Managing Chronic Conditions: A Guide for Older Adults

Nearly 95% of adults aged 60 and older have at least one chronic condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, or arthritis, notes the National Council on Aging 2023. Older adults are often more vulnerable to these conditions due to factors such as weakened immunity, low activity levels, and poor-quality sleep. Additionally, many chronic illnesses increase the risk of developing others, which is why nearly 80% of people in this age group have two or more of these conditions.

Knowing how to manage chronic illnesses can be key to slowing the progression of these diseases and maintaining a higher quality of life. Get started by reviewing these tips for older adults on ways to successfully manage one or more chronic conditions.

See Your Doctor Regularly

Many chronic conditions are progressive, which means they can gradually worsen over time, especially when not effectively treated or managed. Visit your doctor regularly if you’re living with a chronic condition. This can give you the opportunity to update your doctor on your symptoms and learn about new or different treatments that can improve your condition. Regular checkups also give your doctor the opportunity to detect and diagnose other related conditions so you can receive immediate treatment.

Coordinate Care

Seeing multiple doctors or specialists can lead to gaps in your healthcare, especially if they belong to different networks and may have difficulty providing continuity of care. Doctors who don’t collaborate or communicate with one another about your care could unknowingly put you at risk. Adverse drug interactions, unnecessary prescriptions, and duplicate tests and procedures are some of the consequences associated with gaps in healthcare.

Talk to your healthcare provider or primary care doctor about receiving coordinated care. This may involve switching to specialists who all belong to the same healthcare network or bringing all your medical records to all appointments so all your providers are on the same page.

Manage Your Medications Responsibly

Nearly 22% of adults between the ages of 40 and 79 use at least five prescription drugs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Using multiple medications at once can be complex, given how doing so can increase the risk of dosing errors and adverse effects, including drug overdose.

Doctors are responsible for making sure they’re not prescribing medication combinations that can cause dangerous interactions (such as opioids and benzodiazepines). However, like anyone else, doctors can make mistakes. If you’re using two or more medications, make sure you’re entirely familiar with all their side effects and interactions, and consult with your doctor if you think there’s a problem.

Here are other tips for responsible medication management:

Take medications as prescribed (follow the instructions on the label).
Do not use medications prescribed for someone else.
Do not skip or stop taking medication without your doctor’s approval.
Store your medications properly according to the instructions.
Check the expiration dates on your medications before using them.
Keep a list of all the medications you’re using, and bring it with you to every doctor’s appointment.

Practice Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors

The symptoms of many chronic conditions can often be improved if you adopt certain healthy lifestyle behaviors. For example, if high blood pressure or heart disease are being driven by obesity, exercising regularly could help you lose excess weight and reduce your symptoms.

Work with your doctor to identify lifestyle behaviors that may be contributing to your illness or condition. Then, put plans in place to change those behaviors. A healthy lifestyle can also boost your immunity and reduce your risk of developing other illnesses and diseases.

Examples of healthy lifestyle changes you can make to improve chronic conditions include:

Not smoking
Losing excess weight
Reducing your alcohol intake
Improving your nutrition
Exercising regularly
Improving your sleep quality
Managing stress

Seek Emotional Support

Living with one or more chronic conditions can feel overwhelming and stressful at times. Chronic illnesses often go hand in hand with symptom flares, disabilities, and overall poorer health, all of which can reduce your quality of life and make day-to-day living more complex to manage.

Having a strong and broad emotional support system in place can go a long way in helping you manage a chronic condition. Build a support network of friends, family members, and healthcare professionals, and seek out these individuals when you need help or simply want to talk about what you’re going through.

You may also want to consider joining a support group exclusive to people with your condition. A support group can help you feel less isolated and may also expose you to new tips, tricks, and ideas for improving your symptoms and managing your condition. Ask your healthcare provider about support groups for chronic conditions, or look for community-led support groups online.

It’s entirely possible to live a happy and fulfilling life, even if you’re living with a chronic condition. Don’t hesitate to consult your doctor if you have concerns about your health or want extra support with managing your illness.