Help the Elderly Avoid the Flu: 6 Tips to Follow

As we enter the beginning of flu season this year, it’s always a good idea to take stock of how well we and our families are prepared for the flu. The elderly are often particularly vulnerable to the flu virus and complications from the flu that can become very serious. So, please take some time to ensure your elderly loved ones are prepared by following these 6 steps, and please contact us if you have any questions:

1. Help Them Get a Flu Shot Early in the Season

According to the CDC, it’s a good idea to make sure your family, especially your senior loved ones, get the flu shot before the flu is really going around. It takes about 2 weeks for the body to respond to the shot by creating immunity to the strains that the immunization includes. The flu vaccine is updated every year to try and adapt as the virus adapts. And although most flu vaccines aren’t a perfect match, they provide more protection by strengthening the immune system against invaders generally and can lessen the possibility and impact of severe complications.

2. Encourage Frequent Hand Washing

Hand washing vigilance is essential to reducing flu and illness risk generally. Encourage everyone in the family, elderly loved ones included, to very thoroughly wash their hands with soap and warm water in these scenarios:

• Before eating.
• After blowing your nose
• After going to the restroom or bathroom
• After going shopping or being out in public
• After using public transportation, elevators or railings of any kind
• After flipping light switches or turning doorknobs.
• After using your phone or a computer

Yes, it can sound a little OCD, but during flu season, it’s better to be careful. If you are out and about and don’t have a chance to wash your hands before eating, make sure to carry hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes and use them. Use the sanitizing wipes on shopping carts, as most grocery stores provide these.

3. Encourage Seniors Not to Touch Their Faces

Remind seniors to avoid touching their faces – rubbing their eyes, mouth or nose. This can transport germs right into the body via the respiratory system’s mucous membranes. If they need to wipe their noses, have tissues handy and wash hands afterwards.

4. Drink Enough Water

Help your elderly loved ones to stay hydrated by helping them track their water intake using water bottles marked with milliliters or ounces on the side. Staying hydrated can give your immune system a helpful tool in ushering germs out of the body.

5. Focus on Immune-Boosting Nutrition

Encourage your entire family to indulge in citrus, leafy greens, broccoli, sweet potatoes and berries all flu season long. Adding garlic, ginger and cinnamon to your foods can also help, as can eating some pro-biotic filled Greek yogurt. If your elderly loved one has dietary restrictions to consider, please talk with their doctor about ways they can eat a better diet or if they might take some supplements to help boos their immune systems.

6. Promote Healthy Sleep Cycles

Sleep deprivation can really weaken the immune system, so do all you can to help you and your elderly loved ones get the right amount of restful sleep at night. If it’s hard for your loved one to settle at night, help them establish peaceful bedtime rituals that can calm and sooth them into a relaxing slumber.

Our At Home Personal care senior health team is ready to help you and your elderly loved ones get through the flu season feeling great. Contact us in Northern Virginia for more ideas and assistance: (703) 494-3989 today.