Part of being a family caregiver is understanding the risks that your elderly parent faces so that you can take steps to reduce these risks or to prepare yourself to give them the care that they need to address issues if they do arise. Some of the most common health complications of elderly adults are respiratory diseases. The diseases of the entire respiratory system, including the lungs, sinuses, and other aspects, are far more common among elderly adults than they are among younger people, and because seniors are more susceptible to chronic diseases and vulnerable to severe complications they are more likely to experience serious forms of these diseases. By knowing the respiratory diseases that are most common among the elderly, you can help to educate yourself and your senior about these diseases so you can be prepared to identify their risk factors, symptoms, and other issues.

Some of the most common respiratory diseases among elderly adults include:
• Bronchial asthma, which is different from cardiac asthma
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, also known as COPD
• Community-acquired pneumonia, also referred to as CAP
• Pulmonary embolism, which is caused by a thrombus, or blood clot
• Sleep-disordered breathing, also referred to as SDB
• Lung cancer

As your parent’s family caregiver you can help to reduce the risk of these diseases with an aggressive germ control approach as well as helping your parent to make better lifestyle decisions, such as not smoking. It is important to note that diagnosis of respiratory diseases is sometimes delayed in elderly adults because of other chronic health conditions and the fact that symptoms and challenges related to these respiratory diseases can manifest differently in older people than they do in younger people. If you are concerned that your aging parent is at increased risk for any of these diseases, or you have noticed new or worsened symptoms or challenges that might indicate that they are struggling with a respiratory disease, do not hesitate to get in touch with their doctor. This can enable your parent to get the proper diagnosis so that they are then able to get on the course of treatment and management that is right for their particular respiratory disease.

Starting home care for your aging parent can be one of the best decisions that you can make for them in the course of your caregiver journey with them. An in-home senior care services provider will work with you to understand your elderly loved one’s individual challenges and limitations, and will be there with your senior on a customized schedule to ensure that they get all of the care, support, and assistance that they need, when they need it. This also ensures that you are able to give them the care that you can give them while feeling confident that they will be in good hands even when you are not able to be with them. The highly personalized services of a home care provider are designed to help your parent stay healthy, safe, comfortable, and happy while also pursuing a lifestyle that is as
independent and fulfilling as possible as they age in place.

If you or an aging loved one are considering homecare in Spring Branch, TX, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.

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Donna Wrabel, LMSW

Co-Owner at At Your Side Home Care

For most of us, the word "home" evokes warm feelings of comfort, security and well-being. For older adults, home also means holding tight to cherished memories and maintaining self-esteem and independence. When illness, injury or age make life a little more challenging, remaining at home in a comfortable, familiar environment encourages recovery and enhances the quality of life. Home can be defined as a private residence, an independent or assisted living facility or even a short term stay in the hospital, we recognize the additional benefits provided by a personal, professional assistant.

Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.

Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week

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