Making Allergy Season More Bearable for the Elderly

It is unfortunate, but allergies do not discriminate between the young and the old at all. While many people believe that allergies are just a common occurrence among children, it is, in reality, not so. As a matter of fact, recent studies have discovered that the percentage of adult-onset allergies in the United States is growing. Consequently, there has also been a rise in the number of seniors who end up requiring excellent nursing care in New Jersey for their allergy symptoms.

Don’t let your loved ones fall victim as well to seasonal allergies. On the contrary, Serenity Senior Care advises that you take steps to help make the season more bearable for them. Here are some suggestions to start with:

• Monitor daily pollen counts in your area. Websites such as the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology’s National Allergy Bureau can be a tool to help you check the pollen count in your area. Advise your aging family members to stay indoors or limit their time outdoors during days when pollen counts are at high levels. Usually, pollen counts are highest in the morning, so they can just wait until afternoon if they wish to tend to their outdoor activities while receiving senior care in New Jersey.
• Close the windows and doors when pollen counts are high. This ensures prevention of pollen build-up on inside surfaces.
• Encourage them to wash their hands, shower, and change into fresh clothes if they just came outside. Get them to change their bed linens frequently, too, in order to wash off allergens.
• Inform their primary care providers about their allergic reactions, if any. It can be a challenge for physicians to diagnose allergies in aging individuals, especially when they are focused on managing larger health issues. Although receiving quality home care services in Bloomfield, New Jersey, your loved ones may be incapable of articulating their discomfort. So, if you suspect that your family members are suffering from allergies, inform their doctors regarding your concerns and speak with them about alternative allergy treatments.

Other Little Known Tips to Make Allergy Season More Bearable for the Elderly

1. Keep the curtains closed – this will keep out pollen and other allergens.
2. Vacuum once a day – this will reduce the amount of allergens in your home.
3. Use an air purifier that specializes in allergy control if you have pets or smoke cigarettes in your home – these items can increase allergies for some people
4. Use a humidifier – dry air tends to aggravate allergies
5. Create a barrier between you and the outdoors. Wear a disposable surgical mask to prevent pollen from getting in your mouth, nose and eyes. If you use one of these masks, try not to touch it with your hands because pollen can transfer from the outside of the mask and get on your hands. Wash your hands frequently, especially before meals or after going outside
6. Reduce stress in your life – stress can cause many skin reactions including allergies
7. Avoid season-specific foods – avoid fruits and vegetables that are produced in the season in which you live. This can be especially important if you have latex allergies because these foods such as avocados can cause so-called blood-sugar problems in some people
8. Eat fresh vegetables – this will reduce the amount of allergens in your diet
9. Stop smoking – this will reduce the amount of smoke that go into your home and decrease the amount of allergens
10. Use allergy medicine as directed – do not use allergy medicine in excess, and if you are taking a sedating antihistamine, ensure that you take it exactly as prescribed
11. Avoid or minimize exposure to irritants such as dust mites
12. Maintain a healthy weight – this will reduce your symptoms
13. Limit the amount of exercise you do – this can cause chronic stress which can aggravate any allergies
14. Breathe – breathing deeply will promote relaxation and help control stress. When you are at home or in the car, sit as far away from other people/pets as possible
15. Do not take your dog on frequent walks – allergens can increase on grass and park trails

Disadvantages of Allergies to the Elderly

Allergies seem to be just a problem for children or adults who are not yet retired. Except, allergy season can make allergies so much worse for retirees.

One of the many disadvantages of allergies is that they can restrict you from living as normal a life as possible. Allergy symptoms also constantly disrupt what little sleep we get at night, making us drowsier during the day. A lack of sleep can make your body not function as well as it should.

There is also scientific evidence that allergies and asthma may contribute to depression. Although some people prefer to think that the symptoms are just annoying, they could be much more serious than people think.

For example, the most common allergic reaction is an itchy nose or eyes. This can easily be mistaken for congestion, especially if you are an older person without the same level of health found in a younger person. If you are an older person, it is easy to see why allergies could disrupt your life.

Not only does a runny nose or itchy eyes prevent you from being physically active or doing anything else, they can also make you feel tired and achy. Allergies have been shown to cause pain in the joints and muscles, which can make it impossible to go about your day normally without being in pain.