Quick Answers...
As people live longer, do they face fewer acute conditions and more chronic health conditions?
Yes. The incidence of acute or temporary conditions, such as
infections or the common cold, decreases with age, although
those that do occur can be more debilitating and require
more care. Older people are much more likely than the young
to suffer from chronic conditions. These are long-term (more
than three months), often permanent, and leave a residual
disability that may require long-term management or care
rather than cure. More than 80 percent of persons age 65 and
over have at least one chronic condition, with multiple
health problems being common. Arthritis is the most commonly
occurring chronic condition.
Linda Breytspraak, Center on Aging Studies, University of Missouri-Kansas City
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Last update: Sunday, July 06, 2008