Signs and Symptoms of Flu

 
     
People who have the flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms:

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue (very tired)
• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

How Flu Spreads

Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, eyes or possibly their nose.
 Period of Contagiousness

You may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others for an even longer time.

How Serious is the Flu?

Flu is unpredictable and how severe it is can vary widely from one season to the next depending on many things, including:
• which flu viruses are spreading
• how much flu vaccine is available
• when vaccine is available
• how many people get vaccinated, and
• how well the flu vaccine is matched to flu viruses that are causing illness

Certain people are at greater risk for serious complications, if they get the flu. This includes older people, young children, pregnant women and people with certain health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), and persons who live in facilities like nursing homes.

Money “Cents”

I talk to Seniors everyday, partly because that’s my job but mostly because I love working with and helping Seniors.  More often than not I learn from their accumulated wisdom and experience.  What never fails to amaze me however is that Money still causes so much anxiety to people in their 80’s and 90’s.

People will call and say that they need help for their Mother, but when it come time to look at the collars and cents of it all, they are not sure if they can afford to have someone come in an provide Homecare for their Mom.  This could be absolutely true and naturally I would never question the veracity of their statement.  But I will ask them to turn the equation a little bit…..

Is this Home the right place for Mom and is it where she wants to be ?

Will Mom be able to stay at home and maintain a quality of life that meets her approval without someone coming in to help ?

Will Mom be moving in with you or some other family member if she can’t stay living on her own ?

What will it cost to accommodate Mom at a family members home (renovations etc.) ?

Is there even anyone who can provide the assistance Mom needs at that home ?

What will it cost to move Mom out of her home ?

What will it cost per month to have Mom living in a Seniors residential setting ?

If we were to provide the minimum amount of service that was needed, how will that cost stack up against those listed above ?

Often time the answers are either blank stares or “I don’t know”.  To these people I give them homework to do – find out the answers for themselves and then call me back.  I could tell them the answers but then I become a salesman and I hate salesmen.

Once people look into and start to understand the costs associated with having a family member move out of their home they can match that up with their family members wishes ( knowing that given a choice most people don’t want to move – it is a traumatic enough situation regardless of money).  This gives you a way to compare your options and to make an informed decision.

Sometimes people come back to have us provide the Homecare and sometimes they don’t.  Either way, I’ve done my job and I’m happy because now they know what the options are, how to evaluate them.  They can come to an honest decision that will be in the best interest of the Senior.

Home Safety Tips

While I’ve brought up safety for Seniors before, I found this list and thought I’d share it with you too.  I have no idea where it came from but I use bits and pieces of this list all the time when visiting in peoples’ homes.

 

• Keep all areas of the home, including hallways and stairs, well-lit, but free from glare
• Remove scatter rugs, or attach a nonskid backing to them
• Reduce the risk of falling on uncarpeted floors by ensuring that they are not slippery – do not use high gloss polish
• Use night lights; particularly in the bedroom, hallways, and bathrooms
• Keep the stove area in the kitchen free of towels, curtains, and other things that might catch fire
• Inspect electrical cords for fraying or cracking; be sure they are placed away from walking paths, but not under carpet or furniture, where they could present a fire hazard
• Set the hot water temperature at 115 degrees or below on the water heater
• Use slip-resistant decals or non-skid mats in the tub or shower
• Install grab bars in the bathtub and by the toilet; be sure the screws go directly into the wall studs, so they stay securely in place
• Check to be sure that extension cords are not overloaded
• Install smoke detectors on every floor of the home and test them monthly
• Destroy out-of-date medications and those which are no longer being used
• Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, and teach everyone of age to use it
• Place a telephone in the bedroom and post emergency numbers by all telephones
• Keep space heaters away from flammable materials, and be sure the room is well ventilated
• A three-pronged plug should be used in a three hole outlet, or an adapter should be used
• Always turn off heating pads before an older person goes to sleep
• Have an emergency exit plan and an alternative plan in case of fire
• If the older person has a disability, call the local fire department and let them know

 

Fun in the Sun

Now that the weather has turned, and the Tulips are in full bloom we have to remember that the sun and warmth present their own unique issues.  Certain precautions must be taken into consideration to make sure that we can enjoy the benefits of our lawn, garden, deck and Bar-B-Ques.

The trick is really to be aware of the risks and to take precautions against the hazards while enjoying the benefits.

Moisturizing sun screen with SPF of more than 30 is a good start but a higher SPF might be warranted.  Most people tend to forget that they have to reapply every so often, so make sure to make it a routine to reapply.

Proper clothing is also important.  Clothes that are not going to add to the overheating while still providing protection from too much sun exposure are the best.

On bright sunny days, there are better times than others for doing things outside that involve exerting oneself.  Sitting under an umbrella with lunch is perfect anytime between 11am and 2pm.  If you are going to be working or walking, maybe before 11am or later in the afternoon might be more comfortable and easier on your system.

Seniors need to be mindful that on real hot days, breathing can be more difficult especially if they have any sort of respiratory issues.

A shovel isn’t the only tool for the garden.  Knee pads, seats and carts make the work far less difficult.  There are plenty of ergonomic gardening tools that can help make the work easier.

Sunglasses are one of the best summer tools of all.  They ease the strain and discomfort that the sun causes most seniors and they protect your vision.

Having a quick chat with your Pharmacist or Doctor about your medications can also help address any issues that could arise from the increased exposure to the sun and heat during the summer months.  You never know what side-effects there could be.

Finally, know when enough is enough.  Don’t push yourself just because its a nice day, tomorrow will be nice too if you don’t over-do-it today.