Make chronic age-related diseases a high priority

Many of us focus on the wrinkles and gray hair that are an unavoidable part of the aging process. But with age also comes wisdom and knowledge gained through a lifetime of experience. As I look toward my own retirement, I want to be able to enjoy time with my family and friends, and share some of my own life lessons with the next generations. In order to ensure that I – and all of the other seniors in our community – have many healthy years ahead, we need to be absolutely certain that proper care for chronic aging-related diseases is seen a high priority.

Across the country, more than 11 million African American children grow up with a grandparent in the home. This dynamic can present a tremendous opportunity for different generations to learn from one another, and for grandparents to be actively involved in their grandchildren’s lives. Many of my friends have had more fun being a grandparent than they did raising their own children! But chronic diseases that disproportionately affect African American seniors, like high blood pressure and arthritis, can rob grandparents of this and other precious opportunities.

Most African American seniors have at least one chronic condition and many have multiple conditions, according the Department of Health and Human Services. Among the most frequently occurring chronic conditions are high blood pressure and diabetes. Both of these chronic diseases are more commonly seen in older African Americans than older whites, and they are also known risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, these factors may account for some of the differences in prevalence of Alzheimer’s among other racial groups: African Americans are nearly twice as likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s as their white counterparts.

Though we can’t control aging, we can take steps to manage chronic aging-related diseases. To manage conditions like hypertension and diabetes, it’s so important to follow your doctor’s recommendations – this means exercising, eating right and taking your medicine regularly. It is important to keep a list of your medicines, including non-prescription medicines, and give the list to each doctor you consult. Give a copy to a family member as well, and update it every time you visit your doctor or get a new prescription. Let your doctor know about any illnesses or conditions that you have for which another doctor or health care professional is treating you.

As we get older, it’s just as important to keep our minds active as it is our bodies. Social engagement with family and friends and participating in mentally stimulating activities can help seniors stay healthy and might also help to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease, according to The National Institute on Aging. These are simple steps we can take to ensure a high quality of life through our golden years.

America’s pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies were working on more than 2,000 new medicines for older Americans as of 2008, including 150 for diabetes and 91 for Alzheimer’s disease. But new treatments are wasted if the medicines that are developed don’t get to the patients who need them. For patients who need help accessing their prescription medicines to manage aging-related diseases, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) is available to help. For five years, PPA has helped connect 6.5 million patients in need to programs that provide either free or nearly free medicines that they require.

For more information, patients can call 1-888-4PPA-NOW or visit www.pparx.org.

Larry Lucas is a vice president for Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).