Call them bedbugs or bed bugs, the tiny wingless creatures are currently a hot topic in the 21st century. They're a nuisance that no person wants to confront in his home. The family caregiver who lives apart from an aging parent or elderly relative has good reason to be concerned about the crawling parasitic insects. Advanced-care nursing facilities, apartments (senior-specific or otherwise), and assisted living communities aren't immune to bed bug infestations.
Learn how bed bugs inhabit a living space, how they spread and where they hide. Find out why these insects are a particular health hazard to older persons. Take note of what a caregiver can do to remedy a bed bug problem where an elderly relative lives.
What are Bed Bugs and How Do Bed Bug Insects Spread?
Bed bugs are flat brown parasitic insects that are slightly smaller than a standard pencil eraser. The insects can be seen by someone with fairly good eyesight. A magnifying glass is handy for locating bed bugs in cracks, tiny openings and places where they blend in with the background. They feed on human blood and the blood of some animals. They appear darker (fatter and purplish) after feeding. Unfortunately, bed bugs can go months without feeding and they're prolific breeders.
All it takes is one person to start a bed bug infestation. The insects attach to clothing, backpacks, suitcases, bedspreads (in hotels) and just about anything that can give them a free ride to a house or other destination. It's easy to understand why visitors can easily bring bed bugs into a residential facility – even a place where one might not expect to see hideous crawling insects.
Places Where Bed Bugs Hide
Bed bugs crawl – they don't jump or fly. They lay eggs in floor openings and wall cracks, as well as inhabit carpets and baseboards. A bed bug infestation is no indication of poor hygiene or bad housekeeping; in fact, these insects have been found in classier hotels. Residents who suspect a bed bug problem might spot them crawling on furniture, behind picture frames and on draperies.
But those aren't the only places bed bugs hide; search for them on stuffed animals and on clothing in closets. Check the most popular bed bug hiding places – pillows, box springs (inside and out), bed frames and mattresses. Look for tears or open places in the mattress where bed bugs can hide. The parasites are called bed bugs because they feed at night when unsuspecting persons (hosts) are asleep. Itchy bites are often mistaken for mosquito bites.
Why are Bed Bugs a Concern for Elderly People?
Bed bugs bite and suck blood from their hosts. Multiple bites often appear as a skin rash. Though the insects transfer no known diseases, they can still create medical problems by causing infection from scratching. How are bed bugs a problem to elderly persons?
- Frail elderly persons with compromised immune systems (a result of age, diabetes and/or poor circulation) are at high risk for a blood infection.
- Older seniors with areas of very thin skin (front of the lower legs, for example) can suffer from serious infection with a simple scratch. Infections can become a skin ulcer that takes months to heal – if it heals at all.
- Older people often take one or more medications. If a particular medication happens to suppress pain and/or itching, the victim may not realize that he's been bitten.*
- Bed bugs will crawl practically anywhere. They may lurk in the cupboard where dishes and cups are stored. They get into the linen closet, cooking area and may crawl into the silverware drawer. They can even get on food in cabinets and in the refrigerator.
- Poor eyesight makes it hard for many elderly people to see bed bugs, so the infestation can easily grow worse.
- Bed bugs can isolate an older person. Friends and relatives stop visiting because they don't want to risk bringing these insects home. Friends resist inviting the elderly person to go out.
- Bed bugs cause anxiety and stress. The stigma of living in a place infested with crawling bed bugs is demeaning and depressing to anyone of any age.
*Maureen McDonald, contributing writer for AARP Bulletin, enlightens readers in the article, "Bedbugs Put Bite on Older Adults" (December 2010, pg.8). McDonald states, "Bedbugs can be especially problematic for older people, who may not see them because of diminished eyesight." And, "... older adults are often less responsive to allergens because of medications they take, according to Beth Miller, M.D., of the University of Kentucky. If bites go unnoticed, the problem can spread unchecked."
How Can a Caregiver Eliminate Bed Bugs in an Older Person's Home?
An elderly person who lives at home or in an apartment may not be aware of bed bugs until a caregiver or someone else points out the problem. Caregivers should also note that an elderly person might be aware of an infestation, but may try to ignore the problem or keep it a secret. Whatever the case, every square inch of space has to be checked in order to eradicate the pests. Signs of bed bug infestation include egg cases and feces, as well.
Bed bugs are hard to eliminate, so expect to hire a professional exterminator. This is one of those times when you, as a caregiver or family member, can save money by hiring an expert. Consider the scope of the work involved:
- Serious home infestations usually require discarding bedding and affected pieces of furniture. Bugs can get into minuscule openings where assembled wood or fiberboard fit together.
- All bed linens, pillows, washable curtains, area rugs, tablecloths and so forth must be washed in hot water and dried on high heat.
- Bed bug feces can stain and ruin clothing, so prepare to discard what's damaged in dressers and closets.
- Vacuum all possible places first, and then steam clean floors, baseboards and carpets.
- Inspect every inch of room and closet space and thoroughly inspect every single belonging the person owns.
- Check wallpaper edges, books and magazines, electronics, hanging pictures (and frames), and window areas. Check under appliances, too.
Common household pesticide sprays are not likely to kill bed bugs. Consider how many cans of spray would be needed (and the total cost) if a small home is infested. There's no guarantee the store-bought insecticide will work. It pays to get a professional exterminator who can hopefully eradicate the pests on the first try – and the company is bound to guarantee the work.
Assisted Living Residences and Nursing Homes Are Not Immune to Bed Bug Infestation
Notify immediately the housekeeping staff or higher management if bed bugs are discovered in your elderly loved one's nursing home room or other assisted living setting. Professional extermination should take care of the problem. As a precaution, continue to check the elderly person's personal belongings, clothing and bedding on each visit. A caregiver can look for bites on the elder's skin; she should check clothing in drawers and the closet, and anything else – including open packages of food.
The risk of bed bug contamination is one good reason never to buy used beds and furniture from a yard sale, thrift store or secondhand store. Once the pests invade a living space, they are extremely difficult to eliminate. Once again, the quickest and easiest way to get rid of them is to hire an exterminator. A pro is certainly more cost-efficient.
An informed caregiver stays alert to any problems that may arise with an aged loved one. Act quickly to eliminate bed bugs. Don't take chances; reduce the health risks from exposure to parasitic insects. Maintain safe standards of living for the elderly person in your care.
Sources
- Dr. Stephen A. Kells, Assistant Professor, and Jeff Hahn, Extension Professor, "Prevention and Control of Bedbugs in Residences" University of Minnesota Extension, (2011).
- Melissa Conrad Stöppler, M.D., "Bed Bugs" MedicineNet.com, (2011).
Mary King - Mary King is a Suite101 Topic Editor for the Caregiver Support and Home Management sections. She has authored 5 teen-based novels.
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