Seniors are generally at higher risk for complications and death from pneumonia due to weakened immune systems. However, risk factors vary from person to person. If you suspect your elderly loved one has pneumonia, see a doctor right away. It’s also important to make sure your loved one gets the care they need during their recovery process to avoid relapse. Look into home care so a professional caregiver can oversee your loved one’s care at home if you can’t. Learn how to identify this severe respiratory infection, how it’s treated, and how to prevent it.
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Pneumonia is very serious in the elderly, with complications that can lead to hospitalization and even death. Pneumonia in seniors can rapidly become so severe that medical doctors can do very little except put the patient in palliative or hospice care.[01]
Seniors 65 and over are at an increased risk of death from pneumonia, especially if they have preexisting health problems. If a senior has chronic health conditions, like heart or kidney disease, pneumonia can progress rapidly and become increasingly difficult to treat. In extreme cases, doctors might discontinue all treatment and put the senior on hospice.[01,02]
It’s suspected that the following health conditions and factors increase the risk of death from pneumonia in adults over 65:[03]
Pneumonia can be caused by a buildup of bacteria, viruses, or fungi in the lungs. There are several types of bacteria that can cause pneumonia, some typical and some atypical. Any virus that can cause an upper respiratory illness can move into the lungs, causing pneumonia. Fungal pneumonia is more common in people with weakened immune systems or those who have close contact with fungal spores.[04]
Frail, elderly people who take a big fall can bruise their lungs, creating a pulmonary contusion (or lung bruise) that can cause inflammation and fluid buildup in the lungs. If this doesn’t heal correctly, it can lead to complications like pneumonia.[05]
Additionally, if a senior was hospitalized after their fall, they may have contracted the infection during their stay. This is known as hospital-acquired pneumonia. If this is the case, it’s important to let their doctor know this history, so they can treat the pneumonia accordingly.[06]
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Symptoms of pneumonia in the elderly may vary depending on the type of pneumonia and the overall health of the person. While not all of these may be present, the symptoms of pneumonia in seniors may include the following:[07]
If a senior is unable to care for themselves or has an underlying disease, doctors recommend seniors with pneumonia be treated in a hospital. Doctors treat pneumonia with either antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal medications, depending on the cause.
Special attention is given to where the infection might’ve been contracted, as that can help the doctor determine the best course of drug treatment to use. Oxygen therapy and other breathing treatments may also be used to help the lungs heal.[08]
At home, you can help your loved one recover from pneumonia by doing the following:[09]
If you’re unable to help your loved one care for themselves during their pneumonia recovery, it’s a good idea to seek out alternative options for support, such as in-home care or a stay at a senior rehabilitation center.
Pneumonia can take anywhere from two weeks to over a month to recover from, especially if a senior has other chronic health conditions. It’s important to follow a doctor’s treatment plan and take steps to make healthy nutrition and lifestyle choices to aid in healing the body. All of this together will help expedite the recovery process.[09]
Depending on the severity of the pneumonia, the overall health of the patient, and how well they respond to medical treatment, elderly adults might spend anywhere from three to five weeks in a hospital. If the elderly adult has other preexisting conditions that lead to complications in their pneumonia, the patient may need to stay longer. If their condition doesn’t change or declines, the elderly adult may even need to transition to long-term nursing care from the hospital.
Seniors and their caregivers can help prevent pneumonia through a variety of measures, including the following:[10,11]
Older adults aged 65+ in good health only need to receive the vaccine once for lifelong protection. However, there is more than one type of pneumonia vaccine. The PCV20 and PCV21 are single-dose options, while the PCV15 shot requires a second shot — the PPSV23 — one year after the first. Depending on the senior’s vaccine history, a doctor will explain the best vaccine schedule to follow.[05,12]
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Seniors showing the symptoms of pneumonia listed above should immediately seek medical help, as pneumonia can progress rapidly in seniors. Doctors typically conduct one of the following tests to diagnose pneumonia:[13]
It can be overwhelming to be your loved one’s caregiver 24/7, especially when they’re recovering from pneumonia. If your loved one is recovering from pneumonia after a hospital stay, consider short-term in-home care options to help them recuperate successfully in the home. Professional in-home caregivers can be there when you can’t to help support your loved one’s specific recovery needs. They can assist with activities of daily living, prepare healthy foods, and make sure medicines, supplements, or breathing treatments are taken on time.
If you think home care is a good idea, A Place for Mom’s Senior Living Advisors can direct you to local home care agencies and help you compare options.
Key Takeaways
National Library of Medicine. National Insitutes of Health. (2021, May 18). Pneumonia in older people: What you should know. InformedHealth.org.
Li, W., Ding, C., & Yin, S. (2015, August 15). Severe pneumonia in the elderly: A multivariate analysis of risk factors. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine.
American Lung Association. (2024, June 7). Learn about pneumonia.
American Lung Association. (2024, August 12).What causes pneumonia?
Cleveland Clinic. (2024). Pulmonary contusion.
MedlinePlus, Medical Encyclopedia. Hospital-acquired pneumonia.
American Lung Association. (2024, August 12). Pneumonia symptoms and diagnosis.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. National Institutes of Health.(2022, March 24). Pneumonia treatment.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. National Institutes of Health. (2022, March 24). Pneumonia recovery.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. National Institutes of Health. (2022, March 24). Pneumonia prevention.
American Lung Association. (2024, October 29). Preventing pneumonia.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, October 26). Pneumococcal vaccine recommendations.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. National Institutes of Health. (2022, March 24).Pneumonia diagnosis.
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