Skip to main content

Flu Prevention Tips for Protecting Senior Loved Ones

It’s the time of year when we’re thinking about football, pumpkin pie and … the flu.

With Covid-19 still impacting hospitals as the 2021 flu season gets under way, the Centers for Disease Control advocates getting the flu shot before the end of October—in particular, if you’re an older adult over the age of 65. Flu season is an especially worrisome time for seniors. They are vulnerable to falling ill because the aging process drastically slows down the production of antibodies to combat viruses. Research has shown that seniors who get the flu shot are better protected against serious illness and complications that can occur if they are challenged with other health conditions, such as chronic heart disease, COPD and diabetes.

In addition, studies show that the regular flu shot often isn’t as effective for seniors as it is for other adults. For this reason, the CDC advises that seniors at minimum get two different types of vaccinations: the high-dose Fluzone and the immunity booster Fluad. Overall, there are four FDA-approved antiviral drugs available to treat flu this season. Now’s the time to consult with your family doctor to understand what flu shot would be recommended for you or a senior loved one.

It’s also suggested that anyone who is a caregiver for an elderly individual get the flu shot as well, because even if a senior has gotten a flu shot, vaccinations are not always 100% successful. Caregivers who receive a flu shot will reduce the risk to their senior patient. This applies to friends and family members of seniors, too! You’re encouraged to get your flu shot as early as possible once the season begins. Once you get the flu shot, it will take around two weeks for antibodies to develop.

Here are some other healthy habits that help reduce the risk of picking up or spreading the flu virus:

  • Wash your hands frequently, using warm soapy water and scrubbing for 20 seconds at minimum (about the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice). Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask others to wash their hands!
  • Avoid touching your nose, eyes, and mouth with your hands, especially if you haven’t washed them in a couple of hours.
  • Carry hand sanitizer with you and use after touching high-traffic surfaces like doorknobs, countertops, desk phones, etc.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with your arm if you do have to sneeze or cough.
  • Heighten your immunity by eating right. Avoid dairy, caffeine, sugar, and processed foods when the weather cools. Help fight off flu and cold germs by drinking broths with cooked garlic or ginger, eating easily digested vegetables, and filtered water or hot tea.
  • Strive to sleep at least seven hours every night to give your immune system enough rest to stay strong.
  • Find ways to get exercise, even though the weather has turned cold and uninviting. Exercise is necessary to keep the immune system stoked!
  • Get help early should you experience flu symptoms (chills, fever, runny nose or congestion, sore throat, cough, body aches, headaches, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, and fatigue).
  • Click HERE for more flu facts about “Why People 65 Years and Older Need a Flu Shot” from the CDC.

Because of their training, Amada Senior Care caregivers know how to help seniors practice healthy habits during the flu season. Call us at (866) 752-1961 or visit www.AmadaSeniorCare.com for more information and to arrange a no-cost care consultation from your local Amada Senior Care office.

 

“Flu Prevention Tips for Protecting Senior Loved Ones” written by Michelle Flores, Amada blog contributor.

 

 

The post Flu Prevention Tips for Protecting Senior Loved Ones appeared first on Amada Senior Care.



from Amada Senior Care https://ift.tt/3AjLybi
via IFTTT
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dads and Pops: Your Good Health Matters to Us 

Did you know  June is  Men’s Health Month  and Father’s Day anchors Men’s Health Week ?   Celebrate dad on Father’s Day and thank him for all he  has  done, but  also  make sure to seize an opportunity sometime this month to have a conversation with him about his health. This awareness campaign has the critical purpose of informing men   that avoiding preventive healthcare puts them at real and serious risk of  contracting a disease or  acquiring  a chronic condition.   Studies consistently  show the numbers go against men , particularly as they advance into their senior years.   Even with dramatic advances in diagnosis and treatment over the past 100 years, men’s life expectancy still lags significantly behind women. According to  Harvard Health ,  the gap is widening. In 1900, the life expectancy for women was 48.3 years vs. 46.3 for men. In 2017, it was 81.1 years for women vs. 76.1 for men. Harvard...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to Evaluate a Memory Care Program for a Loved One

When a senior is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, or a similar form of dementia, families often begin to explore senior care options. Family members may need support with their elder’s personal care or help with keeping a senior safe while they are at work. Searching for short-term solutions may result in hiring a home care aide or enrolling in an adult day program. As the older adult’s disease advances, the search for assistance may shift to assisted living or memory care communities. While these are two distinct types of care, they are frequently located on the same campus. A memory care program is often a dedicated area of an assisted living community. It is designed to meet the unique needs of adults with memory impairment. If your family is beginning to visit memory care communities for a loved one, we have a few tips for conducting an objective evaluation of each option. 6 Tips for Evaluating a Memory Care Community 1. What is the community’s philosophy of care? Dementi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Memorize These Six Signs of a Scam

An 88-year-old woman is one of the latest victims of the sweepstakes scam. She lost $160,000 in order to get the millions the scammer claimed she’d won through the Publishers Clearing House. She’s not alone. This scam has been around for years and has affected tens of thousands. Be aware of the six signs of a scam to avoid losing money. The Caller Insists You Not Tell Anyone In a scam, the caller will insist that you cannot tell anyone. This is more likely to happen with the grandparent scam. The caller will say that the grandchild’s parents cannot know. Secrecy is important to the “grandchild.” If your parents are told not to tell anyone, it’s very likely a scam. Your parents should immediately report the scam to local authorities or the FTC at 1-877-382-4357. The Contact Arrives Out of the Blue A scam is going to start with a random call, email, or unsolicited mailer. Your parents didn’t enter a contest. It could be a scammer posing as a police officer, IRS representative, or ...
Post a Comment
Read more