1/3 of Tunisia’s elderly suffer from high blood pressure   Tunis - Nébil Zeghdoud A team of medical experts at the National Institute of Public Health headed up by geriatric specialist Dr. Saeed El Hagam released its finding in latest study citing a 1/3 of Tunisia’s elderly suffer from high blood pressure, 10% from diabetes, 2.6% from dementia and 21% suffer from depression.
El Hagam said “Given the increase high blood pressure a number of preventive measures need to be adopted early on order for our patience to enjoy a fuller quality of life.”
The study conducted among a senior community stated "there is a rise in the incidence of chronic non-communicable diseases such as heart, arterial, blood pressure and diabetes. In addition many suffer from osteoporosis and several types of cancer such as colon, stomach, breast and lung.  All of these diseases including cataracts, which is a condensation in the lens of the eye also considered to be the first sign of loss of vision, and several physical and mental disabilities that limit their abilities causing a loss of independence.
Dr El Hagams research concludes that early prevention and detection is critical in chronic case diseases, and recognizes this as the main cause that hinders the elderly. We need to address these cases directly, systematically and continuously, and by following a healthy, balanced diet with a commitment to leading a healthy lifestyle guarantees psychological balance among the elder, as well as combats physical inactivity, which is directly proportional with the reduction of chronic diseases and its negative complications. Moreover, carrying out activities that contribute to the intellectual development of senior citizens cognitive faculties is essential to eliminate Alzheimer's disease not to mention isolation and reclusion.
A specialist in the area of aging diseases, stresses the need for clinics specialized in geriatrics diseases to focus more on internal medicine and osteopathic and rehabilitation physical medicine in order to enable the elderly to enjoy a treatment specific to the needs of their case, and work to promote day time healing, which plays an active role in bringing the services closer to the patients through the creation of intermediate centers between the hospital and home that is pledged to the task of securing the patient's recovery and rehabilitation of the elderly to return to live in their homes after their hospital stay.
This experiment has proven successful in developed countries where it helps to reduce the period of stay in hospital which in turn reduces the coast of treatment and can be a rather positive effect on health insurance.