Germs can be spread a variety of ways. Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is a one-dose vaccine that protects against 23 kinds of bacteria. Things you can do include: Avoid smoking. By now, your elderly friend or relative should have had their free flu jab. In babies, it’s given as a three- or four-dose series, beginning when they’re 2 months old. That’s part of what makes pneumonia diverse, with symptoms that vary from person to person. How to Prevent Pneumonia in Elderly People. Here are a few ways to make sure your elderly loved on is staying healthy throughout the winter and lowering their risk for pneumonia: Be familiar with the symptoms of pneumonia. All rights reserved. The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine prevents against 13 kinds of bacteria that cause serious infections in children and adults. That’s because the elderly are both more likely to develop pneumonia and less likely to survive it. In the source blog, it states that over 60% of seniors over the age of 65 are admitted to hospitals because of pneumonia. Pneumonia, which sends about one million people to the hospital and kills 50,000 every year, affects alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs. If you already have a cold and are concerned that it might turn into pneumonia, talk to your doctor about proactive steps you can take. Ensure that caregivers are doing all they can to prevent infections. Keep your mouth clean – Good oral care is important to help prevent pneumonia. This involves knowing the main pneumonia symptoms in the elderly. Upper respiratory tract infections can result from colds or the flu. There are two types of pneumonia vaccines: the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13 or Prevnar 13) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23 or Pneumovax23). Many people think of these as hallmarks of pneumonia, but respiratory symptoms can actually be completely absent in infected seniors. This type of pneumonia is the one you can get from everyday interactions. (877) 268-3277. So in concurrence with this, the best way to avoid pneumonia is to lead a healthy life—which you usually do when you want to prevent any of these conditions. To learn more about our home care services, Recovering from pneumonia. Here are a few ways to make sure your elderly loved on is staying healthy throughout the winter and lowering their risk for pneumonia: Be familiar with the symptoms of pneumonia. “Bedridden patients need to be turned and repositioned every two hours to prevent bed sores, which can turn into infections and pneumonia… Take supplements, such as vitamin C and zinc, to help bolster your immune system. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when you can’t wash your hands. PPSV23 is recommended for adults over age 65 who’ve already received the PCV13 vaccine. Hospital-acquired pneumonia. It’s not contagious, but it’s often caused by upper respiratory tract infections in the nose and throat, which may be contagious. It can be caused by a variety of germs, including viruses and bacteria. Aging Immune System. Last medically reviewed on November 1, 2017. By the Numbers. Influenza (the flu) is the cause of most pneumonia cases. Get plenty of rest. You may also benefit from taking cough medicine if your cough is interfering with your ability to rest. Don't go back to school or work until after your temperature returns to normal and you stop coughing up mucus. Elderly people with certain neurological conditions are especially at risk. Your doctor will decide based on your symptoms. Knowing a few simple ways to prevent pneumonia in the elderly can literally save lives. Helping to Prevent Pneumococcal Pneumonia You eat right. What Are the Risks of Having COPD and Pneumonia? find a caregiver near you. The use of H2 blockers and proton-pump inhibitors should be … Get a Pneumonia Vaccine, Too In addition to an annual flu shot, you should be vaccinated against pneumococcal bacteria. Preventing Pneumonia in the Elderly To lower their risk of pneumonia, seniors should: Wash their hands frequently: Everyone knows this piece of advice, but not everyone follows it. Pneumonia in the elderly is often life-threatening. Even dental hygiene plays a part in prevention, since tooth and gum infections can eventually lead to pneumonia. What causes pneumonia. There are two vaccines that help prevent pneumococcal disease among adults 65 years or older. There are several ways to prevent pneumonia, including: Know the symptoms and get early treatment. In other cases, the alv… Good hygiene also may help. © 2005-2021 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Individuals of any age who are at increased risk should also get the vaccine. The flu and pneumonia affect people of all ages, but these illnesses pose an increased risk of serious complications for seniors who have underlying medical conditions. There is no vaccine which can prevent all types of pneumonia. COPD describes several lung conditions that block airways, making it harder to breathe. But by getting vaccinated and following basic steps to improve your health and hygiene, you can drastically reduce your chance of catching a completely avoidable infection. These include: Getting the pneumonia vaccine reduces, but doesn’t eliminate, your risk of getting pneumonia. Even when you start to feel better, be careful not to overdo it. Physical exercise is also important in the grand scheme of good health, too. Keeping a strong immune system is important for not only preventing pneumonia, but also avoiding other common illnesses and fatigue. Paying attention to surfaces is important. As we age, we face decreased lung capacity and a diminished immune system. Pneumonia is a lung infection. Often, the elderly display pneumonia symptoms differently than those who are younger. If you are healthy the bacteria may not affect you but in the elderly, the bacteria can quickly cause pneumonia. Make sure children get vaccinated. To help prevent pneumonia: Get vaccinated. They should though, because frequent handwashing can greatly lower the risk of infections, including pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection in your lungs. How to Prevent Pneumonia in the Elderly. And practice good oral health as well; tooth and gum infections can open the door to lung infections. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that affects the tiny air sacs known as alveoli. Also be careful in larger groups of older adults. Wash your hands frequently to help prevent colds and flus that can lead to pneumonia. You feel active and healthy. However, there are over 30 different types of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that are linked to the disease. 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