Slovak seniors neglect prevention as they get older and attend preventive examinations less and less. They are most often treated for high blood pressure, diabetes, oncological diseases, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, but also diseases associated with reduced mental abilities. This follows from the data of the National Center for Health Information (NCZI), which appeals to the importance of prevention in the elderly. TASR was informed about this by the spokeswoman of the center, Alena Krčová.
- Slovak seniors are getting fewer and fewer preventive health check-ups.
- NCZI reports that only 40% of seniors visit a general practitioner.
- The main expert mentions factors such as mental health or movement difficulties.
- Diagnosis is often complicated by numerous drugs and unobtrusive symptoms of diseases.
- Experts appeal for the help of younger people in caring for the elderly.
NCZI clarified that approximately 40 percent of seniors, i.e. people over 65 years of age, attend preventive examinations at the general practitioner. “While 60-year-olds are among the most exemplary adults and half of them participate in preventive examinations, after 70 their interest in their own health decreases. At the age of 80 and over, less than a third of patients undergo a check-up with a general practitioner once every two years.” added Krčová.
Etela Janeková, the chief expert of the Ministry of Health for general medicine, sees several factors behind the falling prevention curve, such as the deteriorating mental health of seniors. “At that time, patients have no concept of the passage of time and visit ambulances only in acute cases, or not even ambulances, but rather emergency services and emergency rooms in hospitals. Many times the cause is also movement difficulties, there is no one to bring them, escort them to the ambulance,” explained the doctor.
She explained that general practitioners devote most of their working time to people over 65, as chronic diseases that need to be diagnosed, regularly monitored and treated increase with age. It is also common for seniors to have multiple diagnoses at the same time. At the same time, Janeková emphasized that by treating chronic diseases at an early stage, it is possible not only to extend life expectancy, but also to improve its quality. However, according to her, the diagnosis of seniors is often complicated by the number of medications they take, as well as the fact that they sometimes lack symptoms of the disease, or they are less noticeable.
The expert appeals to young people to take an active interest in their grandparents. “It should be borne in mind that older people often neglect their drinking regime, which is especially important for them. They feel thirst less intensely and easily fall into dehydration. It doesn’t hurt if their children and grandchildren occasionally check to see if they are taking their medication regularly. Many seniors, as well as doctors, will certainly appreciate it when their relatives accompany them directly to the ambulance. Seniors often don’t know or can’t remember the instructions from the doctor, they may not understand some correctly. A loved one can remind them of important information later.” explained Janeková.
