Pneumonia in Seniors: Symptoms, Treatments, and Prevention

Vancouver Senior Health  |  November 30, 2020

What Every Senior in Vancouver, BC Needs to Know About Pneumonia This Cold and Flu Season

Pneumonia in Seniors | As a natural part of aging, seniors are much more susceptible to medical complications – including pneumonia. Pneumonia, one of the most common infections in older adults, is an inflammatory condition that affects air sacks in one or both lungs. The symptoms of pneumonia can range from mild to severe. Unfortunately, when seniors are in question, pneumonia can be fatal.

This article can help you recognize the signs of pneumonia and learn more about available treatment options, helping your loved ones stay healthy throughout their golden years.

Symptoms of Pneumonia in Seniors

The common signs of pneumonia are coughing, fever, chills, shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing out green or yellow sputum, and fatigue. A sudden worsening of the cold or flu can be also triggered by pneumonia.

Why Is Pneumonia More Common in Seniors?

Lungs change as we age – Our respiratory system gets weaker with age. As a result, seniors sometimes cannot properly clear out the secretion that may accumulate in their lungs. When those secretions go down into the bronchial tubes, an infection may arise.

Weak immune system – Aging adults have a hard time fighting off infections because of their deteriorating immune systems. Certain health issues can even make these infections more severe – issues such as recent organ transplants, long-time steroid use, chemotherapy, and more.

Chronic medical conditions – Many seniors live with health conditions that make them more vulnerable to pneumonia. Diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, various types of cancer, cystic fibrosis, asthma, bronchiectasis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can all lead to developing pneumonia in the golden years.

Treatments for Pneumonia in Seniors

Your loved one’s physician will typically recommend a chest X-ray and blood tests. This will help determine whether they have pneumonia and find out about the origin of the infection. If pneumonia is bacterial, a doctor will prescribe antibiotics. On the other hand, when the infection is viral, the treatment will call for antiviral medicine. To alleviate the symptoms and boost treatment, doctors may also recommend your loved one take fluids, oxygen, and pain relief.

Minimizing the Risk of Pneumonia in the Elderly

There are several ways through which seniors can significantly reduce the risk of developing pneumonia. For instance, your elderly loved one can:

• Get a one-time pneumococcal vaccine and receive a seasonal flu shot once a year.
• Maintain good hygiene and wash hands regularly
• Refrain from tobacco or quit smoking altogether
• Practice a healthy lifestyle consisting of senior-friendly exercise and a well-balanced, nutritious diet.

Comfort Keepers® is the Best Senior Home Care Provider in Vancouver, BC

Comfort Keepers® is the preferred choice for many families when arranging senior home care services for a loved one in or around Vancouver. 

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with Respite Care, Overnight Care, Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care, End of Life Care, and much more! 

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver Can Help with Companion Care and Interactive Caregiving™

Trained caregivers help provide senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. Our Interactive Caregiving™ delivers a system of care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Our philosophy is to elevate the human spirit and our caregivers will be there every step of the way to ensure your loved one has a better quality of life. Personal and empathetic care is care that starts in the heart, and it allows us to meet our clients’ exact needs. 

Senior Homecare in Vancouver, BC

Learn more about our unique service which offers personal care, companionship care, palliative care, and end-of-life care by contacting the Comfort Keepers® Vancouver office.

Comfort Keepers® Brings You The Best Home Care Assistance for Seniors Right Where You Live.

We are proud to provide home care throughout Vancouver that keeps seniors safe in their homes. We provide home care for the seniors of Vancouver and the surrounding areas of Burnaby, Langley, Maple Ridge, and Richmond please call (604) 689-8609. 

Quality and Accredited Respite Care for British Columbia Families

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver has been accredited with Exemplary Standing with Accreditation Canada. Accreditation is an intensive process in which industry experts examine an organization’s processes, policies, and procedures against quality standards. To achieve accredited status, Comfort Keepers® offices met or exceeded the rigorous standards for Home Care companies, as defined by Accreditation Canada. 

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