Senior Health: What Seniors Should Know About Lyme Disease

Senior Safety  |  April 11, 2024

What Every Senior in North Vancouver and West Vancouver Needs to Know About Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease and Senior Health | Ticks are small arachnids that bite down into the skin and attach themselves to feed on the host’s blood. These arachnids perch themselves on tall blades of grass or plant stems and wait for something – or someone – to brush past to attach themselves to.

Over the last few decades, the tick population in Canada has increased. As a result, the number of cases related to the diseases ticks carry has also risen. Lyme disease, in particular, is of growing concern. This disease can be dangerous for all ages, but it poses a much greater risk for seniors, whose immune systems can be less effective.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 300,000 cases of Lyme disease are diagnosed in North America each year.

The Importance of Early Detection in Lyme Disease Cases

Ticks are found throughout Canada, and bites are common from April through September. Ticks secrete a natural anesthetic, and some people may not even be aware that they’ve been bitten. Others may remove the tick and move on, viewing it more as a nuisance than a carrier of disease. That’s why seniors must understand the early signs of Lyme disease. The sooner they begin treatment, the greater their chances of overcoming the illness.

Lyme Disease and Senior Health – What to Lookout For:

One of the difficulties in diagnosing Lyme disease is that many symptoms mimic those found in other conditions and diseases commonly found in seniors. 

Take the case of songwriter and actor Kris Kristofferson. He was misdiagnosed for years as having Alzheimer’s, when in fact the source of his memory loss was caused by Lyme disease. Detailed information, in this case, is paramount to diagnosis and treatment.

Lyme Disease Symptoms:

#1. Fever, chills, and joint aches

#2. A rash with a bull’s eye-like appearance (a small red bump just after a tick bite is common and not always indicative of Lyme disease)

#3. Swollen lymph nodes

#4. Intense migraines

#5. Dizziness and shortness of breath

#6. Problems with short-term memory

Above all, time is of the essence when it comes to Lyme disease, and seniors should never shrug off the symptoms. The longer Lyme disease goes untreated in seniors, the harder it becomes to cure. Even when late-stage Lyme disease is treated, the lingering effects, such as fatigue and nausea, may never fully go away.

If seniors report any of the symptoms listed above and have been outside, it is important to speak with a physician. If Lyme disease is detected, an antibiotic will be prescribed and the infection will resolve within two to three weeks.

Reducing the Risk of Lyme Disease in Seniors:

Lyme disease is a great risk for seniors, but it should not deter them from enjoying the outdoors. Taking a few precautionary steps can help seniors avoid these bloodsuckers almost entirely. 

1. Before embarking on a walk or hike, it’s important to have clothing that covers the arms and legs. Ticks are more likely to attach themselves to these areas. 
2. Apply a tick-repellent product when warmer and longer clothing isn’t a sensible option. 
3. Sticking to the center of trails and walking paths can also help, as can avoiding areas with high or thick vegetation. 
4. Upon activity completion, seniors should check themselves thoroughly for the presence of ticks or indications of a tick bite.

Spending time outside can be a key component of our physical and emotional well-being. At Comfort Keepers®, we want to ensure that seniors have the means to do just that. Our caregivers can help clients dress appropriately for a hike or walk – with clothing that will reduce the risk of tick bites – and accompany them every step. 

Comfort Keepers® North Vancouver and West Vancouver Can Help with In-Home Elderly Care Services!

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with 24-hour care. Our senior care agency offers dementia care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, senior living transition services, and much more! 

Comfort Keepers® is a Senior Care Agency That Can Make a Difference with Interactive Caregiving™

Our expert in-home caregivers will strive to ensure your senior loved one has the best quality of life possible, bringing joy and good health to their home environment. Our Interactive Caregiving™ program ensures all needs in terms of safety, nutrition, mental well-being, and everyday activities of home care services are met.

Quality and Accredited Elderly Care In-Home: Happier, Healthier, and at Home with 24/7 Care Opportunities!

Have you been thinking about Nursing Homes as a solution? Do you need a Home Care solution for you or a loved one? Comfort Keepers® supports seniors in North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and the surrounding areas, enabling them to maintain happy, healthy lives in the comfort of their own homes.

We achieve this by delivering top-quality, compassionate care and safety technology solutions, fostering independence, and enhancing overall well-being.

Moreover, our seasoned in-home caregivers are carefully chosen based on their empathetic qualities. Our care centers around companionship for seniors. Empathetic care originates from the soul and allows us to meet our client’s requirements. 

Senior Homecare Near Me

Contact the Comfort Keepers® North Vancouver and West Vancouver office to learn more about our unique service offering.

Comfort Keepers is an Accredited Senior Care Agency in North and West Vancouver, BC

Comfort Keepers®, the premium home care service for Seniors on the North Shore, was awarded the “Accredited with Exemplary Standing” seal by Accreditation Canada. Achieving the highest available certification in Canada for Accredited Home care services demonstrates Comfort Keepers® commitment to offering safe, high-quality home care to its senior clients in North Vancouver and West Vancouver.

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References:
Government of Canada. “Lyme Disease”. Web 2018.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Signs and Symptoms of Untreated Lyme Disease.” Web. 2018.
ThoughtCo. “How Do Ticks Get On You?” by Debbie Hadley. Web. 2017.
Interim Healthcare. “Are ticks dangerous for the elderly?” Web. 2018.

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