No. 32 - Seniors with chronic health conditions

While most seniors report that their overall health is relatively good, many seniors have a chronic health condition as diagnosed by a health professional. In 1999, 83% of all seniors living at home reported they had been diagnosed with at least one chronic health condition.

Arthritis and rheumatism are the most common chronic health problems reported by seniors. In 1999, 39% of seniors had one of these problems, while 33% had high blood pressure, 22% had food or other allergies, 18% had cataracts, 17% had back problems, 16% had chronic heart problems, and 11% had diabetes. At the same time, smaller percentages reported having urinary incontinence (7%), asthma (6%), chronic bronchitis or emphysema (5%), sinusitis (5%), ulcers (5%), glaucoma (5%), the effects of a stroke (4%), or migraine headaches (3%).

Percentage of seniors living at home who have
selected chronic conditions, 1999