Flu season is here, and for seniors or those caring for a senior loved one, now is the perfect time to get a head start on boosting the immune system! To help you safeguard your personal wellness and prepare for the unpredictable spread of illness during the cold weather months, we’re offering a few tips from our Stoney Brook wellness team.

In this article, you’ll find helpful guidance for fending off the flu this season, along with answers to residents’ frequently asked wellness questions:

1. What can I do to prevent the flu and other respiratory illnesses that seem hard to avoid?

It’s safe to say that in 2024, we’re all quite familiar with basic infection control practices used for preventing the flu. Practices like proper handwashing, keeping hands away from your face, disinfecting surfaces, and vaccination have a significant impact when it comes to resisting the spread of illness.

In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states:

“The single best way to reduce the risk of seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications is to get vaccinated each year, but preventive actions like avoiding people who are sick, covering your cough and washing your hands also can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like flu.”

Along with vaccination and preventive steps, improving ventilation and air quality is another way to fend off quick-traveling viruses. Keep clean, fresh, outdoor air circulating throughout your home as much as possible by opening windows, installing an air purifier or cleaner, and maintaining your HVAC equipment. For more healthy habits or an overview of the 2024-25 flu outlook, visit the CDC’s website.

2. When is the best time to get vaccinated? Should I get a flu shot and a COVID-19 booster this fall?

The time and length of flu season can vary by location but in general, the CDC recommends that those who are eligible for vaccination should do so in September and October. This timeline allows the body to build up immunity before a surge of infections during the cold weather months.

Many individuals have questions about getting a flu shot and a COVID-19 booster. The CDC has released specific guidance about coadministration of vaccines. It is possible to add a COVID-19 booster or other vaccine, such as RSV, during your visit. It’s always best to speak to a trusted physician to confirm the best plan for you or your senior loved. For key facts and figures to aid your vaccination decisions visit www.cdc.gov/flu.

If your loved one lives in a senior living community, the convenience of receiving an annual flu shot without having to leave the comfort of home may be available! On-site flu clinics are a common offering and often coordinated in-house.

3. I’m looking for healthy habits to help boost my body’s immune system. What do you recommend?

There are many things you can do to help boost your body’s immune system. The key is consistency! Make a commitment to practice a new healthy habit or two this fall.

• Maintain a healthy diet - A balanced diet of whole grains, lean protein, fiber, fruits, and vegetables, and drinking plenty of water is a good starting point. Incorporate antioxidant-rich choices to target inflammation and enjoy fats/sweets, alcohol, and caffeine in moderation.
• Get enough rest - Getting a good night’s sleep (7-9 hours) can release cytokine, which can help fight infection.
• Exercise regularly - Movement from exercise and active living can increase antibodies and blood flow while helping to reduce stress, which can weaken the body’s ability to fight infection and increase the likelihood of getting sick.
• Make time to relax - Identify enjoyable self-care practices that can decrease stress and inflammation while nurturing the mind, body, and spirit.
• Try a vitamin or supplement - Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Zinc are immune-boosting nutrients, but prebiotics and probiotics can also stimulate immunity by helping to maintain a healthy gut.

4. How can seniors prevent falls and injuries as the weather gets colder and wetter?

Preventing falls should be top-of-mind at any time of year. According to the CDC, “falls are the leading cause of injury for adults ages 65 and older.” Assess your home environment - indoors and out. Declutter walkways, inspect lighting, remove throw rugs if needed, repair handrails or other fixtures, and keep the following tips in mind:

• Evaluate your footwear - When the weather changes, it might be time to evaluate your footwear. Find a sturdy pair of tennis shoes/sneakers with non-slip soles that work well for you. Consider keeping a dry pair of slip-on shoes at your front door to avoid walking into the house with wet or slippery shoes.
• Keep your hands free - As much as possible, keep hands free during wet weather so you can hold an umbrella while having a free hand for balance.
• Use assistive devices properly and consistently - For those with mobility concerns, a cane or walker can provide a source of stability when walking and offer peace of mind when dealing with unpredictable weather or navigating new or challenging locations.
• Practice patience - Ask for and receive support to ensure safety. Don’t rush across wet surfaces during a downpour to avoid the rain. It’s better to wait it out or have someone drop you off or pick you up during inclement weather. If you do have to go out, take your time to avoid any incidents.

For senior living residents with access to transportation services, the benefit of escorts, assistance, and door-to-door service when traveling to and from the community is often available – a huge perk during variable weather.

5. I feel less motivated and struggle to maintain an exercise routine when the days are colder and daylight hours decrease. What can I do?

Exercising regularly can get a bit less exciting when the days are colder and shorter. But a good rule of thumb to help you stay motivated is to involve others! Exercising with friends offers a double benefit of healthy activity AND social connection.

Whether playing a favorite indoor sport, trying out a group fitness class, or connecting for a weekly walk with friends, you can stay moving and motivated in any kind of weather while nurturing relationships and your emotional health. Try out the following options:

Group exercise: Keep yourself motivated with a group exercise class or an instructor-led session that provides accountability and support from others.

Midday walks: For those with flexible schedules, a midday or early-afternoon walk can offer fresh air and fitness during the warmest part of the day when the sun is higher in the sky.

At-home fitness: There are many accessible at-home fitness options for seniors that can be practiced safely with appropriate space. Yoga, strength training, walking, stretching, chair exercise, and other options can be found by searching streaming sites or free-with-advertising You Tube channels.

YMCA: Consider membership at your local YMCA, which offers a wealth of senior-focused fitness options, and a sense of community and connection with like-minded older adults.

6. What is seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and how can I recognize and manage symptoms?

You may have heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression associated with the change of seasons. This condition is commonly experienced in the fall to winter months when daylight hours decrease.

As we age, we can become more susceptible to chemical changes in the brain during times of seasonal change which can result in feelings of depression. Signs that you or a senior loved one is experiencing SAD can include:

• Loss of interest in activities
• Social withdrawal
• Moodiness or anxiety
• Increased sleep and fatigue
• Increased appetite and weight gain
• Trouble with focus
• Other physical conditions

To help prevent or manage symptoms, prioritize spending time outdoors to safely enjoy sunlight during the fall and winter months. Light therapy utilized indoors can also be helpful, along with psychotherapy and medication, when recommended by your physician.

Maintaining face-to-face interaction with friends, neighbors, and family members is also critical for managing symptoms of SAD. A trial stay at a senior living community can offer the benefit of close contact with a wide social support network and may be worth considering for individuals in need of meaningful connection and social opportunities.

Seasonal Support at a Stoney Brook Senior Living Community

For seniors living alone, the challenges of seasonal illness, health maintenance, safety, and social isolation can be significant. If you’re preparing to navigate the change of seasons and have concerns about a senior loved one, reach out to a member of our Stoney Brook team for help. and subscribe to our blog for valuable free resources.

Learn more about how a Stoney Brook community can enable you or a senior loved one to thrive by scheduling a tour at one of our Central Texas communities. Be welcomed by our residents and chat with them about our exceptional assisted living and memory care options and what they love most about living at Stoney Brook. For more valuable free senior care resources, subscribe to our blog. We hope to see you soon!