Senior Snippets

Senior Snippets –tips for flu prevention

Welcome 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 moments can help to increase your body temperature. If you have on how to keep well in cold weather. As the weather begins to good mobility, moderate exercise is a great way of keeping warm turn, flu season nears. Now more than ever it is vital that we do when temperatures are low. everything that we can to avoid catching the flu, especially if you Drink warm beverages. When you get up to stretch, why are elderly or in a vulnerable category. not make yourself a hot drink to help keep you warm? You should Here are our top tips for keeping well in winter also try to eat at least one hot meal a day. Making sure warm

Get a flu jab. This one is the most important. Everyone foods and drink are going into your system will keep your weight over the age of 65, living in the UK is eligible for a flu jab and is up and contribute to keeping your body temperature up. encouraged to take up this free NHS service to protect themselves Keep your medicine cabinet stocked. If you treat early from the flu virus, which can be unpredictable and serious. You can onset symptoms of illness they are less likely to develop into get a flu jab at your GP’s surgery or participating pharmacies. anything more serious. By keeping your medicine cabinet stocked,

See your pharmacist if you aren’t feeling well. Even you could avoid having to go out in the cold, if you do find if you have just a cold, your pharmacist might be able to help you yourself unwell. Do ask a family member or trusted neighbour to prevent it from becoming more serious. If you can’t physically help if you can’t get out and about or have been advised to isolate. get to a pharmacy, or you have a cough call them to discuss your We are living in strange times and it is natural to worry about symptoms. Many pharmacies now offer contactless delivery health, so it’s important to think about what you can do to protect services. For more urgent advice, ring the NHS helpline on 111. more vulnerable friends and family from the ill-effects of the cold.

Keep warm. During the cold winter months, it is advisable to At Home Instead Senior Care, our CAREGivers can help older wear several layers of clothing, rather than one thick layer. Clothes people to stay well and help with many of the tips mentioned here. 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. I would love to hear from you, if you have a suggestion for a topic please write to me at annie.dixon-dunn@homeinstead.

Keep mobile. Try not to sit still for more than an hour at co.uk Alternatively, you can call me, Annie on 01564 741620. a time. Even simply standing up to stretch your legs for a few

Live Well, Stay Safe

We do more than just Care:

Shopping for essentials and packing away for you

Cleaning and disinfecting of high touch surfaces

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

We’re here to help find the right care for you and your loved ones. To find out more call us on 01564 741 620 / 01527 810 855 Visit www.homeinstead.co.uk/rb

Telephone: The Lawns Residential Care, School Lane, Alvechurch Worcestershire, B48 7SB Luxury care home for the elderly in Alvechurch 0121 445 4098 Email: enquiries@thelawnscare.co.uk www.thelawnscare.co.uk

We now regularly hold Skype sessions to keep our residents in contact with their family and friends.

Who we are We are different

We’re a community – residents and carers united by our shared joy for life We think people deserve to be as inspired in old age as they were in their youth Drop in and have a cup of tea with us You are always welcome to visit, or ring 0121 445 4098 if you’d like to make an appointment “During these testing times we have kept all residents and staff completely safe from the virus and we are so thankful for the wonderful messages of support we’ve received from relatives and the wider community. Residents have been active in creating amazing videos that are on our Facebook page, have a look and share the enjoyment we have had in making these fun shows. We are proud that everyone has come together and created a safe and secure bubble!” - Lukas Rokita, The Lawns Home Manager Completely Bromsgrove 27