Surprising Signs of Infection in Seniors

It’s cold and flu season again. If you have school-aged children, you may already be familiar with one of this season’s viruses. With your kids, you already recognize the telltale signs of an illness. If you notice unexpected napping, low appetite, or a cranky mood, you prepare for germ warfare.

Your parent likely won’t show those initial signs of illness. Depending on their cognitive state, they may not realize they are even sick. So, what should you keep an eye out for?

Why Older Adults Don't Show Typical Symptoms

Seniors get sick as frequently as younger people, but they don't show the same symptoms. The reason why comes down to a mouthful of a word: immunosenescence. This is a term that describes the gradual and natural decline of the immune system as we age. Simply put: we get older, and our immune system does too.

Older immune systems don't react the same as younger counterparts. Seniors don't usually produce a strong immune response, especially fevers. Due to aging body temperature control, fevers are absent in 30% of seriously ill seniors. Likewise, because of low energy reserves, illness are more likely to start as body-wide issues, like exhaustion, instead of something localized, like a cough or sore throat.

Existing chronic conditions can also mask signs of an infection. A cough can be a sign of heart failure, GERD, or even seasonal allergies. Shortness of breath can be a sign of pneumonia, but it also can be just another day with COPD.

Here are the atypical symptoms infections can present with in older age.

Acute or new confusion or delirium

For cognitive status, it’s important to know your parent’s baseline so you can recognize a change. If Mom has dementia and is confused regularly, but suddenly shows new signs of delirium, that’s a red flag. Delirium can be hyperactive or hypoactive. It can cause auditory or visual hallucinations, along with paranoia. It can look like trouble focusing, slurred speech, or even a reversed sleep-wake cycle.

Sudden functional decline

The functional decline that accompanies old age or dementia is gradual. Any sudden decline is a problem. This will most likely show up as an unexplained loss of ability to perform activities of daily life, or ADLs. These include dressing, grooming, walking, or feeding.

Unexplained falls

To preface: not every fall means illness. Aging, unfortunately, means increased fall risk, as do chronic conditions. The same goes with explained falls. If Mom trips on an upturned rug, there’s a reasonable explanation. If Mom has become inexplicably clumsy overnight? You might need to call her doctor for a checkup.

Behavioral shifts

A sudden change in behavior or personality should raise concerns. Everyone has an off day, but if Dad is suddenly aggressive and out of character, an infection could be to blame. If your calm mother is inexplicably full of anxiety, she may be under the weather.

Keep an Eye Out for Changes

Before an illness strikes, learn your parent's baseline. Memorize their normal walking pattern, speech, mood, and cognition. Confusion isn't a red flag if your parent regularly experiences confusion. If you’re the default caregiver, you already know your parent's baseline, so note anything out of the ordinary. If anything seems alarming, contact your parent's doctor or care team.

Could Your Aging Parent Benefit From Home Health?

Many older adults thrive at home. Your parent may too. Call Seniors Fix at 240-744-0674 for a free consultation call!