Signs and Symptoms of Shingles

Awareness is one of the most important tools that you can use as a family caregiver to ensure that you are giving your aging loved one the care that they need to handle the challenges that they face as they age in place. One way that you can use this awareness is by educating yourself about the particular risks that they face so that you can detect when they’re saying they might be suffering from an illness or health challenge that could compromise their well-being, such as shingles. This potentially devastating virus affects approximately one million people throughout the United States each year and the risk for developing it increases with age. Identifying the signs and symptoms of the illness allows you to ensure that your parent gets the medical attention that they need as soon as possible so that they can reduce the severity and help to minimize the potential complication and consequences.

Some of the signs and symptoms of shingles include:

• Pain.
• Burning.
• Tingling.
• Numbness.
• Sensitivity to touch.
• Red rash that develops within a few days of the pain.
• Rash that contains fluid-filled blisters that then burst and crust over.
• Itching.
• Headache.
• Fever.
• Fatigue.
• Sensitivity to light.

The rash can develop on any area of the body but most commonly occurs on the torso. If it develops on the face it can move toward the eye and lead to serious complications including vision loss. It is very important if you notice any of these symptoms in your aging parent that you get them to the doctor as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and to begin the type of treatment that would be right for them.

If your aging parent has been struggling with challenges that you do not feel you can meet, your schedule is too busy for you to give them the level of care that they need, you struggle with your own limitations that keep you from giving them adequate care, or you simply feel that they would benefit from more diversified care and attention, now may be the ideal time for you to start elderly care for them. Through elderly care your aging parent can manage their challenges and limitations, seek a more active and engaged lifestyle, and maintain as much independence as possible as they age in place. The services can include safe and reliable transportation, assistance with personal care needs, help with keeping the home clean and tidy, meal preparation, and companionship to support mental and emotional health and well-being.

If you or an aging loved one are considering elderly care in Lafayette Hill, PA, contact the caring professionals at Reliant At Home Care today (610) 674-6860 .