Elderly Care Long Beach, CA: Summer Colds

Is there anything worse than a summer cold? Just when the weather is warm enough for your elderly mom to get outside and enjoy the fresh air, she’s struck with a cold and simply doesn’t feel up to it. They can feel worse than winter colds just because it’s hard to be stuck indoors when the weather is nice. It can be tough to deal with the symptoms of a cold, but there are things you can do to help your mom to feel better.

About Summer Colds

There’s really no difference between a summer cold and a winter cold. Both are caused by viruses. In fact, up to 50 percent of colds are caused by the rhinovirus, which is more prevalent during the warmer seasons.

The symptoms of a summer cold are the same as those of a winter cold. They include:

  • Runny nose.
  • Sore throat.
  • Sneezing.
  • Coughing.
  • Body aches.
  • Headaches.

One of the problems with summer colds is that they can be mistaken for allergies. However, there are differences that can help you to determine whether your aging relative has a cold or allergies, such as:

  • A typical cold lasts no more than one or two weeks. So, if the older adult’s symptoms go away, it’s a cold and not allergies.
  • Coughing, sweating, and a fever are symptoms of a cold. They do not occur with allergies.
  • The symptoms of a cold change from mild, to worse, and back to mild again. Allergy symptoms remain steady.
  • Mucus with a cold is usually thick and greenish because of infection. With allergies, it is usually clear.

Ways to Ease the Symptoms

Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do to cure a cold. However, there are ways to help the older adult feel better, such as:

  • Allow Them to Rest: Let the older adult rest as much as possible. Stress and lots of activity can impair the immune system, making it take longer to get rid of a cold.
  • Eat and Drink: The senior will need plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, so offer them lots of water. Warm drinks can also soothe a sore throat. However, avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol as they can contribute to dehydration. Healthy food helps to support the immune system, so try to serve nutritious meals and snacks.
  • Use a Humidifier: Humidifiers help with sneezing, coughing, and congestion. They’re also helpful for keeping the mouth from getting too dry due to mouth breathing because of a stuffy nose.

Elderly care can assist your aging relative while they have a cold. Elderly care providers can bring them warm drinks and water throughout the day. An elderly care provider can also prepare healthy meals, such as a bowl of soup. And, an elderly care provider can set up the senior’s humidifier and make certain it stays filled with water.

If you or an aging loved-one is considering Elderly Care in Long Beach, CA please contact the caring staff at American Geriatric Care Management, LLC today at (310) 648-0614.

Sources

https://www.healthline.com/health/summer-cold

https://www.everydayhealth.com/cold-and-flu/how-to-sweat-out-a-summer-cold.aspx

https://www.cdc.gov/features/rhinoviruses/index.html

Latest posts by Ellen Samson (see all)
Posted in Elderly Care Long beach CA, What to Do When Mom Catches a Summer Cold and tagged ,