While fall brings with it sweaters, corn mazes, and all things pumpkin spice, it also marks a peak in respiratory virus illnesses.

As the new season begins, Care Resources Clinical Quality Manager Bethany Graham says now is a serious time to focus on illness prevention, particularly for older adults.

“Every year in the fall, we start seeing an increase in influenza and COVID in the U.S.,” says Graham, who oversees infection control for Care Resources, a community-based program that serves people 55 years and older. “Flu and COVID are viral illnesses that impact everyone differently depending on age and different risk factors.

“For our more frail, medically complex elderly population, these viruses can be really detrimental, so it’s important older adults – and those who care for them – work diligently to avoid illness each year.”

Medical professionals strongly recommend updated flu and COVID vaccines each fall to provide protection through the winter season when those viruses are more widespread in the community.

While the vaccines don’t fully prevent people from contracting the flu or COVID, Graham says they do significantly decrease the severity of symptoms and the risk of hospitalization – or worse – for vulnerable populations.

“Where grandkids and other family members may be sick for just few days and then recover, for unprotected older adults, getting the flu or COVID could result in hospitalization and severe complications like pneumonia or death,” Graham says. “Staying up to date on recommended vaccines can help prevent those complications. That’s why older adults in particular should get vaccinated each fall.”

To help those who are hesitant to get vaccinated, Graham and her team work to educate the community about common myths.

“To be clear: You cannot get the flu or COVID from vaccines. That’s simply not how it works. It’s not possible,” she says. “We also want people to understand that some side effects are completely normal and temporary – things such as soreness or pain at the injection site, fatigue, even a low-grade fever – it’s just your body reacting to the vaccine, which is a good thing. Side effects should only last two or three days at most.”

What else can caregivers of older adults be doing to help prepare for flu season? Graham says keeping open lines of communication about how everyone is feeling is key.

“First and foremost, get into the habit of talking about any symptoms they’re having,” she says. “If they’re not feeling well, make sure they’re not going near loved ones – and the other way around.

“Get comfortable having discussions about illnesses and symptoms before visits to avoid contact with family members who are sick.”

As the holiday season nears, Graham urges everyone to take personal responsibility of not spreading any illness.

“If you’re not feeling well, be honest about your symptoms and don’t visit grandma and grandpa,” she says. “It’s not worth the risk.”

If contact cannot be avoided, particularly for caregivers of older adults, Graham recommends wearing a mask.

“I like to remind people masks are not a COVID-specific tool,” she says. “If you’re not feeling well but need to be around a loved one, wearing a mask will decrease the risk of giving any illness to them and vice versa.”

Handwashing is also very important – especially after coughing or sneezing and before eating. Graham recommends “really ramping up hand washing even more than you might normally do” in fall and winter.

Actual hand washing with hand soap and water is best, but hand sanitizer is better than nothing – and sometimes easier in certain caregiver situations.

“If your loved one has dementia, offering hand-washing reminders can be really helpful,” she adds. “And just modeling it yourself, making it the norm.”

Additionally, Graham says to keep up with regular cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces, such as door handles, bed rails and cane walkers.

Care Resources PACE offers a variety of medical care and home health services, including vaccine clinics for participants, to help older adults stay healthy and independent. To learn more, visit careresources.org or call 616.913.2006.

Last updated 9.6.2024 I H5610_WEB