While many people often consider pneumonia a cold-weather condition, it can occur at any time of the year, and for senior citizens, it is just as possible for them to develop pneumonia in the beautiful summer months as it is during the cold, dreary winter months. As a caregiver, understanding the symptoms of pneumonia, as well as the severe health consequences it can have for your senior loved one, is important to help you assist her in reducing her risk of developing the condition. Hiring companion care at home providers can help them with their path to recovery.
What is Pneumonia?
Pneumonia occurs when the air sacs in one or both lungs become inflamed due to an infection. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, and the symptoms can be mild to severe and even life-threatening. While antibiotics and rest are the common cure for pneumonia, for elderly individuals, recovery can take longer due to weakened immune systems and other health conditions. A mild case of pneumonia can quickly escalate to a severe and dangerous case if your loved one isn’t careful.
Why The Elderly are At Greater Risk of Severe Pneumonia
As touched on a bit earlier, three key factors can make having pneumonia a more dangerous condition for an elderly individual than a younger person.
- A weakened immune system. The immune system gradually weakens as a person ages. With a weaker immune system, the body has to work harder to fight off infections, giving those infections the time needed to get worse and cause more harm.
- The lungs are more prone to damage. With age, the lungs lose muscle strength and elasticity, making it more difficult for them to clear mucus and other debris from the airways. Because of that decrease in function, it’s much easier for fluid to build up and much harder to clear it out.
- Many elderly individuals have other health conditions that can complicate pneumonia treatment. Having conditions such as diabetes or heart disease can make it more difficult to treat the condition and can put additional strain on the body as it tries to heal.
Pneumonia Symptoms
Pneumonia often starts out looking like a bad cold with some extreme congestion, but then quickly gets worse as fluid begins to build up in the lungs.
Common symptoms to watch for in your senior include:
- Feeling weak or unsteady on her feet.
- Extreme exhaustion and lack of energy.
- A persistent cough that brings up a lot of phlegm.
- Chest pain that gets worse when she tries to take a deep breath.
- Wheezing while breathing.
- A lack of appetite.
- Fever and chills
Pneumonia Recovery at Home
If your loved one develops pneumonia, it could become serious enough that she’ll need to stay in the hospital to recover. Once she returns home, she’ll need to continue to rest, eat well, and take any medications prescribed. You can help your loved one continue to recover at home by having a companion care at home provider help her around her home so she doesn’t overextend herself. A companion care at home provider can help with meals, so she’s eating nutritious meals that will provide her body with healthy nutrients that support recovery. A companion care at home provider can also help her with home chores like laundry that may be too physically taxing for her right now. The more help your loved one can get, the more quickly she’ll recover.