Help Prevent Pneumonia in Your Senior Loved One
Anyone can get pneumonia, from the youngest of babies to the elderly. Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be brought on by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. It is easily spread from one person to another when its source is viral or bacterial. Those with weakened immune systems run the risk of pneumonia becoming serious enough to land them in the hospital to try to recover. The elderly are often especially susceptible to the extreme health conditions pneumonia can lead to, so taking steps to help your loved one avoid it is your best bet for keeping your loved one out of the hospital, consider hiring senior home care providers to help them through this condition.
Pneumonia Symptoms
Pneumonia often develops after several days and can follow another infection such as a bad cold or the flu.
Common symptoms include:
- Coughing that produces phlegm.
- A sharp pain in the chest or abdomen that occurs with breathing or coughing.
- Extreme fatigue.
- A fever with sweating and/or chills
- Trouble breathing accompanied by shortness of breath or lots of short, fast breaths.
- Occasional nausea and vomiting.
- Loss of appetite.
Best Tips for Preventing Pneumonia in Your Elderly Loved One
Never getting pneumonia in the first place is your best bet for keeping your loved one healthy during flu and pneumonia season.
Here are some tips to help her avoid getting pneumonia.
- Talk to her doctor about if the pneumonia vaccination is right for her.
- Encourage lots of handwashing. Not only for your loved one but for anyone who enters her home and interacts with her.
- Avoid crowded indoor places during the winter months like churches, movie theaters, and other places where she will be near the same people for an extended period.
- Don’t allow sick visitors. Make sure all visitors are clear about the need to reschedule their visit if they have just been ill or are currently feeling ill.
- Help her keep her body strong with proper nutrition, healthy food, and adequate sleep.
Home Remedies In Case Pneumonia Happens
Sometimes even with the best of prevention, your loved one may still get sick and develop pneumonia. Careful observation is important during this time to determine if he will need to be transferred to the hospital for further care. Most patients can manage their symptoms with home care remedies. Pneumonia can take months for improvement so be prepared to help your loved one recover for an extended time.
While recovering your loved one should:
Rest. Consider having a senior home care provider make regular visits to help with home chores that require a lot of energy like vacuuming, shoveling, or laundry. A senior home care provider can also help with pet care if there is a dog that needs daily walks or kitty litter boxes that need to be emptied.
Drink plenty of fluids. Fluids will help your loved one’s body loosen up mucus so it can be expelled. A senior home care provider can help by making tea and bringing glasses of water to your loved one.
Take over-the-counter pain relievers for fever and aches. Do not have her take cough medication without the approval of her doctor. In the case of pneumonia, coughing is an important part of healing.
Consider using a humidifier to keep moisture in the air and reduce phlegm.
Limit visitors except those who are providing care like family members and her senior home care provider.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Home Care Services in Warner Robins GA, please contact the caring staff at Angels of Mercy Private Homecare Services, Inc. today at 478-745-5111.
Angels of Mercy Private Homecare Services is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Macon, Warner Robins, Perry, Gray, Milledgeville, Forsyth, Cochran, Jeffersonville, Eastman, Fort Valley, and the surrounding areas.
Angels of Mercy Private Homecare has been providing in-home care services since 2002 throughout the Macon and Middle Georgia Area.
Angels of Mercy Private Homecare Services provides in-home care that improves the lives of the clients. Our services help them maintain the highest possible level of independent living. We provide In-home private duty care and care management services for seniors throughout the Middle Georgia area.
Our CNA (certified nursing aides), caregiver, and companion services allow our clients to age in the place where they feel most comfortable and secure - at home. Combine our Home Care Services, with our Geriatric Care Management component, and we provide the most comprehensive assistance for the Middle Georgia areas seniors.
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