ALLERGIES AND SENIOR CARE
How to Help Seniors With Allergies
Everything from the changing of the seasons to a crumb of food can cause a reaction for someone who has an allergy. For seniors, allergies can be especially dangerous. Seasonal allergies alone affect 50 million people in the U.S. Seniors can be affected by these allergies, as well as food, pet, dust, and other types of allergies. As seniors face other challenges associated with aging, it’s
important to help them with allergy management.
Common Allergies Among Seniors
Although allergies often develop in childhood, it’s not uncommon for people in their 50s, 60s, or 70s to suddenly
develop allergies. The most common causes of allergic reactions in seniors are the same as the most prevalent
allergies in general.
Common types of allergens include:
Seasonal:
• Pollen
• Weeds
• Certain plants
Environmental:
• Mold
• Dust
• Certain
animals
Food:
• Peanuts
• Shellfish
• Ingredients in
medications
If seniors display symptoms of allergies like a runny rose, upset stomach, headache, or rash after exposure to an
allergen, it’s important for them to consult a doctor.
Tips for Managing Allergies
Whether seniors have been managing allergies for years or are learning to deal with onset allergies, it is important that they have help. Some aspects of aging, like memory loss or reliance on medications, can affect seniors’ abilities to handle their allergies. Environmental allergies, like an allergy to mold, can also be difficult for seniors to manage if they have trouble maintaining a clean home on their own.
Help seniors by:
• Keeping a list of allergens available for all caregivers
• Including allergies on medical alert tags or other places emergency
personnel might look
• Keeping allergens out of the home, including as meal ingredients for
other family members
• Finding indoor activities for seniors with seasonal allergies during hard
times of year
• Asking medical personnel if allergies and a senior’s medications might
conflict
• Finding allergen-free recipes
• Helping maintain a clean home
• Knowing what to do (and educating seniors about what to do) if an
allergic reaction occurs