VISITING ANGELS PALM COAST, FLORIDA 386-446-7848
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5 Early Warning Signs of Pneumonia in a Senior

5 Early Warning Signs of Pneumonia in a Senior

While there is no single cause for pneumonia, advanced age is considered to be a top a risk factor for this serious health problem. Confusion and/or delirium are red-flag signs of pneumonia in elderly people as well as lower-than-normal body temperatures. Other signs, which can sometimes be confused with a cold and the flu, include:

  • Chest pain during breathing or coughing
  • Feeling tired or weak
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Shortness of breath

While it can be hard for family members to spot these signs, professional in-home care providers are trained to monitor and track pneumonia symptoms in adults.

What is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a lung infection and can be very tricky to identify in older adults. Some pneumonia symptoms in the elderly can be mild or not present at all. 

Mild pneumonia, or sometimes referred to as “walking pneumonia," can cause older adults to feel a bit "under the weather," but normally doesn't require a trip to the emergency room. However, certain pneumonia symptoms in adults can be strong and would require immediate transportation to the hospital.

Minimize the Risks of Pneumonia in the Elderly

There are a few easy steps to avoid complications and decrease pneumonia risks in your elderly loved one.

Experts recommend pneumonia treatment at home to include:

  • Rest, rest and more rest
    Remember, pneumonia is sneaky and can recur. Just because your loved one feels better, he or she may not be fully recovered. It is generally better not to jump back into a normal routine until you are positive he or she is recovered. Not sure? Ask a doctor.


  • Stay hydrated
    Drinking water will help loosen the mucus in your loved one’s lungs, clearing them sooner.


  • Finish medication
    It is always important to take all prescribed medications. With pneumonia, doing so is particularly important as bacteria can stay in the lungs, multiply and trigger a recurrence.

Living a healthy lifestyle can greatly reduce the risk of contracting pneumonia, so it’s not a bad idea to help encourage your loved one to start doing so if they haven’t already.

If you’re a caregiver for your elderly loved one and live far away, or can’t be there 24/7, you might worry about catching warning signs like these. Learn how to be proactive about your elderly parent's care.

Serving St. Johns, Volusia and Flagler Counties, Florida

Visiting Angels PALM COAST, FLORIDA
185 Cypress Point Pkwy #5
Palm Coast, FL 32164
Phone: 386-446-7848
904-825-1119 (St. Johns)
Fax: 818-366-7680
NR30211148

.
Daytona Beach FL 32119
Phone: 386-252-3777 (Volusia)

Serving St. Johns, Volusia and Flagler Counties, Florida

Visiting Angels PALM COAST, FLORIDA
185 Cypress Point Pkwy #5
Palm Coast, FL 32164
Phone: 386-446-7848
904-825-1119 (St. Johns)
Fax: 818-366-7680
NR30211148

.
Daytona Beach FL 32119
Phone: 386-252-3777 (Volusia)

Senior Care Referral Services

We help arrange a self-directed model of Senior Care in Palm Coast, Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, St. Augustine, and the surrounding communities by referring thoroughly vetted, trained and experienced caregivers who can provide one-on-one non-medical care and assistance to seniors who wish to remain in their own homes.



"After a horrible experience at a competitor, this referral service has served our family’s needs - and then some! The staff and admins have graciously and professionally accommodated our care plan revisions and schedule requests- not to mention, our individual care aide requests for the aides which we found exemplary! Even in difficult situations, our family member is now in such capable and caring hands that we have more time with our loved one than originally anticipated! Consistency in high-quality care is attainable! Thank you, Visiting Angels!"


– R Leftridge (More reviews here)

 

Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐