Pneumonia in Elderly Adults: Prevention, pt 3

Seniors, along with family and their caregivers, can help prevent pneumonia through attention to a variety of activities and behaviors. Here is a brief list to keep in mind.

— Wash hands frequently.
— Stop smoking and limit exposure to second hand smoke.
— Stay on top of your health conditions and manage any chronic health conditions.
— Stay healthy and eat a nutritious diet, exercise regularly, get enough sun, and prioritize healthy sleep patterns.
— Consider pneumonia vaccinations.

If elder has a swallowing issue, eat smaller bites and be careful to not accidentally aspirate any food.

Monitor health following a cold or similar illness, and discuss any lingering symptoms with a doctor.

Older adults aged 65+ in good health only need to receive the vaccine once for lifelong protection. However, there is more than one type of pneumonia vaccine. The PCV20 and PCV21 are single-dose options, while the PCV15 shot requires a second shot — the PPSV23 — one year after the first. Depending on the senior’s vaccine history, a doctor will explain the best vaccine schedule to follow.

SHARE IT:

Comments are closed.