1. Common Diseases of the Elderly: Introduction

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Text and video by Fundacja “Małopolska Izba Samorządowa”, Kraków, Poland. Design and layout by e-Training Solutions, Berlin, Germany. Cartoons by Boris Luve.

 

The older a person is, the more susceptible they become to various diseases. Some of them – such as diabetes, hypertension, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatism or osteoporosis – are common among the elderly, which is why we often refer to them as diseases of old age.

However, age is not the only cause, as they are also influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Lifestyle is crucial as well. Obesity, bad eating habits, stress, lack of movement, lack of mental exercise, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption – these factors accelerate the emergence of diseases of old age.
 
 

Learning Objectives

In this module, you will learn about the most common diseases in old age. Those are:

   Neurological diseases
 
   Metabolic diseases (diabetes)
 
   Respiratory diseases
 
   Diseases of the osteoarticular system
 
   Dementia
 
   Inconsistency
(urinary and/or stool incontinence)

 

Expected Learning Effects

After completing this module, you will be able to:

   Identify basic diseases of old age and recognise their symptoms
 
   Provide first aid in situations that endanger the health and life of an elderly person
 
 

Contents

1.1. Cardiovascular Diseases: Hypertension
1.2. Cardiovascular Diseases: Atherosclerosis
1.3. Alzheimer’s disease
1.4. Parkinson’s diseases
1.5. Diabetes
1.6. Osteoporosis
1.7. Incontinence
1.8. Assessment

 

Estimated time to complete the module:

4 hours

 

Methodology

This E-learning module is an open educational resource. It is mobile-friendly and device-independent. The module is designed for individual learners, however it can also be used as a part of a instructor-led training program.
 
 
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