Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Chicago, Illinois, Raises Awareness About Senior, Allergy&Asthma Symptoms Allergies Blooming Earlier – Seniors Suffering Later (Chicago, Illinois – April2012)-Spring allergies aren’t just for children. They’ve arrived earlier this year due to the warm weather which meanslots of sniffling and sneezing for the growingnumber ofseniorsdeveloping allergies for the very first time in their lives.Allergies and asthma are often thought of as health issues for children – but recently, both conditions are commonlydiagnosed as new conditionsat the senior ages of 55, 65 and 75! In fact,it’s notuncommon for many elderly to be diagnosed with allergies and/or asthma for the very first time above 75 years of age. That’s whySenior Helpers, one of the leading in-home providers of senior care in Chicago, is raising awareness about these growing diagnoses of senior allergies and how to help seniors cope. “Symptoms of these two diseases can be very disruptive during the aging process for many of the 37 million seniors currently living in the U.S.,” says Jonathan Wishnick withSenior Helpers of Chicago, Illinois (IL). “Experts are predicting a longer, more intense than normal allergy season this Spring – so seniors need to be aware that just because they haven’t had these issues in the past, doesn’t mean they are in the clear just yet. Our caregivers can take certain steps inside a senior’s home to help keep allergic reactions to a minimum, such as bathing them before bed to prevent outdoor pollen from getting on their sheets.” “(more tips below) Allergy Symptoms: Adverse reaction to various substances, including pollen, trees, grass, weeds, dust and molds (mildew). Allergies can lead to respiratory distress that may be life threatening. Those with allergies are likely to develop asthma. . • Itchy, watery eyes . • Runny nose . • Shortness of breath . • Coughing or wheezing Asthma Symptoms: Most often caused by allergies. Asthma may require hospitalization and can be life threatening. . • Coughing . • Shortness of breath . • Wheezing . • Tightness in the chest “Allergies are among the most common, but often overlooked, of diseases in the nation,” says Wishnick. “Other than medication, there are ways our caregivers can help make seniors more comfortable during this allergy season.” * Caregivers Making Seniors Comfortable(source: Mayo Clinic): . • If your senior has been outside,caregiverscan help them bathe before going to bed and change into fresh clothing so they don’t bring the pollen that may have clung to their skin, hair or clothes onto their sheets. Caregivers can also be sure to wash their sheets often, to help get rid of the pollen. . • Close their windows (and opt for air conditioning) at night if the pollen count is high. . • Avoid outdoor activity early in the morning when pollen levels are at their highest.Caregiverscan keep them active inside until the afternoon. . • The best time to go outside is after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air. . • Caregiverscan be sure they clean a senior’s home with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter. They can also install a portable HEPA filter in the senior’s bedroom. Sources:Allergy, Asthma, Sinus and Immunology Center, U.S. Census Bureau, CBS News, Mayo Clinic #### Media Contact:Jonathan Wishnick, (312) 867-7110,jwishnick@seniorhelpers.com For more information about Senior Helpers, please visit:http://www.seniorhelpers.com/chicago #### About Senior Helpers: Senior Helpers provides many in-home, care-giving services for the elderly in the Chicago, Illinois area.
...read more