Respiratory problems are a major health concern among senior citizens due to age-related physiological changes, reduced immunity, and increased exposure to environmental and lifestyle risk factors. This study aims to assess the common respiratory problems among older adults and identify associated contributing factors. A descriptive research design was adopted, and data were collected from senior citizens using a structured assessment tool. The study focused on identifying prevalent respiratory conditions such as chronic cough, breathlessness, asthma, bronchitis, and other age-related pulmonary issues. Findings indicate that a significant proportion of older adults experience one or more respiratory symptoms, with breathlessness and chronic cough being the most frequently reported. Factors, such as smoking history, exposure to air pollution, occupational hazards, and pre-existing chronic illnesses, were found to contribute to the increased occurrence of respiratory problems. Additionally, lack of awareness regarding early symptoms and delayed healthcare-seeking behavior further aggravates these conditions. The study highlights the importance of early detection, regular health check-ups, and health education in preventing and managing respiratory disorders among senior citizens. It also emphasizes the critical role of healthcare professionals, especially nurses, in promoting respiratory health, providing patient education, and ensuring timely interventions. Strengthening community-based healthcare services and implementing preventive strategies can significantly improve the quality of life of older adults.

Keywords: Respiratory problems, senior citizens, geriatric health, chronic respiratory conditions, health assessment

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1. Górski P, Białas AJ, Piotrowski WJ. Aging lung: Molecular drivers and impact on respiratory diseases-a narrative clinical review. Antioxidants (Basel). 2024;13(12):1480. doi: 3390/antiox13121480. PMID: 39765809; PMCID: PMC11673154.
2. Sharma G, Goodwin J. Effect of aging on respiratory system physiology and immunology. Clin Interv Aging. 2006;1(3):253–260. doi: 2147/ciia.2006.1.3.253. PMID: 18046878; PMCID: PMC2695176.
3. Joshi PR. Pulmonary diseases in older patients: Understanding and addressing the challenges. Geriatrics (Basel). 2024;9(2):34. doi: 10.3390/geriatrics9020034. PMID: 38525751; PMCID: PMC10961796. 3390/geriatrics9020034
4. Wesnawa MADP, Subagiarta IM, Nathania E. Lung aging and lung function assessment in elderly. JR [Internet]. 2025 Jan 30 [cited 2026 Mar 20];11(1):93–100. Available from: https://e-journal.unair.ac.id/JR/article/view/63805.
5. Torrelles JB, Restrepo BI, Bai Y, Ross C, Schlesinger LS, Turner J. The impact of aging on the lung alveolar environment, predetermining susceptibility to respiratory infections. Front Aging. 2022;3:818700. doi: 3389/fragi.2022.818700. PMID: 35821836; PMCID: PMC9261427.
6. Cho SJ, Stout-Delgado HW. Aging and lung disease. Annu Rev Physiol. 2020;82:433–459. doi: 1146/annurev-physiol-021119-034610. PMID: 31730381; PMCID: PMC7998901.
7. Smith J. Respiratory health and aging: Understanding age-related changes, common conditions, and effective strategies for maintaining optimal lung function in older adults. J Clin Resp Med. 2024;8(4):222.
8. Häder A, Köse-Vogel N, Schulz L, Mlynska L, Hornung F, Hagel S, et al. Respiratory infections in the aging lung: Implications for diagnosis, therapy, and prevention. Aging Dis. 2023;14(4):1091–1104.
9. Brown R, McKelvey MC, Ryan S, Creane S, Linden D, Kidney JC, et al. The impact of aging in acute respiratory distress syndrome: A clinical and mechanistic overview. Front Med (Lausanne). 2020;7:589553. doi: 3389/fmed.2020.589553. PMID: 33195353; PMCID: PMC7649269.
10. Rodríguez Mañas L, Rodríguez Sánchez I. Aging, sarcopenia, and frailty in chronic respiratory diseases. Arch Bronconeumol. 2019.

Respiratory problems are a major health concern among senior citizens due to age-related physiological changes, reduced immunity, and increased exposure to environmental and lifestyle risk factors. This study aims to assess the common respiratory problems among older adults and identify associated contributing factors. A descriptive research design was adopted, and data were collected from senior citizens using a structured assessment tool. The study focused on identifying prevalent respiratory conditions such as chronic cough, breathlessness, asthma, bronchitis, and other age-related pulmonary issues. Findings indicate that a significant proportion of older adults experience one or more respiratory symptoms, with breathlessness and chronic cough being the most frequently reported. Factors, such as smoking history, exposure to air pollution, occupational hazards, and pre-existing chronic illnesses, were found to contribute to the increased occurrence of respiratory problems. Additionally, lack of awareness regarding early symptoms and delayed healthcare-seeking behavior further aggravates these conditions. The study highlights the importance of early detection, regular health check-ups, and health education in preventing and managing respiratory disorders among senior citizens. It also emphasizes the critical role of healthcare professionals, especially nurses, in promoting respiratory health, providing patient education, and ensuring timely interventions. Strengthening community-based healthcare services and implementing preventive strategies can significantly improve the quality of life of older adults.

Keywords: Respiratory problems, senior citizens, geriatric health, chronic respiratory conditions, health assessment

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Górski P, Białas AJ, Piotrowski WJ. Aging lung: Molecular drivers and impact on respiratory diseases-a narrative clinical review. Antioxidants (Basel). 2024;13(12):1480. doi: 3390/antiox13121480. PMID: 39765809; PMCID: PMC11673154.
2. Sharma G, Goodwin J. Effect of aging on respiratory system physiology and immunology. Clin Interv Aging. 2006;1(3):253–260. doi: 2147/ciia.2006.1.3.253. PMID: 18046878; PMCID: PMC2695176.
3. Joshi PR. Pulmonary diseases in older patients: Understanding and addressing the challenges. Geriatrics (Basel). 2024;9(2):34. doi: 10.3390/geriatrics9020034. PMID: 38525751; PMCID: PMC10961796. 3390/geriatrics9020034
4. Wesnawa MADP, Subagiarta IM, Nathania E. Lung aging and lung function assessment in elderly. JR [Internet]. 2025 Jan 30 [cited 2026 Mar 20];11(1):93–100. Available from: https://e-journal.unair.ac.id/JR/article/view/63805.
5. Torrelles JB, Restrepo BI, Bai Y, Ross C, Schlesinger LS, Turner J. The impact of aging on the lung alveolar environment, predetermining susceptibility to respiratory infections. Front Aging. 2022;3:818700. doi: 3389/fragi.2022.818700. PMID: 35821836; PMCID: PMC9261427.
6. Cho SJ, Stout-Delgado HW. Aging and lung disease. Annu Rev Physiol. 2020;82:433–459. doi: 1146/annurev-physiol-021119-034610. PMID: 31730381; PMCID: PMC7998901.
7. Smith J. Respiratory health and aging: Understanding age-related changes, common conditions, and effective strategies for maintaining optimal lung function in older adults. J Clin Resp Med. 2024;8(4):222.
8. Häder A, Köse-Vogel N, Schulz L, Mlynska L, Hornung F, Hagel S, et al. Respiratory infections in the aging lung: Implications for diagnosis, therapy, and prevention. Aging Dis. 2023;14(4):1091–1104.
9. Brown R, McKelvey MC, Ryan S, Creane S, Linden D, Kidney JC, et al. The impact of aging in acute respiratory distress syndrome: A clinical and mechanistic overview. Front Med (Lausanne). 2020;7:589553. doi: 3389/fmed.2020.589553. PMID: 33195353; PMCID: PMC7649269.
10. Rodríguez Mañas L, Rodríguez Sánchez I. Aging, sarcopenia, and frailty in chronic respiratory diseases. Arch Bronconeumol. 2019.