As a caregiver for an elderly adult, it is likely that you already understand the potentially severe risk of pneumonia for your senior. This infection can lead to serious complications, and even death, if not managed properly. Understanding this condition, and the terms that are often used when discussing it, can help you to make the decisions that are right for your elderly parent, including making sure that they are taking the steps to reduce the risk that they will develop the disease as well as getting the medical attention that they need as soon as you suspect that they might be suffering from this condition.

One term that you might have heard is “community-acquired pneumonia”. This is the most common type of pneumonia and is named in contrast to “hospital-acquired pneumonia”. As the name implies, this type of pneumonia develops in people who have not been in a hospital or other medical setting and were not infected through such an environment. Rather, they developed the disease based on exposure to the contaminant out in the community.

Community-acquired pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, a bacteria-like organism, a virus, or a fungus. For those who are living with a weakened immune system or other chronic health complication, fungi is the most common source of infection causing community-acquired pneumonia.

Regardless of how or where your elderly parent contracts pneumonia, it is extremely important that they get the appropriate medical attention and care to help them manage the disease in the most effective way possible. Pneumonia can be an extremely dangerous condition, particularly for an elderly adult. Seniors are more vulnerable to health complications and severe consequences of those complications. If left untreated or not treated promptly, pneumonia can lead to lasting effects and may even be fatal. If your senior has recently been ill and is not recovering, or is dealing with symptoms such as fatigue, chest pain, shortness of breath, or lowering than normal body temperature, do not hesitate to get in touch with their doctor so that they can get a proper diagnosis.

Starting home care for your aging parent can be one of the best decisions that you can make for them in the course of your caregiver journey with them. An in-home senior care services provider will work with you to understand your elderly loved one’s individual challenges and limitations, and will be there with your senior on a customized schedule to ensure that they get all of the care, support, and assistance that they need, when they need it. This also ensures that you are able to give them the care that you can give them while feeling confident that they will be in good hands even when you are not able to be with them. The highly personalized services of a home care provider are designed to help your parent stay healthy, safe, comfortable, and happy while also pursuing a lifestyle that is as independent and fulfilling as possible as they age in place.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pneumonia/symptoms-causes/dxc-20204678
http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/pulmonary-disorders/pneumonia/community-acquired-pneumonia

If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Professional Home Care Services in Lake Worth, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff at Assisting Hands Home Care at 561­-829­-3080 Today.