The prospect of spring has most everyone excited this time of year! But unfortunately, we also need to be on the lookout for the dreaded flu season 2020. Especially your senior loved one! They will need to take extra preventative measures since seniors are much more likely to get sick thanks to their weaker immune systems.

Read through our advice below to help your senior stay healthy during this year’s flu season! At the very least, our tips will help reduce the length and severity of the flu if your senior does catch it.

Get Plenty of Exercise

Your senior can reduce their chances of catching the flu by a third if they’re getting regular exercise! It’s true – Exercising is one of the best ways for your senior to boost their immune system. It can be as easy to do as taking a daily 30-minute walk. 

Wash Your Hands

Wash, wash, wash! Be sure your senior is washing their hands frequently to keep away those pesky germs! Regular soap will do the job, along with rubbing the hands together vigorously for 20 seconds during each wash. They should be washing all over – the wrists, backs of the hands, between fingers, and under the fingernails. If they don’t have access to soap or water often, hand sanitizer is a convenient alternative. 

Get the Flu Vaccine

Reducing your senior’s chances of catching the flu can be accomplished by getting the flu vaccine. Even if your senior does catch the flu, the vaccine can help decrease the severity and length of the illness! Ideally, they should get the vaccine in October or November, but getting it at any time of the year is still helpful.

Keep Your Environment Clean

The home should be kept just as clean as your senior’s hands to stop germs! Especially when it comes to rooms like the kitchen and bathroom, where you’ll want to use a really good disinfectant. Pay extra attention to wiping down items our hands touch often, like light switches, doorknobs, and countertops.

Drink Your Fluids

To prevent germs from spreading to the rest of your senior’s body, make sure they’re getting enough fluids! Hot tea and water will keep the nasal passages moist and stop germs from spreading.

For more advice on keeping your senior healthy during flu season, call us here at Senior Care at Home!