Chronic conditions can have serious effects on older adults. These illnesses can affect quality of life, physical health, and overall mental well-being.

A chronic condition is a long-term health issue lasting for a few months or more. It is generally manageable but not curable.

These conditions can lead to functional limitations, financial burdens on the individual and the healthcare system, and increased healthcare utilization. Most adults over age 65 will develop at least one chronic condition.

The population is aging. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around a quarter of the United States population will be 65 years or older by 2060.

Aging can increase the risk of chronic conditions, such as:

According to 2025 research, 93% of older adults had one or more chronic conditions as of 2023.

The three most common chronic conditions reported in older adults in the United States include:

According to the CDC, another common chronic condition is obesity. In the United States, 2 in 5 adults have obesity. This includes 38.9% of adults ages 60 and over.

Chronic illness can affect every aspect of a person’s life, including their overall quality of life.

A review from 2019 notes that older adults with chronic conditions can have difficulty performing activities of daily living (ADL). ADLs refer to an individual’s daily self-care activities, including:

  • feeding
  • bathing
  • grooming
  • dressing
  • homemaking
  • leisure

This can lead to a lack of independence. Chronic conditions may also make it more difficult for older adults to communicate with others and can affect their mobility.

Did you know?

Medicare offers chronic care plans. These plans can help direct your healthcare. They list information about your health and the care you require.

Chronic care management (CCM) is a collection of resources that are available to Medicare beneficiaries with two or more chronic conditions.

Chronic conditions can affect a person’s mental health. The loss of autonomy and independence can contribute to the development of the symptoms of depression. A study from 2024 notes that ADL difficulties can lead to anxiety and depression in older adults.

The disability that can stem from chronic conditions in older adults can have serious effects on an individual’s mental health. This may be due to various factors, including the inability to do certain things for themselves, not having a lot of social interaction, and not being able to leave their home very much.

This can all lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, and isolation. Caregivers can help with this by focusing on an individual’s mental health as well as their physical health. Caregivers can encourage hobbies and social interaction to help lessen feelings of loneliness.

Living with a chronic condition can be difficult. It can lower a person’s overall quality of life and can lead to mental health issues like depression. There are ways people can help manage their condition and improve their quality of life.

Care and treatment plan

Work with your healthcare professional to create a treatment plan. Once you have a treatment plan, it is important to stick to it:

  • Take all your medications as instructed.
  • Monitor your health at home and keep the schedule you agree on with your healthcare professional.
  • Schedule and keep regular check ups with your healthcare professional.

Learn more

Learning more about your condition or conditions can help you make informed decisions about your health and treatment plans.

The CDC notes that self-management education (SME) programs can help you learn skills to:

  • manage symptoms
  • reduce stress
  • improve eating and sleeping habits
  • maintain a healthy lifestyle

You can use the Eldercare Locator to find organizations in your area and see if they offer programs related to your conditions.

Physical activity and nutrition

Regular physical activity is an important part of overall well-being. It can also help manage chronic conditions and prevent complications.

Other benefits of physical activity include:

  • helping you function and sleep better
  • helping you remain independent and physically fit so you can complete daily tasks
  • helping you to manage your weight
  • helping to decrease pain and improve function if you have arthritis
  • helping improve your mental health

The CDC recommends that those who are able to, try to get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week.

Eating a nutritious, balanced diet is another important part of managing chronic conditions and preventing complications. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 notes that a nutritious eating plan should:

  • highlight fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat-free or low fat milk and milk products
  • include a variety of proteins, such as lean meats, poultry, seafood, eggs, soy products, and legumes
  • contain low levels of cholesterol, sugar, sodium, saturated fat, and trans fat
  • stay within the recommended caloric intake
»Learn more: Balanced diet.

Many older adults live with at least one chronic condition. Some of the most commonly reported chronic conditions are arthritis, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Having a chronic condition can affect your daily life and make it difficult to perform daily tasks, especially as you age. However, there are ways you can manage your conditions, including working with your healthcare professional to create a treatment plan and following it, getting regular physical activity, and eating a balanced diet.