Flu Outbreak is Incredibly Dangerous for the Elderly

In Massachusetts, the Mayor of Boston has declared the flu outbreak a public health emergency. According to the release, there have been 700 cases of the flu since October. This is ten times the number of individuals diagnosed with the flu at this time last year. Sadly, the release goes on to say that all four of the individuals who have passed away because of the flu were elderly.

For the elderly population, the flu is incredibly dangerous. Often times, senior communities and elder care facilities will have to quarantine their residents during an outbreak. The reason the flu is so dangerous is because they are at a much higher risk for flu related complications. Anyone over 65 is considered in the high risk category because the immune system weakens with age. Additionally, individuals with chronic illnesses are also considered to be at a higher risk for complications. Many elderly individuals are also dealing with chronic illnesses, so this puts many of them at an incredibly high risk. When these high risk individuals develop the flu, it can result in serious complications such as:

 - Pneumonia
- Bronchitis
- Respiratory infections
- Respiratory failure
- Death

The best defense against the flu is the vaccine. Encourage anyone you know who is over 65 to get the vaccine. Additionally, early recognition of flu symptoms in any elderly loved ones is one of the best ways to prevent complications. If your elderly loved one starts complaining of the following symptoms, they may be developing the flu.

 - Fever
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat

If your elderly loved one starts experiencing these symptoms, contact their doctor immediately. Aside from complications from the flu, colds in general can cause dehydration. Be sure to keep your elderly loved one hydrated with drinks and nutritious soups.

If you are a caregiver or interact with any elderly on a regular basis, be sure to follow several precautions to keep yourself and your loved ones safe from the flu.

- Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly
- Keep your hands away from your face, especially your eyes, nose and mouth
- Cover your moth when coughing
- Avoid any friends who may be suffering from the flu

If you want more information about the flu, take a look at the CDC’s website dedicated to the Seasonal Flu: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/

5 Tips for Saying 'No'

As a caregiver, you probably have a natural inclination to say yes to every request for your time and assistance. This blog post is going to serve as a friendly reminder that you don’t have to always say yes, and it is okay to say no. Here are some tips for saying no:

1. Appreciate how much time you’re dedicating to caregiving, and accept that you are very busy. Once you acknowledge your jam packed schedule, it will be easier to say no.

2. Take time to think about a request. It’s okay to tell a friend that you need to check your schedule and get back to them. Avoid impulsively saying yes to everything.

3. Accept the request, but reschedule it to fit into your schedule. Practice saying things such as “I’m sorry, I can’t help you on Friday, but I could give you a hand on Monday.”

4. Practice saying no. Start with little requests, and eventually you’ll feel more comfortable saying no.

5. Quiet that voice in your head and stop feeling guilty. People won’t think you are rude or selfish if you say no.

How Much Caregiving is Too Much?

These days, much of the literature surrounding caregiving advises caregivers to "take a break," "care for themselves," and "put themselves first."  This advice is easy to give, but at the end of the day, when you are caring for your own loved one, it is much harder to take.  All the statistics show that increased negative health effects across the board and  monetary strain accompany caregiving, but when you know you can help prevent your loved one from suffering, it is pretty hard to divorce yourself from total investment in caregiving duties.  So what is the solution?  When should you step away from your loved one? 

Obviously, these questions are impossible to answer.  Often, you receive the best advice from others who are in the same situations as you.  For caregivers, support groups are a fantastic outlet.  They give you the opportunity to not only vent stress, but compare notes and advice on how best to manage duties.  As the proverb goes, "A trouble shared is a trouble halved."  And when you are discussing these troubles with others experiencing the same troubles, it makes it much easier. 

To find a caregiver support group near you, you can reach out to local community centers.  Caregiver.com also provides a very valuable resource for finding local resources here.  Good luck, and I hope you find a solution that best fits your needs.