Low Oxygen Levels in the Elderly: Signs, Monitoring, & Solutions
Let’s take a closer look at oxygen levels in seniors, and what you can do to help your loved one maintain the healthiest respiratory system possible.
Low Oxygen Levels in the Elderly: Signs, Monitoring, & Solutions
The body’s ability to take in oxygen, and distribute it to vital organs is the most critical aspect of good health. This is especially true with older people, as maintaining adequate oxygen saturation, can decline as seniors age. This is known as Hypoxemia.
Let’s take a closer look at oxygen levels in seniors, and what you can do to help your loved one maintain the healthiest respiratory system possible.
Why Monitoring Oxygen
Levels is Important in Seniors
Simply put, oxygen is the key to life. It is vital to every part of our bodies, including the brain. In addition to the long-term physical problems associated with low oxygen levels, mental acuity can also suffer, in the form of confusion, fatigue, and cognitive impairment.
Signs of Low Oxygen Levels in the Elderly
There are several ways to recognize inadequate blood oxygen levels in seniors, including:
- Headaches
- Breathing Difficulties
- Rapid Heart Rate
- Mental Confusion
- Weakness
- Bluish skin color
Should your older loved one experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek help from their doctor right away.
What is a Healthy Blood Oxygen Level?
Blood oxygen levels will vary in older people, based on age, and overall health status.
Typically, a normal blood oxygen saturation reading for a healthy person is between 95% and 100%.
Your loved one’s doctor might find a lower oxygen saturation level acceptable. However, any person with a blood oxygen level of 90% or lower should seek medical attention right away.
How to Monitor Oxygen in the Elderly
Modern medical technology has made it very simple to accurately measure and monitor your loved one’s blood oxygen levels. Several devices are readily available, and reasonably inexpensive, including:
Fingertip Pulse Oximeters
An extremely easy, and accurate way to monitor blood oxygen levels is with a fingertip pulse oximeter.
An oximeter is a small, spring-loaded device that is placed on a person’s index finger.
This machine emits light through the finger, and via a sensor on the other side, measures how much illumination passes through without being blocked by tissue, or flowing blood.
The fingertip oximeter will display a numerical percentage of oxygen saturation found in the blood.
Find a Community in your area
No matter your need, we have the right community for you. Get started finding the perfect new home for you or your loved one today!
Wearable Wrist Oximeters
Instead of being placed on the fingertip, a wrist oximeter is worn like a watch, and monitors and records blood oxygen levels for long periods of time.
A wrist oximeter is a great choice for older people who need constant oxygen monitoring, as compared to the spot-check nature of a fingertip device. Data from wrist oximeters can be downloaded by health providers to evaluate oxygen levels over the long term.
How to Increase Blood
Oxygen Levels in the Elderly
There are several effective ways to help your loved one increase their blood oxygen saturation levels, such as:
Exercise
Physical movement, appropriate to one’s age and health condition, is a great way to increase blood flow, and the movement of oxygen throughout the body.
Fresh Air
Breathing in clean, fresh outdoor air is another way to allow the lungs to expand and nourish the brain, heart, and other organs with plenty of rich oxygen blood.
Practice Breathing Techniques
Yoga and Tai Chi are good methods to focus on one’s breathing to improve oxygen intake. These activities also promote calm, in both body and mind.
Nutrition
Eating a healthy diet, full of antioxidants, and other foods that decrease inflammation can play a big role in supporting both heart and lung health. Building strong cardiovascular, and pulmonary systems is the best way to ensure oxygen-rich blood travels effectively throughout the body.
Frontier Senior Living Promotes Healthy & Meaningful Lifestyles
Helping your older loved one maintain good blood oxygen levels will optimize their health, regardless of age or underlying medical conditions.
The friendly, experienced team at Frontier Senior Living is passionate about helping our residents live healthy lives, full of purpose, and meaning.
If you would like to learn more about our many Independent Living, Assisted Living, or Memory Care services, we cordially invite you to visit one of our beautiful properties, and take a tour.
Find a community near you
that perfectly fits your needs.
Our Communities
Washington Gardens Memory Care
9000 Southwest 91st Avenue Tigard, Oregon 97223 (503) 213-6494 Levels of Care:Assisted Living, Memory Care
Clearwater Springs Assisted Living
201 Northwest 78th Street Vancouver, Washington 98665 (360) 803-4546 Levels of Care:Assisted Living
Monterey Court Memory Care
8915 Southeast Monterey Avenue Happy Valley, Oregon 97086 (503) 773-6670 Levels of Care:Assisted Living, Memory Care
