Seniors (Adults 65 Years and Older) and the Flu

From flu.gov

For older adults, the seasonal flu can be very serious, even deadly. Each year in the U.S., deaths from flu-related causes range from 3,300 to 48,600 (average of 23,600), and more than 200,000 are hospitalized from serious flu complications. Ninety percent of flu-related deaths and more than half of flu-related hospitalizations occur in people age 65 and older.

Actions To Take This Flu Season

1. Get Your Flu Shot

Getting vaccinated means not only protecting yourself, but not spreading the flu to your spouse, children, or grandchildren. CDC recommends getting the vaccine as soon as it becomes available in your community because it takes the body about two weeks to build up immunity. The immunity will last throughout the entire flu season.

You should get vaccinated this year even if you got a 2009 H1N1 or a seasonal vaccine last year because the vaccine viruses have been updated. Immunity sets in about two weeks after vaccination.

This season, people 65 years and older will have two flu shots available to choose from - a regular dose flu vaccine and a new flu vaccine designed specifically for people 65 and older with a higher dose. This should result in a stronger immune response. Both vaccines will protect against the same three flu viruses. Talk to your doctor or nurse about the best option for you.

If you have Medicare Part B, health insurance, there is no cost to you for the flu shot if the doctor accepts assignment for giving the shot.

The flu vaccine is safe and effective, and because the influenza viruses in the flu shot are inactive, you can't get influenza from the vaccine.

2. Take Everyday Preventive Actions

Stay healthy by practicing these healthy habits

• Avoid people who are sick with the flu
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your coughs and sneezes.
• Wash your hands often
• Don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth
• Get plenty of sleep, stay physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food

3. Seek Medical Advice Quickly if You Develop Flu Symptoms

You might need medical evaluation or treatement with antiviral drugs.

It’s very important that antiviral drugs be used early to treat flu in people 

• who are very sick with flu (for example, people who are in the hospital)
• who are sick with flu and have a greater chance of getting serious flu complications, like people 65 and older

Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea. People may be infected with the flu and have respiratory symptoms without a fever.

Why should seniors get the flu shot? As we age, our immune system is weakened, making us more susceptible to the flu. Click here to locate a seasonal flu clinic near you

Beware of Financial Abuse!

According to the California Attorney General's Office, the financial abuse of seniors is a rapidly growing problem. Seniors are often targets for corrupt telemarketers, lottery scammers, con artists and, worse yet, unscrupulous friends, family or caregivers. 

Several common forms of abuse are listed below, along with ways to help protect yourself (or your loved one). Please take a moment to review the list and consider it carefully.

Prizes, Lotteries, & Sweepstakes Scams:

These scams generally involve informing the victim that he or she could win, or already has won, a large sum or money or some other valuable prize, with a catch - you have to pay a small fee or make a small purchase in order to claim your prize. 

Home Improvement Scams:

These scams typically convince seniors to agree to home improvements or repairs (regardless of need) and either fail to complete the project, radically over-charge, or complete the project using inferior products. 

Family, Friends, & Caregivers:

Financial abuse by these people can be either slow and systematic or instantaneous. According to the Attorney General's Office this is the most common type of financial abuse of seniors and "many may be unaware of, or deny the abuse for fear of being left alone or being placed into a nursing facility." This type of abuse can cover the gamete, from misuse of an ATM card, to the taking of cash, property, or valuables without permission, to signing or cashing social security checks, or even coercing a senior into signing over property.

Here are some ways to protect yourself from abuse like those listed above:

• Remember: A prize is free! - If you have to pay to receive your "prize" then it is not a prize.
• Don't be afraid to say no.
• Don't be afraid to hang up the telephone on someone.
• Be cautious of strangers approaching you in public. If you are uncomfortable walk away, if you feel threatened call the police or other law enforcement.
• It is against federal law to play a foreign lottery by mail or telephone.
• Never give your credit card and bank account numbers to people who call you.
• Have your name registered on the national "Do Not Call" List (www.donotcall.gov or 888-382-1222).
• Don't open the door for a stranger.
• Remember, you should make the decisions regarding what, if any, repairs your home needs, not a stranger.
• Identify what work you want done and know how much you can afford to pay, don't let the payments get ahead of work completed.
• Who do you want to do the work? You can get a list or reputable, licensed contractors from the Contractors State License Board and check with local Better Business Bureau.
• Don't pay the full cost of the job up-front. Contractors cannot ask for a deposit of more than 10% or $1000, whichever is less.
• Get estimates in writing and compare; (the lowest price may may not be the best choice, keep in mind quality and keeping with building code).
• Require a written contract and don't sign until you understand everything in it.
• Don't be rushed and feel free to talk it over with someone you trust.
• If you need help with your finances or making financial decisions, decide who is the most responsible, trustworthy person in your life to help you. Be picky!
• Tell everyone what your future plans are. This will make it harder for one person to manipulate you or your assets.
• Be careful of giving someone power of attorney. Make sure it contains clear instructions that reflect your wishes about your care and well-being.
• Get impartial, professional legal advice on all legal transactions.
• Watch access to your credit cards, ATM cards, and Social Security Card.
• Check your credit rating and bank accounts regularly.
• Screen caregivers and check references!Don't hesitate to request that a caregiver have proof of a criminal background check.

For more information about preventing all forms of elder abuse visit www.safestate.org. To order copies of the booklet or video "The Financial Abuse of Seniors: Face It. It's a Crime" please fax a request to 916-327-2384.

Bedroom Safety for Seniors

Being safe and comfortable in their own home is important to every senior. One way to help ensure the senior in your life remains safe is to evaluate every room for possible risks. Several common risks in the bedroom are outlined below and the suggestions listed may help prevent falls, and ensure a longer, more comfortable stay at home. 

• Is there a long reach from bed to a light? Moving the bedside lamp closer or mounting a light on the headboard may help prevent falls out of bed.

• Is there a telephone within easy reach of laying in bed? A phone extension, or portable handset, kept within easy reaching distance of bed can help prevent falls and make it easier to call for help when necessary.

• Is it necessary to get out of bed or reach far to get eyeglasses? Storing glasses within easy reach may makes it easier to avoid obstacles and may help prevent falls.

• Are there telephone, television, extension, or other cords running along the floor? Cords can pose a tripping hazard. Its is a good idea to route cords so they do not cross walking paths or to have an electrician install additional outlets to reduce the need for extension cords.

• Is there clutter (clothes, shoes, books, etc.) on the floor? Removing clutter from the walking paths and floor helps reduce the chances of tripping over it.

• Are late night, or multiple, bathroom runs common? A portable commode near the bed can decrease nightly wandering; or nightlights can be used to help light the way.

One of the Ingredients of Longevity

Jeanne Louise Calment, the world’s oldest person who died at the age of 122 once stated, “If you can’t do anything about it, don’t worry about it”. While Besse Cooper, the world’s oldest living person at the age of 114 answered when asked how she got to live so long, “I mind my own business, and I don’t eat junk food”. We all know that proper diet is one of the keys to healthy living. What we don’t usually pay attention to is managing stress. Often times, we worry ourselves even with issues that don’t even concern us which results to stress that greatly affects our health. Absence of stress management can lead to distress, most especially with seniors. Distress can lead to physical symptoms which include headaches, chest pain, elevated blood pressure, upset stomach, and problem sleeping. In addition, research shows that stress can worsen symptoms and/or existing disease.

 Besse Berry Cooper

We can’t avoid stressful situations but what we can do is learn how to deal with stressors.

 Stressor is an external stimulus that causes stress. Being able to identify your stressor will help you figure ways to deal with it (You can’t solve a problem if you don’t know the problem) --- that’s just one of the things that you learn from stress management.

 Stress management has played an important role in increased seniors’ health and well-being. Some of the following effective methods of stress management include meditation, cognitive puzzles, yoga, breathing exercises, and cognitive restructuring.

 In addition, one of the important factors in successfully managing stress is learning to accept things that you can’t change – learn it from Calment.

Keeping Seniors Away from Hypothermia

This rainy season is tough for everyone, especially for seniors. It is not just cold weather and wind that everyone has to deal with but also cold water pouring down from dark clouds up above. Do you know that getting even just a small part of your body wet could lead to (25 times faster than the air) heat loss in your body, which can seriously reduce or destroy the insulating value of clothing? This type of coldness can lead to Hypothermia (commonly known as Cold Stress). Although everyone are vulnerable to coldness that rainy season brings, the seniors are more susceptible to develop low body temperature after being exposed to conditions of mild cold. For that reason, seniors are at risk of Hypothermia. The good news is we can avoid it to happen. We have come up of things to know about cold stress…..

 What is Hypothermia?

            Hypothermia or cold stress is a condition common to seniors marked by an abnormally low internal body temperature. It develops when heat from the body escapes faster than it can be replaced.

Hypothermia is a silent killer so to recognize the symptoms would be a matter of life and death. Here are the symptoms of Hypothermia or cold stress:

1.      Unusual stiffness of the muscles accompanied by a fine trembling

2.      Shivering (it is important to note that seniors tend not to react to cold so absence of shivering doesn’t mean they are not cold)

3.      Puffy or Swollen Face in combination of cold skin and signs of confusion

4.      Poor coordination and Jerky movements

5.      Slow Breathing and Heart Rate

6.      Pale Skin Color usually along with large, irregular blue or pink spots

7.      Growing Mental Confusion

8.      Strange Changes in Attitude (most common change in attitude: becomes Apathetic)

9.      Sleepiness (Difficulty in Waking Up)

10.    Slurred Speech

How to Reduce the Risk of Hypothermia?

1.      Insulate your home properly (if you live by yourself)

2.      Dress warmly

3.      Proper diet and Physical conditioning

4.      Get enough rest

5.      Drink adequate amounts of liquids

6.      Use extra blankets and/or Turn On the Heater

7.      Avoid exposure to cold

What To Do in case you believe someone is a victim of Hypothermia:

 1.      Call 9-1-1 immediately

2.      Handle the person gently

3.      Gradually warm the person

4.      Provide warm, DRY clothing

5.      With available covering such as blankets, newspapers, pillows, scarves, towels, etc., INSULATE the person

 What NOT TO DO in case you believe someone is a victim of Hypothermia:

1.      DO NOT bathe NOR give the person a shower

2.      DO NOT feed the person hot food NOR give the person hot drinks

3.      DO NOT give the person a massage NOR rub the person

 Talk to your doctor for more information about Hypothermia. It is better to be ready than be sorry. After all, information about prevention is always available--- you just have to ask.