Home Care: It’s Time To Talk About Flu Prevention Tips

Home Care: Flu season often starts in October, but that doesn’t mean cases of the flu don’t appear earlier.

The pandemic saw a sharp decline in flu cases due to mask-wearing and social distancing, but schools are back in classrooms rather than remote, people are back at work, and most mask mandates are gone. It’s time to start considering flu prevention for the upcoming winter. Home care can help you with this.

Home Care in Brownsburg IN: Flu Season

Home Care in Brownsburg IN: Flu Season

 

Get Vaccinated

Get your flu shot. Flu shots tend to last around six months, so you want to time it with the peak flu season. The CDC recommends October for this reason. Allow a couple of weeks for your body to build up a resistance to the virus.

You also need to consider whether you’ll be getting a COVID-19 booster. If you are, the CDC has removed the requirement to space the COVID vaccination 14 days from other vaccinations.

Eat for Health

Keep your immune system working effectively but eating healthier meals. Stop eating processed foods and focus on meals that include plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Low-fat dairy is also important as it’s a good source of calcium and vitamin D.

Instead of having a store-bought granola bar for breakfast, have a bowl of steel-cut oats topped with chopped apples, walnuts, golden raisins, and cinnamon. Or, make an egg white omelet filled with spinach, pico de gallo, black beans, and low-fat cheddar.

 

Home Care:  Keep Wearing Your Mask, Staying Apart From Others, and Washing Your Hands

If you’re out of your home, wear a mask. Three layers are better than one or two, but any mask is better than nothing. In a store, use hand sanitizer after opening a door or touching the keys on a keypad. If you don’t have hand sanitizer and can’t wash your hands, keep your hands away from your mouth, eyes, or nose.

Don’t have people to your house or go to their house if there is a possibility they’re sick. If you feel ill, stay home.

 

Don’t Go to Your Parents’ House if You’re Sick

What if you come down with the flu despite taking precautions? The last thing you should do is risk spreading it to your parents. Have you looked into respite care from a home care agency?

Respite care is a temporary or part-time home care service that provides you with the time off needed to recover from the flu. Make a call and learn more about the cost of care from a home care specialist. Hire a home care aide to help your parents while you recover.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering  Home Care in Brownsburg, IN, please call the caring staff at Home Services Unlimited. Serving Greater Indianapolis Area. Call for Immediate Info & Assistance: (317) 471-0760

 

Sources:
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/958848

 

Etelka Froymovich, RN, MHA
Latest posts by Etelka Froymovich, RN, MHA (see all)