This document discusses common health issues that older adults may face, including risks from COVID-19, flu, and other illnesses. It also covers potential age-related declines in cognition, bone density, vision, hearing, oral health, and heart health. The document recommends annual eye exams after age 60 and treating any hearing issues. It concludes by introducing Crystal Run Healthcare as a provider of geriatric medical services.

2. • COVID-19: Older adults are at
higher risk for severe symptoms
and hospitalization (greatest risk
over 85).
• The flu: Seniors have a higher risk
of severe complications.
• Other illnesses: Pneumonia, COPD,
asthma, lung cancer, and non-
pneumonic infections.

3. • Some decline is common (mild
memory loss, and slower reasoning
and problem solving).
• Seniors are at risk of Alzheimer’s
disease and dementia, which can cause
significant issues that interfere with
daily functioning.
• Some cognitive decline may occur after
trauma/injury to the brain: strokes,
falls, improper medication, etc.

4. • Some gradual loss of bone density is
expected; bone mass peaks around 25-
30, then declines naturally.¹
• Osteoporosis occurs when the loss is
significant enough to leave bones fragile
and at higher risk of fracture.
• Bone loss can’t be reversed at this
stage, but excessive density loss can be
prevented with good nutrition and
physical activity.

5. • People aged 65 or older have an increased risk of
heart attack, stroke, coronary heart disease, and
heart failure.²
• Arteriosclerosis: An excessive stiffening and
narrowing of arteries, which interferes with
blood flow.
– Atherosclerosis: A type of arteriosclerosis in
which plaque builds up in arteries (often
due to a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet).

6. • Declining vision is common; annual
eye exams are recommended for
patients over 60.³
• Severe impairment can make driving
unsafe and may require surgery and/or
assistive devices.
• Common senior vision problems:
– Cataracts
– Diabetic retinopathy
– Glaucoma
– Age-related macular degeneration
(AMD)
– Retinal detachment

7. • A common type of senior health
problems; roughly 1 in 3 people aged
65 to 74 has some degree of hearing
loss.⁴
• Hearing loss is often mistaken for
other issues, and many older
individuals struggle to recognize or
admit to difficulties.
• Treatments include medication,
hearing aids, training, and surgery
(untreated problems may worsen!).

8. • Tooth decay and loss: Untreated decay
and other issues can cause pain and
tooth loss; roughly 1 in 5 patients 65 or
older have lost all their teeth.
• Gum disease: Very common–about 68%
of adults 65 or older have some degree
of gum disease.
• Oral cancer: Older adults are at highest
risk, with a median diagnosis age of 62.⁵

9. • Crystal Run Healthcare in New York has
been providing high-quality healthcare
services for 25 years. We connect
patients to skilled medical providers
across a variety of practice areas, from
primary care to geriatric medicine.
• You can easily book an appointment
with many Crystal Run Healthcare
physicians through the website or
contact us if you need additional
assistance.

10. 1. https://academic.oup.com/toxsci/article/55/1/171/1657781
2. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/heart-health-and-aging
3. https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-health-for-life/senior-vision?sso=y
4. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/hearing-loss-common-problem-older-adults
5. https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/basics/adult-oral-health/adult_older.htm