Lyme Disease: What Seniors Should Know About the Season Ahead

Senior Safety  |  April 11, 2024

What Every Senior in Victoria, BC Needs to Know About Seasonal Safety and Getting Outdoors

What is Lyme Disease? | 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 grown, and as a result, the number of cases related to the diseases they carry has also risen. Lyme disease, in particular, is a 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 Seniors with Lyme Disease

Tick bites are prevalent 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.

Signs of Lyme Disease for Seniors 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 also to let them 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. 

At Comfort Keepers® Victoria we feel that home is the best place to be.

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

Comfort Keepers® Victoria Provides In-Home Elderly Care Services

Comfort Keepers® trained caregivers help provide senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. Our Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).

Comfort Keepers® Victoria In-Home Caregivers Can Help with Interactive Caregiving™

Our philosophy is to elevate the human spirit and our caregivers will be there every step of the way to ensure your loved one has a better quality of life. Personal and empathetic care is care that starts in the heart, and it allows us to meet our client’s exact needs. Learn more about our unique service which offers personal care, companionship care, palliative care, and end-of-life care by contacting the Comfort Keepers Victoria office.

Comfort Keepers® Victoria is proud to provide senior care and home care services to keep seniors safe in their homes.

If you are searching for home care near me, Comfort Keepers® Victoria can provide home care for the seniors of Victoria and the surrounding areas of Colwood, Saanich, Sidney, James Bay, and Oak Bay. Please call (778) 265-5999 and learn how your loved ones can receive compassionate, professional in-home care.

Comfort Keepers® Victoria has been accredited with Exemplary Standing with Accreditation Canada. Accreditation is an intensive process in which industry experts examine an organization’s processes, policies, and procedures against a set of quality standards. To achieve accredited status, Comfort Keepers offices met or exceeded the rigorous standards for Home Care companies, as defined by Accreditation Canada. 

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.
Next Avenue. “Kris Kristofferson’s ‘Dementia’ Was Lyme Disease” by Emily Gurnon. Web. 2016.

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