| Arthritis…
A leading cause of disability
Chronic
conditions are a major cause of illness, disability,
and death in the United States. The growth of the number
of elders - as baby boomers age and people live longer
- will increase the number of people who are most vulnerable
to and most affected by chronic conditions. Conditions
that are most common among elders require more care,
are more disabling, and are more difficult and costly
to treat.
What
are chronic conditions?
Chronic conditions have persistent or recurring
health consequences lasting for years. They are illnesses
or impairments that cannot be cured. They cause significant
limitations in people's ability to perform certain basic
activities of daily living. In addition to medical services,
people who have chronic conditions often need personal,
social, or rehabilitative care over a prolonged period
of time.
From:
Summer, L. Shirley, L. and O'Neill, G. Challenges for
the 21st century: Chronic and disabling conditions.
National Academy on Aging Society, Washington, DC; November,
1999 (1). |
