Senior Care: There are hundreds of different types of pneumonia.
All of them mean that your senior’s lungs are infected, and that’s not a good thing at all. Your senior’s doctor will give him a full plan of senior care, but there are some things that you can do to help that plan to be more successful.
Practice Excellent Hygiene
Pneumonia can be bacterial, viral, or even fungal. No matter what is causing your elderly family member’s particular version of pneumonia, it’s important to make sure he’s not reinfected. It’s also important that his weakened immune system isn’t tested even further by a secondary lung infection. Make sure that you wash your hands well often, and don’t let anyone around your senior if they’re sick, too.
Prioritize Water and Other Hydrating Fluids
Dehydration can cause even bigger problems for someone with pneumonia because phlegm and mucus are thicker than they should be. That can make it harder for your senior to expel both. It’s understandable if he’s not excited about eating or drinking while he’s sick, but it’s important to push fluids as much as possible while he’s recovering. Clear broth-based soups and plain water are excellent choices to help him hydrate.
Use a Bed Wedge or Pillows to Prop Him in Bed
If your elderly family member is having trouble coughing up mucus or breathing, then helping him to rest in an elevated position can help. A bed wedge fits under his mattress and elevates the upper part of his mattress. For a more variable solution, you can use different sizes and types of pillows to customize solutions for when your senior is sleeping or resting.
Senior Care: Help Your Senior to Get the Rest He Needs
Resting is your senior’s priority right now. Some seniors find it tough to rest, though, even when sick. That’s when companion care at home might be an option to consider. Senior care providers can help your senior to eat when he should, have the help that he needs, and rest so that he’s able to heal. Companion care at home also offers your senior someone to talk to while he’s recovering. You’ll also have a way to keep the best possible tabs on how your aging family member is doing.
Healing from pneumonia might take a bit longer than your senior wants it to take, but he needs to go slowly so that he can recover fully.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Care in San Juan Capistrano, CA, please contact the caring staff at Canaan Home Care today!
1-844-CANAAN-1 (1-844-226-2261)
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