Seniors: Get Your High-Dose Flu Shot & Stay Healthy

Influenza is serious regardless of the age of the patient, however, it is most serious in infants and seniors (people over age 65). This is due to immunity declining as we age, which enables seniors to contract the flu more easily than other adults, and also makes them more susceptible to asthma, pneumonia and bronchitis. The CDC estimates that 90% of all flu-related deaths occur in people over the age of 65. This statistic alone should prompt seniors to get their annual flu shot.

Seniors have the option to get a regular flu shot, or the high-dose vaccine. Fluzone, the vaccine designed specifically for people over 65, has a high dosage of the vaccine because sometimes the regular flu shot has been shown to be less effective in seniors. Regardless of which you choose it’s important to get vaccinated for the flu either way.

The High Dose Vaccine

Created specifically for seniors, this vaccine contains four times the antigen as the regular flu shot. Research has shown that seniors who receive the high dose vaccine had 24% fewer flu infections than those that received the regular flu shot. This version of the flu shot has been approved for use in the United States since 2009.

Other Tips to Stay Healthy

• Frequently clean surfaces that receive a lot of hand-touching including keyboards, desks, phones, counters, doorknobs, light switches, etc.
• Be proactive for your own good health including getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of fluids, eating nutritiously and managing your stress.
• Try to avoid coming into contact with people who are sick.
• Frequently wash your hands with hot, soapy water.

Seek Medical Treatment Immediately if Symptoms Appear

Symptoms of the flu in seniors include:

• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Pain/pressure in the chest or abdomen

For seniors who are especially at risk of developing severe complications due to the flu, antiviral drugs may be prescribed.

Always Best Care has been providing compassionate in-home care giving services to seniors for the past 20 years. If you live in the Raleigh area and are interested in finding out more information about senior living in Raleigh, or Raleigh assisted living communities, please call the Always Best Care Raleigh location at 919-724-4297 to set up a free care consultation. They look forward to hear from you!

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Keep Your Kidneys Healthy with a Smart, Nutrient-Rich Diet

When people think about their overall health, their kidneys are not usually on the list. However, our kidneys play a vital role in our well-being, it’s best to optimize kidney health and get kidney disease screenings if you’re over the age of 60. Chronic kidney disease is the ninth leading cause of death in the United States, and most people aren’t even aware that they have it.

The kidneys act as a filter by processing out toxins and medications from the blood. If the kidneys are not functioning correctly, elimination of these substances is impeded and can have an adverse affect on the individual including not only safety hazards but also the possibility for cognitive impairment.

What Contributes to Chronic Kidney Disease?

People who have diabetes and high blood pressure are more prone to developing CKD. Age is another factor, as research has discovered that half of people over the age of 75 likely have kidney disease (and again, most are not even aware of it). Both diabetes and high blood pressure are directly related to diet so practicing good nutrition will help prevent the disease.

Smoking increases the risk of Chronic Kidney Disease, and, as people age, so does the incidence of prostate issues in men, and urinary tract infections in women.

Kidney stones are very common among seniors, especially those who are 75 and older, and can be debilitatingly painful.

Think DASH to Prevent Kidney Disease

DASH is an acronym designed to help those who have hypertension choose the right foods. DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, and emphasizes increasing intake of fruits and vegetables, decreasing the amount of animal proteins consumed, along with oils, fats, and sweets. It encourages the consumption of complex carbohydrates and low fat dairy. Not only will the DASH diet help prevent chronic kidney disease; it will also help prevent other issues such as cancer, stroke, heart disease, and others.

Do you live in the Raleigh area? Are you interested in learning about in-home care in Raleigh, or about Apex home health care? If you would like a free consultation to discuss your options for the future, contact the Always Best Care Raleigh location at 919-724-4297. They will be happy to sit down with you and create a customized care plan, and help you decide the path you should take for a bright and fruitful future.