People of all ages can have allergic responses, but for older people, those allergic reactions could come out of the blue. This is due to changes in how their body reacts to things with age and the fact the immune system often weakens with age, making them more susceptible to a myriad of things. Recognizing allergic responses in older people is important for getting them medical help quickly and avoiding problems. In this blog, we’ll talk about common allergens, how seniors can stay safe and healthy, and signs that they may be having an allergic reaction. With companion care at home services and loved ones by their side, seniors can be educated and supported on ways to keep themselves safe.
Common Allergens for Older People
Medications: To control long-term illnesses, seniors often need to take more than one medication, and doing so could lead to possible reactions they’ve not had before. Some of these could be minor, like a rash, while others could be life-threatening.
Food: Believe it or not, it’s possible to become allergic to food at any age, and older people may be allergic to foods they’ve eaten for years. Nuts, shellfish, dairy, and wheat are all common foods that can cause allergies.
Insects: Bites and stings from bugs like bees, wasps, and ants can cause allergic reactions that surprise seniors, especially if their first bee sting comes at an older age.
Nature: Beyond insects, other things in nature can cause an allergic reaction. Things like pollen, dust mites, and mold spores are all things to pay attention to.
What Are the Signs of an Allergic Reaction that Companion Care at Home can Spot?
When seniors have companion care at home, they have an extra layer of protection to monitor for changes that occur in their environment and with themselves. Still, they should also know these signs in case a reaction occurs when they are alone.
Changes in Skin: When it comes to the skin, look for hives, itching, redness, or swelling. These signs may show up all of a sudden and may affect various body parts.
Issues With the Lungs: People who are allergic often cough, sneeze, have a runny or stuffy nose, lack of breath, or wheeze. In the worst cases, adults may have trouble breathing and need immediate care.
Gastrointestinal Problems: Feeling sick, throwing up, having diarrhea, or having pain in the stomach could be signs of a food allergy or a response to medicine. If seniors have home care assistance that helps them prepare and cook food, it can be easier to deduce what food might have caused the issue. The same is true for home care, which helps with medication management.
Cardiovascular Symptoms: If seniors have anaphylaxis, a severe allergic response, their blood pressure may drop, their heart rate may speed up, or they may feel dizzy. This is a serious situation resulting in the need for quick care.
Swelling: Swelling in the face, lips, tongue, or throat is especially scary because it can make it hard to breathe.
Allergic responses can be life-threatening. Helping seniors spot allergic reactions and making sure they are safe requires companion care at home services, education, and the support of loved ones. With the right support, seniors can navigate any changes that come their way.
Sources: https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/recognizing-and-treating-reaction-symptoms
https://www.webmd.com/allergies/allergic-reaction-causes
If you or an aging loved one are considering Companion Care at Home Services in Trenton TN please get in touch with the caring staff at Senior Solutions Home Care. (731) 300-2300
Senior Solutions Home Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Jackson, Humboldt, Medina, Milan, Trenton, Brownsville, Madison County, and surrounding areas.
Over the years, we have expanded, providing service in all 95 counties throughout Tennessee, and we now have a growing presence in Georgia.
Senior Solutions is recognized as a top 5% independent agency and a three-time Inc. 5000 honoree in 2018, 2019, and 2020. These types of awards matter to us because they show growth in our goal of eventually touching a million lives. We’re excited to continue that growth and to touch even more families with our commitment to quality care!
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