Blog

Does Diabetes Make Your Parent More Vulnerable to the Flu?

April 19, 2018
Linda Kunicki
It can seem daunting to learn everything that you need to to care for your parents after finding out that they are dealing with a particular health problem or challenge. As a family caregiver, you want to make sure that they get all of the care that they need and they are able to live the best lifestyle possible while managing this health problem, but it can be confusing when encountering information that you don't fully understand. Getting to the bottom of these issues can help you to feel more confident giving your parent the care that they need as they age in place. 

If you are a family caregiver for one of the more than 30 million people throughout the United States were currently living with diabetes, one such piece of information that might be confusing to you is the strongly emphasized recommendation for your parents to get a flu shot. This might automatically make you believe that seniors who have diabetes are more vulnerable to the flu or the common cold. Understanding that elderly adults have lower immune systems and tend to be at higher risk of suffering from illness and infection can make you worry that your parents diabetes can make them more vulnerable to catching the flu or a cold.

This, however, is not really the case. Diabetes does not make a person more likely to catch the flu, a common cold, or any other illness. The reason that seniors who are living with diabetes are given the recommendation to get a flu shot is because any infection or illness will make it more difficult for them to properly manage and control their disease. Because of this, catching the flu or a cold, or any other illness, would make it much more likely that they will suffer from serious complications, both from their diabetes and from the infection or illness that they are dealing with. Protecting your parent from germs will help to reduce the risk that they will experience these major complications and protect their health moving forward. 

Starting senior care for your aging loved one can be one of the best decisions that you can make for them during the time that you are their family caregiver. A senior home care services provider can be in the home with your aging parent on a customized schedule that is right, not just for their individual needs, but also the level of care that you provide them. This means that they are able to manage their challenges and limitation in the ways that are right for them while also keeping you at the forefront of their care routine. This not only encourages your aging parent to enjoy a higher quality of life, better health and well-being, and improved mental and emotional health, but can relieve your stress and support a better lifestyle for you as well.

IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING HIRING IN-HOME SENIOR CARE IN LA GRANGE, IL, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT BRIGHTSTAR CARE LA GRANGE. CALL TODAY: 708-551-2500.