Gerontologists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)Â say the elderly are at increased risk for getting the flu and often have a worse time coping with flu symptoms than do younger people.
The flu could be especially severe for the 39.6 million older adults in the United States. Defined as 65 years or older, the group makes up almost 13 percent of the total population. Add to that the number of people who care for an aging person patient, parent or friend and the impact on older people is even greater.
There are three things an older person or a caregiver should do, according to Andrew Duxbury, MD, associate professor in the Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Palliative Care at the UAB School of Medicine:
- Get a flu shot it could help reduce the severity of an illness
- Wash your hands regularly
- Avoid crowds
All human immune systems weaken with age, so when older people get the flu and get knocked down further, they are more likely to get other infections, such as pneumonia, says Duxbury, also a member of the UAB Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging. Just being knocked into bed for as little as three or four days can, in a very frail older person, affect their ability to walk and do for themselves. It can cause a spiral in disabilities and increase chances of falls and injuries.
If you or an older person you know has flu symptoms, Duxbury suggests paying more attention to things like staying hydrated. Appetite and thirst mechanisms are different for older people; they can tip over into dehydration in less than a day if they do not keep fluids up.
Older people also need to get out of bed at least a minimal amount and sit up, which is better for the lungs and helps avoid pneumonia. Call the doctor if there is a productive cough or fever higher than 101 or if the patient is feeling short of breath.
Duxbury reminds caregivers to get a flu shot too. Caregivers are an important link to the outside world for older people, which means they could also be vectors for the flu virus.
One way to make yourself sicker and make an illness last longer is to try to push through it, he says. Caregivers may feel obligated; but if you are sick, you shouldnt be caring for a senior. Now is a good time to think about your plan B. Who is going to step in and take your place?
Duxbury says that, while older people are more susceptible, they have already lived through worse flu seasons. The current elder population lived through the 1957 and 1968 pandemics, he says. Theyve seen a lot.
Source: University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)
A Helping Hand: Innovative Approaches to Expanding Hand Hygiene Programs in Acute Care Settings
July 9th 2025Who knew candy, UV lights, and a college kid in scrubs could double hand hygiene adherence? A Pennsylvania hospital’s creative shake-up of its infection prevention program shows that sometimes it takes more than soap to get hands clean—and keep them that way.
Broadening the Path: Diverse Educational Routes Into Infection Prevention Careers
July 4th 2025Once dominated by nurses, infection prevention now welcomes professionals from public health, lab science, and respiratory therapy—each bringing unique expertise that strengthens patient safety and IPC programs.
How Contaminated Is Your Stretcher? The Hidden Risks on Hospital Wheels
July 3rd 2025Despite routine disinfection, hospital surfaces, such as stretchers, remain reservoirs for harmful microbes, according to several recent studies. From high-touch areas to damaged mattresses and the effectiveness of antimicrobial coatings, researchers continue to uncover persistent risks in environmental hygiene, highlighting the critical need for innovative, continuous disinfection strategies in health care settings.