Seniors and Pneumonia: Everything You Need to Know

Vancouver Senior Health  |  January 28, 2019

What Every Senior in Vancouver, BC, Needs to Know About Pneumonia This Season

Seniors and Pneumonia | Heart disease, cancer, and other major diseases usually top the list for health concerns of aging adults, but pneumonia needs to be considered, as well. It’s especially life-threatening to older adults. Viruses, bacteria, or fungi can cause pneumonia, with more than a million people hospitalized.. Many of those are over 65 years of age. Seniors are predisposed to pneumonia as they age.

Seniors and Pneumonia: What Happens As We Age?

Our immunity weakens as we age, reducing natural defences to flu, infections, and even the common cold.  This makes seniors more susceptible to health problems with slower recovery rates. People in weakened states, perhaps from illness or post-surgery, are even more vulnerable. It can become hard to cough and clear out the lungs. At that point, a common cold can lead to lung infection. COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), diabetes, HIV, cardiac disease, and other conditions create even bigger challenges for recovery.

Although pneumonia is commonplace for seniors, it’s not a normal part of aging and we can reduce the likelihood of pneumonia by taking precautions. Reduce your own risk as much as possible with the following precautions.

Four Precautions for Seniors with Pneumonia

#1. Keep Updated on Vaccinations:

Talk with your doctor. Perhaps he or she will recommend vaccinations for flu and pneumonia before flu season.

#2. Keep Hands Clean:

Suds up your hands often with soap and water and keep sanitizer in your purse or pocket for those times when you can’t avoid touching germy surfaces.

#3. Stop smoking ASAP:

Smoking takes its toll on the body. It reduces immunity even further, putting people at higher risk for illness.

#4. Build Your Immunity with Healthy Foods:

Talk with your doctor. Ask for a recommended diet to strengthen your immune system.

The Best Senior Home Care Provider in Vancouver, BC, is Comfort Keepers®

Many families prefer Comfort Keepers® when arranging senior home care services for a loved one in or around Vancouver, British Columbia. 

If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your aging loved ones, we can help with 24-hour care. Comfort Keepers Vancouver also provides home care services like respite care, overnight care, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care, personal care, and more! 

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver Can Help with Companion Care and Interactive Caregiving™

Personal and empathetic care starts in the heart and allows us to meet our clients’ needs. Comfort Keeper’s philosophy is to elevate the human spirit, and our caregivers ensure your loved one experiences a better quality of life.

Trained caregivers help provide our senior clients with personal home care to help maintain the highest possible quality of life, keeping them happy and healthy at home. Our Interactive Caregiving™ delivers a system of care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Bring The Best Home Care Assistance for Seniors Right Where You Live with Comfort Keepers®

Comfort Keepers® Vancouver is proud to provide elder care in homes throughout Vancouver, keeping seniors safe in their homes. We provide home care for the seniors of Vancouver and the surrounding areas of Burnaby, Langley, Maple Ridge, and Richmond. Please call (604) 689-8609. 

Personal Care and Senior Homecare in Vancouver, BC

Learn more about our unique service, which offers personal care, companionship care, palliative care, and end-of-life care by contacting the Comfort Keepers® Vancouver office.

Accredited and Quality Respite Care Available 24/7 for British Columbia Families

Accreditation Canada has awarded Comfort Keepers® Vancouver with Exemplary Standing. This designation is only achieved after an organization’s policies, procedures, and processes undergo a thorough evaluation by industry experts to ensure they meet or exceed the stringent quality standards set by Accreditation Canada for Home Care companies.

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