Approximately 6 percent of all deaths throughout the United States are sepsis-related, and 22 percent of those deaths include sepsis as a listed underlying cause. The number of people who die as a result of sepsis each year is more than that of AIDS, prostate cancer, and breast cancer combined. As a family caregiver this illustrates just how important it is for you to take meaningful steps to help protect your parent from the potentially devastating consequences of sepsis. As with many other health complications and challenges, early detection is key to minimizing the risk of serious consequences of sepsis if it does develop. This makes it critical that you are able to identify the potential signs and symptoms of sepsis so that you can recognize when your loved one might be struggling with this condition so that you can get them the medical attention that they need to manage their condition and protect their health.

It is important to note that sepsis is frequently considered a three-part condition. Each stage of the disease has symptoms, allowing you to detect the progression. Some of these signs and symptoms include:

Sepsis (diagnosis requires at least two of these along with an infection):

• Heart rate above 90 beats per minute
• Body temperature above 101 degrees Fahrenheit or below 96.8 degrees Fahrenheit
• Respiratory rate above 20 breaths per minute
Severe sepsis (upgrade requires presence of at least one of these):
• Drastically decreased output of urine
• Decrease in platelet count
• Abrupt change in their mental status or behavior
• Pain in the abdomen
• Challenges breathing
• Abnormalities with the pumping function of the heart

Septic shock:

If your parent is exhibiting the signs of severe sepsis and experience dramatically low blood pressure that does not respond properly to fluid replacement, they will be diagnosed with septic shock. This is an extremely dangerous condition that can lead to death.

Though most cases of sepsis occur in the hospital, it can also develop when your parent is at home dealing with or recovering from an infection. If your aging parent has suffered an infection and is showing any signs of sepsis, seek medical assistance immediately.

Starting senior care for your elderly parent can be one of the best decisions that you make for them throughout the time that you are their family caregiver. Whether you live at a distance or are close by, are only able to be with your parent occasionally or can be with them daily but feel that they would benefit from additional care and support, the highly personalized services of a senior home care services provider can fill care gaps that exist in your care routine and ensure that your senior is getting everything that they need to maintain a lifestyle that is happy, healthy, safe, and comfortable, and that features as much independence and fulfillment as possible as they age in place. This can include monitoring their physical health and condition and letting you know when they notice indications that they might be struggling with challenges or complications, offering reminders to keep them compliant with medications and treatments, and supporting good lifestyle choices for a healthier life as they age in place.

http://www.sepsis.org/sepsis-and/prevention/
https://www.cdc.gov/sepsis/datareports/index.html
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sepsis/symptoms-causes/dxc-20169787
http://www.sepsis.org/sepsis-and/aging/

If You Or An Aging Loved One Are Considering Hiring Senior Care in South Pasadena, FL, Please Contact The Caring Staff At Assisting Hands Home Care Today! 727-748-4211.