It is difficult to independently monitor blood oxygen saturation in an elderly person, and it is dangerous to lose sight of critical changes.
With the help of a professional pulse oximeter, this indicator will be monitored.
This device will help in time to identify the occurrence of inflammatory processes, pathologies, changes in the functioning of the respiratory system and provide timely qualified assistance in treatment and care
Choose the best pulse oximeter for seniors you can check HERE...
Choose The Best Pulse Oximeter for Seniors
Table of Contents
Normal Oxygen Saturation By Age
It should be noted that oxygen saturation in the blood is an indicator that requires periodic monitoring in all elderly people.
Changing the values helps to suspect inflammation even before the appearance of a clinical picture. Thus, it is possible to react in time and conduct an additional examination to establish the exact cause of the decrease in saturation and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Are you looking for the best pulse oximeter for being always informed about your saturation level?
WellueO2 ring is considered to be pulse oximeter and sleep overnight track has what always gives accurate tracking of all indicators.
It has more features such as oximetry Technologies, waterproof resistance, smart alarms and saturation alerts.
The rate of decrease in saturation depends on the severity of the disease.
So, with coronavirus infection, saturation in the elderly decreases by 1-2% every day.
A more rapid decrease in oxygen in the blood indicates the development of complications of the inflammatory process and requires continuous monitoring of the patient.
Why is the saturation of elderly people decreasing?
Low blood oxygen saturation of elderly people is observed in two groups of diseases:
- Pneumonia, etc. In this case, the lungs are not able to “transfer” a sufficient amount of oxygen to hemoglobin.
- Diseases of the blood, which are characterized by a change in its qualitative or quantitative composition (for example, anemia). In this situation, a sufficient amount of oxygen enters through the lungs, but there is no one to carry it.
Without additional examination it is impossible to understand why the saturation has decreased. In such situations, complex diagnostics are always prescribed.
In addition, quite often, due to circulatory disorders in the limbs of the elderly, the device shows results on the finger that are much lower than they actually are. In this case, it is recommended to rub your finger, improving blood flow. Or put the device on your earlobe.
Is there a difference between Ordinary Pulse Oximeter and Pulse Oximeter for Elderly ?
No. Pulse Oximeters work as simple pulse oximeters.
It is a non-invasive device that works by measuring the amount of hemoglobin in the blood.
It consists of a light source and a sensor that checks the absorption of the light beam. Due to the fact that oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin has a different color and exhibits different light absorbing ability, the oximeter is able to distinguish between them and based on this estimate the blood oxygen saturation value.
The SpO2 test result is expressed as a percentage…
What is a good oxygen level for elderly? Detailed Chart
Pulse Oximeter saturation results can be distorted by contraction of blood vessels, for example, from cold or the person’s mobility;
With an increased level of bilirubin; due to the applied cosmetics on the parts of the body to which the device is attached;
Fungus of the nail plate; tattoos on the fingers; dark nail polish on the patient’s nails. Accurate measurements can also be affected by exposing the subject to a strong light source such as phototherapy, surgical or fluorescent lamps.
Any respiratory failure leads to a decrease in saturation, so the level of oxygen in the blood is not a diagnostic criterion in determining coronavirus.
Saturation Level by age |
Index | Comments |
Normal oxygen saturation by age 50 |
The saturation must have a normal result of 93-95%.
Patients on oxygen therapy may have a saturation level of 100%. |
At this age if the saturation is below 90%, we are dealing with hypoxia of the body, which indicates a severe |
Normal oxygen saturation by age 60,65,70 |
The saturation is 95-96% | Patients over 60 years of age are initially at risk, so they can not focus on saturation, but take into account also fever and weakness.
If these signs are observed, they need to call a doctor… |
Normal oxygen saturation by age 75,80 |
95-94% | A decrease in these values indicates the presence of pathology and the need for oxygen therapy. Depending on the severity of oxygen starvation, the degree of oxygen deficiency is established. To assess the severity of the pathology, doctors periodically monitor the level of saturation in the elderly. |
Normal oxygen saturation by age 90 |
93% or less | Generally it is considered low and is called hypoxemia. But at this age it is considered to be norm
Oxygen levels below 80 percent can damage organs such as the brain and heart and require immediate attention. Prolonged low oxygen levels can lead to respiratory or cardiac arrest. |
Which Pulse Oximeter to Choose For an Elderly Person?
There are several versions of this instrument based on the application and varying in size and accuracy. Here are a few of them:
Stationary pulse oximeter
The largest, book-sized, stationary pulse oximeters are used in medical settings. They are connected to patients during operations or during therapeutic events.
Such devices have a sensor on a wire attached to the patient’s finger. Stationary pulse oximeters have the highest measurement accuracy, yielding, perhaps, to a laboratory blood test.
Belt pulse oximeter
As the name implies, they are belt-mounted and allow the patient to move around the hospital without interrupting saturation measurements. Belt devices have slightly lower accuracy than stationary devices.
Wrist pulse oximeter
Small, portable devices, most often in the form of bracelets attached to the wrist. These pulse oximeters are not medical equipment and give a relatively small measurement error. The most accurate can be considered those that have a remote sensor for attaching to the finger. Wrist pulse oximeters are handy when you’re outdoors.
Finger pulse oximeter
The smallest, matchbox-sized, fingertip pulse oximeters like Wellue O2 ring are ideal for everyday use.
Made in the form of a clothespin on the finger, it has a small display for data output. Ultra-precise measurements are not carried out with such a device, but it will easily identify problems with a pulse or saturation.
How to increase the saturation of Elderly people?
Older people often have vascular atherosclerosis, this can also lead to the fact that saturation can be underestimated.
The doctors say that when they measure saturation, they need to look at it on all fingers. If they see a saturation below 95, then first try on all fingers, measure longer, if there is no increase on any of the fingers, this is an ambulance call.
There are many ways to increase the saturation level in the elderly.
The most obvious of these is to let the patient breathe in an oxygen mixture. But this method will only work if there is a problem with the respiratory system. If low saturation develops against the background of anemia, treatment will be aimed at eliminating this condition.
To do this, the doctor may prescribe vitamins, trace elements or other medications. Patients can also raise saturation with the help of physical exercises. However, not all types of physical activity are suitable for this, but only some of them. For them to be effective, the exercises must be performed under the supervision of an instructor.
How Fast the Saturation of Elderly is decreasing?
Saturation of elderly may gradually decrease over hours, sometimes even days. It is often possible to observe a decrease in saturation by 1-2% per day.
If a complication occurs, for example, a thrombosis in the pulmonary artery, then the level of oxygen in the blood can drop to critical levels in a matter of minutes.
In many elderly patients, most often the worsening of the situation is associated with such thrombosis.
FAQ
What is a Normal oxygen saturation by age while sleeping?
During sleep, an elderly person’s saturation (the level of oxygen saturation in the blood) drops till 92/93 %.
Saturations below 92% are generally considered critical.
Elderly normal oxygen saturation by age?
The saturation must have a normal result of 93-95%.
Saturation of elderly may gradually decrease over hours, sometimes even days. It is often possible to observe a decrease in saturation by 1-2% per day.
Is 77 normal Oxygen level?
No, it is an extremely dangerous level of oxygen saturation in the blood, and may indicate a serious health disorder. Call the ambulance immediately or contact your nearest emergency department.
You may need an emergency x-ray or cardiac examination.
When do elderly people need a regular measurement of saturation?
It is worth measuring saturation on an ongoing basis, at least twice a day, if you have chronic lung diseases, bronchial asthma, or heart failure.
