Tips for Keeping Your Senior Healthy During Flu Season

Elderly individuals are particularly susceptible to the flu, and are hit much harder than younger people when they do get sick. For this reason, it is important that you encourage your senior to get their flu shot. When it comes to senior health, this is one of the best sources of protection against this nasty and often debilitating illness. Other tips for managing flu season safely include:

Wash hands regularly

Remind your senior to wash their hands before preparing food, after using the bathroom, and periodically throughout the day. They may forget and end up getting themselves sick as a result, so this gentle reminder will prove useful. Some senior care professionals even suggest posting small signs around the elderly person’s home so that they are reminded to wash their hands throughout the day, even if they are home alone.

Avoid contact with people who are sick

While it may seem rude, it’s best if your elderly loved one steers clear of people who are sick until they’ve made a full recovery. Germs can spread quickly, even during a brief interaction with someone who’s sick. Encourage them to talk on the phone, but avoid face-to-face contact until you’re sure that germs won’t spread to your senior.

Ask people who come into the home to wash their hands

Keep your elderly individual’s home a safe and healthy place by asking visitors to wash their hands when they come over for a visit. This helps to prevent them from bringing germs from the outside into the living space. According to those who work in eldercare, Asheville-Hendersonville families should consider setting up several bottles of hand sanitizer around the home so that people can quickly get rid of germs during a visit with an elderly relative.

Get plenty of rest and eat well

When the body is weak due to poor diet or lack of sleep, that person becomes more susceptible to illness. For this reason, it’s important to ensure that your senior is eating a diet full of lean meats, fresh fruits, and vegetables. They should also get a sufficient amount of rest, and may consider taking naps throughout the day.

If your elderly loved one is unable to head to the grocery store to buy nutritious ingredients for their meals, consider hiring a senior care professional to help with this task so that your senior will be able to enjoy a meal packed with vitamins and nutrients.