If you follow the news, you’ll know that the papers are always talking About a new contagion that’s spreading. Or, an old contagion that’s picked up again. In the past few months, journalists and reporters alike have been focused solely on China’s coronavirus and Florida’s HIV crisis.
However, while the news reports spend their time talking about these large, far-off contagions, they miss alerting the public to the contagions nearby. Basic contagions that are extremely easy for seniors to catch.
Are contagions really that bad for seniors?
Yes!
Seniors are known to be biologically more susceptible to infections, viruses, and contagions.
This is often the result of some other illness that they suffer from and that has weakened their immune systems. For instance, seniors with kidney diseases, diabetes, and auto immune complications are more likely to have a weakened immune system.
And, when one has a weakened immune system, one catches contagions easily.
Now, you might be thinking: “What is the big deal? I catch colds all the time. In fact, I had one last month and I’m perfectly fine now.”
Well, the response to this is: as we get older, our bodies don’t fight against outside intruders as well. A young, vivacious body can easily overcome a bacterial or viral infection. But, an older body that has lived through many decades, does not always have the strength to do so.
This makes even the common cold a threat to seniors.
How to protect your senior from common contagions?
There’s no end-all and be-all solution to getting sick. But, there are some preventative measures that can really help your senior avoid getting sick often. Encourage your senior to:
- Always wash your hands when you come in from outside.
- Eat superfoods that boost your immune system.
- Drink lots of liquids to keep your body hydrated and healthy.
- Avoid touching your eyes or mouth when outside.
- Avoid touching public surfaces (like railings, faucets, elevator buttons) with your bare skin.
- Stay away from senior homes and hospitals.
Why should you avoid senior homes and hospitals?
A huge way in which to protect your senior from catching common contagions is to keep them away from nursing homes and hospitals.
Senior care facilities and hospitals are crawling with bacteria. Though theses place may save lives, they also endanger many lives by placing seniors within reach of harmful contagions.
In an attempt to fix this problem, hospitals and nursing homes tend to use an excessive amount of antiseptic materials. However, the overuse of antiseptics actually leads to the growth of super strains, which places your senior at even greater risk.
That’s why, it’s highly recommended to keep your senior safe and nearby with at-home care.
With a professional Home Care aid, you can keep your senior safe and far away from the bacterial and viral infections breeding in nursing homes and hospitals.
Consider home care today.
It might just be your saving grace.
