The Importance of Senior Vaccinations

Vaccinations are a lifelong responsibility; a senior may need to retake some immunizations that were already taken as a child or in earlier adult years. Certain senior citizens may have medical conditions or lifestyles that make it even more important to have certain vaccinations. Immune systems naturally weaken with age, so it is not uncommon to pay attention to vaccinations.

Flu Vaccinations for Seniors
It is recommended that seniors receive a flu vaccination every year. More than half of flu-related hospitalizations and 90 percent hospitalizations happen in adults over the age of 65. The earlier in the flu season the better; it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to become effective. Flu vaccinations are very important as an individual progresses in age; the flu can severely weaken a senior and even become life-threatening. Side effects such as headache, hoarse and fever are common, but they typically only last for no longer than 2 days.

Shingles Vaccinations
The risk of contracting shingles increases as an individual grows older. Seniors should check with a physician first to determine if their immune system is able to withstand a shingles vaccination. Shingles can cause general pain lasting from days to years, and can cause brain swelling, hearing and vision loss and even death in extreme cases. Common side effects such as soreness, headache and itching where the shot was administered are mild and only last for a few days.

Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
Infants are first given this one-shot immunization composed of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, but a booster shoot should be given after the age of 65 to prevent death. Whooping cough can lead to broken ribs and pneumonia in a senior citizen, and it is especially important for a senior to receive this vaccine if they are around children. Side effects such as headache, mild fever, vomiting and tiredness may occur after injection, but it is typically not enough to interfere with everyday activities.

Chickenpox Vaccination (Varicella)
The chickenpox vaccination began to be administered in 1995, so many seniors may have missed the opportunity to receive it beforehand. A recommendation from a physician should be acquired before getting the varicella shot, and one dose from years before may be enough. Chickenpox can cause serious complications with other medical conditions that a child may not have, and it could even result in death. Common side effects such as a mild rash, low fever, nausea, trouble sleeping and stomach issues may occur for a few days after receiving the varicella vaccine.

Why Your Elderly Loved Ones Should Stay At Home

When a loved one begins to age, it can be tempting to shove the responsibility onto someone else. It can be tempting to put them in a nursing home. However, there are so many costs. Isn't it better for seniors to stay at home?

There are many reasons that a loved one would be put into a nursing home. They may not be able to go up and down the stairs easily anymore, or may not be able to stand for the time required to cook or clean. However, the needs of elderly people that would require modifications are not included in a nursing home's basic package.

Modifications can be made to the home they already live in, but many do not realize the added costs mentioned above. Staying at home in 2009 as an elderly person cost the family $554, versus $1065 out of pocket for a nursing home. Those out of pocket expenses jumped to $3500 in 2013. This means cooking, cleaning, and other problems that need to be addressed in their life might simply cost more in the nursing home. In addition, when an elderly person stays in their home, it is quite possible that they already own the home or are paying very low home mortgages. The options at a nursing home could instead become parts of the family's life as requirements, instead of options to be paid for.

The changes that could be made to the home include:

• Making it easier to get up and down the stairs.
• Keeping pots and pans within arms reach.
• Getting cleaning supplies with longer handles so they don't have to bend down. 

With some help from the neighbors or from family, the modifications could be easily finished within a few hours or within a weekend.

If that's not convincing enough, many elderly will already know people in the community that they currently live in. If they get into a situation where they need help, but family is unavailable, they will most likely have at least one person they know they can call in their neighborhood. If new people move in, there are more hands to help out when needed.

Even better, when your elderly loved one stays at home, they are able to enjoy much more independence. Quality of life in that age is as important as it is when they're younger, and putting them in a nursing home could only hamper the quality of their life.

Whether you need to find suitable care now, or will need it sometime in the future, Visiting Angels in Las Vegas might be one viable way to get the help you need in caring for your elderly loved one at home.