Helping Seniors Breathe Easier
Fall is right around the corner! Along with brisk weather, the changing of the leaves, and the infamous pumpkin spice comes an uptick in respiratory issues – particularly for our senior loved ones. We’ve come up with some thoughts on helping seniors breathe easier.
Around 15% of seniors in the US suffer from some type of respiratory issue or illness, including asthma, COPD, and bronchitis. It won’t come as a surprise to many of you that the cooler, drier air can exacerbate these issues. These conditions can irritate the airway leading to inflammation and, therefore, wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
Chad Shealy of Visionaire Solutions gives us the dirt on the irritants we can and can’t see hanging around in the air.
Dust, Mold, and Dander. Oh My!
There are two kinds of irritants lurking on countertops, in crevices, and floating in the air – the kind you can’t see and the kind you can. It’s important to be cognizant of a home’s air quality for both yourself and your elderly family member, so you can all stay healthy. Remember, prevention is worth a pound of cure.
What you…
Can see:
- Dust
- Pet dander
- Other allergens
Can’t see:
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Mold
- Odors
- Gasses
What Dust Is Made Of
You may think of dust as the unassuming particulate matter floating through sun beams, but it’s far from innocuous. As you’ll see in the following sections, indoor air pollutants can have serious effects on our elderly loved ones, but what exactly is dust made of?
Dust is an amalgam of fine particles both from the outside world and within the home. If you were to take a closer look at dust you might find:
- Dead skin cells
- Hair
- Pet dander
- Fiber from materials
- Dust mites
- Dirt from the outside
- Pollen
- Bits from insects
- Microplastics
The Effects of Air Quality on Older Adults
No matter what age you are, quality of life is dependent on the quality of air in the home. We often receive reports from our clients’ family members of their loved one’s experiencing a sharp decline following inflamed respiratory issues. One week they’ll be fine and the next week they’re winded by simply getting off the couch and walking across the room to use the restroom.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans spend an average of 90% of their time indoors where pollutants can be up to 2-5 times higher than outdoor concentrations. As fall makes its way in, we find ourselves staying inside even more whether to avoid the cooler weather or seasonal allergens.
If the air quality in your elderly parent’s home is compromised, it can have more serious effects than occasional sniffles and coughs:
- Air pollution may actually reduce cognitive function and speed memory decline.
- Harmful gases such as common household cleaners and formaldehyde from furniture or plywood can increase the risk of COPD.
- Studies have shown exposure to air particles can increase the risk of stroke among seniors.
- Exposure to pollutants can lead to or exacerbate cardiovascular issues.
Keeping Air Clean In Senior Homes
Chad at Visionaire Solutions specializes in air purification systems designed to help everyone breathe a little easier. The ActivePure Certified Space Technology used in their air purifiers leverages ionized hydrogen peroxide, a super oxidizer, to get rid of odors within 5-10 minutes, remove harmful gases, reduce airborne and surface contaminants, and enhance the overall quality of life. You can learn more about the innovative technology over at Visionaire Solutions.
As you run your cooling system, the coils get wet and dirty, which creates the perfect breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Many homeowners, particularly in case of seniors who are already having a more difficult time with daily living activities, don’t think to schedule HVAC maintenance. Ideally, you should schedule your maintenance session once a year to ensure efficiency, cleanliness, and safety.
Even low levels of pollutants can make it difficult to breathe for already-compromised aging adults. With ongoing studies on the effects of indoor air pollution, it’s becoming very apparent that investing in an air purification system for your senior (and yourself) isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity to maintain mental and physical health.
About RetireEase
As the premier senior caregiver service in Columbia, SC, our caregivers are passionate about integrated care to maintain a vibrant quality of life. We love helping older people continue to live full, active lives. You can learn more about our services here.
If you’re looking for high-quality, personalized senior home care in the greater Columbia, SC area, we’d love to talk. You can contact us here.
