The cold and flu season can be an exceptionally difficult time for seniors who are especially vulnerable to illnesses. To reduce their risk of catching colds or the flu, one of the best practices is to maintain proper hand hygiene when visiting or being around your senior loved one. In this blog, we’ll discuss how to do that, its benefits, and some hand hygiene tips.
What Is Hand Hygiene?
Hand hygiene is an important practice of overall good personal hygiene. It includes washing your hands regularly with water and soap and using a hand sanitizer or alcohol when necessary. Furthermore, it also involves avoiding touching your face and nose to prevent transmission of germs and bacteria, especially if you’re sick yourself.
Benefits of Practicing Hand Hygiene
Regularly practicing hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of diseases. When you and your senior loved one remain vigilant in washing your hands, it can help reduce the spread of germs that may cause illnesses such as colds, flu, food-borne disease, and respiratory infections.
Step-by-step Guide for Hand Washing
The following steps provide a guide for proper hand washing and can be easily followed by you and your senior loved ones:
- Wet your hands thoroughly with running water.
- Apply soap and rub your palms together to create a lather, making sure to cover the entire surface area between your fingers, underneath your nails, thumbs, and wrists.
- Continue scrubbing for at least 20 seconds before rinsing with warm water thoroughly. Make sure the suds have been washed away completely.
- Use a paper towel or air dryer to dry off your hands completely after each wash. Remember never to wipe them with a cloth as this may lead to cross-contamination of germs between other surfaces in the home and public spaces.
Tips for Proper Hand Hygiene
To ensure your senior loved one's safety during cold and flu season, there are a few additional tips you and your seniors can follow when practicing hand hygiene:
- Always wash your hands after using the restroom or before eating.
- Avoid touching your face or nose throughout the day as much as possible.
- Carry hand sanitizer or alcohol with you when out of the home so that you can disinfect your hands regularly.
- Be aware of communal hazards such as doorknobs and surfaces, which have probably been handled by many people and must be regularly disinfected.
If you remain vigilant, you can help keep your senior parent healthy throughout the cold and flu season.
Senior Helpers Central Texas Practices Excellent Hand Hygiene
Keeping your senior family members healthy should be a top priority, so make sure you are following all these steps for effective hand hygiene this winter. If you need any in-home care help in Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Georgetown, and Lakeway, we would be glad to assist. At Senior Helpers Central Texas, we ensure your senior loved ones are getting all the care they need at home. Reach out to us today!