How Can In-Home Caregivers from Visiting Angels Help Seniors in Naples, FL and Surrounding Areas During Flu Season?
Are you worried about your loved one’s health during flu season? Here are some ways our in-home caregivers help seniors in Naples, Marco Island and surrounding areas in Collier County, FL avoid the flu.
Flu season often begins in October and continues until February or March. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, millions of Americans fall ill with the flu during this time of year, and hundreds of thousands are hospitalized. Most flu-related hospitalizations occur among vulnerable populations, particularly adults aged 65 and older.
Protection and risk reduction for seniors are especially critical this flu season, as COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to burden the hospital system. Seniors and families should be aware of the hazards and precautions that must be taken to avoid sickness.
If you’re worried about your loved one during this time of year, Visiting Angels Naples can help. Our in-home caregivers can encourage your loved one to include routines in their everyday life that can help them stay safe and healthy during flu season. Best of all, our care plans are personalized based on the care recipient’s needs and schedule, so we can be there when your loved one needs us most.
How Will I Know My Loved One Has the Flu?
The following are common flu symptoms in seniors:
- Fever
- Chills
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Headaches
- Muscle or body aches
- Fatigue
- Vomiting and diarrhea
Flu symptoms can range from mild to severe and might arise quickly.
Additionally, seniors who have the flu may start showing severe symptoms and need medical attention immediately.
If your loved one starts showing these symptoms, they should see their doctor as soon as possible:
- Difficulty breathing
- Sudden dizziness
- Severe vomiting
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Confusion
- Inability to wake up
- Inability to urinate
- Symptoms that improve and then return with fever or worse cough
- Worsening of chronic medical conditions
How Visiting Angels Naples Can Help Your Loved One During Flu Season
Here are some of the ways our in-home caregivers can help your loved one stay healthy this flu season:
Transportation to get the flu shot
Flu shots are both safe and effective at lowering the risk of serious disease, and they are widely available in pharmacies, medical offices, walk-in clinics and hospitals. To get the most protection, seniors should get the flu shot at the beginning of flu season. Flu shots may be even more important during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially because your loved one could be infected with both COVID-19 and the flu at the same time. Additionally, getting the flu might make your loved one more susceptible to COVID-19 infection.
Our in-home caregivers can help your loved one get to the nearest clinic or doctor’s office to get their flu shot. We can also provide reminders after they’ve made an appointment and keep an eye out in case they start showing any side effects.
Assist with personal hygiene
Elderly adults should take care of their personal hygiene in order to avoid catching or spreading the flu. At Visiting Angels Naples, our in-home caregivers can assist your loved one with taking care of themselves while treating them with the respect and dignity they deserve. We can encourage your loved one to wash their hands regularly, cover their mouth when they cough or sneeze and help them bathe or shower when they get home after running errands.
Keep the home clean
In addition to helping your loved one take care of their personal hygiene, our in-home caregivers can help keep your loved one’s home clean. According to the Mayo Clinic, the flu virus can survive on stainless steel, plastic and similar surfaces for several hours or even days. That’s why we offer assistance with light housekeeping tasks. We can create a clean in-home environment by cleaning countertops and high-touch areas like doorknobs and light switches. We can also change bedsheets, do laundry and clean dishes.
Prepare healthy meals
Since seniors are vulnerable to catching the flu, it’s important for your loved one to eat a balanced diet that can help their immune system fight the virus. However, healthy eating can be challenging for some seniors, especially those who have mobility and cognitive issues. Fortunately, our in-home caregivers can prepare meals and snacks that your loved one will enjoy and can help them get the vitamins and nutrients they need to build up their strength.
Help with running errands and providing companionship
During flu season, it may be beneficial for seniors to stay home as often as possible so they can avoid coming into contact with those who are infected. The flu can be contagious for a day before symptoms start to appear and remain contagious for up to seven days. The contagious period is even longer for those with weaker immune systems.
Our in-home caregivers can help your loved one avoid getting infected by going out and running any errands they need. In addition, we can also fulfill your loved one’s needs for social interaction and companionship through our companion care services.
Since our Angels have been following CDC recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic (wearing facemasks and other PPE when we’re with clients and using hand sanitizer regularly), you can count on Visiting Angels Naples to keep your loved one safe.
The flu may be risky for older adults, but with the right preparations and proper care and support from in-home caregivers at Visiting Angels Naples, your loved one can stay safe and healthy this flu season.
To learn how our services can help your loved one stay safe at home, call our Naples, FL office at 239-561-7600 to schedule a free in-home consultation.