It is vitally important to take care of your body and prevent illness whether you’re 18 or 80.
But if you’re 60 years of age or older, something as seemingly minor as the flu or a cold can grow out of control and lead to complications. You could get a secondary infection such as pneumonia, bronchitis or a sinus infection. If you have chronic conditions such as asthma or diabetes, then a respiratory illness can make these worse–especially if you are elderly.
With these factors in mind, it’s important to make good choices to strengthen your immune system and reduce the chance of getting a serious illness. Here are some tips to stay healthy year-round:
- Stay active! Being physically active is one of the best things you can do for your immune system. It’ll help you fight infections and inflammation. You don’t need to do strenuous activities either. Aerobics, swimming, biking and running are all things most people can do relatively easily.
- Eat well. Eating lots of fruit, vegetables and lean meats are always a good idea. Food rich in fibre is good too. Fruits and vegetables are also good sources of antioxidants. At the same time, reduce your intake of sugary food and fatty foods. Use salt in moderation.
- Wash your hands. Washing your hands with soap thoroughly for at least 20 seconds and on a frequent basis is important. This will keep viruses away and keep you healthy.
- Please rest! It’s important to sleep well and get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night. Sleeping well helps repair your immune system, making it easier to fight off viruses. Sleep is also important because it can help improve your memory and ability to concentrate.
- Stay away from sick people. Obviously, being near sick people could result in the transmission of a virus, and that you don’t want that! Avoid crowded areas too. If you need to go out considering wearing a face mask.
- Schedule a physical. Seniors should get a physical annually. Spotting any issues could help avoid more serious medical issues, and some conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure can go undetected. Especially if you are over 65 and have any flu symptoms, see your doctor as soon as you can. The flu can lead to complications in older adults so don’t mess around with this!
- Get a vaccine. Getting an annual flu vaccine is important for older adults who often cannot fight off viruses as easily as younger people. It doesn’t take long and it’s worth the small amount of time queuing up to get this done.
While these basic tips are especially important during times of flu or other virus outbreaks (like coronavirus in 2020), they are also good any time of the year, particularly if you are a senior citizen. In a nutshell: eat well, sleep well, see your doctor, get vaccines, keep away from sick people, wash your hands, exercise, rest and stay healthy.
If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call us at +603-2235 9960 or text/WhatsApp us at +60 18-220 9030 or email us: hello@pillarcare.com
