Seasonal allergies might seem harmless, but they can have a real impact on a senior’s health. Many elderly people find allergies can make their other chronic health conditions worse. Therefore, it is important for caregivers to be able to recognize and treat allergies. You can help your senior loved one manage seasonal allergies by taking the following steps.
Find the Allergy Trigger
Most seniors are only allergic to a few specific types of pollen. Your loved one can get an allergy test to find out the exact things that trigger his or her allergies, then he or she can take steps to avoid these things. Check online to see local pollen counts so you can keep your loved one indoors on high pollen count days. An allergy test is also helpful because it can let you know if your loved one’s allergies are worsened by exposure to certain foods or animals.
If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Prestige Home Care, a leading provider of in-home care Prestige Home Care, families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Keep the Inside of the Home Pollen Free
Make your loved one’s life more pleasant by ensuring his or her allergies do not act up while trying to relax at home. Try to keep the doors and windows closed whenever possible, and regularly vacuum and clean all surfaces in the home. Whenever your loved one comes inside after being outdoors, remove clothing and wash it promptly. You can also install special air filters to reduce the chance of an air conditioner adding pollen to the home.
Talk to the Doctor About New Medicines
The allergy medicines your loved one has been taking may not be the most effective way to treat allergies. Traditional first generation antihistamines can cause drowsiness, nausea, and other side effects. Your loved one may want to consider trying second-generation antihistamines, nasal steroids, or antihistamine inhalers. These medications may be able to treat allergies more effectively without causing side effects.
Learn to Tell the Difference Between Allergies and Illness
A senior’s allergy may be overlooked when the doctor is focusing on a more serious health condition, or the start of an illness may be dismissed as just being allergies. Look out for typical signs of allergies, which include runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, congestion, fatigue, headache, sore throat, and itchy skin. If your loved one is running a fever, has colorful mucus, or is experiencing nausea and diarrhea, he or she most likely has something besides an allergy.
Living with a serious health condition can make it challenging for seniors to age in place. However, they can maintain a higher quality of life with the help of professional 24-hour care. Altamonte Springs seniors can benefit from assistance with meal prep, bathing, transportation to the doctor’s office, medication reminders, and much more.
Get a Long-Term Treatment
Depending on the type of allergy your loved one has, allergen immunotherapy may be helpful. This treatment involves regular injections or tablets containing a small amount of the allergen. This repeated exposure helps the immune system get used to the allergen, which reduces overall symptoms from the allergy.
Helping your loved one manage seasonal allergies can be an overwhelming task at times. Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Windermere, Florida, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Prestige Home Care. Using our proprietary method Method, our respite caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity. Call us at (407) 232-7155 to create a customized care plan for your elderly loved one.