We often think of pneumonia as a cold-weather health condition, but pneumonia can happen at any time of the year, and seniors like your loved one are especially susceptible to becoming very sick from the condition. Many elderly individuals have a weakened immune system due to age or other health conditions and are not able to fight off the bacteria that cause the condition.
Many seniors don’t get immediately sick, but start with a variant of pneumonia, often called “walking pneumonia.” With walking pneumonia, the symptoms haven’t developed yet to be extremely serious, and your loved one could be walking around with the condition, feeling a little crummy but not understanding that something much more serious is occurring within her lungs.
Walking Pneumonia Symptoms in Seniors
Being aware of how the symptoms of walking pneumonia present themselves can help you be alert to the condition and get your loved one the medical attention she needs before the condition becomes more serious.
- Persistent cough that’s been hanging on for a week or more and isn’t getting better.
- An inability to catch her breath or struggling to take a deep breath. You might hear wheezing when she breathes.
- A possible mild fever.
- She talks about being extremely fatigued and unable to have any energy to do things.
- She’s not eating much or expresses no interest in eating.
- She might appear to be easily confused or have problems concentrating.
- Pre-existing conditions, such as COPD or congestive heart failure, show signs of worsening.
Managing Walking Pneumonia
If your elderly loved one gets walking pneumonia, the good news is that it is treatable, and with the proper treatment and care, most seniors overcome the condition. Your loved one may need some extra care during this time of recovery, so planning for her care and having someone assist around her home while she recovers is an important part of ensuring that she can recover and be back to her old self sooner rather than later.
Your loved one’s doctor will prescribe the correct care and treatment and help you monitor the progress of the condition, but while she’s home, you can help her by supporting her in three key areas of recovery.
- Proper nutrition. Talk to your loved one’s doctor about which foods are best for her as she recovers. Foods that are rich in nutrients and vitamins that help support her immune health are often recommended, such as citrus fruits, potatoes, and strawberries.
- Hydration. Staying hydrated will help her body continue to move fluids out of her body and reduce mucus. Hydration will also speed up her recovery. Water is always best, but tea, fruit juice, and other non-caffeinated drinks will be beneficial.
- Plenty of Rest. While your loved one doesn’t need to be on full bed rest, you should plan for her to relax a lot more and reduce her workload around the home so that her body can fully recover.
Getting Home Care Assistance During Walking Pneumonia Recovery
While your loved one recovers, consider having a home care assistance provider come to her home to help with light housekeeping, pet care, and meal preparation. Knowing that a skilled home care assistance provider is coming to assist with cleaning her home can help your loved one rest without the worry of things not getting done.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Home Care Assistance in Southbury, CT, please contact the caring staff at Elderly Caregivers LLC. today at (203) 628-7438
- How Obstructive Sleep Apnea Affects Your Senior’s Quality of Life - October 9, 2025
- Know the Signs: Protecting Seniors During Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month - September 23, 2025
- Walking Pneumonia Symptoms in Senior Citizens - September 10, 2025