6 Ways to Prevent Illness as a Caregiver This Flu Season

Flu season is in full swing. While it’s possible to catch the flu year-round, the fall and winter are typically the peak of flu season and it is especially dangerous for the elderly, children, and those with a compromised immune system.  If you haven’t already started preparing and preventing, it’s not too late. There are a few steps that you, as a caregiver, can take to avoid you or your loved ones contracting the flu this season.

1. Get the flu shot.

The best way to prevent contraction and spread of Influenza is by getting the flu shot every year. Protecting yourself against illness can help prevent your loved ones from getting sick too. Influenza can be contagious from 1- 4 days after exposure even if you are not showing any symptoms, that’s why it’s important to be vaccinated early. A common misconception about the flu vaccine is that it will give you Influenza; this is untrue. The flu vaccine cannot give you Influenza, but it does take up to 2 weeks before you are fully protected. Due to Influenza being highly contagious, it’s very important that you receive the flu vaccine BEFORE flu season begins. If you are a little behind the ball this year, get the flu shot anyway. The flu can be dangerous for those with a compromised immune system, such as the sick, elderly, and children. Protecting yourself can help protect those who are at higher risk of contracting and experiencing complications of Influenza.

2. Get your loved ones vaccinated.

Everyone in your life should be vaccinated each year for the flu. If you are caring for someone who is at risk of contracting and experiencing complications of the flu, it is essential to ensure that they have been properly vaccinated before the flu season begins. Keep in mind that there are some factors that may be important to discuss with your doctor before having your loved one vaccinated.

Age:

The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a seasonal flu vaccine each year. For those over the age of 65 it’s recommended that they receive a high-dose or adjuvanted flu vaccine as those in this age group are the most likely to experience complications and even death from Influenza.

Medical Conditions and Medications:

Talk with your doctor about your loved one’s medical conditions and medications. It’s important that they are aware of any conditions or treatments that may impact the effectiveness of the vaccine or that put your loved one at a higher risk of contracting the flu.

3. Wash your hands often.

Washing your hands with soap regularly or using hand sanitizer can help prevent the spread of Influenza by killing flu germs quickly. Be sure to thoroughly wash your hands before handling food, after using the restroom, and regularly in between. When washing with soap, scrub the palms, wrists, between the fingers, the tops of the hands, and under the nails for a minimum of 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer can be useful for those with restricted mobility or who may have difficulty getting to the sink to wash their hands regularly. Keeping hand sanitizer readily available and easily accessible in you or your loved one’s home can be useful in preventing illness.

4. Avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth.

Avoiding contact with the eyes, nose, and mouth can help prevent the contraction of Influenza. Advise your loved one to avoid touching these areas unless their hands have been freshly cleaned.

5. Build the Immune System.

Give your loved one’s immune system a fighting chance by ensuring their lifestyle is helping keep their immune system strong throughout the year. Make sure your loved one gets regular gentle exercise, has a nutritionally balanced diet, gets plenty of quality sleep, and isn’t too stressed. These factors can play into the immune systems ability to fight illnesses such as Influenza. If you’re unsure if your loved one’s nutritional needs are being met, talk with their doctor to see if vitamins and supplements could assist in meeting their needs.

6. Take care of yourself.

As a caregiver, it’s easy to forget that you also have to take care of yourself. Eating right, getting regular exercise, and keeping yourself healthy will help prevent you from getting sick so that you can continue caring for your loved one. If you feel that you might be getting sick, remove yourself from caring for your loved one until you have been seen by a doctor and are no longer contagious. While this can be difficult, the best thing you can do as a caregiver is care for yourself so that you can provide the best care possible to your loved one. If you need help caring for a loved one while you’re sick, NurseCore is the perfect place to find qualified local help efficiently.

If you are considering hiring a home health care professional, please contact us for more details, and we will quickly place you with the right individual to suit your needs.