By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    physical health
    5 Ways Playing Games Can Improve Neural and Physical Health
    September 9, 2022
    Reasons For Hair Loss and Its Treatment
    Reasons For Hair Loss and Its Treatment
    February 16, 2022
    healthcare organization
    5 Actionable Strategies For Healthcare Organizations
    August 15, 2022
    Latest News
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    May 16, 2025
    Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
    May 16, 2025
    Choosing the Right Supplement Manufacturer for Your Brand
    May 1, 2025
    Engineering Temporary Hospitals for Extreme Weather
    April 24, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    email marketing in healthcare
    Harnessing the Power of Email Marketing in Healthcare
    October 26, 2023
    healthcare claims
    The Role of Communication in Resolving Complex Workers’ Compensation Claims in Healthcare Settings
    September 22, 2024
    Wounds and Wisdom: What Motorcycle Accidents Teach Us About Health and Healing
    Wounds and Wisdom: What Motorcycle Accidents Teach Us About Health and Healing
    February 12, 2025
    Latest News
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Dangers of Pneumonia for the Elderly
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Specialties > Geriatrics > Dangers of Pneumonia for the Elderly
GeriatricsPublic Health

Dangers of Pneumonia for the Elderly

eCaring
Last updated: January 15, 2013 9:34 am
eCaring
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

 

 

More Read

IPPS Regulations
5 Aspects of CMS’s 2015 Proposed IPPS Regulations
$1 Tax on a Pack of Cigarettes? As California Goes -So Goes the Nation
4 Common Myths About Online & Social Media Health Content Debunked
Health Care Spending: Why Immigrants Aren’t the Problem
Age-Related Memory Loss, or “Where Are My Car Keys”?

Pneumonia is a serious inflammation and infection of the lungs that is responsible for over 50,000 deaths annually, making it one of the leading causes of mortality in the United States. Seniors age 65 and older are at increased risk for developing pneumonia. In fact, older adults accounted for 60% of pneumonia-related hospital discharges in 2005 alone.

During the winter months, the elderly are at heightened risk for contracting influenza. If severe or improperly treated, the flu can quickly progress into pneumonia. With flu season now hitting its height, knowing the warning signs that signal complications from pneumonia is of critical importance. Since pneumonia symptoms may also closely mimic that of a common cold or influenza, its important to be able to distinguish between the sicknesses in order to discern when more serious treatment is needed.

Why are elderly persons more vulnerable to pneumonia?

Because the immune system weakens with age, seniors have a harder time warding off illness and therefore contract pneumonia more easily. Although the infection is localized within the lungs, pneumonia causes the body to decrease blood flow to other organs, which can result in life-threatening complications including kidney failure and sepsis.

For those with multiple chronic conditions, the risk of complications from pneumonia increases. Those with co-morbid conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, and COPD are more susceptible and have weaker defenses.

The medical community also suggests that signs of pneumonia in seniors differ from the rest of the adult population, which sometimes results in delayed diagnosis and more severe illness. Older adults may have no fever and may exhibit non-specific symptoms such as sleepiness, lethargy, and loss of appetite that do not automatically “scream” of a pneumonia diagnosis. Those with significant memory loss and dementia can also may problems communicating their symptoms, which also delays treatment.

What are the symptoms of pneumonia among older adults?

A change in cognitive status (delirium, confusion, dementia) is a major sign of pneumonia in the elderly. Other warning signs include:

  • Pain in the chest
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sweating
  • Shaking chills
  • High fever
  • Muscle aches and joint pain
  • “Dusty” or purplish skin (a result of inadequate blood oxygen supply)
  • Clammy skin that is cool to the touch

What can be done to prevent pneumonia in seniors?

If your aging parent contracts the flu, make sure he or she receives plenty of rest, fluids, and adequate amounts of nutrition to sustain recovery. Remind all caregivers in the home to follow strict hand washing procedures to decrease the spread of infection.

Physicians and the CDC also recommend a one-time pneumonia vaccine against streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria (pneumococcus) for everyone age 65 and older.

 

TAGGED:pneumonia
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Clinical Expertise
Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
Health care
May 18, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Health
May 15, 2025
Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
Health
May 15, 2025
Dr. Klaus Rentrop Shares Acute Myocardial Infarction heart treatment
Dr. Klaus Rentrop Shares Acute Myocardial Infarction
Cardiology
May 13, 2025

You Might also Like

Achieving Health Equity in the Community, as well as, the Healthcare System

April 29, 2012
Image
Public Health

High Quality, Low Cost HealthCare Video Interview Series: Casey Quinlan – “HOW MUCH IS THAT?”

October 30, 2012
BusinessPublic HealthWellness

Maintaining A Healthy And Safe Office Environment

October 31, 2018

Health Train in a Hurricane

August 28, 2011
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?