Chronic pain is one of the most common conditions suffered by elderly people. It is pain that continues long beyond an expected period. To make matters worse, chronic pain becomes increasingly common as people age.

It’s one of the concerns and questions for many people as they age – Will I have to live with chronic pain when I get older, and every day until I die? Will I be able to do anything about it so that I can live a pain-free existence? Do I have to take medications when I don’t want to? All these questions can cause a senior person to worry about their future mobility, and ability to enjoy their life.

Several conditions can likely put a senior at risk of developing chronic pain, and for those seniors already experiencing chronic pain, it may be due to any of the following conditions: Continue reading →

Shingles is a viral infection that creates painful rashes, appearing as a blister and developing on either side of the body. Although it can appear on any part of the body, it typically creates striped blisters on either side of the torso.

Shingles can happen to anyone, but they can be a more serious problem for seniors. It comes with a higher risk of stroke and more serious health complications, generally due to a weakened immune system that naturally occurs as we age. Seniors can find it more challenging to fight off any infection due to a weak immune system.

Shingles is not a life-threatening condition but can be very painful. The best way to avoid it is to get vaccinated against the virus. Although it is a treatable condition, it can still lead to further complications – postherpetic neuralgia being the most common. Continue reading →