There are many people who fail to get a flu shot each year.
They may think it’s just a nicety, believing that the flu is no big deal. For healthy young adults, that may be true. However, for older adults, like your senior parent, the flu can be deadly. According to an article posted on WebMD, flu is especially dangerous to people who have heart disease. People who have heart disease are at a greater risk of being hospitalized or even dying because of the flu. Even if your parent doesn’t have heart disease, there are several other complications that can occur because of the flu. Knowing them may be all the convincing your parent needs to get their annual flu shot.
Common Flu Complications
When a healthy person gets the flu, they can expect to be ill for a few days up to a few weeks. However, when someone at high risk for flu complications, like older adults, get the flu, they may develop serious complications, including:
- Pneumonia.
- Ear infections.
- Bronchitis.
- Heart problems.
- Worsening of asthma symptoms.
In very severe cases, the flu can lead to inflammation in the brain, heart, and muscle tissues. It can also cause sepsis, a serious and life-threatening infection.
Preventing the Flu
The best way you can help your parent to prevent the flu is by making certain they get a flu shot every year. It’s important to get a shot each year since the vaccination is re-formulated annually to fight the flu viruses predicted to be the most common that year.
In addition to the flu shot, other ways to prevent the spread of the flu virus are:
-Frequent Hand Washing: Older adults should wash their hands several times throughout the day, such as before handling food or eating, after using the bathroom, or after coming in contact with other people who may carry the flu virus. If soap and water are not available, they should use a hand sanitizer that contains alcohol.
-Stay Away from Sick People: People who even suspect they have a cold or the flu should stay away from older adults.
-Disinfect Surfaces: Wipe down surfaces, like countertops and doorknobs, that are touched often as they may have the flu virus on them.
Senior care can also help prevent your aging relative from getting the flu. A senior care provider can drive the older adult to get their flu vaccine. Senior care providers can remind the older adult to avoid friends and family members who have flu symptoms. Finally, a senior care provider can help to keep the house clean and disinfected.
For more information about hiring a Senior Care in Pacific Beach, CA, call the friendly caregivers at La Jolla Nurses Homecare who can help your aging parents remain in their own homes, at 858-454-9339. We are a home care agency providing quality and affordable senior care in La Jolla, CA, and the surrounding communities.
Sources
Webmd.com
Cdc.gov
Mayoclinic.org
Cdc.gov
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