Feb 22, 2026Anemia and Iron Deficiency in Aging: Diagnosis, Causes, and Supplementation EvidenceAnemia affects 10–20% of adults over 65 and is independently associated with frailty, cognitive decline, and mortality. Iron deficiency is the most common cause but is often missed in older adults. Supplementation restores function when deficiency is confirmed — but iron excess is harmful and routine supplementation without deficiency is not indicated.