This will support in health and better life of person at old age.
1

Problem and Justification
This research is developed in order to analyse as well as understand the various issues that
old age person have to deal with. There are many types of problems and challenges of health that
is faced person. The major health issues are related to chronic health conditions, cognitive health,
mental health, physical injury, malnutrition, sensory impairments, Oral health, bladder control or
constipation and many more. These are the major issues that affect he living style as well as
standards of people at old age. This research will support in identifying these problems as well
as the challenges that is faced by person at older age.
Rationale of study
It is very important to understand the different types of problems that which affect old age
person as well as their living habits. This study will help in identifying various issues and
problems in order to evaluate the solution to these problems (Frisby-Osman and Wood, 2020).
Through these aspects, researchers will be able to analyse the most common medical problems
and condition. It is very challenges for an old age person to live in these issues as well as manage
their day to day activities. it is crucial to analyse and identify the issues and challenges of old age
problems and along with this, different ways will be evaluated that assist in preventing illness
and issues.
Aims and objectives of research
Aim:
The main aim of this research proposal is “To analyse different kinds of health problems
that are suffered by old age people.”
Objectives:
Main objectives of this research proposal are as follows:
2

 To analyse types of health problems faced by old age people.
 To evaluate impact of health problems on personal life of older people.
 To analyse reasons because of which health issues occur among old age people.
 To recommend ways in which health problems within older age people can be reduced.
Hypothesis
Null hypothesis (HO): simulation has no impact on health problem on personal life of
older people.
Alternative hypothesis (H1): simulation highly impact on health problem on personal life
of older people.
3

Literature Review
Types of health problems faced by old age people
As per the view point of John (2020), it has been determined that there are different types of
health problems that is faced by old age people. It is crucial to identify and analyse these issues
as this will help in identifying the solution in order to resolve these problems (Cai and et. al.,
2020). Different types of health issues through which old age people have deal with.
Arthritis – This health problem refers as the breakdown of tissues inside the joints. Arthritis
health problem lead to cause pain, restrict movement of body, inflammation as well as weakness
(20 MOST COMMON MEDICAL CONDITIONS AFFECTING OLDER PEOPLE, 2020). It has
been identified that there are two types of Arthritis such as Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid
Arthritis. This health problem is very common in older person.
Hypertension – This health problem is very long term health condition and in this blood
pressure is constantly elevated in arteries (Buffel, 2018). Hypertension will lead to put lots of
strain on blood vessels, heart as well as other organs of human body such as kidneys, this
medical condition is life threatening as in increase the chances of heath diseases, heart attacks,
Kidney disease, strokes and heart failure.
Dementia – This health problem can be describing as the issues of brain’s memory capacity.
This problem majorly occurs at old age people and in this issue person forget as well as find it
difficult to remember anything (Evans and et. al., 2020). Symptoms of dementia consist of
problems of conversation as in this person find it difficult to find right word. In this person will
find it difficult in judging the distance and along with this they forget where they are or what is
the date.
4

Heart Disease – According to the WHO report, heart disease is one of the most concerning
problem faced by old-age people. Adults over the age of 65, accounting for maximum deaths as
compared to other old-age. The chronic condition arises due to heart stroke affects men more
than adult women, as per survey conducted on Aging-Related Statistics by Federal Interagency
Forum (Torres, 2019). With growing people age, risk factors that put threat for people’s life also
increasing day by day, such risks include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesities and
more, which increases chances of heart stroke, development of heart related issues etc.
Osteoporosis – As age is increasing, the bone density of people lessens and may sometimes
reach at a point, where doing a simple action like standing up, sitting down and more, can cause
a severe fracture (Bauld and et. al., 2018). This may usually happen with adult people after
eighties or nineties which is known as osteoporosis. It has been estimated that half of the
population of old-age group (above age 70) are suffered due to this disease.
Depression – According to NHS Report, neat about 15 to 20 percent of people over age 65
years, have experienced high level of stress and depressive stage. This threat for senior health,
leads to lower immunity power of them, which compromise their ability to fight with spreading
infections (Wells and et. al., 2020). Depression is one of the frequently issue that might affect
almost all older people, due to feeling of loneliness, death of spouse, jobless and more other
situations. High stress and depressive stage also arise mental disorders among people at old age.
Impact of health problems on personal life of older people
According to viewpoint of Wells and et. al. (2020), it has been analysed that growing age
brings a lot of difficulties and health issues for people. As per National Council on Ageing, near
about 92% of adults today having at least one or more chronic issues. It includes heart disease,
diabetes, dementia, depression and more, which leads to cause 2/3rd death of adults each year.
5

Such diseases also put a severe health impact on their personal life as well (Anderson, Dabelko-
Schoeny and Fields, 2018). For example – As most of the adult people might face obesity as
growing problem, so, it creates difficulties for them to do daily routine works normally. Having
excessive weight encounters older people with other issues also like high cholesterol,
hypertension, diabetes, heart issues and more. Obesity causes sometime serious health
complications of older people also which resulting into morbidity (Chung, Seo and Lee, 2018).
In this regard, prevalence of such medical complications, includes increasing sugar level in body
that causes diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, urinary incontinence, and
various types of cancers, is associated with obesity in advancing age Along with this, it also
leads to raise physical disabilities among people also, by severely affecting their joints. The
another main health issue that arise among adult over age 65, is dementia which includes
symptoms like loss of memory, lack of ability for making normal decisions, changes in
personality, mental disorders, problems with socialising with others and more (Evans and et. al.,
2020). So, this disease highly impacts the personal life of older.
Heart issues is another main problem which people after age of 65 usually face, that may
cause disability, limited more physical and mental work, eroding their quality of life and more.
So, when older people found to have heart-related problems, then a number of restrictions put on
their personal life (Rosa and et. al., 2018). They get advice to not to do more physical work,
minimize their cholesterol level by avoiding fatty and oily foods, etc. because all these things
increase high blood pressure as well as other risk factors, which includes increase risk of
developing atherosclerosis. So, they are forced to live rest of the life with more restriction, in
order to stay live for longer period (Verbeek and et. al., 2018). All such causes arise feeling of
6

loneliness among them also. People at old age who live alone and haven’t much time to spend
with friends and more, then social distancing in such manner, overwhelm loneliness in them.
Reasons behind occurrence of health issues among old age people
As per theoretical perspectives of Cai and et. al. (2020), it has been analysed that there are
number of reasons present that arise health problems for adults. It includes lack of attention
towards consuming health and nutritional food, poor lifestyle, addiction of alcohol, less of
physical exercise, lack of family’s attention and affection etc. (Robinson and et. al., 2019). All
such things lead to reduces metabolism and immunity power of them, which generates health
problems like heart-issues, obesity and more. Since healthy ageing considers as a lifelong
process, where patterns of some harmful behavior like smoking, alcohol consumption and more
at early stage of life, can reduce life quality. This would sometime result in early or premature
death. Along with this, factors that causes non-communicable diseases among older people
includes, poor diet or nutritional food, lack of physical activity, consumption of tobacco,
smoking and alcoholic drinks (Meyer and et. al., 2018). All these factors contribute in terms of
development of the chronic conditions. It includes diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases,
arthritis, chronic respiratory diseases, dementia or mental disorders, which are accounted for an
estimated of over 86% of older people’s deaths within European Region (Risk factors of ill
health among older people, 2020). So, it has been evaluated that the most disadvantaged groups
i.e. people having poor lifestyle (unhealthy eating) are at great risk of this burden.
However, smoking, lack of physical exercise, seem to have long-term effects, therefore,
changing in these aspects prove beneficial for people at any age. The risk related to premature
death or occurrence of non-communicable diseases among people, actually increases by 50% if
start smoking at early age (Burholt and et. al., 2019). As per WHO report, physical activity,
7

intake of healthy food, morning walk and other good activities, evidence the contribution of
better quality of like. While lack of these activities, results to cause chronic health issues among
adults that aged over 65 years and above. Less active individuals, that both men and women are
at higher risk of increase rates of factors, blood pressure, causing mortality, breast cancer in
woman, coronary heart disease, brain stroke, diabetes (type 2), colon cancer, cardiorespiratory as
well as muscular fitness, etc.
Social factors related issues also significantly impact on people’s life in both physical and
mental level (Barnes, Gahagan and Ward, 2018). Some of the factors that are considered as
major contributors for increasing social or psychological problems under people of old age
includes – Loneliness after losing the spouse, relatives or loved ones; Lack of ability to manage
regular activities of live independently or at own level; Difficulty in coping with physical
changes during aging like wrinkles, grey hair or more; Frustration from ongoing medical health
problems or facing restrictions to take oily and unhealthy food; Social isolation when children
after adult age spend less time with them; Boredom after retirement from jobs, feeling unable to
do routine activities appropriately; and Stressed life due to financial issues etc. (King and et. al.,
2018). All these aspects impact directly on physical and mental state of people, which ultimately
increase risk of old-age problems.
Ways in which health problems within older age people can be reduced
According to Cherrill Hicks (2020), it has been determined that ailments in people at older
age may seem unavoidable. But if some actions will be taken with growing age, then they keep
their healthy state more longer (How to avoid age-related illness, 2020). It also boosts chance of
their healthy old age as well as able them to live more longer. However, some diseases like
cancer, diabetes and other genetic issues can be inherited from parents to their offsprings. But
8

taking following steps minimise risk of such harmful diseases and prevent them against chronic
health conditions –
Maintain a healthy weight: If people are overweight (at the age of 40 or above), then
structured type of weight loss programme, diet chart, regular exercise and more, especially under
guidance of health professional, may help them in maintaining body weight index (Evans and et.
al., 2020). Controlling the increased weight is enough for reducing chance of chronic issues like
heart-problems, obesity, arthritis and more. For this purpose, to timely aware of weight
increasing type of issues, people are needed to regularly take waist measurement – for men 94cm
and above and for women 80cm and above indicates health risk.
Stop smoking: Consuming tobacco or smoking causes a number of risk factors like damage
the arteries, respiratory issues, lung cancer and more (Czaja and et. al., 2019). Along with this, it
increases mouth causing problems, risk of stomach, cervical cancer and so on. Therefore, people
at any age are needed to not only stop smoking but also avoid to live within smoky atmosphere.
While at adult stage to quit smoking they may take help of health professionals also.
Drink less alcohol: Intake of alcohol in excessive amount causes risk factor for numerous
cancers, digestive problem, heart issues and more (Ahnlund and et. al., 2020). In addition to this,
it also impacts on nervous system which further bring risks like mental disorders also. Therefore,
it is essential for people especially after 40, needs to consumer less or alcoholic free drinks. If
adult people are already addicted to consume alcoholic drinks, they are required to consult
doctors to overcome from the same.
Eat a healthy diet: People at all stages of age must include daily portions of health foods
like fruit and vegetables (reduces risk of cancer), plenty of cereals and wholegrain bread and
cereals (minimize risk of bowel cancer), less amount of saturated fat (cut risk to breast cancer)
9