Flu season arrives quietly. One week your mom is at her Tuesday card game, and the next she's on the couch with a fever, too tired to make toast.
Preferred Care at Home has helped families keep elderly parents comfortable and cared for at home since 1984.
Why the Flu Hits Harder After 65
People 65 and older face a 6-times higher risk of dying from flu and its complications, according to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, citing CDC data.
The same NFID page reports that flu raises the risk of heart attack three to five times in the first two weeks of infection for people 65 and up. Stroke risk rises two to three times over those same two weeks, NFID adds.
An older body that's already managing a chronic condition has less in reserve for a serious illness like influenza. That's why we'd rather families plan for two weeks of recovery than hope for two days.
Put the Flu Shot on the Calendar Before the Season
The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department offers flu shots at no charge starting around the beginning of October 2026. Write these details on a sticky note for the fridge:
- Public Health Clinic, 650 Newtown Pike
- Same-day appointments only, Monday through Thursday
- Call 859-288-2483 to book, from October 1 through June 30
Medicare Part B covers one seasonal flu vaccine each flu season, per Medicare.gov. You pay nothing when your doctor or other health care provider accepts assignment for giving the vaccine, Medicare.gov says.
For the 2026-2027 season, Medicare.gov notes coverage of a trivalent vaccine that protects against three flu viruses. We recommend booking your parent's flu shot and your own in the same week. The virus reaches an older adult through whoever walks in the door, grandkids included.
Keep the Germs at the Front Door
Our companion and homemaker care starts at one hour a visit, with no minimum hours and no long-term contract. It's easy to add for just the months when flu is spreading and drop when spring comes.
A few house rules help prevent the spread at home:
- Wash hands with soap at the door, before any hugs
- Wipe the TV remote and the doorknobs each evening
- Keep tissues and a lined wastebasket beside the favorite chair
- Ask anyone with a cough or fever to postpone the visit
We'd rather a grandchild with a runny nose say hello by video call than across the kitchen table. It's a hard ask for one week, and it's the right one.
A Cold or the Flu? Watch How Fast It Hits
Flu symptoms come on suddenly, while a cold builds gradually, according to the CDC.
| Sign | Flu | Cold |
|---|---|---|
| Onset | Sudden | Gradual |
| Fever | Common, lasting 3 to 4 days | Rare |
| Body aches | Often severe | Slight |
| Fatigue | Usual | Sometimes |
| Cough | Can be severe | Mild to moderate |
A parent who was fine at breakfast and aching by lunch fits the flu column. That's the day to phone their doctor, while the illness is still new.
Signs That Need Medical Care Right Away
The CDC's emergency warning signs in adults start with difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Others on its list:
- Pain or pressure in the chest or belly that won't let up
- Dizziness or confusion that doesn't pass, or trouble waking
- Seizures, or not urinating
- Severe weakness or unsteadiness, or severe muscle pain
- A fever or cough that gets better, then returns worse
- A chronic medical condition that gets worse
Confusion in an older adult can look like simple tiredness, so trust your sense that something is off. We're a non-medical home care office, and we'll always tell you these signs belong with a doctor or the emergency room.
If your parent already has a caregiver, the daily notes in our online Family Room portal show you how each day went, from anywhere.
The Weeks After a Flu Hospital Stay
Our Smooth-Transition Care covers the trip home from a UK HealthCare or Baptist Health hospital, and it's the service our office puts first. A parent who spent days in bed with the flu often comes home weaker than they left.
Your caregiver provides assistance with bathing and dressing and keeps an eye on whether your parent is eating and drinking. Every caregiver passes our 7-step screening process, and we match by personality and life experience rather than availability. If a match doesn't work, we find a different caregiver.
Care usually begins within days of a free in-home consultation. For the discharge itself, read our page on going home after the hospital.
Questions Families Ask in Flu Season
Is there a flu going around in Kentucky right now?
The county health department's site points readers to the Kentucky Department for Public Health dashboard for respiratory disease updates. Check it before a holiday gathering or a big family visit.
How long does the flu last in a senior citizen?
Most people recover in a few days to less than two weeks, the CDC says, though some develop complications. Older adults run a higher risk of those, so plan for the longer end.
Does Medicare pay for a caregiver while my parent recovers?
Medicare typically doesn't cover non-medical home care, while long-term care insurance often does, depending on the policy.
Plan the Winter With Us
The free consultation takes about an hour at your parent's home and carries no obligation. We serve Lexington and Fayette County, plus nearby towns from Georgetown and Versailles to Winchester and Richmond.
Call us at (859) 800-6237 or Get Care Now to set up a visit before the season peaks.
