Senior Care Bronx NY
As a family caregiver one of the most important care efforts that you put forth for your senior parent is understanding the health risks that your aging parent faces so that you can take the proper step to reduce those risks and keep them healthier as they age in place. During the fall and winter season you know that the risk for cold and flu is elevated, but for a senior adult, the risk goes further. Approximately 2 million people each year, the majority of them elderly adults, develop pneumonia. This often comes as a result of other infections and illnesses, such as the flu or a cold. This condition develops rapidly and can result in death if not handled properly. By understanding the risk factors you can help your parent reduce the chances that they will experience this serious lung infection.
Some of the risk factors for pneumonia include:
• Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes
• Experiencing a recent cold
• Experiencing a recent flu
• History of laryngitis
• Health complications or challenges that make it difficult for your parent to swallow, this can include dementia, a stroke, or Parkinson’s disease
• Presence of an existing lung problem or infection, such as COPD
• Cerebral palsy
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Liver cirrhosis
• Recently spending time in a treatment facility with many other people, such as a hospitalization due to a recent illness or infection
• Recently having undergone surgery
• Recently suffering an injury or other trauma
• Weakened or suppressed immune system such as due to certain medications and treatments, illnesses, HIV, or other autoimmune conditions
Talk to your senior parent’s doctor about your aging loved one’s health and if there are any specific issues that might increase their risk of pneumonia. This allows the doctor to give you recommendations for how you can better protect your parent from this illness and its potentially devastating consequences. This is especially important if they have recently suffered an illness or extended stay in the hospital or a treatment facility and have been showing symptoms that concern you, such as high fever or cough that has not gotten better.
If you are concerned about your senior parent’s health, especially during the fall and winter seasons, starting senior care for them might be the ideal solution. A senior home care services provider can offer your aging parent a highly personalized set of services tailored to their individual needs, challenges, and limitations, as well as their personality, beliefs, and lifestyle. Through this customized approach to care, support, encouragement, and assistance this care provider can help your parent manage their condition, get through their recovery in the most effective way possible, stay healthier and safer, and avoid future infections and illnesses.
When it comes to helping your parent manage their risk factors for pneumonia, this senior care provider can help your parent understand their risks, take proper steps to reduce these risks, and make choices that will support a healthier, more resilient body. With a continued care relationship, your parent can enjoy a lifestyle that is more active, engaged, and independent for a healthier, happier, and higher quality of life.
Source: https://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/pneumonia/symptoms-causes-and-risk.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/