10/31/2025
GOOD HAND HYGIENE AND MASK IF YOU ARE SICK: Please be mindful if you are visiting over the next few days. If you are sick, stay home. Flu and colds spread quicker during celebrations and increased interaction. Kids are building immunities but our aging community is vulnerable. Sanitize if you are visiting and keep a respectful distance.
Why is Hand Hygiene Extra Important for Seniors?
Your immune system slows down and is less resistant to illnesses as you grow older. Seniors’ health may be seriously impacted by this, particularly if they have ongoing medical issues. The transmission of dangerous bacteria must be stopped with proper hand hygiene.
Community handwashing education decreases respiratory infections including the common cold, pneumonia, and the flu by 16% to 20%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the CDC, older adults make up between 70 and 85% of seasonal flu-related fatalities. Knowing when to wash your hands and how to wash them correctly can help you prevent the spread of germs.
The common cold is a result of viruses entering the body. A virus is a type of germ that can infect a person and make them sick. The growth of germs inside the body can lead to infections. The common cold is caused by more than 200 different viruses.
Handwashing prevents germs from entering the body. Often, we touch our eyes, noses, and mouths without realizing they can contain germs. As a result of germs entering the body through the mouth, nose, and eyes, we can become sick.
Vaccine effectiveness declines, and healing or recovery time increases with aging. Additionally, there is no vaccination for the common cold. Hence for the elderly, lowering the risk of getting a cold becomes even more important. To prevent colds and other diseases, seniors’ families and caregivers need to understand the importance of hand hygiene.
