You must be very vigilant when it comes to taking care of your aging mom or dad during the flu season. From early fall to late spring, millions of Americans suffer from influenza. Seniors are especially affected by this contagious illness, with thousands hospitalized each year. Influenza is responsible for many senior deaths each year as well, especially for those who are frail and sick already. The good news is that there are several steps you can take to reduce your elderly loved one’s risk of catching the flu.

Elderly Care in Williamstown NJ: Senior Influenza Care Tips

Sign Up for a Flu Shot
It’s important for everyone who provides care for your aging mom or dad to get a flu shot. Family members, home care providers, and friends can get a flu shot at any number of community clinics and even pharmacies. Seniors need two types of flu shots to help them resist the illness because their elderly bodies aren’t as robust in fending off the germs. Their doctor’s office can usually provide the double shots in the proper dosages for seniors.

When your aging mom or dad is inoculated against harmful influenza, they are more likely to avoid serious harm. Of course, flu shots are not always successful at preventing influenza in recipients, so if someone does develop the sickness, they should not come near your elderly parent.

Healthy Hygiene Habits at Home
Everyone needs to stay vigilant in their efforts to reduce the risk of bringing the flu into the home, so that means stepping up healthy hygiene habits. One of the most effective ways to cut down on contagious germs is to wash hands often. While it may seem like common sense, many people don’t properly wash their hands. To really work, family caregivers, home care providers, family members, and the aging adults should use warm, soapy water and scrub for at least 20 seconds before rinsing thoroughly.

When going out, family caregivers and home care providers should carry hand sanitizer with them and regularly disinfect their hands and those of the elderly adult. This can cut down on the spread of germs that cause influenza. Everyone should avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth after touching doorknobs, shopping carts, and other often-touched surfaces. Finally, when it comes to sneezing and coughing, everyone should cover their nose and mouth with something other than their hands.

Home care providers can help elderly adults implement those healthy habits at home and when on an outing to help them avoid picking up influenza germs.
If your elderly mom or dad do get influenza, you’ll be glad to know that a home care provider is by their side to notify you if their condition worsens so you can get them the medical help they need. Influenza is a very serious illness in elderly adults, but with attention to detail and a good support network of family caregivers and home care providers, your aging parent has a fine chance of getting through the season without incident.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering Elderly Care in Williamstown, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Attentive Care Inc. 1-800-493-5660