Senior Care News

Seven Steps for Reducing the Risk of Getting the Flu

Home care assistance helps seniors with heart disease lower their flu risk through medication support, healthy habits, and infection prevention strategies.

If your loved one has heart disease, it’s more important than ever that he reduces his risk of getting the flu or other serious infections. Home care assistance can help.

Why the Flu is Worse for Those with Heart Disease

Individuals with heart disease run a higher risk of developing flu-related complications such as sinus infections, pneumonia, and even heart attacks. The muscles of the heart can become inflamed, creating too much strain on a heart that is already struggling.

Those with heart disease are ten times more likely to have a heart attack within three days of getting the flu. Fifty percent of people who end up in the hospital with the flu have heart disease. Heart disease can make what is a common illness for others a dangerous complication for your loved one.

Seven Steps to Reducing the Risk of the Flu

Talk to your doctor about your loved one getting the flu shot to reduce their risk of the flu each year. The earlier he can get the shot during flu season, the longer it can protect him.
Take his medications consistently and regularly. If your loved one has medications for his heart disease, staying on his routine is important to keep his heart strong and healthy. A home care assistance provider can help with medication management if he has multiple medications and struggle to remember which ones to take and when.
Practice regular and thorough hand-washing. Hand washing is the best way to keep germs off of the hands and then travel into the body through touching the face or eating. All outings should end with your loved one washing his hands once home and anyone entering the home for a visit, should wash their hands thoroughly when they enter the home.
Stay active. Regular exercise helps build up heart strength and increases the strength of the immune system so your loved one will have a better chance of fighting off any germs or infections he may come across. He should strive to get at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise every day with activities like walking briskly, gardening, or bicycling. His home care assistance provider can help by joining him on walks or driving him to safe places for him to work out.
Eat heart-healthy foods. The right foods can fuel the body and provide the energy and strength it needs to stay well. Foods that promote a strong immune system include foods that are rich in vitamins like vitamin C and B6, as well as antioxidants.
Avoid places with a lot of people. During flu season, your loved one might want to consider avoiding indoor places with little airflow and a lot of people, especially if your area is having a lot of flu outbreaks. Places like movie theaters, sporting events, and places of worship could increase his risk of getting exposed to the flu unknowingly.
Restrict sick visitors. It can be hard to say no, but always ask any visitors if they are sick or have been exposed to anyone who is sick. If they answer yes, ask them to reschedule their visit with your loved one.

A proactive approach and home care assistance are best for preventing flu in your loved one with heart disease.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Assistance in Little Elm, TX, contact the caring staff at HomeWell Care Services Plano TX today. Call (469) 596-6500

HomeWell Care Services Plano TX is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Plano, Allen, McKinney, Frisco, Richardson, Garland, Little Elm, Prosper, and the surrounding areas.

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