Safety at home Note · 4 min read

Pneumonia in older people may not look like pneumonia

Sudden confusion, weakness, maybe no fever at all. Older adults are at higher risk, and the signs are easy to miss on the phone

The Pushpa team · 4 sources

Pushpa notes50

In older people, pneumonia can look like

New confusion
Short of breath
Weak, more tired than usual
Fever (not always)

Not always a fever

In a younger adult, pneumonia usually means a cough, fever and breathlessness. In an older parent it can be quieter. MedlinePlus says older adults may have fewer and milder symptoms, may even have a lower-than-normal temperature, and sometimes just feel weak or suddenly get confused. The NHS also notes that confusion is common in older people with pneumonia

Who's at higher risk

Adults aged 65 and over, the CDC says
People who smoke
People with heart disease or a long-term lung condition, who are also more likely to need hospital care, the NHS says

Call 112 if

She suddenly becomes confused
She's struggling to breathe
Her skin, lips or tongue look pale, blue or blotchy
She's coughing up blood

65+

the age from which adults are at increased risk of pneumonia (CDC)

Prevention

Pneumococcal and flu vaccines. Ask her doctor which she needs
Not smoking, and keeping away from cigarette smoke
Washing hands often
Keeping long-term conditions like diabetes and COPD well managed

Most people get better in 2 to 4 weeks, the NHS says. Plan for some extra help at home while she recovers

How Pushpa helpsPushpa remembers how she sounded yesterday. If she's suddenly muddled, weak or breathless on the evening call, the family is told straight away, not in the next morning's report