Is Your Parent at Risk for Bronchial Asthma?

By Robert D. Liken CPC, CTS, President

August 2, 2017

Home Care in Pittsburgh PA: Bronchial Asthma Risks For Seniors
Home Care in Pittsburgh PA: Bronchial Asthma Risks For Seniors

Recognizing the risks that your elderly parent is facing is one of the most important tools that you will use in your journey as a family caregiver.  By knowing these risks you can help your parent to reduce the risks and protect themselves, or detect when they might have developed such a condition.  This allows you to make adjustments to your care routine to ensure that they get the care, support, and assistance that they need to manage their condition effectively.
One issue that many seniors are at risk of developing is bronchial asthma. This condition is characterized by a narrowing of the airways and production of extra mucus that leads to difficulty breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing.
Some of the risk factors of bronchial asthma can include:
• Living with an allergy-related condition such as hay fever
• Being overweight or obese
• Smoking
• Frequent exposure to secondhand smoke, such as living with someone who smokes in the home
• Frequent exposure to environmental contaminants such as exhaust fumes or air pollution
• Frequent exposure to other forms of triggers such as airborne chemicals
What can you do?
If you feel that your aging parent is at increased risk of developing asthma, or you have noticed signs and symptoms of asthma that concern you, do not hesitate to get in touch with their doctor to discuss them.  This enables your parent to get the proper diagnosis so that they can get on a course of care, treatment, and management that is right for them and for their individual needs and challenges related to their condition.
Home care can help…
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.  They can 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 necessary care 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 your parent is struggling with a particular health problem, this care provider’s support can be instrumental in helping them to handle the issue effectively and maintain their quality of life.  This can include supporting them in making healthy lifestyle choices, offering reminders so they can stay compliant with their medications and treatments, and providing companionship and support to help them deal with the emotional aspect of this disease.

If you are considering home care in Pittsburgh, PA, please contact the friendly staff at Liken Home Care.
Call (412) 693-6820 or (855) 856-0551

http://www.aaaai.org/about-aaaai/newsroom/asthma-statistics
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/basics/definition/con-20026992