The Senior Respiratory System: Age-Related Changes & COPD

Edmonton Senior Health  |  February 18, 2020

What Every Senior in Edmonton, AB, Needs to Know About COPD and Age

COPD in seniors is a serious diagnosis. Did you know that after heart disease, cancer and accidents, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the leading cause of death? In this day and age more than 500, 000 Canadians have been diagnosed with COPD it has been estimated that the same number of Canadian citizens have the disease, but they are still not aware of it.

What is COPD?

COPD is a group of lung diseases, while the most common are emphysema and chronic bronchitis.  It progresses with age, and symptoms can include constant coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath to coughing up mucus and tightness in the chest.

COPD is most common in adults who are 65 or older. Luckily, with some healthy lifestyle changes, seniors can minimize the risk of COPD.

The Canadian Lung Association has declared that smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Naturally, secondhand smoke is also a risk factor. In addition, it has also been suggested that there is a connection between air pollution and COPD.

How to Keep Seniors Safe from COPD?

To stay healthy and reduce the risk of this disease, seniors who smoke should talk to their health provider and take steps to quit. Also, older adults who do not smoke should do their best to avoid contact with secondhand smoke.

When air pollution warnings are high, seniors should stay home and avoid any outdoor activities if possible. To minimize the risk of COPD older adults should also avoid airborne irritants in the home.

Seniors and Overall Health

With a healthy diet and regular physical activity, seniors can boost their health, enhance their overall well-being and improve their lung function. Every senior needs to know that their respiratory system is affected by age and learn how to reduce their risk of related diseases.

To help seniors avoid further breathing complications, doctors may recommend getting vaccinations for both influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia.

Comfort Keepers® Edmonton is Proud to Offer a Wide Range of Home Senior Care Services

Our trained caregivers will ensure your loved one is comfortable, independent and safe in their home. On top of that, we will also aim to enhance their overall health, quality of life and general happiness. 

Top-Notch Home Healthcare for Seniors in Edmonton, Alberta

Comfort Keepers of Edmonton offers a wider range of senior care services. We offer retirement care, respite care, senior care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, and senior living transition services. If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with 24-hour care and more!

Helping Seniors Age-in-Place with Companionship Care and Interactive Caregiving™

Empathetic care starts in the heart and allows us to meet our client’s needs. Our trained caregivers are selected with one specific quality in mind, empathy. We strive to stimulate our clients emotionally, mentally and socially, thus enhancing their overall quality of life. 

Our Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses companionship, safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs). The system increases seniors’ sense of well-being, independence and companionship by focusing on Senior Mind, Senior Body, Senior Nutrition, and Senior Safety.

Affordable and Client-Directed Homecare is Available for Qualifying Albertans

Comfort Keepers® Edmonton is an Approved Service Provider for the Client Directed Homecare Invoicing (CDHCI) Program Offered by Alberta Health Services. 

What is the Client Directed Home Care Invoicing Program (CDHCI)?

CDHCI is a great program provided by Alberta Health Services (AHS), allowing clients to choose an approved agency like, Comfort Keepers Edmonton for Personal Care, Respite Care and Homemaking needs. The chosen agency can then bill AHS directly for services rendered for approved hours through Alberta Blue Cross. Read more about the program HERE.

Accredited Home Care Edmonton

Comfort Keepers® Edmonton was awarded the “Accredited with Exemplary Standing” seal by Accreditation Canada. This honour demonstrates Comfort Keepers’ commitment to offering safe, high-quality home care to its senior clients in Edmonton, AB.

To learn more about senior in-home care in Edmonton, contact the Comfort Keepers® office. Our service territory includes Edmonton, Devon, Sherwood Park, Stony Plain and surrounding areas, contact the Comfort Keepers Edmonton office at 780-465-4665.

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