Pneumonia Signs in the Elderly to Watch For

As a family caregiver, one of the health issues that you may be concerned about in your elderly loved one is pneumonia. There are far too many senior citizens who are getting severely ill from pneumonia. Sometimes, if the condition worsens too much, it can be fatal. However, there are some signs you and companion care at home providers can watch for in your elderly loved one. If these are noticed, you can get them to a doctor or hospital to, hopefully, get them the pneumonia treatment and medical care they need.

Coughing

One of the main signs that you or home care providers might notice if your elderly loved one does have pneumonia is a cough. With pneumonia, there is a lot of fluid that can build up in and around the lungs. The fluid can agitate the lungs and airway. With pneumonia, your elderly loved one might be coughing up yellow/green colored mucus or other fluid-like substances. 

Usually, the cough with pneumonia is quite severe. If your elderly loved one has been coughing for over 3 days, you should have them see a doctor. 

Fever or Moderate-to-Severely Low Body Temperature

Another sign that you or an elderly care provider might notice in your elderly loved one if they have pneumonia is a fever or a moderate-to-severely low body temperature. Pneumonia can take a huge toll on the body and when it does the body needs to try protecting itself. That is one of the main reasons for the temperature change. However, a high fever or very low body temperature can be damaging to the brain. If your elderly loved one has either of these for 24 hours or more, be sure to call their doctor and ask what should be done about it. 

Chest and Back Pain

Two other things that your elderly loved one might make a complaint about if they have pneumonia is chest and/or back pain. The cause of this pain is likely the irritation in and around the lungs. It can also be caused from the fluid build up in their lungs, too. Generally, when your elderly loved one coughs, you or the companion care at home provider will notice they are in pain. However, it could happen when they are still, too. Either way, if the chest or back pain happens more than a few times, be sure your elderly loved one gets medical attention right away. 

Disorientation or Confusion

If your elderly loved one has pneumonia, they may also experience disorientation and/or confusion. These things are generally caused by the body fighting off an illness or the body temperature changes. If these things happen, you or an elder care provider should have your elderly loved one see a medical professional immediately. 

As a family caregiver, there are so many pneumonia signs that you should watch for in your elderly loved one. These signs can become severe quickly. If they are noticed, be sure your elderly loved one gets medical attention right away. 

If you or an aging loved-one is considering Companion Care at Home in Miami, FL please contact the caring staff at Elite Care At Home today at (305) 231-0555.

Sources

https://medlineplus.gov/pneumonia.html