How to Talk to Extended Family About Getting Flu Shots and Vaccines Before the Holidays

The holiday season is when families gather to celebrate after a long time away from each other. It can be exciting but also a time to dread, given that people still need to weigh the risk of getting sick with the flu. Talking to extended family members about the need to get flu shots and vaccines before the holidays may be an uphill task, but one you must do all the same.

Health experts agree that the best way for people to protect themselves and reduce the spread of the flu is to get vaccinated. Unvaccinated individuals are at a higher risk of getting sick and spreading the virus to others. Given these crucial factors, how can you talk to your extended family about getting vaccinated before the holidays? Here are some tips to guide you:

Don't Argue to Win

Think through the risk of starting the vaccination discussion, considering everyone who will attend and how they might respond to the issue. You could approach it from the perspective of people at the highest risk of infection and how fast the disease is spreading in their area. That can probably open up a healthy discussion on the importance of everyone getting a flu shot.

While at it, suppress the impulse to "win" an argument or try to prove why you're right about everyone getting vaccinated. Raising awareness and reminding people about their responsibility for their health and others shouldn't be an opportunity to lash out at others.

Prepare in Advance

Before talking to your loved ones about getting vaccinated, plan adequately. Experts recommend hashing out how to limit the spread of infectious diseases at get-togethers. Subtly introducing a discussion on masking and testing can dramatically enhance the likelihood that everyone will take the correct measures during the gathering.

Empower Your Loved Ones

When it's the flu season, many people feel scared, mainly because the pandemic transformed lives in untold ways. So, in asking your family members to get the vaccine, give them an empowering message, reminding them that it's within their power to do something about the flu and other diseases. Let them know that they hold the power to change their trajectory and that of their loved ones by getting vaccinated.

Assume Everyone Will Get Vaccinated

Simply telling your loved ones to get the vaccine doesn't mean they all will. However, let your communication be presumptive. In other words, you must remember that you can't force anyone to get the flu vaccine, but you can assume they will do so by establishing verbal default. The aim is to maintain a connection and not have bad blood during the gathering over the holidays.

Taking Care of Your Senior Loved One Over the Holiday

The holiday season is a time for families to meet and make merry. Given the impact of the pandemic on social lives, it's impossible to ignore the conversation on vaccines and flu shots. Starting the discussion among the extended family may be challenging, but a critical thing to do. Remind them of the vulnerability of the senior members of the family and the need to protect them.

Beyond taking care of their health during the holidays, it's crucial to ensure seniors have proper care and companionship all around the clock. At Senior Helpers of Tri-Cities, we aim to provide specialized care for seniors from the comfort of their homes based on a Life, Independence, Function, and Evaluation (LIFE) assessment. Contact Senior Helpers of Tri-Cities to schedule an appointment to discuss the needs of your senior loved one in Manchester, Derry, Nashua, Hillsborough County, Rochester, Dover, and Salem.