The flu vaccine plays a major role in health, especially during the winter months. Anyone who has suffered from the flu in the past knows that avoiding this can make a big difference in how we feel. It’s never pleasant to spend time being sick, even when you’re younger. For the elderly, it is often far more severe. The flu hits the very young and the old a lot harder than it does other age groups thanks to weaker immune systems. In the elderly, the flu can even be fatal, especially if there are other health concerns present. This is one of the biggest reasons why advocates of the flu vaccine are so adamant that everyone receive this shot.
A new study from Aarhus University helps to explain just how important the flu vaccine is in the older population. Taking into account things like chronic diseases and other advanced health issues, older individuals who had received the flu vaccine had a much lower premature death rate in the intensive care unit of the hospital than those elderly folk who had not had the flu vaccine. The risk of blood clots and brain bleeding also significantly decreased if they had been given a flu vaccination prior to their hospital visit.
This study looked at about 90,000 individuals in Denmark who were age 65 or older and had been admitted into the ICU. Regardless of why the person had been brought to the hospital, those who had received a vaccine showed far greater health. They were 16 percent less likely to suffer from a blood clot and 8 percent less likely to die in the year following their hospital stay. Not only was their hospital visit more beneficial to them, but the positive effects of the vaccine could be seen well after they were released from the hospital.
This is a strong case for the flu vaccine. It’s important to speak to a doctor about this protection for you and your family if you have any questions about it.
An older loved one with advanced needs can be tough to deal with. Things like the flu can make an already difficult situation a lot worse. If you’re uncertain of how to approach the care of an elderly loved one, it’s important to speak to a care specialist that you trust. They can help you to assess your loved one’s needs and match it up with the appropriate care plan. There are many different types of senior care, but not all of them will be of the same usefulness to you and your family. Depending on the health and prognosis of your family member, some types of care might be better than others. When evaluating your choices, it’s always important to start with your unique situation.
If you’re located in or near San Francisco, we can help in this regard. Please feel free to contact us and schedule a free consultation to learn how Paradise In-Home Care can be of benefit to you and your family.
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