Pneumonia is a serious lung infection, and seniors are more susceptible to it than younger people might be. Add in chronic health issues like heart disease or COPD, and pneumonia becomes a potentially dangerous illness that can send seniors to the hospital. That means it’s really important for family caregivers to learn what the earliest signs of pneumonia are so that they can help aging adults get treatment more quickly. Home care assistance providers can be a huge help in noticing some of these symptoms as well.
Fatigue and Confusion
Infections take a big toll on the body, which can lead to not only fatigue but also confusion, especially for aging adults. Seniors who are starting to become ill because of pneumonia may complain that they’re exhausted, even if they appear to be sleeping well. It might also be more difficult for them to pay attention to what’s going on around them because of the fatigue and the beginnings of the lung infection.
Fever or Chills
Fever and chills are common with all sorts of infections, including pneumonia. Seniors might start to mention that they’re feeling cooler than usual or that they just can’t get warm, even if it’s warm in the house. Sometimes a low-grade fever isn’t obvious, but the chills can be a more visible indication that there’s something else going on.
Shortness of Breath
Because pneumonia impacts the lungs, seniors might start to have more trouble breathing or even be short of breath. This might be obvious while they’re walking or trying to engage in activities. Sometimes seniors don’t notice that they’re experiencing shortness of breath until they are doing everyday activities and getting winded too easily.
Loss of Appetite
When seniors are getting sick, they may start to experience appetite changes. They might not be hungry at all or they might eat a lot less than they usually do during meals. This means their bodies aren’t getting the fuel they need, during a time when they’re starting to get sick. Home care assistance providers can help seniors stay on target with eating healthy meals and snacks, even if they’re experiencing diminished appetite.
Chest Pain or Coughing
Most people expect a lot of chest pain or coughing with pneumonia, but that isn’t always the most obvious symptom seniors experience. Sometimes the coughing and chest pain don’t show up until later, depending on the type of bacteria, fungus, or virus causing the infection. Unexplained chest pain or coughing should always be checked out by a medical provider, even if seniors feel like there isn’t anything wrong. Chest pain and coughing, along with other symptoms, could very well be an early sign of pneumonia.
Determining what type of pneumonia seniors are suffering from is something that their doctors can determine based on lab tests after an examination. Recovering from pneumonia can take a while, so it helps to have home care assistance available to offer assistance with daily tasks and whatever else is more difficult for seniors as they recover.