How Do At-Home Caregivers from Visiting Angels Annapolis Help Seniors Manage Allergies and Asthma?

At-home caregivers from Visiting Angels help seniors in Annapolis, Glen Burnie, Millersville, Pasadena, Crownsville, Arnold, Severna Park and surrounding areas in Maryland manage symptoms of allergies and asthma

Many people in Anne Arundel County look forward to the warm weather of spring and summer, especially following the cold and dreary months of winter. Unfortunately, the warmer seasons can be a mixed blessing for millions of seniors who suffer from allergies or asthma. At Visiting Angels Annapolis, our at-home caregivers can help seniors manage symptoms of asthma and allergies.

What You Should Know About Allergies and Asthma in Seniors

The most common allergy and asthma symptoms are:

• Coughing and breathing difficulties
• Sneezing and watery or itchy eyes
• Congestion, runny nose and postnasal drip
• Itchy, irritated sinuses, ear canals and throat

Symptoms vary among individuals, and their severity can range from mild irritation to life-threatening.

Common allergy and asthma triggers include:

• Smoke
• Chlorine
• Pollen, grass and trees
• Dust, mold and animal dander
• Chemical odors from cleaning products

Make an appointment to speak with a doctor if you suspect your senior loved one suffers from asthma or allergies. Getting expert medical care is important, as allergies and asthma can significantly affect a senior’s quality of life.

Four Ways Our At-Home Caregivers Help Seniors Manage Allergies

At Visiting Angels Annapolis, our senior care services can help your loved one manage symptoms in the following ways:

• Learning your loved one’s triggers
  Your loved one’s at-home caregiver will be aware of what causes their reaction will help them avoid contact with allergens and scenarios that may cause an asthma attack. The information will also help a doctor determine the right diagnosis and treatment.
• Avoiding exposure to outdoor irritants
  Many common asthma and allergy triggers, such as grass and pollen, are worse outdoors and may peak at certain times of the day. An in-home caregiver from Visiting Angels Annapolis will schedule activities at non-peak times, especially helpful for those with impaired cognitive function who may not realize that going outside may cause discomfort. Most allergens are located outside but can be brought inside via an open door or window. Our caregivers will make sure your loved one keeps doors and windows closed during peak times. Additionally, they will help your loved one change clothes or bathe to avoid bringing triggers indoors.
• Keeping your loved one’s home free of allergens
  Light housekeeping such as vacuuming, dusting, surface cleaning and changing bedsheets can keep allergy triggers in check. Pet dander, mold and dust can be swept up or dusted away, removed from your loved one’s environment. If he or she is allergic to certain cleaning products, our caregivers will choose safe alternatives.
• Assisting your loved one in taking asthma and allergy medication
  A professional caregiver from Visiting Angels Annapolis will assist your loved one with trips to the pharmacy and help your loved one take their medication regularly. In the event of an emergency, such as an allergic reaction or asthma attack, your loved one’s caregiver will call for emergency assistance.

If you’d like to learn how our at-home caregivers can help your loved one manage their symptoms so they can enjoy the warm weather, call our Millersville, MD office at 410-505-5141.