Shingles is a virus caused by reactivated chickenpox in older adults. The virus causes a painful rash and blisters, and can also cause fever and fatigue. Avoiding shingles may not be possible for every senior, but vaccines can help to make an outbreak less severe. Avoiding some of the biggest risk factors, like excessive stress, may also help make shingles less severe. Home care providers can work with seniors to find ways to reduce stress, possibly helping them to also reduce the risk of a shingles outbreak.
Talk to Medical Providers
The first step for seniors is to talk with their medical providers about their shingles risk factors. Their doctors can advise seniors whether the vaccine is right for them and help them to determine what other steps they can take. Seniors with weakened immune systems are at a greater risk of experiencing shingles outbreaks, so improving their immune function can help.
Eat Well and Exercise
When seniors do what they can to eat well and move as much as is safe for them, they’re more likely to experience better health and reduced stress. That improved health can protect them from a shingles outbreak and help them to feel better overall. Elder care providers can help seniors find routines that make it easier to exercise regularly. They can also help with preparing meals that keep seniors properly fueled with nutritious meals.
Get Plenty of Sleep and Rest
Seniors who are at risk of developing shingles need plenty of rest. Paying close attention to sleep hygiene and getting enough rest also helps seniors to reduce their stress levels. Home care providers can help seniors by taking over tasks that are sapping their time and energy. Seniors can conserve their energy, allowing them to put that energy toward staying as healthy as possible.
Try Out Mindfulness Activities
Mindfulness activities like meditation, breathing exercises, and journaling can be a fantastic choice for seniors who want to reduce their stress levels. The key to these activities helping seniors to keep their stress levels lower is to keep up with them consistently. Elder care providers can help seniors to establish routines that leave plenty of time for meditating or focusing on breathing exercises.
Encourage Hobbies and Interests
Seniors are less likely to be under a lot of stress when they make time for their interests and hobbies. Engaging in these types of activities regularly brings a lot of joy and fulfillment to seniors’ lives, which makes it easier for them to keep stress under control. Home care providers can offer support by suggesting new hobbies for seniors and helping aging adults with the more complicated aspects of their activities.
Get Additional Help from Home Care Providers
If stress is still an issue for seniors, there might be other contributing factors. Working with medical providers or therapists can help seniors get to the bottom of those factors. Reducing stress improves all sorts of health issues, not just preventing shingles outbreaks, so finding tools and solutions can help in multiple ways.
Avoiding shingles might seem more complicated than handling stress effectively, but the reality is that when seniors are too stressed, their health suffers in so many ways. Home care providers can make a difference in daily activities that all work together to keep seniors healthier.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Home Care Services in Bellville, OH, please contact the caring staff at Central Star Home Health today. Call 419-756-9449
Central Star Home Health is a Trusted Home Care Agency in Ohio, including Ashland, Bellville, Bucyrus, Crestline, Galion, Lexington, Mansfield, Marion, Mt. Vernon, Ontario, Shelby, and Willard.
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