How To Stay Healthy During Flu Season

Winter has arrived in all its splendour. Sparkling snowfalls, cozy fires, and—unfortunately—the flu. Yes, flu and cold season is upon us, and especially for seniors (or anyone else with a compromised immune system), that means it’s time to take proper precautions.

Fortunately, there are many practical and effective ways to mitigate the transmission of infections. Though we’ve had lots of practice over the past few years with masking, sanitizing, and social distancing, there are also other simple measures you can implement to help protect the older adults in your life. Many, in fact, just constitute good common sense!

As restrictions relax and social activities resume, remember to keep the following strategies in mind as we enter the holiday season:

Healthy Lifestyle

Specific health measures aside, probably the very best way to fight off infection is with a robust immune system. How can seniors bolster their immune systems? Well, as with people of any age, many of the keys lie in maintaining a healthy lifestyle overall.

Getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, and exercising regularly are all major contributors to a strong immune system. Likewise, eating a nutritious diet with plenty of fresh ingredients (hello natural vitamins and minerals) is essential. Mental health is also a critical factor. Older adults who are socially, emotionally, and mentally engaged are less likely to fall ill—but don’t overdo it. Balance is essential to avoid burnout.

Clean Hands

It may sound obvious, but proper hand washing is an absolute must for avoiding infection. Wash hands before eating, after using the washroom, after sneezing or coughing, before preparing food, after going out in public, after hugging people or shaking hands, and after being around anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

Remind the senior(s)—and caregivers!—in your life to scrub with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds every single time. If soap and water aren’t an option, use hand sanitizer as a backup.

Avoid Touching Eyes, Nose, and Mouth

Even with regular hand washing, it’s still important to avoid touching your face. This is an important habit to break, as cold and flu germs easily enter the body through membranes (such as eyes, nose, and mouth). Encourage older adults in your life to be aware of what their hands are doing at all times, and to put their hands in their pockets if touching their face is a common habit for them.

Keep the Environment Clean

This one is critical. A dirty environment is a breeding ground for germs and bacteria, which can quickly lead to infection. Try to keep your loved one’s living space as germ free as possible by regularly sanitizing surfaces, dish rags, towels, and bedding. Also pay special attention to high-touch zones such as doorknobs, light switches, counters, and mobile devices (this one’s a biggie!).

Make Sure Visitors Are in Good Health

All the sanitizing in the world won’t protect your loved ones if a contagious person walks right into their space. Communicate clearly with family and friends about the extra risks involved with older adults contracting a cold or flu, and ask them to act accordingly and take proper precautions. Visits are important, but should always be postponed if one or more parties feel unwell in any way. Symptoms to be on the lookout for include sore throat, sneezing, coughing, headache, fever, and more.

Avoid Crowded Indoor Spaces

While getting out and about is important for physical and mental health, be proactive in helping seniors avoid heavily crowded indoor spaces. This may mean opting to shop midday instead of during the after-work rush, meeting at a park instead of a busy restaurant, or foregoing a few of the larger holiday parties (which can also counteract burnout and exhaustion).

Vaccines

Staying up to date on vaccinations (and other medications and procedures) is an important factor in avoiding serious illness. Encourage the senior in your life to consider the flu vaccine. Though it may not entirely prevent infection, it should help reduce the risk of serious outcomes.

Get a Second Opinion

The goal, of course, is to avoid colds and flus entirely. But if, despite your best efforts, your loved one does become ill, keep a close eye on them and don’t make any assumptions. If you notice any concerning symptoms or if they’ve been sick longer than you’d have expected, don’t hesitate to take them to the doctor for a thorough evaluation and second opinion. Proactive treatment can often nip problems in the bud and help avoid complications.

Right At Home Winnipeg

Taking care of an elderly loved one throughout the winter season requires a lot of hard work and dedication. To avoid burnout, consider enlisting some extra support. Sharing the load can keep everyone in better health and spirits! If you’re looking for caregiver agencies in Winnipeg, consider Right At Home. With professional and compassionate staff available around the clock, we’re ready to help. Contact us today!

Why Right at Home?

• Over 20 years of experience. Right at Home has been providing award winning customized senior care and home care for over 20 years.
• YOUR Caregivers are all part of YOUR Care Team. This means that there is no revolving door of Personal Support Workers and Nurses. With the help of your Care Planner, you choose and get to know them. This leads to an level of care for your loved one that is unsurpassed in our industry.
• Working with government support. Your Care Planner will work to help you find the government supports you are eligible for (if you would like them) and then work to find a solution for the care needs that go above what government and family can do. We will also work around the government care plan so that we are enhancing it.

We help in home, wherever home is to you.

Our Caregivers are always out in the community visiting homes, Retirement Residences, Long Term Care (LTC), hospices and hospitals.