The Importance of Good Hand Hygiene for Seniors in Annapolis, MD and Surrounding Areas

At Visiting Angels, our private home care services include encouraging seniors in Annapolis, Millersville, Pasadena, Arnold, Glen Burnie and surrounding areas in Maryland maintain good hand hygiene

Does your senior loved one often catch a cold? If so, there are several ways they can minimize their risk of colds and flu.

Since our immunity system slows down as we age and there is no vaccine for the common cold, it is important that your parent takes necessary steps to keep themselves safe. One simple way to do it is to maintain good hand hygiene.

If your loved one needs help with personal tasks, providers of our private home care services at Visiting Angels Annapolis can help them with everything from bathing to grooming and keeping their hands clean.

Colds Can be Serious for Seniors

While the common cold is often not dangerous for younger adults, seniors are at high risk of serious complications. In fact, those with chronic conditions can end up with pneumonia and other serious health issues.  This is why seniors should take the necessary steps to increase their immune system with a well-balanced diet and physical activity.

However, since germs are responsible for the cold, it is important to ensure they do not spread. More than 200 viruses can cause a cold, and they are commonly spread by our hands while we are eating, throwing out the trash, using the toilet, handling pets or sneezing into hands.

In order to decrease the spread of germs, your loved one should wash their hands regularly.

Hand Hygiene Facts

To properly wash their hands, your parent should wash them for at least 20 seconds with clean, running water and regular soap. With our private home care services, we can make sure your loved one washes the backs of their hands, between their fingers and under their nails as well.

Use Hand Sanitizer in a Pinch

When your loved one is someplace where there is no soap and water, they should use a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. This is also a great option for seniors who suffer from mobility loss. Instead of going to the bathroom every time they need to clean their hands, they can simply use a sanitizer.

However, it is important to remember that this is not a permanent substitute for handwashing. If your loved one struggles with mobility, through our private home care services they can receive the help they need to move safely around their home.

Visiting Angels Caregivers Are Trained in Good Hand Hygiene

Rest assured that our caregivers are trained to maintain good hand hygiene to reduce the chance of spreading germs among clients.  They also understand the importance of keeping a home clean and disinfected. If you wish, as a part of our private home care services, our care providers can wipe down high-traffic spots in your parent’s home such as phones, doorknobs, bedrails and remotes. With Visiting Angels Annapolis, your loved one can easily maintain a high standard of living for years to come.

To learn more about our services, contact our Millersville, MD office today.