09 Sep The Best Flu Tips for Caregivers
If you aren’t careful, you could find yourself with the flu after taking care of someone else who is sick. You want to make sure that you do your best to care for your loved one while they’re feeling under the weather, but you also want to make sure you don’t end up with their diagnosis.
Here are a few of the best flu tips for caregivers that will enable you to take care of your loved one without compromising your own health.
Everyone washes their hands the right way, and often
Hand washing is something many of us take for granted, but it is one of the best flu tips for caregivers because it’s also one of the most effective.
Both the caregiver and the sick patient should count to 20 slowly every time they wash their hands. Handwashing should occur after every bathroom break, after coughing, and before eating.
No matter how clean your hands are, you should refrain from touching your face. Use a tissue to scratch your nose and try to avoid rubbing your eyes.
Encourage hydration
Hydration is especially important for the person suffering from the flu, but proper hydration can help keep caregivers healthy too. Avoid alcoholic drinks, as well as caffeinated beverages. Instead, focus on drinking plenty of water and sports drinks.
Broth can be a hydrating meal substitute. Weak patients should be encouraged to drink through a straw. Ice pops can be an effective way for children and the elderly to stay hydrated too.
Additional flu tips for caregivers include avoiding direct contact with the sick person, and using hand sanitizer when handwashing isn’t an option. If you’re struggling to take care of your elderly loved one while they are sick with the flu, you can get help. Contact Life & Health Care to discover how our in-home caregivers can help your loved one bounce back from an illness.