Tag Archive for: aging loved ones

Preparing your Senior Loved One for Flu Season

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When the weather starts to cool down we know the flu season is coming. Getting the flu is tough at any age; however, for some the flu can cause horrible complications. The flu in the elderly, for example, can lead to severe, life-threatening conditions. So, it’s essential to take extra steps and put preventative measures in place now.

In order to protect your senior loved ones against the flu keep the following in mind:

Flu vaccine.

The flu vaccine is highly recommended especially for older adults; caregivers should also receive the vaccine to add an extra layer of prevention. Keep in mind seniors require a higher dose of the vaccine, a physician can recommend the best dosage.

Complications.

Seniors who develop the flu are at risk of developing further complications, some may even require hospitalization. Watch for the symptoms of bronchitis which may lead to pneumonia. The flu may also worsen any existing conditions such as asthma or a heart disease.

Hygiene.

The flu is highly contagious so just washing hands regularly isn’t enough. Disinfecting the surfaces of the home, keeping hands off the face especially in public, and keeping away from anyone who is sick is essential.

Medication.

Always check with a doctor before adding any additional medication, as the drugs may have negative interactions.

Comprehensive Home Care is here to provide additional tips and support. Don’t be afraid to reach out to see how we can help this flu season. Call us at 704.333.5214 or contact us here.

How Often Should I Check On My Aging Loved One?

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If you have an aging loved you may realize you need to periodically look in on them in order to make sure that they are okay. Knowing how often to check up on them can be complicated but there are certain factors to help you know.

In many instances, a combination of outside help and periodic check-ins may be necessary in order to make sure that a loved one remains happy and healthy. This allows them to get by on their own with some assistance from a home care company. This is true for many medical conditions. For example, some may still be able to stay on their own as long as they have some outside help. That’s where a quality home care agency, like Comprehensive Home Care, can help. Comprehensive Home Care can check in on a family’s senior loved one, providing home care services or respite care.

In general, the need to check up on an aging loved one will depend on multiple factors. Such factors include:

  • An existing medical conditions as well as any recent medical problems such as a fall or other healthcare issue.
  • Whether or not the relative has access to a community that encourages strong bonds between residents. Many elderly people have developed strong ties to other members of their community. For example, they may be cherished for their gentle love of children and tasty contributions to the local church bake sale each year.
  • How far away their loved ones live. It can be particularly important to make sure a relative is cared for even when you cannot be physically present. In such cases, the person may want to set up a series of ways in which they can check up on a loved father or favorite aunt. This may include a combination of hired help from a home care agency that is in the area.

Comprehensive Home Care can assist the relative with certain tasks such as meal preparation and driving. Contact us here or call us at 704.333.5213 to see how we can help.

Check out Transitioning to Assisted Living to learn about the common challenges seniors face when transitioning to assisted living. The stage they are in in the transition may determine how often you should check in.