Vaccines are certainly a hot topic at the moment. With growing distrust and misinformation, proper vaccine education is crucial to ensure its effectiveness.
This National Immunization Awareness Month, we're taking a look at how senior vaccines in CO contribute to preventive care for aging, as well as recommended adult immunizations for seniors, and how you can care for yourself before, during, and after your vaccines.
Are you ready to explore how vaccines enhance wellness in assisted living and memory care communities in Grand Junction, CO? Read on!
Although all age groups can benefit from vaccinations, seniors are one of the more vulnerable demographics. Therefore, if you're a senior, you can benefit not only from getting vaccinated yourself but also from relying on herd immunity created by others' vaccinations.
Although some vaccines do not prevent the disease, they lessen its effects. Since seniors are more prone to developing severe symptoms, this feature is important for their health and well-being.
When you have a less severe illness, you can get back to your vibrant senior lifestyle more quickly. You also have a decreased risk of:
Herd immunity occurs when a designated percentage of the population has received a vaccination, deemed sufficient to protect those who are unable to get vaccinated.
The threshold for herd immunity differs depending on the vaccination. A general rule of thumb, however, is that the more people who are vaccinated, the lower the risk of vulnerable groups contracting the illness.
Conversely, as vaccine skepticism continues to rise, herd immunity begins to wane. Unfortunately, as vaccine-preventable illnesses spread, they may mutate, rendering current vaccinations less effective.
There is also a significant economic benefit to vaccination. Most necessary vaccinations are completely covered under common health insurance plans, meaning you will not have to pay anything out of pocket to receive your immunizations.
Sickness can be expensive due to high healthcare costs in the United States. Hospitalization alone can cost thousands of dollars. You may also risk missing planned activities that you have paid for in advance if you become sick with a preventable illness.
It's important to stay up to date on your immunizations, especially as a senior. Seniors are one of the most vulnerable groups, prone to suffering from:
Here are common vaccines recommended for seniors.
If you had the chickenpox virus as a child or adolescent, then you are at risk for developing shingles, a painful condition that is characterized by:
Luckily, the shingles vaccine provides robust protection against infection. The vaccine is administered in two doses, two to six months apart. It is over 90% effective at preventing shingles in adults over 50 with healthy immune systems, according to the CDC.
Tdap stands for a trio of diseases:
You should receive a fresh Tdap vaccination every ten years, or every five years if you've suffered from a dirty wound.
The annual COVID-19 booster primarily aims to reduce the severity of the virus. As the virus continues to mutate, vaccine developers race to catch up with it before the following booster season.
Although the COVID-19 booster vaccination does not prevent transmission of the virus, it can both reduce symptoms of the virus and reduce the chances of developing conditions like long COVID.
Depending on factors such as your age and preexisting medical conditions, you may qualify for a COVID-19 booster every six months, rather than annually. Talk to your doctor to see if this is a possibility to receive extra protection.
Everyone should receive the influenza vaccine annually, but there are three specific types of vaccines preferred for those 65 and older:
Timing your vaccine correctly is important to ensure maximum protection during peak flu season. While getting the shot in July or August may seem efficient, it is too early because protection tends to wane over time.
The ideal window for receiving your flu vaccination is September and October. For a hard deadline, aim to get your shot by the end of October.
Flu season starts to tick up around the holiday season, when the temperatures drop and people spend more time indoors while near one another. This allows viruses such as the flu and COVID-19 to spread more easily.
Both pneumonia and flu shots contribute to wellness in assisted living. Although the influenza shot is a separate immunization, it is also important to receive the pneumococcal vaccination, which helps prevent the development of pneumonia.
The pneumococcal vaccine typically isn't recommended for everyone. High-risk groups who should receive the shot include:
In August, we acknowledge National Immunization Awareness Month and the crucial role of vaccines in maintaining a functioning healthcare system. With this guide, you can take note of important vaccines and stay up to date with research and development in the immunization space.
At The Lodge at Grand Junction, the health and well-being of our residents are of utmost importance. Our dedicated staff work hard to provide a fulfilling and enriching experience for our residents, with amenities such as restaurant-style dining, a therapy and exercise room, and a beauty salon.
Are you ready to discover all that our community has to offer? Reach out to us today to learn more, or visit our stunning location in Grand Junction, CO, to see it in person.