Caregiver Awareness: Understanding the Risk for Pneumonia

Caregivers in Avon, IN

caregivers-in-avon-inOne of your most important responsibilities as a family caregiver for your elderly loved ones is making sure that you understand the potential health risks that they face and doing what you can to empower them to avoid these risks, keep themselves healthy, and manage health problems should they arise. This helps them to live a higher quality of life and continue to enjoy an active, engaged, and happy lifestyle that will protect their mental and emotional health as well.

As you head into the fall and winter seasons, one of the health concerns that you should pay particular attention to is pneumonia. A leading cause of death among elderly adults over the age of 64, pneumonia is an infection within the lungs that causes fluids to build up and can lead to a potentially fatal infections throughout the bloodstream and the rest of the body.

There are several reasons pneumonia is more prevalent, and more severe, among older adults than younger adults, including:

• Other health concerns. Many seniors have several other health ailments that impact their immune system, making them much more vulnerable to contracting infections. Some of these conditions include diabetes, HIV, asthma, cancer, and cystic fibrosis.

• Suppressed immune system. Elderly adults have weaker immune systems than younger adults, making it more difficult for them to fight off infections. It is important to remember that while pneumonia is contagious, most seniors actually contract it due to the bacteria that already exists in their respiratory systems, or as a progression of a respiratory illness they have recently suffered, such as a cold or the flu.

• Recent surgery. Recent surgery or illness can make a senior much more susceptible to developing pneumonia, and reduce their ability to fight off and recover from the illness. Pain causes people to take shallow breaths, reducing the ability of the lungs to push out fluids, including mucus, causing bacteria to flourish.

Some things to look out for when determining if your senior may be suffering from pneumonia include:

  • Sudden worsening of cold or flu symptoms
  • Fever
  • Lethargy or marked fatigue
  • Coughing
  • Fever
  • Green or yellow mucus or discharge
  • Chills
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath

If you are concerned that your aging loved one may be suffering from pneumonia, do not hesitate to get in touch with their doctor to schedule a complete exam. Early detection allows a doctor to determine if the pneumonia is viral or bacterial quickly so that your senior can get on the right course of treatment as soon as possible. This helps to prevent the sickness from becoming severe. If the illness does progress to a serious level, you should expect an extended recovery period that may require additional care and assistance for your loved one to ensure he gets the rest his body needs to recover fully.

The professionals at Great Care are available to talk with you and your family about all of your home care needs. Great Care is a non medical in-home care agency providing quality and affordable caregivers in Avon, IN and the surrounding areas. Call (317) 595-9933 for more information.

About Julie Sullivan

Julie Sullivan is the Owner at GreatCare of Indianapolis IN.
GreatCare is a licensed, personal services agency, providing in-home care services to the Indianapolis, Indiana and surrounding areas. We serve the personal health and daily care needs of seniors or individuals who prefer to stay at home, but require assistance with everyday activities, such as dressing, personal hygiene, meal preparation, laundry or errands. Our team of certified nurse aids and home health aids can provide you with personalized, in-home care services to meet your needs, including:
Daytime hourly in-home care
Temporary or post-hospital respite care
24-hour, around-the-clock home care
Morning and evening care
Overnight / Slumber care
In addition, we offer our Care Compass service, to assist in setting the course for the next stage in your loved ones life. We guide you through the currents of aging, and help you find your true north. Our licensed nurses, with experience in hospice and geriatric care, will help guide you through the complex and often sensitive journey of selecting an in-home care service, and will provide a smooth transition to a new way of life for your loved one, without the anxiety and fear.

Our current nursing and management team has more than 75 years of combined experience in the home healthcare services industry. All of our caregivers are bonded, insured and screened thoroughly, so you know you’ll be receiving the greatest care possible. That’s why we stand by our mission: to deliver the same, quality care we expect for ourselves and our loved ones.
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