Table of Content
Many caregivers notice their senior loved ones are more likely to get sick or tend to have difficulty recovering from injuries. This happens because the immune system has a difficult time fighting off foreign microorganisms as a person ages. Being able to understand why the immune system gets weaker as people get older can help you make sure your aging family member stays as healthy as possible.
How Aging Affects T-Cells
T-cells are a specific type of white blood cells that play an important role in killing off harmful organisms. They’re produced by the thymus gland, which shrinks as a person ages. Though a person’s overall number of T-cells doesn’t change with age, the body produces fewer new T-cells. The older T-cells don’t work as well as the new ones, especially when they encounter an illness the body hasn’t already developed an immunity to, which makes it harder for the body to handle infectious diseases such as pneumonia and influenza.
If you find it challenging to provide the care your loved one needs to remain healthy, safe, and comfortable at home, help is available. Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Las Vegas, NV, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care. Our caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity.
The Effect of Aging on Macrophages
Macrophages are another type of white blood cell the immune system uses to envelop harmful particles before they can cause problems. These cells are anti-inflammatory, so they don’t cause as much cellular inflammation as other types of immune responses. However, the macrophages in seniors slow down and aren’t as quick to respond to threats, resulting in higher levels of harmful inflammation whenever the body has to respond to a threat. One of their most important roles is to remove damaged cells from the body before they become cancerous, so slower macrophages may be part of the reason seniors get cancer more often than younger adults.
How Other Common Senior Illnesses Diminish Immunity
The immune system is a complicated network that involves various types of cells throughout the body, and it’s easily affected by anything else that happens to a senior, which means common health conditions in seniors may reduce overall immune capability. For example, type 2 diabetes tends to develop in people around the age of 64, and since it affects the way the body absorbs glucose, the cells of the immune system don’t get enough energy to function properly. Other illnesses that can affect the immune system include arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and lupus.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional senior home care. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.
What Seniors Can Do about Reduced Immune Function
There are several things seniors can do to boost their immune system functioning, including getting enough sleep, reducing stress, and eating a nutrient-rich diet. However, seniors are typically more at risk for infections and diseases. Therefore, it’s essential that they get all recommended vaccinations on schedule and avoid exposure to people who are ill. Try to always encourage your loved one to wash his or her hands frequently and to stop smoking, because it worsens immune responses.
If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of elder care Las Vegas families can trust. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. To learn about our high-quality in-home care plans, call us today.
