The body’s immune system weakens with age, making seniors susceptible to a number of health conditions, such as pneumonia. This infection is caused by viruses and bacteria. Although pneumonia accounts for numerous deaths every year, it’s preventable. Here are a few ways seniors can prevent pneumonia.
1. Know the Symptoms
Diagnosing pneumonia in seniors can be difficult because many of them don’t show symptoms such as fever and chills. Here are some of the most common symptoms associated with pneumonia:
- Coughing
- Delirium
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Confusion
If you know more about pneumonia and its symptoms, you can help your senior loved one get immediate treatment to prevent the infection or slow its progression.
2. Practice Good Hygiene
Colds, influenza, and ordinary respiratory infections can potentially lead to pneumonia, but practicing good hygiene can prevent these health conditions. Encourage your loved one to carry hand sanitizer at all times to keep his or her hands clean while in public. Washing hands regularly can prevent illnesses that cause pneumonia, and good oral hygiene can prevent dental infections that could lead to pneumonia.
Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional in-home care. Senior Stride Home Care is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
3. Get Immunized
Your loved one needs to be vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia. This is a one-time vaccination that can reduce the risk of developing the infection. A booster vaccine can be taken every five years, but it’s best to consult a doctor before getting the booster. Your loved one will also need vaccinations against other diseases and infections that can cause pneumonia.
Preventing illnesses such as the flu and pneumonia is important because they can lead to more significant health issues. Living with serious health conditions can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional live-in care. Oshkosh seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more.
4. Stop Smoking
Smoking is a major risk factor associated with pneumonia. If your loved one smokes, his or her lungs may have difficulty defending against pneumonia as well as various other conditions and infections. By not smoking, your loved one can prevent pneumonia even if he or she is considered at high risk for the condition.
5. Live a Healthy Lifestyle
Living a healthy lifestyle can keep your loved one’s immune system robust, which is necessary for fighting off infections and illnesses that cause pneumonia. To keep the immune system healthy, your loved one needs to eat a well-balanced diet, get plenty of exercise, and manage stress. Good health not only reduces the risk of pneumonia, but it can also help your loved one prevent a variety of age-related diseases.
Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of home care. Oshkosh families can rely on Senior Stride Home Care to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia. To learn about our quality-assured services, give us a call at 920-717-1767 today.