The first thing you might notice when your loved one has pneumonia is that they look tired and rundown. Their skin feels warm and clammy, but you notice that they are shaking and complain of the house being too cold.
Your loved one may stumble when getting out of bed. You see them struggling to catch their breath as they climb up the stairs. You can hear a wheezing sound as they breathe in and out.
Then there is the cough. Deep and wet sounding. They cough and cough desperately trying to clear the thick mucus out of their lungs.
You know this is serious. Pneumonia in the elderly can be life threatening. You need to know the early signs and symptoms of pneumonia, and what you can do to help.
Pneumonia is typically caused by bacteria or viruses. These germs are breathed into your lungs. When your immune system is strong you may be able to quickly fight these germs off. The elderly may be more likely to have the germs cause an infection in their lungs due to weakened immune systems.
Even if they are usually healthy and fit, they can get pneumonia after you have caught a simple cold or flu. They may even catch pneumonia from being in the hospital.
Six Pneumonia Symptoms in Elders
- Look out for a cough that does not clear up.
- Fever (or low body temperature). Most people with pneumonia will have a fever. However, it is not unusual for people over 65 who have a weak immune system to have a cooler body temperature instead of a fever.
- Chest pain. The infection in the lungs can cause pain when breathing or coughing.
- Fatigue. Fighting off an infection saps the body of energy.
- Confusion. Exhaustion and infection can lead to temporary confusion and slips in mental awareness.
- Shortness of breath. The air sacs in the lungs can fill with fluid or pus. This causes a cough, but also difficulty breathing.
How to Treat Pneumonia in Seniors
Pneumonia can often be treated at home. The goal is to rid your body of the infection while preventing more serious complications. Following these steps can help to manage the symptoms of fever and cough so that your loved one can recover more quickly:
- Rest. Your body is able to fight off germs when you get adequate sleep. Encourage your loved one to stay in bed if they are weak or have a fever. While they are recovering, work in regular rest periods.
- Hydration. Keeping your body well hydrated can prevent the build-up of mucus in the lungs. Provide your loved one with plenty of fluids, such as hot tea or water with lemon. A warm bath or humidifier can also help open the airways.
- Follow doctor’s orders. Your loved one may need to see a doctor if they have other health conditions, are having trouble breathing or the symptoms get worse. A doctor may prescribe antibiotics if the pneumonia is caused by bacteria. It is important to finish the prescription as ordered. You may also ask about using aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen to treat fever and aches.
Recovery from pneumonia can take anywhere from a week to months. You will need to talk to your doctor about when it is appropriate to return to a normal routine.
If you need support caring for a loved one, call us. Our trained caregivers can provide support to fit your schedule and provide you with peace of mind. We understand aging and we can help your loved one age in a healthy manner.
Caregivers at Home Care Assistance are available for daily and hourly respite care for your loved one to help you protect your health and focus on yourself, too.
Contact Amanda Butas, your Mesa client care manager, at (480) 699-4899, to see how our caregivers can help your loved one thrive. You also can visit us at our new office, next to Bed Bath and Beyond, located on Power and McKellips roads, at 2031 N. Power Road, Suite 103.