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December 2022 NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM Page 19
Healthy Living
dards should be maintained to help him or her prevent – or cope – with it.
Comfort Keepers® can help. Our trained caregivers help provide senior clients with the highest quality of life possible to keep them happy and healthy at home. Our Interactive Care- givingTM engages clients physi- cally, emotionally, mentally and socially? and provides a system of care that addresses safety, nu- trition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs).
About Comfort Keepers
Comfort Keepers is a leader in providing in-home care con- sisting of such services as com- panionship, transportation, housekeeping, meal prepara- tion, bathing, mobility assis- tance, nursing services, and a host of additional items all meant to keep seniors living in- dependently worry free in the comfort of their homes.
Comfort Keepers have been serving New Hampshire resi- dents since 2005. Let us help you stay independent.
Please call 603-536-6060 or visit our website at nhcomfort- keepers.com for more informa- tion.
Reducing the Risk of Pneumonia in Seniors
By maRtha sWats, oWneR/ aDministRatoR, comfoRt KeepeRs
Pneumonia may be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, and results in inflammation and decreased circulation to one or both of the lungs. As circulation to the lungs decreases, oxygen in the blood declines.
While cases of pneumonia can range from mild to severe, seniors are much more suscepti- ble to this disease than normal, healthy adults. Similarly, once they have this condition it takes them longer to recover from it, especially those who are frail who may require up to several months to return to health.
If you are a caregiver, it is essential to understand how to
reduce the risk pneumonia in seniors, and spot the symptoms should they occur.
Risk Reduction Strategies for Pneumonia in Seniors
• Frequent hand washing is very important. One of the reasons pneumonia is so com- mon among seniors is that it can quickly spread in locations where they meet, such as senior centers, places of worship, or other social gathering places. Many germs and other microbes are spread through touch, and hand washing can dramatic re- duce the spread of illness. It is a good idea to remind seniors to wash their hands regularly, es- pecially in winter. At home, post signs above wash areas/sinks to remind the senior to wash his or her hands routinely and use hand sanitizers.
• Keep up with regular dental hygiene. Remind seniors about good dental care. Pneumonia can
occur from tooth and gum infections, so daily brushing and flossing ? or keeping dentures clean ? is a must. Germ-killing mouthwash is also helpful.
• Immunizations are key. The Mayo Clinic and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Insti-
tute both advise seniors and anyone at risk for pneumonia to get vaccinated against bacte- rial pneumococcal pneumonia. It’s a one-time vaccine that can prevent or reduce the severity of pneumonia. His or her doctor may also recommend a booster vaccine after five years. It’s also a good idea to vaccinate seniors against other illnesses that can lead to pneumonia, particu- larly influenza.
• Talk to seniors about smok- ing. Smoking is a major risk factor for pneumonia. It greatly increases a person’s likelihood of getting the disease because it harms the ability of the lungs to defend against infection. Quit- ting smoking altogether can help at-risk seniors fend against pneu- monia.
Encourage good general health. Good overall health
habits are critical to prevent- ing pneumonia in seniors and keep the immune system strong enough to fight off infection. Help them follow appropriate nutritional guidelines for seniors (and any pre-existing condi- tions), and encourage them to get plenty of rest and physical exercise.
Be Familiar with the Symptoms of Pneumonia
The incidence of pneumo- nia increases with age, and se- niors with pneumonia complain of fewer symptoms than do younger people. That’s why it is important that you be aware of the following symptoms:
• Coughing
• Chest pain
• Chills
• Fever
• Confusion
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Delirium
• Worsening of chronic confu- sion
• Falls
As soon as these symptoms appear, the senior should be taken to a doctor. Pneumonia is a serious illness, so it should be treated as such and strict stan-
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God, the Early Years:
A Brief History of God in the Rise of Judaism, Christianity and Islam
Presented by Nicole Ruane
A New Hampshire Humanities Event hosted by the Pease Public Library
Do the three major monotheistic religions worship the same deity? Nicole Ruane traces the rise of the deity who comes to be known as The Lord, God the Father, and Allah. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam spread knowledge of this deity, in his various forms, throughout the world.
Tuesday, December 13 at 7 PM
Free and open to the public!
New Hampshire Humanities programs are made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment
for the Humanities.
1-603-254-3