
Diseases in the Nursing Home Setting: 15 Common Diseases
What diseases in the nursing home setting are common among residents? Due to old age, mental and physical illnesses, the elderly have reduced their ability and do not have the same vitality as before. They lose their physical and mental health during this period of their lives. As people get older, the possibility of physical and mental illnesses increases, the elderly need more specialized care and maintenance.
You would like to know the common diseases of the elderly and their needs and treat them quickly and better through appropriate methods. Understanding common nursing home diseases and providing guidance about them can be helpful both for nurses who care for the elderly and for the elderly themselves and their families, so that they can take timely action if a suspected complication occurs.
In this article from the humanhealthmag, we will examine common diseases in the nursing home setting. Of course, we should note that these diseases are also seen in elderly people who live with their families, but they are more prevalent in nursing homes.
8 Common Contagious Diseases in the Nursing Home Setting
Because the number of people living in nursing homes is large and these loved ones also have weak immune systems due to their age, some diseases will definitely be more prevalent in nursing homes.
Elderly people who live in nursing homes receive more healthcare and medical attention. Careful medical monitoring and frequent check-ups can have a positive impact on increasing the quality of life of the elderly. However, note that the possibility of contracting some contagious diseases such as viruses is higher in nursing homes than at home, although nursing home and care center staff do their best to maintain hygiene.

Since the number of elderly people in nursing homes is large and they live together in groups, the possibility of contracting various contagious and infectious diseases is higher in this environment. Most common contagious diseases in the nursing home setting are:
- Meningitis
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
- Bedsore Infection
- Bacterial Arthritis
- Bacteremia (presence of bacteria in the blood)
- Pulmonary tuberculosis
- Pneumonia
- Infectious diarrhea
You can find more information about each of these diseases at nursing home infections.
Most Common Diseases of the Elderly
The elderly are not only affected by the common diseases in the nursing home setting we have introduced. There are many age-related diseases that the elderly are more likely to suffer from. Therefore, every elderly person should spend this period in the best way with the help of those around them. If your parents are elderly, it is better to be familiar with the diseases that are common in the elderly, and if not, seek help from a specialist elderly nurse at home. Below, we introduce you to the top 15 most common diseases for older adults:
- Chronic diseases
Diseases that are associated with elderly patients for a long time and most of the time are called chronic diseases. The most common chronic diseases are geriatric diabetes, cancer, stroke, heart attack, etc. According to research, 90 percent of the elderly suffer from a chronic disease. Meanwhile, about 70 percent of them die due to chronic diseases. We suggest that in order to prevent the elderly from contracting the most common diseases in nursing homes, they should be examined by specialist doctors annually.
- Diabetes
One of the most common diseases in the elderly and even middle-aged people is diabetes. Diabetes is a disease that remains with the patient until the end of life. This disease occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body has become resistant to the insulin produced.
- Physical Damage
Since people’s ability decreases during old age and their organs do not have the strength they used to, elderly people suffer from many physical injuries during this period of their lives, the treatments for which are more time-consuming and difficult.
- Reduction of the Five Senses
The five senses of people in old age, especially the senses of sight and hearing of the elderly, suffer from many problems. One in five elderly people has vision and hearing problems, but today, due to the advancement of science, these problems have much more advanced and convenient treatments.

- Oral and Dental Problems
Usually, the elderly do not have healthy teeth, and very few people have healthy teeth. The lack of teeth in the elderly causes other diseases such as stomach problems, malnutrition, etc. in them. Nowadays, it is very easy to solve this problem, and as a result, by solving this problem, the condition of the elderly improves.
- Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction
Elderly people may lose the ability to control their bladder and bowel for reasons such as various diseases and reduced muscle strength. The best ways to improve this situation are to improve nutrition and control the weight of the elderly.
- Malnutrition
Diagnosing malnutrition in the elderly is very difficult and not easily possible. Malnutrition in the elderly occurs for various reasons, lack of teeth and lack of attention to proper nutrition of the elderly are considered to be the most important reasons for this common disease in the nursing home setting.
- Eating Disorders
The appetite of the elderly is disturbed during this period of their lives. One of the common disorders in the appetite of the elderly is anorexia nervosa. This disorder occurs in the elderly for various reasons, including:
- Depression
- Memory disorders
- Untreated problems during youth
- Cognitive disorders
- Death of loved ones
- Lack of attention to the elderly
- Changes in the sense of taste and smell, which often occur due to the use of various medications
Would you like to learn about tricks to stimulate appetite in the elderly?
- Mental disorders
Did you know that about 15% of the elderly over 65 years of age suffer from specific mental disorders, especially depression. Yes, unfortunately, mental problems and disorders are the most common diseases in Nursing Homes. Physical diseases of old age, chronic diseases, loss of spouse and dependents due to death, problems of old age, and etc. are considered factors in the formation of mental disorders in the elderly.
- Mood Disorders
Anxiety is one of the most important mood disorders that is very common among the elderly in nursing homes. Usually, elderly people who are anxious also experience depression. Diagnosing anxiety in the elderly is not easy because elderly people usually do not show psychological symptoms. Elderly women are more likely to suffer from anxiety than elderly men. Anxiety has specific symptoms, including restlessness, constant fatigue, irritability, muscle cramps, and uncontrollable worries.
Depression is known to be the most common mental problem among the elderly in nursing homes. If depression is not treated, it disrupts the person’s functions and also causes physical disorders. It is interesting to know that depression has an impact on the occurrence of chronic physical disorders. In general, the elderly avoid treatment for depression and, if treated, require more medication.
- Bipolar Disorder
This disorder occurs due to high psychological stress and the elderly person’s mood changes suddenly and unpredictably. It should be noted that this disorder is also difficult to diagnose in the elderly. Bipolar disorder occurs equally in women and men. It has specific symptoms including psychosis, confusion, irritability, hyperactivity, memory problems, inability to understand, inability to judge and inability to solve problems. Some diseases and the use of some medications also lead to the appearance of these symptoms.

- Cognitive disorders
Dementia can be introduced as another common and widespread disease of old age. The cause of dementia and the treatment of this disease are still not discovered, if the doctor diagnoses this disease at the right time, it can be controlled.
- Drug disorders
The elderly take various medications due to the various diseases they suffer from. If a medication is taken incorrectly, or the dosage is increased or decreased, or the time of its use is changed, the elderly person will suffer from drug disorders. This will lead to various physical problems.
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
Given that the bones, skeletal structure, and muscles of the elderly are worn out, they suffer from diseases related to the skeleton and bones. The most common of these diseases are types of arthritis and herniated disk.
- Respiratory diseases, or lung diseases
Since the elderly have a weak immune system, they are more at risk of respiratory diseases than others. Pneumonia is one of these diseases in nursing homes that occurs following a lung infection. Many of these diseases are caused by an unhealthy lifestyle and lack of personal hygiene.
- Cancers
Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body multiply abnormally. It is important to note that one in two people will develop some form of cancer at some point in their lives. The following are some common symptoms of cancer that should prompt you to see a healthcare if you notice them:
- Noticing an unexpected lump
- Unexplained blood in your urine, stool, vomit, or when you cough
- Unexplained weight loss
Concluding Remarks
The common diseases of old age are a natural part of the aging process that appear due to physiological, genetic and lifestyle changes of people during their lifetime. However, many diseases in the nursing home setting can be prevented or controlled. Through healthy nutrition, regular physical activity, periodic medical care, and stress management, the quality of life of the elderly can be improved and the severity and progression of these diseases can be reduced.
Also, paying attention to the psychological and social aspects of the elderly’s life plays an effective role in maintaining their physical and mental health. By adopting healthy lifestyles and being aware of the specific needs of old age, the elderly can spend more years of their lives in health and peace.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Common Contagious Diseases in Nursing Homes?
Common contagious diseases in nursing homes include urinary tract infections, respiratory illnesses like influenza and pneumonia, skin infections such as cellulitis, and gastrointestinal infections like norovirus.
How Does Close Living Proximity Contribute to Disease Spread?
Nursing homes often house a large number of residents in close quarters, which facilitates the rapid transmission of infectious diseases. The combination of shared spaces and frequent interactions among residents, staff, and visitors increases the likelihood of outbreaks if proper infection control measures are not implemented.
What Infection Control Measures Are Essential in Nursing Homes?
Effective infection control measures in nursing homes include vaccination programs for both residents and staff, strict hand hygiene protocols, isolation of infected individuals, and regular cleaning and disinfection of surfaces.
How Can Families Help Prevent Diseases in the Nursing Home Setting?
Families can help prevent infections by encouraging good hygiene practices among residents, ensuring that vaccinations are up-to-date, and being vigilant about any signs of illness.