As a family caregiver, there are different health issues that are common in the elderly you should be aware of. Respiratory infections are just one type, but they include the majority of common illnesses in senior citizens. Learning about the various types of respiratory infections can help you and your home health care aide to better prepare for them if they happen.

Bacterial Pneumonia

One of the respiratory infections that is all too common in the elderly is bacterial pneumonia. If your elderly loved one gets this it could land them in the hospital very quickly. With this condition, there is fluid and inflammation in the lungs. Your elderly loved one may also develop chest pain due to fluid build-up and inflammation. They may have a fever and confusion, too. Generally, this condition is treated with antibiotics and other medications to manage the symptoms. When your elderly loved one comes home from the hospital, they may need additional care to get their medications. You can hire home health care providers to assist them.

Seasonal Influenza 

The flu or seasonal influenza is very dangerous for senior citizens. Did you know that around 90% of the deaths caused by the flu are among elderly people? If your elderly loved one develops the flu, some of the symptoms they may have include:

• Sore throat
• Cough
• Headache
• Chills
• Fever
• Digestive symptoms

Generally, the flu is treated with different types of antiviral medications. These are usually only effective if they start taking them when symptoms first start. If your elderly loved one is hospitalized or needs to be given medications at home, they may need home health care providers to assist with their medication regimen.

The Common Cold

In the days of Covid, the common cold isn’t talked about much, but it should be. There are many viruses that can cause a cold. The problem is that while some people don’t get very sick with the common cold, senior citizens can get extremely ill. Sure, it may not seem like sneezing, a runny nose, and a sore throat could do much to a person. However, the common cold can cause severe symptoms and even lead to pneumonia in the elderly. If your elderly loved one develops the common cold, make sure they are getting plenty of fluids and a lot of extra rest. If they are given medications to take at home, be sure they are taking them as prescribed.

Conclusion 

Unfortunately, many senior citizens who develop a respiratory infection need to be put on supplemental oxygen and other medications. Your elderly loved one may not be too thrilled with this. However, it is important that you and your home health care providers work with them to ensure they are taking their medications as prescribed. It is also important to ensure that they are getting the rest they need, so they can recover quicker from the illness.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Health Care in Mullica Hill, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Attentive Care Inc. at 1-800-493-5660

Sources

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15482146/#:~:text=The%20three%20types%20of%20respiratory,and%20nonpneumonic%20respiratory%20tract%20infection.