A survey paper published in BMC Public Health

Paper Title

Consequences of chronic diseases and other limitations associated with old age – a scoping review

Authors

• Petra Maresova
  • Faculty of Informatics and Management, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
• Ehsan Javanmardi
  • Faculty of Informatics and Management, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
• Sabina Baraković
  • Faculty of Traffic and Communications, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Jasmina Baraković Husić
  • Department of Telecommunications, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Signe Tomsone
  • Faculty of Rehabilitation, Riga Stradinš University, Riga, Latvia
• Ondrej Krejcar
  • Faculty of Informatics and Management, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
• Kamil Kuca
  • Faculty of Informatics and Management, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic

Abstract

Background
The phenomenon of the increasing number of ageing people in the world is arguably the most significant economic, health and social challenge that we face today. Additionally, one of the major epidemiologic trends of current times is the increase in chronic and degenerative diseases. This paper tries to deliver a more up to date overview of chronic diseases and other limitations associated with old age and provide a more detailed outlook on the research that has gone into this field.

Methods
First, challenges for seniors, including chronic diseases and other limitations associated with old age, are specified. Second, a review of seniors’ needs and concerns is performed. Finally, solutions that can improve seniors’ quality of life are discussed. Publications obtained from the following databases are used in this scoping review: Web of Science, PubMed, and Science Direct. Four independent reviewers screened the identified records and selected relevant publications published from 2010 to 2017. A total of 1916 publications were selected. In all, 52 papers were selected based on abstract content. For further processing, 21 full papers were screened.”

Results
The results indicate disabilities as a major problem associated with seniors’ activities of daily living dependence. We founded seven categories of different conditions – psychological problems, difficulties in mobility, poor cognitive function, falls and incidents, wounds and injuries, undernutrition, and communication problems. In order to minimize ageing consequences, some areas require more attention, such as education and training; technological tools; government support and welfare systems; early diagnosis of undernutrition, cognitive impairment, and other diseases; communication solutions; mobility solutions; and social contributions.

Conclusions
This scoping review supports the view on chronic diseases in old age as a complex issue. To prevent the consequences of chronic diseases and other limitations associated with old age related problems demands multicomponent interventions. Early recognition of problems leading to disability and activities of daily living (ADL) dependence should be one of essential components of such interventions.