Home Care Aides Experts Explain The Importance Of Seniors Staying Up To Date On Vaccines

Vaccines have long been one of the most effective ways of preventing the spread of deadly illnesses and are typically administered in the U.S. shortly after children are born, depending on a variety of factors. But what some people might not know is that vaccines are just as important for seniors entering their later stage of life. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, seniors are more likely to get illnesses because of the fact their immune system weakens as it ages. However, there are vaccines seniors can get to help prevent these infections from spreading. Home care aides say there are many things you can do to help the seniors in your life as it pertains to vaccines and overall health. Here’s what you need to know if you or a loved one are considering vaccines this winter.

Why are vaccines so important?

We’ve been taught from a young age that vaccines are important, but why are they so important exactly? Home care aides put it simple: Staying up-to-date on vaccines helps prevent disease, point blank. In addition to preventing harmful diseases, vaccines also reduce your risk of contracting secondary infections related to a disease. Because of this, seniors who stay up to date on their vaccines have a lower chance of heart attacks and strokes and have a longer life expectancy as a result. And because diseases are becoming more and more resistant to traditional antibiotics, staying up to date on vaccinations will reduce the need for them.

Three important vaccines that every senior needs

• It goes without saying, but everyone, especially seniors, should be getting flu shots every year. Influenza kills 36,000 people every year in the United States and getting a flu shot greatly decreases the likelihood of picking it up.
• Along with the flu shot, home care service aides say seniors over the age of 65 should be getting pneumococcal vaccines every year. Pneumococcal vaccines help to prevent pneumonia and meningitis, two of the most common and deadly illnesses a senior can get.
• Seniors, especially those with a history of chickenpox, should consider getting a zoster vaccine. This relatively new vaccine aims to prevent the spread of shingles, an extremely painful and contagious blistering rash. Even if you haven’t had chicken pox, home care aides still say that you should get the vaccine to prevent future outbreaks.