Approximately 80% of older adults have at least one chronic disease, and 77% are living with at least two. Some of the most common chronic diseases among older adults include hypertension and heart disease; Alzheimer’s disease and dementia; arthritis; and diabetes. Two in five Japanese Americans in Southern California have hypertension, two in five have arthritis, and about 9% have diabetes.
Health and disease-specific organizations provide education, resources, caregiver support, and other tools to raise awareness about and help prevent and/or manage symptoms associated with numerous chronic and serious diseases.