The elderly need to be vigilant when it comes to disease prevention. As the body ages, it becomes more susceptible to illness. A variety of reasons are to blame:
- Coexisting conditions like diabetes, arthritis and other autoimmune diseases weaken the body.
- Impaired immunity limits the body’s ability to fight infection.
- A decrease in reserve capacity occurs, which means our bodies are less able to compensate when illness is present.
- Frailty and decreased Body Mass Index reduces strength.
- Decreased mobility leads to a sedentary life which opens the door to illnesses such as pneumonia and blood clots.
- A lack of physical activity promotes chronic disease.
These circumstances sound daunting, but there are many ways to prevent illness in the elderly. Before delving into the nuts and bolts of prevention it is important to understand the different types of illnesses:
- Common illnesses include colds and influenza
- Short-term acute illness includes bronchitis and pneumonia
- Long-term chronic illness includes Type Two Diabetes, cardiovascular disease and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). These will be discussed in part two of this blog series.
Preventing Common and Acute Illness in the Elderly
Germs are all around us! They are on everything we touch and everywhere we go. Germs live on every surface. Our hands are a common mode of transmission for all kinds of germs. Once our hands come in contact with germs, we are one touch away from getting sick. Germs are quickly transmitted by rubbing the eyes or touching other mucus rich linings in the nose or mouth.
The best way to prevent common illness is to make sure that your loved ones properly wash their hands. How can something so simple be so powerful in the fight against infection? Disinfection is still the most effective way to prevent germs from spreading. Hand washing is just one way of disinfecting. Washing your hands with soap for twenty seconds under warm running water while vigorously moving the hands together will do the trick. Sing “Happy Birthday” while washing to get an idea of how long twenty seconds really is. Repeat this process several times throughout the day to prevent illness.
Keep surfaces free of germs by wiping them with alcohol or antiseptic wipes. This will decrease the number of germs present on common items such as pens, doorknobs and telephones. Avoid touching surfaces that are not sanitized, such as railings and counters, when out in public. Avoid shaking hands with others when illness is present. Avoid people that are exhibiting obvious symptoms of any illness such as sneezing or coughing. Decreased exposure is the best way to stay healthy. Managing common illness is a great way to avoid acute illness. Do not allow curable conditions to blossom into acute illness. Address symptoms as soon as they are noticed.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Stay healthy throughout the year by observing these simple strategies. For more assistance on preventing illness in the elderly, contact the caring professionals Beacon of Life Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly today with any questions.
To refer a patient to Beacon of LIFE, please contact us today at 732-592-3400 or click below!
