Preparing Seniors for the Upcoming Flu and Cold Season

Now that the summer heat is behind us and the weather is getting colder, flu symptoms will become increasingly common. 

For seniors, the common cold can lead to complications like bronchitis and pneumonia. For seniors struggling with more chronic conditions like diabetes or asthma, a flu infection can worsen things.

Your loved one’s health should be your priority as the winter draws closer, and taking the right steps to prepare your seniors for the season is essential.
 
Get a flu vaccine
Seeing your loved ones succumb to mild illnesses like the flu can be tough to watch. Unfortunately, the older they get, the weaker their immune system is, especially when they have underlying health issues.

So, don’t underrate the capacity of something seemingly as simple as flu to lead to severe complications. Ensure you get a flu vaccine for your loved ones early to protect them from the worst of the virus. 
 
Be ready for snow storms
Snow storms can leave seniors isolated or restricted inside their homes, so it’s essential to prepare for the worst eventualities, such as occasional blackouts. 

Stock up the kitchen and ensure that water and medication are readily available. You can also get supplies such as a warm blanket, gloves, spare batteries, and a flashlight to keep your loved ones comfortable inside. 
 
Practice proper hand washing
You should impress upon your loved ones the importance of proper hand washing, as it is a highly effective way to prevent cold and flu. It begins with applying antibacterial soap and warm water to the hands, working the lather for about 20 seconds before rinsing and drying the hands. 

Have them use disposable towels to wipe their hands and use them to turn off the running water to avoid recontamination from touching the faucet. 

Eat healthy
Although adequate nutrition can be challenging to manage during the cold months, you should make an effort to ensure that your loved ones get quality, nutritious meals at all times.

Stocking up on frozen portions of vegetable-rich meals, soups, and fruits will strengthen their immune system and make them more resilient to the flu. 
 
Get active
Depending on the capacity of your loved ones, you should impress upon them the importance of physical exercise as an efficient way of helping the body fight infection. 

Ensure they regularly carry out low-impact exercises for a few minutes daily to avoid being couch potatoes, making the immune system too weak to resist the flu. 
 
Clean household surfaces
Cold and flu viruses can survive on surfaces outside of the human body and particularly live longer on surfaces like wood, plastic, and metal.

So, keep your loved ones from contracting the flu by cleaning household surfaces with the appropriate disinfectants containing hydrogen peroxide, citric acid, pine oil, alcohol, or bleach. Also, check that your loved ones are not allergic to any substances in the cleaning agents you use.

Get help and advice on senior care in the Lehigh Valley and Upper Bucks
Taking care of your loved ones can be challenging, especially when they’re dealing with chronic health conditions. With the cold and flu season around the corner, you have additional worries and need the proper knowledge to handle their unique conditions.

At CarePatrol of the Lehigh Valley and Upper Bucks, we are your friendly partner in senior care and will gladly assist you in finding the best solution for your loved ones. Call us today to learn more.