Asthma is a huge health problem, especially for seniors who are battling this problem suddenly now that they’re older. Indoor air pollutants, allergens, dust, and more can all trigger asthma attacks and make symptoms worse. That can in turn lead to more problems with lung function.

Home care assistance can offer a lot of help with indoor air quality, helping seniors with asthma live healthier and more comfortable lives.

Reduce Indoor Air Pollutants

Indoor air pollutants are things like mold, pet dander, pollen, smoke, and even chemical irritants like cleaning products. These items can trigger asthma symptoms in seniors because they irritate airways. That then leads to inflammation, coughing, chest tightness, and trouble breathing. Changing furnace filters regularly and dealing with home repairs that can let in outdoor irritants is a crucial step in reducing indoor irritants.

Control Dust Particles

Dust is a common household problem and an indoor air pollutant. Reducing dust levels is possible, but it might mean having help from elder care providers. Regular dusting, vacuuming, and changing bedding regularly help reduce dust mites and other allergens.

Home care assistance providers can also help seniors declutter their homes, which can give dust fewer places to hide and cause potential health problems.

Limit Other Irritants

There are so many other possible irritants seniors with asthma need to avoid, too. Smoke, strong odors, perfume, and even strong cleaning products could be potential triggers. Figuring out which of these irritants are most triggering can be a good first step, and when seniors start to limit these other irritants, they may start to see a big decline in their asthma symptoms.

Use Air Filtration Devices

Proper ventilation is always important because it keeps air moving and can help reduce odors in the air. But a good air filtration device with a HEPA, or high-efficiency particulate air filter, is really helpful. These filters can help remove airborne particles like pollen, dust, and pet dander, reducing their impact on seniors with asthma. Home care assistance can help make it easier for seniors to maintain and use these devices, keeping indoor air cleaner.

Manage Medications

Not everyone with asthma has to take medication. However, many seniors do take medications to help reduce the impact of asthma on their daily lives. If medication is part of a senior’s care plan, they may need reminders to take their medication on time and properly to get the best results. Home care assistance providers can also be on the lookout for side effects that could cause discomfort.

Improving indoor air quality makes it easier for seniors with asthma to live healthier and happier lives. Home care assistance caregivers can stay alert for potential triggers and keep on top of tasks like laundry and light housekeeping that ensure seniors can breathe better. They can also help seniors notice more about how their environment affects their breathing so that they can learn more about the triggers they need to avoid.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Assistance in San Diego, CA, please contact the caring staff at A Passion for Care today. Call (858) 798-5005

A Passion for Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar, Rancho Bernardo, Encinitas, Oceanside, Rancho Santa Fe, Point Loma, and surrounding areas.

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Pat Melzer

Owner at A Passion for Care

Like many people in the senior care business, founder Pat Melzer was motivated by personal experience to start an in-home senior service business in 2010. After watching chronic conditions, dementia, and surgeries take over the life of her once very intelligent and lively mother-in-law, Pat saw the enormity of the need for better in-home care. Drawing on her 23 years of experience in the computer industry as a software product manager, engineering manager and computer programmer, she decided to develop best practices to build an organization that provides truly excellent, personalized care. Throughout the company’s history, Pat has been personally and professionally committed to ensuring your loved one receives the quality care they deserve. With often heroic efforts by the staff and dedicated caregivers, the vision has become a reality to be very proud of.

Making the transition to a completely new industry brought the opportunity to learn and grow, which continues still today. Pat studied Gerontology in San Diego State University’s certificate program and became licensed as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), a Home Health Aide (HHA), and completed the California Certification Program for Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCCFE) as a Certified Administrator. She presented workshops at Aging in America Conference four years in a row and served as Chair of the San Diego Regional Home Care Council 2019-2020 and was the education board member for several years. More recently, Pat became a Certified Senior Advisor and was a San Diego Business Journal “50 over 50 2022 Women of Influence Honoree”.

Pat and her husband Roland have lived outside San Diego in the San Pasqual Valley for over three decades. She has two children who are grown professionals and three grandchildren. Pat enjoys traveling to, and visits from, family and friends throughout the year. While at home in San Pasqual Valley, she and Roland enjoy peaceful views and exploring the surrounding valleys.

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