What Does a Lower Immune System Have to Do with Psoriasis?
August 31, 2017
As a family caregiver, understanding the types of risks that your senior faces and the conditions that they are dealing with is an important part of ensuring that you give them the level of care that they deserve as they age in place. If your elderly parent is dealing with psoriasis, it is vital that you understand the role that their immune system plays in this disease so that you can work to better protect them and help them to take care of themselves as they progress through the disease.
Throughout your time as a family caregiver, you have likely heard it emphasized many times that elderly adults tend to have immune systems that are lower and less effective than those of younger people, putting them at risk of developing a wide range of health complications and issues. Psoriasis, however, is an autoimmune disorder. This means that in terms of this condition, their immune system is overactive.
What does the Immune System do?
The purpose of the immune system is to fight against germs, bacteria, and other unwelcome presences in the body. They fight against these in order to prevent them from taking over and causing serious problems. In the case of an autoimmune disease such as psoriasis, the immune system goes into action even when there is nothing for them to fight against. In essence, the immune system starts to fight against the body’s own tissues and systems.
Is there treatment for Psoriasis?
Some of the most common treatments used to control psoriasis are immune system suppressants. This means that the medications are actually used to reduce the effectiveness of the immune system so that it will not fight so effectively against the body itself. While this can be a very effective way to control psoriasis, it can put your elderly loved-one at risk of other health complications and illnesses. Talk to your parent’s doctor about the impact that this type of treatment can have on them and how you can improve your care routine to protect them from health complications and consequences that can stem from a suppressed immune system. This can include making healthier lifestyle choices and utilizing an aggressive germ control approach to reduce the risk of illnesses and infections.
How can a senior home care services provider help?
If you have been thinking of ways that you can enhance your senior’s quality of life and help them to stay more active, engaged, and fulfilled during their later years, now may be the time for you to consider starting senior care for them. A senior home care services provider can be with your elderly loved-one on a fully customized schedule, meaning they are with them at the times and the frequency that is right for their individual needs and challenges. The highly personalized services of a senior care provider are tailored specifically to your parent’s limitations and challenges, but also their goals and preferences so that they are able to stay safe, healthy, comfortable, and happy while pursuing a life that is as independent as possible as they age in place.
If you are considering home health care in Beaver, PA, please contact the friendly staff at Liken Home Care.
Call (412) 693-6820 or (855) 856-0551
https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis/causes
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/psoriasis/risks-of-psoriasis.php
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriasis/symptoms-causes/dxc-20317579
https://www.aad.org/media/stats/conditions/psoriasis
http://www.healthline.com/health/psoriasis/facts-statistics-infographic#causes5