The COVID-19 pandemic has hit seniors hard. Adults 65 and over have been hospitalized at a rate 5-13 times higher than adults under 30 and are dying from the disease at a rate 90-630 times higher than young adults. When combined with the mental health toll of social isolation, natural disasters and economic hardships experienced by many in the U.S., it’s fair to say it’s been a tough time for seniors.
While over 90% of Americans over 65 have been fully vaccinated, the risk of breakthrough infections remains. And with winter here, so too is flu season. According to the CDC, flu activity is low nationally, but surveillance systems continue to detect slow but steady increases in the virus.
Like COVID-19, influenza disproportionately impacts seniors. Every year hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. are hospitalized due to flu, and tens of thousands die as a result of the infection — the majority of whom are adults 65 and over.
That said, there are critical steps seniors and their caregivers can take to best cope with the current flu season and continued risk of COVID-19. Here’s what the experts recommend.
1. Get a flu shot and other recommended vaccines
Anyone who will be around a senior this winter — caregivers, grandchildren, houseguests, etc. — should make it a priority to get their flu vaccine, says Dr. Gregg VandeKieft, medical director for the palliative practice group at the Providence Institute for Human Caring in Olympia, Washington. The CDC recommends everyone six months and older get a flu shot, with very few exceptions, to lower the chances of getting seriously sick or spreading the virus to others.
VandeKieft adds that adults over the age of 50 can also ask their health care provider about vaccines against shingles and pneumonia for additional protection.
2. Decide on a contingency plan
Even if you’re taking every last precaution, things might crop up that you didn’t expect. In those cases, it’s important to have a backup plan in place, says Stephanie Erickson, a clinical social worker, family caregiving expert and author of the book “Plan for Aging Well.”
It’s always harder to make good, sound and reasonable decisions when we’re in a panic state, she says. That’s why planning in advance — and understanding what a trip to the ER might entail — is essential.
Some questions Erickson recommends seniors and their caregivers address:
- If a caregiver or the person needing care does contract COVID-19 or the flu, do they have an isolated spot in the house or a secondary location to seclude themselves? Is there a secondary caregiver who can step in temporarily? Who will do the driving to or from any appointments?
- In the case of a natural disaster, adverse weather event or social unrest, who lives nearby who can check on the person receiving care? Are there supplies (like candles, blankets and portable technology chargers) in case of a power outage? Do they have non-perishable goods or another way to get groceries?
- To prevent a fall or other bodily injury, are there clear walkable paths around the living space? Are stair railings secure, or could a shower use assistive handles? Does the senior have proper winter footwear if they have to go outside?
Having these plans in place will offer peace of mind to seniors, their immediate caregivers, adult children or other family members who might live far away, Erickson says.
3. Gather important information
The account number on a gas bill isn’t exactly a thing most people keep top of mind, but it will be crucial information if a senior’s heat goes out in the middle of winter. Erickson says now is the time to get organized, ensuring that logistical information is accurate and consolidated into one, easily accessible place for seniors, caregivers and any remote family members who may need to provide indirect support over the phone or electronically.
Examples of information Erickson and other experts recommend having written down:
- Medication names, doses and instructions.
- Pharmacy or prescription mail delivery service phone numbers.
- Utility providers and accounts.
- Grocery store information and meal or grocery delivery services in the area.
- Phone number for a neighbor who could check in on the senior in the event of an emergency.
Seniors and their caregivers should also look into services and assistance resources for adults in their communities, says Joyce Manalo, a senior community health worker at Parkland Health & Hospital System in Dallas. Research programs that can help seniors keep their utilities on or connect them to medical care, transportation assistance or mental health support. She suggests calling 2-1-1 (if it’s available in your area) or the website AuntBertha.com to start researching these resources.
4. Make plans to stay connected
Vidya Ayyr, community health worker and Director of Social Impact at Parkland Health & Hospital System in Dallas, notes that winter, in and of itself, can be more isolating, as weather can make it difficult to get around. But with the COVID-19 pandemic coinciding with flu season, she says it’s going to be even more crucial for seniors to protect not only their physical health but their mental health as well.
That’s where planning to stay connected can become an unusual but necessary practice, Erickson says. “To have regularly scheduled contact is always really important,” she says. In the era of COVID-19, technology has been crucial. If digital literacy is a challenge, however, she recommends helping them set up devices and figuring out how to do remote tech support as early in the fall as possible so that it’s ready to go for winter and the holiday season.
Erickson also suggests getting creative with get-togethers to make them more fun and engaging for everyone involved. Consider:
- Choosing a recipe and preparing it together over video chat.
- Hosting virtual Sunday dinners.
- Having grandparents read stories over video chat to their grandchildren.
- Participating in a virtual book club.
- Doing the same crafts or activities as friends or family over video chat.
- Introducing icebreakers to routine video calls (ex. Asking everyone on the call to wear their favorite t-shirt and then share memories associated with it).
If a video call can’t happen or won’t cut it, seniors and their caregivers or loved ones should still take precautions, says Dr. Tina Shenouda, a primary care physician and Chief Medical Officer of Partners in Primary Care in Houston. The CDC advises fully vaccinated people wear a mask in public indoor settings if they are in an area of substantial or high transmission.
5. Practice self-care
Given the challenges this winter might pose, experts agreed that protecting mental health will be crucial for both seniors and caregivers.
Self-care might look different from one person to the next, but experts say it generally includes getting enough rest, exercise and healthy foods to boost your mental and physical health heading into flu season.
This is especially important for caregivers, VandeKieft says. Self-care is essential to remain fully capable of providing the best level of care you can to others, he says. “If you don’t take care of yourself, you’re not going to be able to care for others nearly as well,” he notes.
