Pneumonia in Seniors: Causes, Treatments, and Prevention

Edmonton Senior Health  |  January 27, 2020

What Every Senior in Edmonton, AB Needs to Know About Pneumonia and Senior Health

Pneumonia in seniors is a serious diagnosis. In their senior years, many deal with a weakened immune system. Due to this, seniors are more prone to various infections, such as pneumonia. The illness affects one or both lungs compromised by bacteria, fungi or viruses. Its strength can vary from mild to severe and can be fatal.

Reasons Why Pneumonia in Seniors is More Common

Lungs change as we age. As a result, seniors are not always able to clear secretions from their lungs. If those secretions travel to the bronchial tubes it can lead to an infection.

#1. Weakened immune systems:

Seniors have a weaker immune system which means they cannot fight off infection as well as they once did. Procedures like organ transplants or treatments such as chemotherapy further weaken the senior’s immune system. Even certain long-term medications can jeopardize a senior’s ability to fight germs and worse. 

#2. Senior health conditions:

Seniors who struggle with diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, HIV, cystic fibrosis, asthma, and COPD are more likely to get infected.

Signs of Pneumonia in Seniors

If a senior has been infected, they will experience fever, chills, shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing, fatigue, or their cold will suddenly worsen.

Pneumonia in Seniors & Treatment

A health provider will do a blood test and an X-ray to determine whether a senior has pneumonia. Seniors diagnosed with pneumonia will receive medication, fluids, oxygen, and painkillers.

Reducing the Risk of Pneumonia in Seniors

Luckily there are some ways seniors can lower their chances of being infected. Older adults should consult with their physicians to determine the best solution. 

#1. Get vaccinated:

Older adults in their senior years should get an annual flu shot and a pneumococcal vaccine that will protect them against pneumonia bacteria.

#2. Take steps to quit smoking:

Smoking can damage the lungs, and when the lungs’ defence systems are compromised they can easily get infected.

#3. Practice a healthy lifestyle:

With some lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and a well-balanced diet, seniors can boost their health and reduce the risk of pneumonia.

Comfort Keepers® in Edmonton Can Help with In-Home Elder Care!

Trained caregivers help provide our senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with 24-hour care.

We offer retirement care, respite care, senior care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, senior living transition services, and more! 

Companionship Care and Interactive Caregiving™

Our Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses companionship, safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs). Moreover, our trained caregivers are selected with one specific quality in mind, empathy. Empathetic care starts in the heart and allows us to meet our client’s needs.

Home Care Edmonton

To learn more about senior in-home care in Edmonton, contact the Comfort Keepers® office. Our service territory includes Edmonton, Devon, Sherwood Park, Stony Plain and surrounding areas, contact the Comfort Keepers Edmonton office at 780-465-4665.

Is Invoicing Modelling and Client Direct Home Care the Right Option for You?

Comfort Keepers® Edmonton is an Approved Service Provider for the Client Directed Homecare Invoicing (CDHCI) Program Offered by Alberta Health Services. Read more about the program HERE.

Comfort Keepers® Edmonton is here to help you and your loved ones get the best care possible. Recently awarded the “Accredited with Exemplary Standing” seal by Accreditation Canada, our Edmonton location has achieved the highest available certification in Canada for Home Care services. This honour demonstrates Comfort Keepers’ commitment to offering safe, high-quality home care to its senior clients in Edmonton.

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