Senior Health: What Seniors Should Know About Lyme Disease

Senior Safety  |  April 11, 2024

What Every Senior in North Vancouver and West Vancouver Needs to Know About Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease and Senior Health | Ticks. These small arachnids get to us through a behaviour known as questing, in which they perch themselves on tall blades of grass or plant stems and wait for something – or someone – to brush past. And that’s when they strike, biting down on the skin and attaching themselves to feed on the blood they crave.

Research shows that, over the last few decades, the tick population in Canada has increased, and the number of cases related to the diseases they carry has also risen. Lyme disease, in particular, is of growing concern. While Lyme disease can be dangerous to those of all ages, it poses a much greater risk for seniors, whose immune systems are generally less effective.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 300,000 cases of Lyme disease are diagnosed in North America each year.

The Importance of Early Detection in Lyme Disease Cases

Tick bites are common from April through September and are found throughout Canada. Given their commonality, there’s a good chance that most people may remove the tick and move on, viewing them more as a nuisance and not thinking of what may be happening under the skin. 

Furthermore, because of the natural anesthetic that ticks secrete when they bite, some may not even be aware that they’ve been bitten (assuming the tick fell off on its own accord). That’s why seniors must understand the early signs of Lyme disease. The sooner they begin treatment, the greater their chances of overcoming the illness.

Lyme Disease and Seniors – What to Lookout For:

• Fever, chills, and joint aches
• A rash with a bull’s eye-like appearance (a small red bump just after a tick bite is common and not always indicative of Lyme disease)
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Intense migraines
• Dizziness and shortness of breath
• Problems with short-term memory

One of the difficulties in diagnosing Lyme disease in seniors is that many symptoms mimic those found in other conditions and diseases commonly found in older adults. 

Songwriter and actor Kris Kristofferson was misdiagnosed for years as having Alzheimer’s, when in fact the source of his memory loss was caused by Lyme disease. Detailed information, in this case, is paramount to diagnosis and treatment.

If seniors report symptoms such as those listed above to their physician, it’s important to know if there was time spent outside. If Lyme disease is detected, an antibiotic will be prescribed and the infection will resolve within two to three weeks.

But as mentioned, time is of the essence when it comes to Lyme disease, and seniors should never shrug off the symptoms. The longer Lyme disease goes untreated in seniors, the harder it becomes to cure. And even if late-stage Lyme disease is treated, the lingering effects, such as fatigue and nausea, may never fully go away.

Reducing the Risk of Lyme Disease in Seniors:

Lyme disease is undoubtedly a great risk for seniors, but it should not deter them from enjoying the outdoors. Taking a few precautionary steps can help seniors avoid these bloodsuckers almost entirely. 

1. Before embarking on a walk or hike, it’s important to have clothing that covers the arms and legs, as ticks are more likely to attach themselves there. 
2. If warmer and longer clothing isn’t a sensible option, apply a tick-repellent product as recommended. 
3. Sticking to the center of trails or walking paths can also help, as can avoiding areas of high or thick vegetation, if possible. 
4. Upon returning from outside, seniors should also check themselves thoroughly for the presence of ticks or indications of a tick bite.

Spending time outside can be a key component of our physical and emotional well-being, and at Comfort Keepers®, we want to ensure that seniors have the means to do so. Our caregivers can help clients dress appropriately for a hike or walk – with clothing that will reduce the risk of tick bites – and accompany them every step. 

Comfort Keepers® North Vancouver and West Vancouver Can Help with In-Home Elderly Care Services!

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones we can help with 24-hour care. Our senior care agency offers dementia care, companionship care, end-of-life care, post-surgery care, palliative care, personal care, senior living transition services, and much more! 

Comfort Keepers® Can Make a Difference with Interactive Caregiving™

Our team of expert in-home caregivers will strive to ensure your senior loved one has the best quality of life possible, bringing joy and good health to their home environment. Our Interactive Caregiving™ program ensures all needs in terms of safety, nutrition, mental well-being, and everyday activities of home care services are met.

Quality and Accredited Elderly Care In-Home: Happier, Healthier, and at Home with 24/7 Care Opportunities!

Have you been thinking about Nursing Homes as a solution? Do you need Home Care in North Vancouver & West Vancouver for you or a loved one? Comfort Keepers® help seniors in North Vancouver and West Vancouver, along with the surrounding areas, to live happy, healthy lives in the comfort of their own homes by providing quality, compassionate care, and safety technology solutions to preserve independence and contribute to a better life.

Moreover, our seasoned in-home caregivers are carefully chosen based on their quality of being empathetic. Our care centers around companionship for seniors. This is the kind of care that originates from the soul and allows us to meet our client’s requirements. 

Contact the Comfort Keepers® North Vancouver and West Vancouver office to learn more about our unique service offering.

Comfort Keepers®, the premium home care service for Seniors on the North Shore, was awarded the “Accredited with Exemplary Standing” seal by Accreditation Canada. Achieving the highest available certification in Canada for Accredited Home care services demonstrates Comfort Keepers’ commitment to offering safe, high-quality home care to its senior clients in North Vancouver and West Vancouver.

References:
Government of Canada. “Lyme Disease”. Web 2018.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Signs and Symptoms of Untreated Lyme Disease.” Web. 2018.
ThoughtCo. “How Do Ticks Get On You?” by Debbie Hadley. Web. 2017.
Interim Healthcare. “Are ticks dangerous for the elderly?” Web. 2018.

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