Pneumonia can be serious for anyone, but for older adults, it can be especially dangerous. This common lung infection doesn’t always look the same in seniors as it does in younger people. Today’s blog post will explore what pneumonia is, why it often affects older adults differently, and how it can connect with conditions like dementia. We’ll also talk about ways to prevent pneumonia and where to find pneumonia vaccines in your community. With the right information and care, we can all help older adults stay safe, strong, and breathe easily. 

 

What is Pneumonia? 

John Hopkins Medicine, pneumonia is “an infection of one or both of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.” According to the American Lunch Association, adults age 65 and older are over 10 times more likely to be hospitalized due to pneumonia. A 2020 study found that nearly one million older adults are hospitalized with pneumonia every year in the US. Pneumonia can be either bacterial or viral.  

 

How are symptoms different in older adults? 

• Typical symptoms include a fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Older adults may not show these symptoms and may show different symptoms, such as: 
  • Confusion 
  • Temporary unconsciousness 
  • Rapid breathing 
  • Racing heart/heart palpitations 
  • Sudden drops in blood pressure 
  • Very high or low temperature 
  • Issues with circulation  
  • Feeling weak or having balance issues (increasing risk of falls) 
  • Urinary incontinence 
  • Worsening of chronic health conditions  
  • Loss of appetite 

 

Pneumonia & Dementia 

• According to the Alzheimer’s Society in the UK, people with dementia and other memory issues are more likely develop pneumonia.  
• Interestingly, studies show that people who are hospitalized with pneumonia are more likely to experience memory issues and decline.  
  • This is also true for people hospitalized due to pneumonia related to Covid 19. 

• Aspiration Pneumonia happens when you inhale something other than air (e.g., drinks or food). Whatever you inhale has the chance of sending bacteria to your lungs.  
  • People older than age 65 have a higher risk of aspiration pneumonia.  
  • People who have trouble swallowing (also called dysphagia) also have a higher risk of developing aspiration pneumonia. Dysphagia is common in individuals with dementia 
  • Aspiration pneumonia is the most common cause of death among those with Alzheimer’s disease.  

• Preventing dysphagia  
  • Minimizing distractions during meals 
  • Chewing food completely 
  • Sitting in an upright position when eating/drinking 
  • Cutting food into smaller pieces (or switching to pureed food in severe cases) 
  • Making sure dentures fit well and are comfortable to use when eating 
  • If you’re feeding a senior in your care, feed them at a slower pace 
  • More tips on food and eating with dementia via the Alzheimer’s Association  

 

Treatment 

• It’s important to see a doctor if you experience any of the following: 
  • Have certain chronic illnesses (e.g., diabetes) 
  • Difficulty breathing 
  • Chest pain 
  • Fever that’s higher or a temperature that’s lower than usual 
  • Confusion  
  • Bluish color in your nails, lips, or face 
• Antibiotics are usually used to treat bacterial pneumonia (antibiotics don’t work on viruses) 
• You may also be told to rest and drink fluids to help your body fight the infection 

 

Prevention  

• Studies show that getting your flu shot, as well as the pneumococcal shot can reduce your risk of developing pneumonia.  
  • Pneumococcal shot requires a booster every six years.  
• Washing hands regularly 
• Avoiding or quitting smoking 
• Eating and drinking in an upright position 
• Giving yourself at least a half hour between eating/drinking and laying down. 
• Chewing slowly 
• General healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and regularly moving your body 
• Making sure chronic conditions are well managed 
• Practicing good dental hygiene and scheduling routine dentist appointments 
• Making sure any infections you have are treated ASAP so your immune system isn’t weakened 

 

Getting Your Pneumonia Vaccine– the following pharmacies have the vaccine in stock as of 10/23/25!

• Ann Arbor Drugs (734) 563-7847 
• Ann Arbor Pharmacy (734) 677-5555 
• Costco (you do not need to be a member to use their pharmacy) 
• CVS (Call your local store or make an appointment online) 
• Hometown Pharmacy (Chelsea) (734) 475-1188 
• Jensen’s Community Pharmacy (Dexter, Saline) 
• Kroger (Call your local store or make an appointment online) 
• Little Pharmacy of Milan (734) 439-3900 
• Meijer (Call your local store or make an appointment online) 
• Saline Pharmacy (734) 316-2162 
• Sam’s Club (you do not need to be a member to use their pharmacy) 
• Walgreens (Call your local store or make an appointment online) 
• Walmart (Call your local store or make an appointment online) 
• Washtenaw County Health Department (734) 544-6700 
  • Note: the vaccines are listed as PCV20 & PVC21 on their website 
• Looking for a flu shot? Check out last month’s blog post! 
• No pharmacies mentioned in your area? EasyVax website shows your local pharmacies that carry specific vaccines 
• You can always talk with your doctor about whether their office can offer a vaccine.