If you’re caring for an elderly loved one as a CDPAP aide, then you should be familiar with how to manage fever in the elderly.

The elderly can be more susceptible to fevers because they tend to have a weakened immune system, and their bodies have to work extra hard to fight off infections when compared to younger individuals.

Below, we’ll discuss the signs of fever in the elderly, what is a high fever, how to manage and reduce fever, and a lot more.

Causes of fever in elderly individuals

When you have a fever, that’s a sign that your immune system is working full time to neutralize an attack from a virus or a bacteria.

And for most younger people, it is typically not a big deal to have a fever every now and then. 

But for elderly individuals, a fever can be a sign of something more serious, and it requires more of a careful and cautious approach.

  • Viral infections – The most common causes of fever in the elderly are viral infections like the flu, just like any other segment of the population.                      
  • Bacterial infections –  Fever caused by the body trying to fight off infection from a bacteria, such as urinary tract infection (UTI), food poisoning, strep throat, etc.
  • Infections in wounds –  The ederly can be more prone to pressure wounds like bed sores due to reduced mobility. If those wounds get infected by bacteria, it could lead to a fever.
  • Skin infections – Skin infections like shingles or fungal infections.
  • Chronic conditions – Chronic inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Prescription medications – Sometimes, the immune system can react to specific prescription medication and cause fever. If your loved one or client develops a fever after starting a new medicine, be sure to mention that to their doctor.
  • Gastrointestinal infections – Infections in the digestive tract can result in fever.
  • Heat stress – When exposed to excessive heat, the body might have trouble cooling itself quickly enough to return to a healthy temperature, potentially resulting in fever.
  • Malignant growths – Malignant tumors are cancerous growths and they can spread quickly, and also another potential cause of fever. 
  • Sepsis – An especially dangerous condition in the elderly, sepsis is when the body goes too far to fight an existing infection. It’s a potentially life threatening condition, and we’ll discuss more on sepsis below. 

As you can see, there is a wide range of potential causes for fever in the elderly. 

As we age, we are more at risk for infections because our immune system gets to be less robust than when we were younger.

That means a fever could be something simple as a viral respiratory tract infection, but it could also mean something that carries a greater risk of hospitalization. 

In the sections below, we’ll discuss the signs you need to look for, and when you should seek medical attention for a fever in your elderly caregiving client. 

Signs of fever in the elderly

Like everyone else, the primary sign of fever in the elderly is a rise in body temperature above the normal range (98.6 F is the average normal temperature for most people).

Typically, doctors don’t consider that you have a fever till your temperature goes above 100.4 F. But that might vary a little for seniors (more on that below). 

Beyond a rise in temperature, there might be additional signs in the elderly depending on what’s causing the fever.

If you notice any of the following symptoms, it might be a good idea to check your client’s temperature to see if they have a fever.

  • Unexpected sweating
  • Shivering or chills
  • Sudden muscle aches
  • Less appetite than usual
  • Headache that’s not going away with rest
  • More irritability than normal
  • Feeling of dehydration
  • Feeling of weakness, fatigue, or malaise

How to measure fever in the elderly

If you notice any of the above symptoms, then you should check your loved one or client’s temperature for a fever.

As we mentioned above, usually a doctor will consider you to have a fever at around 100.4 F.

But elederly individuals often have lower body temperatures than younger people, so the baseline of normal temperature for your caregiving client might be a bit different.

If you’re starting to care for a new senior person, be sure to check with their nurse or doctor to learn about their regular baseline temperature.

As far as measuring the body temperature, there are a few different ways you can check with a thermometer – oral, ear (tympanic), forehead, or rectal.

But you’ll get the most accurate readings with a digital thermometer in the mouth or under the arm. Also, if the temperature seems too high or too low, check it a few different times over a 15-20 minute span for a consistent measurement.

What is considered a high fever in the elderly? 

As explained above, typically a 2-degree F elevation above baseline temperature (around 100.4 F for most people) is considered to be a fever.

But that’s considered to be a mild fever, and usually not a cause for major concern.

A high fever is typically when the temperature exceeds 103 F. But since the baseline temperature might be a bit lower in the elderly, any significant elevation from that baseline should be considered a high fever.

If you notice a high fever, you should contact your loved one or client’s medical provider right away, especially if accompanied by any of the following symptoms.

  • Vomiting
  • Swelling or inflammation around an infected area
  • Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
  • Pain around the head or the neck
  • Pain when urinating
  • Abnormal/foul smell of urine
  • Disorientation or confusion
  • A sudden rash on the skin
  • Seizures or convulsions
  • Chest pain
  • Stomach pain

Sepsis and fever in the elderly

One of the potential causes for fever in the elderly is sepsis. 

Sepsis can be life-threatening, and people above the age of 65 tend to be more at risk of the condition.

Let’s take a deeper look into sepsis, so you can understand what it is and how to recognize the early signs, so you can get your loved one or client help in a timely manner if necessary.

What is sepsis?

Sepsis is caused when your immune system gets into overdrive in the process of fighting an infection. 

Instead of only fighting the bacteria or virus that’s attacking your body, the immune system goes overboard and releases chemicals into your bloodstream in the process. This causes inflammation throughout the body, leading to symptoms of sepsis.

Severe sepsis can result in septic shock, which is a medical emergency.

Sepsis statistics in the elderly

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates there are more than 1.5 million cases of sepsis each year in the United States, and it kills over 250,000 people each year. 

The CDC also estimates that the elderly are 13 times more likely to be diagnosed with sepsis than younger individuals.

Another study found that 63 percent of people above the age of 60 who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) met the diagnostic criteria of sepsis. 

Needless to say, if you’re caring for an older adult, then you need to remain vigilant for any signs of sepsis, as we’ll cover in the next section.

What are the signs of sepsis in the elderly? 

Here are the symptoms of sepsis to look out for.

  • Fluctuation in body temperature – Either above 101.3 F or below 95 F (remember to adjust according to the individual baseline temperature).
  • Rapid heart rate – Typically above 90 pulse per minute.
  • Rapid breathing – Typically over 20 breaths each minute.
  • Confusion – Sudden confusion or disorientation.

Some of these symptoms, especially the temperature fluctuations, can be easy to miss or written off as something mild. 

So, it’s best to discuss the possibility of sepsis with your care client’s doctor beforehand, so you know when to seek medical attention based on his or her health and medical history. 

The goal is to catch sepsis early enough so it can get treated, and prevent it from reaching the phases of severe sepsis or septic shock.

How do you treat a fever in the elderly? 

Once again, how you treat or manage fever in your elderly client should be discussed with his or her doctor. Seniors might have special health conditions or medications that make it necessary to approach a fever in a certain way.

But in general, you should treat a fever in the elderly the same way you would for a younger adult. 

Help your client stay hydrated. Sometimes water isn’t enough, and you can give them an oral rehydration electrolyte drink. 

Take any OTC medications to reduce fever, as long as it is approved by the client’s doctor.

Make sure they eat some nutritious food that is easy to digest, like soup. And of course, plenty of rest. 

Keep monitoring their temperature, and if you notice any other symptoms mentioned above besides a rise in temperature, be sure to notify the doctor immediately.

How to prevent fever in the elderly?

The best cure for a fever is to do your best and prevent one in the first place.

You can help your client or loved one prevent a fever by helping them maintain good overall health.

That means helping them stay current on their medications, and maintain proper hygiene to avoid viruses and bacteria.

You can also help them maintain a nutritious diet rich in protein, healthy carbs and fat, and a wide range of vitamins and minerals, either through food or supplements. 

Limit their exposure to too much heat or cold temperature to help keep a healthy core temperature. 

Finally, quality rest and as much movement as possible are also key factors in maintaining good health, which will ultimately reduce their risk of fever.

Key takeaways

For most younger people, the occasional fever is no big deal. It means your body is fighting off an attack from a bacteria or virus, and a few days of rest and adequate fluids typically do the trick. 

And for the most part, that’s also the case with the elderly. Usually, it’s not a cause for big concern.

But sometimes, it can mean something more serious, for all the reasons explained above. 

As a care provider to an elderly person, you should monitor your loved one or client for changes in body temperature on a regular basis.

That way, you’ll be able to catch an infection early, get medical help in a timely manner, and potentially prevent complications from severe conditions like sepsis. 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *