Pneumonie im hohen Lebensalter

Pneumonia is a common and severe disease in older people. In this group of patients pneumonia is among the four most frequent diseases leading to death. The diagnosis can often be difficult due to an atypical clinical presentation. Therefore, pneumonia should always be considered as the cause of any deterioration in an older person. Geriatric problems, such as frailty, physical and psychological limitations should be recorded as well as the social situation, as all these factors are of prognostic importance. Pneumonia acquired in a nursing home or by people in need of long-term care has a less favorable prognosis. Although this type of pneumonia is considered to be community acquired, special attenion is required. The treatment of pneumonia does not fundamentally differ from the treatment of younger patients but should take special situations into account, such as the patient’s wishes documented in a living will when planning therapy. Older people in particular often show atypical clinical pictures with a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Therefore, in any acute change in the health condition of an older person COVID-19 should be considered.