5 Ways to Minimize the Risk of the Flu if You Take Care of Your Senior Parents

Catching the flu is never a good time. If it's not the dry cough or runny nose, it's the nagging headache, fever, and muscle pains. It's even worse for seniors with weaker immune systems, making fighting off it and other diseases harder.

Now, the thing about the flu is that it's highly contagious. Sometimes an uncovered sneeze is all it takes to spread to every other family member. So how do you keep your beloved senior person healthy and safe, come flu season?

Fortunately, you can practice a few healthy habits to prevent the spread of germs. These tactics should keep the seniors healthy while minimizing exposure to the flu.

Getting a Flu Shot

Perhaps the most effective way to reduce the risk of catching or transmitting the flu is by getting an annual vaccination or flu shot. This is especially crucial for children and the elderly, as well as people with chronic medical conditions and those taking care of these people.

Ideally, the flu vaccine should be taken before flu season arrives to give the antibodies time to develop. This can be around October or the beginning of November.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting Fluzone or Fluad flu because they have milder side effects.

Practice Good Hygiene/ Washing Your Hands

While flu shots are effective most of the time, they are not always bulletproof. To reduce the risk, even more, you must practice good hygiene. The aim is to limit the spread of germs as much as possible.

One obvious good hygiene practice is washing your hands. The proper way to do this is with warm water and soap for about 20 seconds. Alternatively, you can use alcohol-based hand sanitizers to kill germs before interacting with your senior loved one.

If you've already contracted the flu, try and minimize direct contact as much as possible. Avoid hugs, kisses, and handshakes or interacting with large crowds during this period.

Other practices include disinfecting surfaces and objects, covering sneezes and coughs with your arm, and washing your hands afterward.

Having a Healthy Diet

A healthy diet is essential for building a good immune system. By incorporating proper nutrients into the elder one's diet, you get to add a layer of protection against the flu and other illnesses that might spring out during the flu season.

Make sure to include lots of leafy greens, whole grains, healthy fats, lean protein, and fruits rich in vitamins A and C.

Drink Plenty of Water

Besides sticking to a healthy diet, staying hydrated keeps you less susceptible to catching the flu. Water increases oxygen in the body, which improves overall body functions. It also helps rid the body of toxins that might impact the immune system.

The rule of thumb is to drink 8-10 glasses of water every day. However, this number can be lower or higher depending on the humidity, heat, or whether they are taking medication. For even better results, add lemon for taste and an extra boost of vitamin C.

Maintain an Exercise Routine

Seniors are always encouraged to maintain an active lifestyle to stay fit. What you might not know is that regular exercise also plays a part in boosting the immune system. It also helps with weight management, reducing the risk of catching the flu and other diseases associated with being overweight.

Contact Senior Helpers for More Insight

Seniors can have difficulty getting through the flu season without proper care and assistance. Oftentimes, they lack the agility to do these tasks independently, so it's up to you to ensure they get their shots and take the proper preventative measures during this time. If it all seems too much, our helpers at Senior Helpers are always here to lend a hand.

At Senior Helpers, we offer a wide range of care services to seniors around Hamilton, Middletown, Fairfield, Loveland, Cincinnati, and Milford. Our Senior Helpers Greater Cincinnati caregivers are trained to help with personal in-house care, providing both aid and companionship to keep the seniors comfortable all through their golden years. Contact us today for more information.