Old Age assessment to live a happy life

Old Age assessment to live a happy life 

Old Age assessment to live a happy life. First, we want to check the nutrition of the person. The body mass index is calculated in Old Age to determine recent weight loss, like loose skin folds. In Old Age, the vertebral height may be reduced.

Check for hydration, whether the skin is hydrated or not and the presence of any oedema, which means swelling caused by excess fluid collected in the body's tissues. 

Check for pulse, whether the rhythm of the heart is normal or not, and check for any heart conditions like atrial fibrillation. 

Check the blood pressure in the erect and supine positions. The condition is called postural hypotension, in which a person's blood pressure drops significantly when they stand up from sitting or lying down. 

Check the ear, whether the hearing ability is normal or not. Check for wax in the ear and check the ear by audiometry to determine whether there is a need for a hearing aid.

Check the eye for any cataract signs and check the power of the lens to know the need for wearing glasses or not. The vision of the eye should be checked for any blurred vision or loss of colour vision.

The cognitive function should be checked, that is, attention - focusing on tasks, memory - storing and recalling information, language - understanding and using words, reasoning and problem solving, decision making and perception, that means interpreting sensory input.

Usually, in old age, muscle wasting will be present. For example, in rheumatoid arthritis, wasting of small muscles in the hands will be present. 

Per rectum examination for any mass is present in the rectal region or not. In men, the prostate gland size should be checked and the anal tone should be checked, if there is decreased Anal tone, then there might be nerve damage,  spinal cord injury or a condition like fecal incontinence. 

Check the skin for any wounds/ulcers, infection and swelling is present or not. For example, senile purpura means any small, purple or dark red bruises on the forearm and hands due to thinning of skin and broken blood vessels called capillaries, usually they are usually harmless. Check for any venous ulceration in the lower legs that develops due to poor blood flow in the veins.

Check for any deformity, pain, swelling and restricted range of movements in the joints. For example, severe kyphosis means excessive forward curvature of the upper spine.

Check whether the gait and balance are normal or not, and whether there is any need for a walking aid.

An annual master health checkup is needed.