Taking every possible step to prevent respiratory infections in older adults is crucial, especially now that we're into cold and flu season and with COVID still in the mix.

very good advice to know and follow recomendations. Thank you

There are TWO types ( both necessary) of pneumonia vaccines. I believe that they are given four months apart. Ask your pulmonologist about both.

Ever since my dad started getting pneumonia 88 he was in out of hospital constantly now that he is asperation s they wanted to put a feeding tube in my dad's stomach which absolutely did not want so the made him go on hospice since he was leaving the hospital at high risk now the hospice nurse wants him to have alot of morphine and other pain meds I do not agree with

I was recently hospitalised with pneumonia and am still recovering at home. I am 77, have COPD, am pre-diabetic, have some arthritis, but still up until now have been living an active life, thanks to modern medicine, careful diet, etc. I had my flu shot already this year and had a pneumonia shot last year. I am still wondering if there was anything I could have done to prevent this.

people with parkinsons dementia or strokes can get dysphagia

My dad has had pneumonia 3 times since he had his esophagus stretched 88 years old drinking thin liquids like water coffee pop juice sips into their airways and builds up bacteria fluid in the lungs which causes pneumonia solids don't cause a problem there's a thickening powder they sell at Walgreens it's suppose to be tasteless made to put in all drinks so when they drink less likely to get in the airways thin soups could also be not good dysphagia happens alot to elderly weakening in the throat it's scary to get old

Thank you so much,because of your advice mum will be here a little bit longer.,and yes Ive had to educate myself.How many elderly people are dying due to ignorance,,? I have had no advice from doctors,they would just let mum fade away.Learning from other peoples experiences has been also blessing,Thank you everyone.

My mother was recently hospitalized with a gastric bleed. They gave her a unit of blood while in the hospital, and after the bleeding stopped, sent her home. She has not regained her strength, and a recent blood test indicated the need for another transfusion, which they have ordered for her tomorrow. In the meantime, she has developed a bad cold and cough, which I am afraid may be pneumonia, and in her already very weakened conditioned, I'm terrified this may just do her in. Her doctor has already ordered antibiotics - is there anything else I should be on the lookout for?

That's life, Jerome. Here one day and gone the next. I'm surprised that he's on Pradaxa instead of Coumadin ( safer). His advanced age is troubling. Has he ever had the TWO vaccines for pneumonia? ( important ). See a pulmonologist for this.

My father will be 90 this year. I have concerns and wondering if anyone has had the same things happen. Last fathers day my parents were visiting me. Both of them are/were very energetic for their ages and still live alone tend to the yard, drive etc. Everything was fine the day before, then my father woke up the next morning and didnt know where he was per say and didnt answer us, or recognize us. He just wanted to go back to sleep. We took him to the hospital and after test they found he had very advanced pneumonia. In fact the doctor said he was 3 days away from dying. They put him on steriodial medications, and about a week later they released him. What I cannot figure out, is this. He was completely independent and quick witted one day, then literally the next he was not. He needs constant care now, and walks with a cane and has forgotten some basic things like turning on his computer, which he lived on for 20 years! It almost has the symptoms of a stroke, but the docs say no. I even asked him what he thought about him being so frail now all of a sudden and he said he wondered about the same thing. I dont know if it was just the disease, or as i have read sometimes the meds are just as bad as the problem...he is on pradaxa rt now...Just wondered if anyone had any ideas or experienced something similar. Thanks

You need to know that older people can still get pneumonia even after taking the vaccine.

All I can tell you is that last year in Oct. I had bronchitis and was not a lot better after 3 weeks. I went to my dr. and he got very angry at me because I had not had the flu shot yet. I told him I was waiting to get better before I got the shot. He said the shot is not going to affect you just because you are sick right now, they give flu shots and pneumonia shots to people in the hospital all the time who are very sick. I told him I didn't know that. He said the the shot is not a live virus so it will not make you sick. In 2003 I had pneumonia and I get a shot for that every 5 years. I have never had an adverse reaction except for soreness at the injection site.

My mum has been diagnosed with bronchitis and having done some research, I have found that a Salt Pipe can be excellent for lung conditions. They work by cleaning the lungs. At around £20 it is worth a go.

My Mom is 96, and I am considering putting her in Assisted Living Memory Care. Does she need a pneumonia vaccine before she enters? I have no idea if she has ever had one.

She is frail. I have read some elders have a bad reaction to this vaccine and sometimes even result in death.

I would appreciate any responses, pro and con, anyone has on this vaccine.

Thank you.

Except for losing his energy, my dad had no symptoms of pneumonia.Then a few days ago he got a fever and we took him to the hospital. From a CT scan of his lungs he had pneumonia spots on both sides of his lungs and the doc said parts had probably been there for years! He's now in the hospital...and antibiotics have been started.

This makes me wonder because my mom (who is 91) coughs a lot at night and depending on the day can be somewhat lethargic. I just thought it was "good day" vs. "bad day". She has a heart condition and Alzheimer's. From what Kathy said, it could be pneumonia and I don't know it. I would hate for her to have pneumonia and me not get her to the doctor. Thanks for listening. Any advise would be really welcome. :)

Give antibiotic meds while waiting for the tests results .

I had an experience with one of my parents who 87 at the time. While my mother was taken to the hospital for a different reason - once there the doctor told me that she also has severe pneumonia. I told the doctor how surprised I was because she wasn't coughing, congested or had a fever. He told me that it was not uncommon. Often the elderly don't exhibit the signs we would flag but rather can be almost symptomless (perhaps more lethargic) and yet still have pneumonia.