How to Help Seniors Safely Manage Allergies

Everything from the changing of the seasons to a crumb of food can cause a reaction for someone who has an allergy. For seniors, allergies can be especially dangerous.

Seasonal allergies alone affect 50 million people in the U.S. Seniors can be affected by these allergies, as well as food, pet, dust, and other types of allergies. As seniors face other challenges associated with aging, it’s important to help them with allergy management.

Common Allergies Among Seniors

Although allergies often develop in childhood, it’s not uncommon for people in their 50s, 60s, or 70s to suddenly develop allergies. The most common causes of allergic reactions in seniors are the same as the most prevalent allergies in general.

Common types of allergens include:

Seasonal including pollen, weeds, and certain plants.
Environmental including mold, dust, and certain animals.
Food such as peanuts, shellfish, and ingredients in medications.

If seniors display symptoms of allergies like a runny rose, upset stomach, headache, or rash after exposure to an allergen, it’s important for them to consult a doctor.

Tips for Managing Allergies

Whether seniors have been managing allergies for years or are learning to deal with onset allergies, it is important that they have help.

Some aspects of aging, like memory loss or reliance on medications, can affect seniors’ abilities to handle their allergies. Environmental allergies, like an allergy to mold, can also be difficult for seniors to manage if they have trouble maintaining a clean home on their own.

How Allergies Affect Seniors

Part of aging is the degeneration of the immune system, organs, and other elements of the body. For seniors, that can mean allergens that once weren’t a big deal now result in a constantly runny nose or another more intense symptom. Some medications can also exacerbate symptoms. Don’t take senior allergies lightly. Ask doctors how to manage allergies best.

Symptoms of Allergies

Seniors should be checked for allergies if they have symptoms like:

Itchy/runny nose
Congestion or wheezing
Dry or inflamed skin
Rashes
Watery eyes
Headache
Mucus and nasal discharge
Persistent cough
Swelling

Help seniors by:

Keeping a list of allergens available for all caregivers
Including allergies on medical alert tags or other places emergency personnel might look
Keeping allergens out of the home, including as meal ingredients for other family members
Finding indoor activities for seniors with seasonal allergies during hard times of year
Asking medical personnel if allergies and a senior’s medications might conflict
Finding allergen-free recipes
Helping maintain a clean home
Knowing what to do (and educating seniors about what to do) if an allergic reaction occurs

Integrate allergy management into any tracking provided to seniors and their families. For instance, include allergy medication on daily meds trackers and add cleaning tasks specifically preventing dust and other allergens to task lists.

If you or your family member is considering in-home care as part of a plan to age in place, contact Family Matters In-Home Care today for a free consultation. Our team is dedicated to supporting your family and helping older adults enjoy life in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.

Some of the services offered by Family Matter In-Home Care include: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, Bed & Wheelchair Transfer Assistance, Companionship, Housekeeping & Meal Preparation, Personal Care, Recovery Care, and Transportation.

Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater San Diego, Family Matter In-Home Care has offices throughout California including: Campbell, CA, Roseville, CA, San Marcos, CA, and San Mateo, CA.

Sources:

Carol Pardue-Spears

Carol has worked in the healthcare field for more than forty years. As a Certified Nursing Assistant, she worked for El Camino Hospital in the cardiac unit, Los Gatos Community Hospital, The Women’s Cancer Center in Los Gatos and several home health and hospice agencies. Carol founded Family Matters in 2002 to fill a deficit she witnessed in high-quality, in-home services and care.