Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs. Inflammation resulting from the disease causes the lungs’ air sacs to fill with fluid or pus. The resulting manifestation is when the patient has difficulty in breathing. Pneumonia kills more than 50,000 people each year, most of whom are over the age of 65. Pneumonia can be challenging to deal with for anyone, but senior care providers can attest that it is even more challenging to manage in the elderly. Because they are more susceptible to diseases in general, older adults can get pneumonia more easily. And, in many cases, the symptoms that they experience can be severe.

Pneumonia symptoms can vary from person to person, but may include:

• Fever and chills
• Weakness and fatigue
• Pain in the chest or ribs
• Cough (particularly one that produces mucus)
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness, confusion, or disorientation

As a leader of home health and skilled nursing in Ohio, ClearPath has had extensive experience in dealing with pneumonia in older adults. Upon experiencing the symptoms of pneumonia, it is necessary to contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible. The earlier the disease is addressed and treated, the less damage it can do. With the current COVID-19 pandemic, this becomes more urgent, as both pneumonia and COVID-19 affect the lungs.

If you have elderly loved ones who are vulnerable to or have developed pneumonia, our compassionate caregivers at ClearPath can help. We are a preferred provider of home health care services in Akron, Ohio with the experience and training necessary to help elderly patients with pneumonia. Please contact us at 877-892-1568 to learn more about our services.