For many elderly adults, spending time in the hospital is an inevitable part of aging. Whether it is due to illnesses or injuries, seniors often have to seek medical attention, and may even spend extended time receiving care in hospitals. This can put them at serious risk of an issue referred to as hospital-acquired infection. These are infections that occur as a result of pathogens in the medical setting, rather than an infection they already had when entering the hospital.
As a family caregiver, it is very important for you to understand this risk so you can monitor their condition and work with their medical team to ensure your elder has the best care and can avoid these affections. If your senior does contract one of these infections, awareness of them can help you to give them the care and support they need to overcome them.
Some of the most common forms of hospital-acquired infections include:
- Pneumonia
- Meningitis
- Urinary tract infection
- Gastroenteritis
- Infections in the location of a procedure or surgery
Each of the different types of hospital-acquired infections has their own set of symptoms. This makes it very important for you to monitor your parents, and bring any new or worsening symptoms to the attention of their medical team. This can allow the doctor to quickly identify what your parent may be dealing with, so they can make managing this infection a part of their treatment plan for your parent.
Keep in mind that in order to be considered an HAI, the infection must develop up to 48 hours after admission, or up to three days after discharge, and cannot have been present at the time of admission.
If your aging parent has recently been diagnosed with a new health condition, or has been showing increased symptoms and challenges, now may be the ideal time for you to consider elder care for them. An elder home care services provider can be an exceptional support system for you, and supplement to the level of care you give your aging parents on a regular basis.
With the highly personalized services provided by an elder home care services provider, your senior can feel confident their needs will be met effectively and efficiently, and they will be able to pursue a more active and independent lifestyle. Not only can this help them to manage their new health condition and any others they may be living with, but it can also support mental emotional health and well-being, sharper cognitive functioning, and overall higher quality of life.
Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/hospital-acquired-nosocomial-infections#symptoms
If you or a loved one are in need of Elder Care Services in Northampton PA or the surrounding areas, contact the caring professionals at Extended Family Care of Allentown. Call today at (610) 200-6097. We are the Right Choice for Home Health Care Services!
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