It’s that time of the year when seniors have to be extra careful with their health. People are traveling, visiting each other, and bringing illnesses with them. If your mom or dad spends most of their time at home, they could be more susceptible to viruses and germs when family and friends visit during the holidays.
If your senior parent has senior home care, their senior home care provider can help keep them healthy by making sure the house is clean. They can also remind your mom or dad to wash their hands often and do other things that can lower the risk that your mom or dad will become ill.
If you want to help your mom or dad avoid catching RSV, COVID-19, colds, and the flu this winter, remind them to do these five things besides getting senior home care services:
Get Vaccinated
Check to see if your mom or dad’s vaccinations are up to date. If they’re not, make appointments to get them vaccinated. If you can’t take your mom or dad to a vaccination appointment, a senior home care provider can take them.
Vaccines can significantly reduce the risk of serious illness in seniors, so it’s important that your mom or dad get their vaccinations if they haven’t gotten them yet this year.
Practice Good Hand Hygiene
Encourage your mom or dad to wash their hands often. They should wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in public places or touching surfaces. Hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol can be used when soap and water aren’t available, but washing with soap is better.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Your mom or dad should be eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins to support the immune system. Drinking water throughout the day to stay hydrated is also important. If your mom or dad has trouble cooking for themselves, or shopping for healthy ingredients, senior home care can help them.
Move More
Staying active can help boost the immune system. But, seniors who spend most of their time at home may not be moving enough. Encourage your mom or dad to walk around the house, try chair exercises, or play indoor games with a senior home care provider, like balloon volleyball or beanbag toss. Simple exercises like that can be enough for your mom or dad to get an immune system boost.
Limit Exposure to Crowded Places
Seniors should try to avoid large gatherings, especially indoors, where viruses can spread more easily. That may mean avoiding holiday parties or dinners if there are a lot of people traveling.
Seniors should also get senior home care, let a care provider shop for them, and pick up prescriptions so that their mom or dad doesn’t need to go out in public.
If going out is unavoidable, your mom or dad should wear a mask in crowded situations to add an extra layer of protection.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Senior Home Care in Alexandria, VA, please contact the caring staff at Cardinal Home Care today! (703) 934-4610
Cardinal Home Care provides exceptional home care services in Arlington, Alexandria, Leesburg, Reston, Herndon, Manassas, Ashburn, Falls Church, McLean, Fairfax, Virginia, and the surrounding communities.
Cardinal Home Care launched in 2019, with the purpose of providing quality non-medical home care to seniors wishing to remain in the comfort of their homes.
Cardinal Home Care provides exceptional home care services in Arlington, Alexandria, Leesburg, Reston, Herndon, Manassas, Ashburn, Falls Church, McLean, Fairfax Virginia and the surrounding communities.
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