Preventing Infections in Seniors

Getting sick is a fact of life. Still, getting sick is far more dangerous for older adults. According to the CDC, a third of all deaths in the over-65 population are due to infections. Infection is beaten out only by heart disease and cancer.

There are steps that can be taken to prevent infections in older adults. One consideration may surprise you.

Common Infections in Seniors

Older adults are especially vulnerable to certain infections. For instance, in a healthy young adult, a UTI is a mere annoyance. For seniors, UTIs are the leading bacterial cause of hospitalization in older women. UTIs are so dangerous because, in the elderly, they can present with no symptoms except confusion and agitation - and these are mistaken for typical signs of aging.

Other infections have their own dangers. Decreased lung capacity and pre-existing chronic conditions can turn simple respiratory infections deadly. Skin infections, like pressure sores, result from extended time lying in bed. Age-related physiological changes make gastrointestinal infections common. Pair that with a person with memory loss who forgets to check expiration dates, and you have a recipe for disaster.

Below are the most common infections in the elderly and their symptoms.

Infection	Examples	Signs & Symptoms in Seniors
Urinary Tract Infections	UTIs and Bladder Infections	Burning during urination, lower abdomen pain, confusion or sudden behavior changes (or no symptoms!)
Respiratory Infections	Pneumonia, influenza	Dry cough, fever, chills, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate
Skin Infections	Cellulitis, pressure sores, shingles	Rapid swelling, rash, blisters, itching
Gastroentestinal Infections	C.diff, food poisoning, norovirus	Watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, dehydration

How to Prevent Infections in Seniors

Preventing illness in old age is much like preventing it at any age. Hand washing is a must. Soap up those hands before eating, after the restroom, and after handling anything germy, like trash or raw meat. Hand sanitizer can usually work if soap isn't available. Helpful note: norovirus, the notorious stomach bug, can only be killed by soap and water or bleach. Hand sanitizer does not kill it!

Germs don't just exist on hands, of course. Regularly disinfect surfaces in the home, especially high-touch areas like doorknobs, countertops, and faucets. In flu season, if your loved one is particularly vulnerable, they might need to consider wearing a face mask in crowded areas. Also, stay up to date with any vaccines.

General hygiene and other precautions can help keep your aging loved one healthy. There is one factor you might be missing, though. Where your loved one lives plays a role in their vulnerability to infections.

Aging in Place Vs. Aging in Community

With aging loved ones, it typically all comes down to a choice: should they stay home or move to a facility? This is a highly personal decision, and many factors come into play. Infection risk is just one consideration.

With that in mind, research shows seniors in communal living situations, like nursing facilities, are exposed to more infections. Pneumonia is a serious complication of facility living. The CDC has found that in nursing home-acquired pneumonia cases, 40 percent will result in death. MRSA is another battle in facilities. It's estimated that 8 to 10 percent of nursing facility residents carry the bacteria, even without symptoms.

We Can Help

Aging in place can help lower your loved one's risk of infections. We can discuss the options and see which is the right choice for your situation. Call us at 240-744-0674 for a free consultation.