As people age, their susceptibility to infections increases, and this trend is well documented across many infectious diseases. Several factors contribute to this vulnerability in older adults, including age-related decline in immune function, anatomical and physiological changes, and the extent of exposure to infectious agents. This article highlights key infection control issues relevant to elderly individuals across different health-care settings. The environment in which older adults live plays an important role in determining their infection risk.
Those residing in long-term care facilities or hospitals face significantly higher exposure than individuals living at home. Certain infections pose substantial threats to the elderly because they can severely reduce quality of life and may even be fatal. Infection Control Challenges Older adults frequently transition between various care…
