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Senior Snippets – tips for flu prevention W
elcome to the latest edition of Senior Snippets: the monthly advisory column with the older members of our community in mind, brought to you by Annie Dixon-Dunn of Home Instead Senior Care Redditch & Bromsgrove.
This month we are going to share some very important tips on how to keep well in cold weather. As the weather begins to turn, flu season nears. Now more than ever it is vital that we do everything that we can to avoid catching the flu, especially if you are elderly or in a vulnerable category. Here are our top tips for keeping well in winter Get a flu jab.This one is the most important. Everyone over the age of 65, living in the UK is eligible for a flu jab and is encouraged to take up this free NHS service to protect themselves from the flu virus, which can be unpredictable and serious.You can get a flu jab at your GP’s surgery or participating pharmacies. See your pharmacist if you aren’t feeling well. Even if you have just a cold, your pharmacist might be able to help you prevent it from becoming more serious. If you can’t physically get to a pharmacy, or you have a cough call them to discuss your symptoms. Many pharmacies now offer contactless delivery services. For more urgent advice, ring the NHS helpline on 111. Keep warm. During the cold winter months, it is advisable to wear several layers of clothing, rather than one thick layer. Clothes made of cotton, wool or fleecy fibres help to maintain body heat and are better than silky and thin materials that don’t insulate well. Keep mobile. Try not to sit still for more than an hour at a time. Even simply standing up to stretch your legs for a few
moments can help to increase your body temperature. If you have good mobility, moderate exercise is a great way of keeping warm when temperatures are low. Drink warm beverages. When you get up to stretch, why not make yourself a hot drink to help keep you warm? You should also try to eat at least one hot meal a day. Making sure warm foods and drink are going into your system will keep your weight up and contribute to keeping your body temperature up. Keep your medicine cabinet stocked. If you treat early onset symptoms of illness they are less likely to develop into anything more serious. By keeping your medicine cabinet stocked, you could avoid having to go out in the cold, if you do find yourself unwell. Do ask a family member or trusted neighbour to help if you can’t get out and about or have been advised to isolate. We are living in strange times and it is natural to worry about health, so it’s important to think about what you can do to protect more vulnerable friends and family from the ill-effects of the cold. At Home Instead Senior Care, our CAREGivers can help older people to stay well and help with many of the tips mentioned here. I would love to hear from you, if you have a suggestion for a topic please write to me at annie.dixon-dunn@homeinstead. co.uk Alternatively, you can call me, Annie on 01564 741620.
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Picking up medication and support prescription requirements Posting letters to keep in touch with loved ones Helping use technology to video chat with families Home Care is Safe Care DBS checked, PPE trained, professional CAREGivers visit at a time that suit you and always stay for at least an hour. Currently taking on new clients in: Studley l Alcester l Henley in Arden l Redditch l Bromsgrove l Rubery l Rednal l Northfield Personal Care Home Help Companionship Dementia Care
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01564 741 620 / 01527 810 855 Visit www.homeinstead.co.uk/rb
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