Anemia in the elderly anemia is a condition that happens when you have a lack of healthy red blood cells or a lack of hemoglobin a main component of red blood cells it can be caused by blood loss decreased red blood cell production and or destruction of red blood cells. Blood disorders in the elderly will provide hematologists geriatricians and all clinicians involved in the care of patients with blood disorders with clear clinical advice on the diagnosis and management of these conditions the introductory section reviews epidemiology of aging and anemia and provides a comprehensive approach to the management of cancer in the aging patient this is followed . Blood disorders in the elderly s nadesan md harrington cancer center amarillo t x some statistics 2000 decennial census 35 million adults 65 years and older 124 of the total us population projected to grow to 40 one out of five will be elderly the oldest old 85 years and older projected to grow 400 and will represent the fastest growing age group in the usa anemia in older . There are additional rare acquired bleeding disorders that predominantly affect the elderly one of them is acquired hemophilia which is an autoimmune disorder arising from antibodies against factor viii the treatment challenge rests in the use of hemostatic agents in a population that is already at increased risk for thrombotic complications