The first hard frost around Lake Hopatcong is a quiet sign that flu season is close behind. For elderly parents who live alone in a longtime family home, a week in bed with influenza can turn into a hospital stay. Preferred Care at Home works with families across Northwest New Jersey from our office in Landing, NJ.
We tell families to put the flu shot on the calendar in September, not after the first fever in January. The rest of the plan follows from that one appointment.
Why the Flu Hits Harder After 65
Per the CDC, between 70 percent and 85 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths in recent years have been among people 65 years and older.
The same CDC page puts this age group at between 50 percent and 70 percent of seasonal flu-related hospitalizations. Part of the cause is age itself, since immune defenses change as we get older.
Harsh winters here add winter fall risk. Hilly back roads and long gaps between visits in rural Sussex and Warren counties mean a sick parent can go a day or two before anyone notices. We'd rather families plan for that in the fall than discover it in February.
Book the Shot for September or October
The CDC says September and October are generally good months to get vaccinated, ideally by the end of October. For people 65 years and older, the CDC recommends a higher dose flu vaccine (high-dose or recombinant) or an adjuvanted one over a standard-dose shot. The nasal spray vaccine isn't recommended for this age group.
A July or August shot isn't ideal, because the CDC notes protection may fade over time. It still makes sense if your parent can't get back out later in the fall.
The New Jersey Department of Health points families to three places for the flu vaccine:
- Local pharmacies
- Your parent's doctor's office
- The local health department (call first to confirm it has supply)
Everyone 6 months and older is eligible, per the state health department, so the whole family can get theirs before the holidays. We suggest calling the pharmacy ahead and asking for one of the CDC's preferred vaccines for older adults by name.
Getting There When Driving Is Off the Table
- Ask about a homebound clinic. In 2020, Morris County worked with Atlantic Health System to bring free flu shots to homebound residents age 60 or older, according to the county's news release. Call your county office on aging in early September and ask whether a program like it is running this season.
- Line up the ride. Rural Sussex and Warren counties have little public transportation, and a winding drive on an icy morning isn't safe for everyone. Settle who drives before the weather turns.
- Use a visit home. For adult children who commute to New York City, a Saturday pharmacy stop during a fall weekend visit is often the easiest window.
Don't let a missing ride push the shot into December. By then, the season is already underway.
Habits That Keep Germs Out of the House
The New Jersey Department of Health's prevention list is short, and every step on it works at home:
- Get a yearly flu vaccine
- Wash hands often with soap and water
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Avoid close contact with sick people
- Stay home when sick so flu doesn't spread
The CDC adds two more for older adults: cleaner indoor air and regular wiping of surfaces people touch often. In practice that means a lidded trash can by the recliner and a quick wipe of the TV remote and the doorknobs.
Adult children who don't live locally drive in for the holidays, and young grandkids bring whatever is going around their classroom. Our view is firm: a visitor with a fever or fresh cough should skip the visit, even on Thanksgiving.
Signs That Mean Calling the Doctor Today
The CDC recommends prompt antiviral treatment for people 65 and older who have flu or suspected flu, so call the doctor as soon as symptoms start. Don't wait to see whether it passes.
The CDC's list of emergency warning signs in adults calls for medical care right away:
- Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or belly that won't let up
- Ongoing dizziness, confusion, or being hard to wake
- Not urinating
- Severe weakness or unsteadiness
- A fever or cough that improves, then comes back worse
New confusion is easy to miss over the phone. If your parent sounds foggy on a call and you're an hour away, ask a neighbor to look in that day. Know ahead of time whether Newton Medical Center, Hackettstown Medical Center, or Morristown Medical Center is closest, and tape that name to the fridge beside the doctor's number.
Where Our Caregivers Fit In
We provide non-medical home care, from companion and homemaker care to 24-hour care, with caregivers matched to your loved one by personality as well as needs. Our caregivers don't give vaccines or diagnose illness. That stays with your parent's doctor and pharmacist.
In flu season, Companion and Homemaker Care means someone keeps the tissues and soap stocked, wipes down the kitchen counters, and makes soup and tea through a rough week. Personal Care adds assistance with bathing and dressing when your parent is too worn out to manage alone. And adult children in the New York City and North Jersey metro stay in the loop through our Transparency Room portal.
We'd rather meet your family in October than for the first time after an emergency room visit.
Flu Questions Families Ask
How long does the flu last in an older adult?
Most people recover from flu in a few days to less than two weeks, according to the CDC. Older adults face a higher risk of complications, so a slow recovery deserves a call to the doctor.
Does Medicare pay for the flu shot?
Medicare Part B covers the seasonal flu vaccine, usually once each flu season, per Medicare.gov. You pay nothing if the provider accepts assignment.
When does flu season end in New Jersey?
Flu activity usually peaks between December and February, per the New Jersey Department of Health, but cases can occur as late as May. Keep hand soap and tissues stocked through spring.
Plan Your Parent's Winter Now
Our office at 143 Lakeside Blvd in Landing serves families in Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren counties. The Service Areas page has the details for each county.
Tell us about your parent's winter, from the flu shot to the icy driveway, and we'll build a plan around it with you. Call (973) 512-5131 or use Get Care Now to reach Preferred Care at Home.
