Bacterial Pneumonia

One of the respiratory infections that is all too common in the elderly is bacterial pneumonia. If your elderly loved one gets this it could land them in the hospital very quickly. With this condition, there is fluid and inflammation in the lungs. Your elderly loved one may also develop chest pain due to fluid build-up and inflammation. They may have a fever and confusion, too. Generally, this condition is treated with antibiotics and other medications to manage the symptoms. When your elderly loved one comes home from the hospital, they may need additional care to get their medications. You can hire home health care providers to assist them.

Seasonal Influenza 

The flu or seasonal influenza is very dangerous for senior citizens. Did you know that around 90% of the deaths caused by the flu are among elderly people? If your elderly loved one develops the flu, some of the symptoms they may have include:

• Sore throat
• Cough
• Headache
• Chills
• Fever
• Digestive symptoms

Generally, the flu is treated with different types of antiviral medications. These are usually only effective if they start taking them when symptoms first start. If your elderly loved one is hospitalized or needs to be given medications at home, they may need home health care providers to assist with their medication regimen.

The Common Cold

In the days of Covid, the common cold isn’t talked about much, but it should be. There are many viruses that can cause a cold. The problem is that while some people don’t get very sick with the common cold, senior citizens can get extremely ill. Sure, it may not seem like sneezing, a runny nose, and a sore throat could do much to a person. However, the common cold can cause severe symptoms and even lead to pneumonia in the elderly. If your elderly loved one develops the common cold, make sure they are getting plenty of fluids and a lot of extra rest. If they are given medications to take at home, be sure they are taking them as prescribed.

Conclusion 

Unfortunately, many senior citizens who develop a respiratory infection need to be put on supplemental oxygen and other medications. Your elderly loved one may not be too thrilled with this. However, it is important that you and your home health care providers work with them to ensure they are taking their medications as prescribed. It is also important to ensure that they are getting the rest they need, so they can recover quicker from the illness.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Health Care in Mullica Hill, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Attentive Care Inc. at 1-800-493-5660

Sources

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15482146/#:~:text=The%20three%20types%20of%20respiratory,and%20nonpneumonic%20respiratory%20tract%20infection.

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Long periods of physical exertion could also be a cause, and it can be exacerbated by lack of sleep and dehydration. It’s difficult to witness someone you care about suffering and can feel wonderful to assist in the alleviation of some of their pain. It isn’t always simple, but you can try. Consider calling Home Health Care services providers to help you with your senior.

Here’s a list of things you can do to help provide some relief to your seniors:

-Consult a physician:

This is the first and most important thing. It is critical that the senior consult with a physician about the pain they are feeling. Pain is a sign of a problem and that it needs to be addressed. The doctor will be able to provide medication or refer them to a physiotherapist to help with the discomfort.

-Encourage Exercise:

Exercising helps to relieve chronic pain by strengthening muscles. Muscle strength aids in the support of affected muscles and joints.
Exercise also improves blood flow throughout the body, which aids in healing.
During in-home care, encourage your seniors to combine both strength training and aerobics in their exercise routine to achieve the best outcomes.

-Help them sleep in a better position:

Pain can make it difficult for your senior to get a good night’s sleep and sleep deprivation can greatly exacerbate their symptoms.
Seniors may be able to minimize their pain by adjusting their body position when sleeping. Get several extra cushions to help support their body. Keeping the neck in a stable position is one of the most crucial things to remember. Avoid cramming too many pillows beneath their head, as this will cause their neck to bend. Placing a pillow between the knees can also benefit people who usually sleep on their side. Seniors who sleep on their backs may find relief from back pain by placing a wedge beneath their knees to relieve pressure on the spine.

-Use over-the-counter pain relievers:

Back Pain can be alleviated by taking over-the-counter pain relievers. However, seniors should first see their doctor about whether pain relievers are appropriate for them. Some over-the-counter drugs can react to prescription drugs negatively and they shouldn’t be used if a person has some specific medical conditions.

-Treatments using Cold and Heat

Hot and cold treatments might help to relax the joints and reduce edema. Applying an ice pack to your senior’s back, for example, can help to relieve muscle pain and reduce inflammation.

Heat therapies such as heating pads, electric blankets, and warm baths reduce discomfort and relieve stiffness in the arms, hands, legs, and other parts of the body. Warm creams and oils can also be applied to your senior’s back to relieve muscle discomfort.

-Therapeutic massage:

Massages can help to reduce anxiety while also alleviating muscle pain. A massage can also help your senior focus on things other than their pain by relaxing his or her thoughts.

Home Health Care: Conclusion

An in-home caregiver can assist your loved one with day-to-day duties that are difficult to complete due to muscle pain.
Our home health care services are beneficial to elderly people who require assistance with daily duties. We are trusted by families to offer the high-quality care that their aging loved ones require and deserve. Our caregivers have been trained to assist seniors in avoiding major illnesses and encouraging them to make healthy choices as they get older. Contact us today and see how in-home care can help you and your family!

If you or an aging loved-one are considering hiring Home Health Care in Turnersville, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Attentive Care Inc. at 1-800-493-5660

Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/features/common-pains-of-age
https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/features/

The post Home Health Care: How to Relieve Muscle Pain in Your Senior appeared first on Attentive Care, Inc..