Shingles

Convenient and Effective At-Home Shingles Care for Seniors

Dealing with shingles can be daunting, especially for seniors. However, with the option of at-home care, your elderly loved one can rest comfortably in familiar surroundings while receiving adequate treatment for shingles. This approach promotes faster recovery and involves family members, adding an extra layer of support and peace of mind.

Key Benefits of At-Home Shingles Care

• Comfort and Convenience: Receiving care at home reduces stress, contributing to a faster recovery.
• Personalized Care: One-on-one attention allows tailored treatment plans catering to individual needs.
• Risk Reduction: Attentive care and early detection of complications minimize the risk of severe shingles-related issues.
• Family Involvement: Family members can play an active role in the care process, providing support and assurance to the senior.

Specific Treatments and Services

At-home shingles care includes several treatments aimed at easing discomfort and speeding up recovery:

• Pain Management: Over-the-counter or prescription medications tailored to the individual’s needs.
• Topical Treatments: Creams or ointments to alleviate discomfort and itching.
• Antiviral Medications: Prescribed to hasten healing and reduce complications.
• Wound Care: Regular cleaning and bandaging of blisters or sores to prevent infection.
• Dietary Recommendations: Guidance to support the immune system and overall health.
• Emotional Support: Monitoring for signs of depression or anxiety related to the condition.
• Education: Informing both the senior and family members about the signs of complications and when to seek immediate medical attention.

Common Symptoms of Shingles and When to Seek Treatment

Shingles typically affect a small part of one side of the body or face, often developing as a band around the torso. Common symptoms include:

• Pain, burning, tingling, or numbness
• Sensitivity to touch
• Fluid-filled blisters
• Mild itching

Some individuals may also experience:

• Chills
• Fevers
• Headaches
• Upset stomach
• Fatigue
• Sensitivity to light

Pain is often the first symptom and can be intense. Depending on its location, it can be mistaken for heart, lung, or kidney problems. Some people experience pain without developing a rash, while others may have mild symptoms involving only itching. Most cases of shingles last about three to five weeks.

Causes and Prevention of Shingles in Seniors

Shingles are caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same virus responsible for chickenpox. After recovering from chickenpox, the inactive virus lives in some nerve cells. It may eventually reactivate and travel along nerve pathways to the skin, causing shingles. While most people who carry the VZV virus never develop shingles, about one in three adults will experience reactivation.

Factors that increase the likelihood of shingles include:

• Advanced Age: Fighting off infections becomes more challenging with age. Experts suggest that half the population aged 80 or older will develop shingles.
• Weakened Immune System: Age, cancer treatments, excessive sun exposure, organ transplant drugs, stress, or even the common cold can weaken the immune system.

Prevention

Two vaccines can help prevent shingles in seniors:

• Zostavax: An older, live vaccine given as a single injection, offering protection for about five years.
• Shingrix: Approved by the FDA in 2017 and preferred over Zostavax. It provides protection beyond five years and is administered in two doses, two to six months apart.

Shingrix is recommended for people aged 50 and older, including those previously receiving Zostavax. However, it should not be administered to individuals who are ill, have a fever, a weakened immune system, or have had an allergic reaction to the vaccine. Consult a doctor before scheduling the vaccine. All Medicare Part D plans and most private insurers cover the shingles vaccine.

What to Do If You Think Your Elderly Loved One Has Shingles

If you suspect your elderly loved one has shingles, consult a medical professional immediately, particularly if the pain and rash occur near an eye, as this can lead to permanent eye damage. Early treatment can ease pain and help blisters dry up faster. Shingles can be managed at home, and hospital stays are rarely required. Here are some tips to help seniors feel better during recovery:

• Get plenty of rest and eat well-balanced meals.
• Apply a cold washcloth to the blisters to reduce pain.
• Avoid stress, which can increase pain.
• Take oatmeal baths or use calamine lotion to soothe the skin.
• Wear loose-fitting, natural-fiber clothing.

While shingles are not contagious, they can transmit the chickenpox virus. To limit the spread, seniors should keep the rash covered, avoid touching it, and wash their hands frequently.

At-home shingles care offers seniors a convenient, effective way to manage their condition while receiving the support and comfort they need.