Anemia is a prevalent problem among community-dwelling seniors, with prevalence estimates ranging from 9–18 percent in males and 8–13 percent in women. Anemia affects more than 20 percent of those aged 85 and more, a rapidly expanding segment of the world's population. Importantly, only about 1% of community-dwelling older persons have haemoglobin levels below 10 g/dL, indicating that the bulk of anaemia cases are moderate. Anemia is more severe in institutionalised settings, such as nursing homes, where the frequency of anaemia in older people ranges from 48–63 percent. Anemia, also known as anaemia or erythrocytopenia, is a disorder in which the quantity of red blood cells (RBCs) or haemoglobin in the blood is lower than normal. Nonetheless, during the last decade, multiple studies have demonstrated that anaemia is an independent predictor of a range of negative outcomes in both community-dwelling and institutionalised older persons. Bleeding, decreased red blood cell formation, and increased red blood cell breakdown can all contribute to anaemia. Trauma and gastrointestinal bleeding are two common causes of bleeding. Iron insufficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, thalassemia, and a variety of bone marrow neoplasms are also causes of reduced production. Genetic abnormalities like sickle cell anaemia, infections like malaria, and some autoimmune diseases can contribute to accelerated breakdown.
