Immunization Awareness Month: What Marietta Seniors Should Know

According to an article in European Geriatric Medicine, approximately 40,000 to 80,000 people in America die every year from vaccine-preventable illnesses. Out of these deaths, 99% are of seniors.

August is recognized as National Immunization Awareness Month. This is when the importance of vaccines is emphasized, especially among older adults living in Marietta, GA.

Marietta is a city in the northwest of Atlanta, GA, with a number of recreational areas and parks. It offers an ideal balance of big-city inconvenience and small-town warmth, making it a perfect home for older individuals.

Let's discuss how seniors in Marietta stay informed about preventative care.

Why Vaccines Are Important for Seniors

As you age, your immune system weakens, making you more vulnerable to diseases. This makes seniors more susceptible to diseases such as shingles, pneumonia, and influenza. Such infections are likely to cause prolonged recovery times, severe complications, and life-threatening conditions.

This increased susceptibility is the reason why most aging individuals are at high risk of mortality and hospitalization from common diseases. For instance, shingles can lead to long-term complications and excruciating pain.

Vaccines also reduce the severity of symptoms in older adults, thus improving their quality of life. Staying up-to-date with immunizations enhances health planning for seniors. It also avoids the severe consequences that come with most preventable diseases.

Additionally, vaccines fight most infectious illnesses and provide peace of mind to seniors living in Marietta, GA, and those around them. Older individuals should keep up with boosters and new vaccines to help maintain good health.

Recommended Vaccines for Older Adults

Seniors in assisted living should embrace immunization as a vital tool in their healthcare strategy. Regular vaccinations protect you against some of the most severe medical risks. Below is a senior vaccine checklist to help you and your loved ones stay up-to-date:

Influenza

Influenza, also referred to as the flu, is a common virus that can cause serious health issues. Flu causes mild symptoms, including:

Aching muscles
Sore throat
Headaches

However, for adults in senior living apartments in Marietta, GA, this disease can cause severe complications, including pneumonia. The flu virus tends to change with time; therefore, the flu vaccine administered each year is different.

Ensure you visit a health center near you for flu and pneumonia awareness. Additionally, get the flu vaccine at the recommended time, especially if you're living with a chronic medical condition.

Shingles

If you've had chickenpox in the past, the virus still lives in your system, and it's likely to reactivate at any moment. When it does, it leads to a disease referred to as shingles. Shingles causes sensations like tingling, itching, and shooting pain.

You may also experience painful rashes that develop into fluid-filled blisters. The pain that comes with these rashes may linger even after the rash disappears. This condition is referred to as post-herpetic neuralgia.

It's recommended that older adults receive the shingles vaccine in two doses. This is regardless of whether they've gotten the chickenpox vaccine before or have suffered from chickenpox when they were younger.

Pneumonia

Getting the flu vaccine reduces your risk of contracting pneumonia. However, to ensure adequate health planning for seniors, adults above the age of 50 are advised to get the pneumococcal vaccine. Pneumonia in seniors can cause serious effects, including:

Lung abscesses
Build-up of fluid around the lungs
Trouble breathing

Besides, pneumonia is associated with serious health problems common to older adults living in Marietta, GA, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes. Pneumonia is commonly spread from one person to another through contact. So, when you get the vaccine, you not only protect yourself but also those around you.

The pneumococcal vaccine has several variations; consult a doctor for advice on the best one that suits you.

COVID-19

This virus is highly contagious and can lead to severe respiratory diseases. Some seniors who get COVID-19 end up hospitalized or succumb to the illness. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends adults above 65 years to get an initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and an additional one at least four months later.

Seniors with aging wellness education who get all required doses of the vaccine are less likely to contract the disease compared to unvaccinated individuals.

Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis

Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, causes spasms and stiffness among older adults. Pertussis (whooping cough) can lead to loss of bladder control and weight loss as a result of violent coughing. Diphtheria, on the other hand, is associated with difficulty breathing and heart problems.

The Tdap immunization is vital in preventive medical care for seniors in assisted living communities in Marietta, GA.

Overcoming Vaccination Barriers in Seniors

Most older individuals tend to stay away from important immunizations due to misconceptions and concerns about vaccines. Some common fears include side effects like fatigue, fever, and pain at the injection point. Seniors may also find immunizations unnecessary, especially if they've never suffered from the illnesses that the vaccine protects them against.

If you have a loved one in a senior living community, it's important that you educate them on the importance of being up-to-date with vaccines. Staying informed and keeping track of vaccination records are adult immunization tips that help increase vaccine uptake and acceptance.

Additionally, vaccines should be made easily accessible to seniors. If you're loved one has mobility issues, offer to drive them to immunization clinics. Also, most pharmacies allow older adults to get vaccinated without having to book an appointment.

This makes immunization more convenient for seniors living in Marietta, GA.

Prioritize Your Health During Immunization Awareness Month

Vaccinations protect seniors from serious illness and help them maintain independence. Immunization Awareness Month is an essential reminder for older adults living in Marietta, GA, to prioritize their health through vaccination.

At Greenwood Place Assisted Living & Memory Care, we have trained staff who offer professional, personalized care to residents 24/7. We provide amenities such as housekeeping on a weekly basis to guarantee your comfort and help you focus on your health.