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Chronic Illness in Long Term Care

In order to best serve the residents of long term care facilities, health care professionals need to have an awareness of the most common chronic illnesses experienced by this population. In Alberta, the most common chronic illnesses in long term care are dementia, hypertension, and arthritis (Government of Alberta, 2017). On this page, you will find resources related to determinants of each of these conditions.

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Dementia

Determinants of Health Associated
With Dementia

  • Low socioeconomic status

  • Low education

  • High BMI in mid-life and decreasing BMI in later life

  • Low food security

  • High levels of stress,

  • Early life adversity

  • Racial discrimination

Determinants of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD)

  • Advanced neurodegeneration

  • Type of dementia

  • Severity of cognitive impairments

  • Declining functional abilities

  • Lack of communication

  • Lack of tailored activities

Hypertension
 

Determinants of Health Associated with Hypertension

  • Low education

  • Low family income

  • High body weight

  • Psychological and social stress

Arthritis

Determinants of Health Associated with Poorer Osteoarthritis Outcomes

  • Low education

  • Having a non-managerial/non-professional job

  • Percentage of neighbourhood living in poverty

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