Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Southeast Michigan Reveals the Importance of Flu Reminders Don't Forget to Leave a Note for Your Grandparents!

(Farmington Hills, Michigan) - November 2011 - It's that time of year again when America's senior citizens will be surrounded by people sneezing, coughing and spreading germs. It happens at the mall, the school concert or the family dinner and those germs could potentially be fatal. That's why Senior Helpers, one of the leading providers of in-home care for seniors, is advising families that personal reminders about getting the flu shot actually increase your senior's chances of getting vaccinated.

"Senior citizens have the highest risk of potentially fatal complications from the flu and almost two-thirds of seniors who get the flu end up in the hospital," advises Barbara Roden, Owner of Senior Helpers of Southeast Michigan (MI). "The study, published in the Cochrane Library (an international non-profit organizations that provides up-to-date information about the effects of health care), shows that even the simplest of reminders, such as a letter, postcard or phone call, increases the number of seniors going to get their flu shot. Our care givers can not only provide those reminders but they can also drive seniors to the doctor or drugstore to be immunized."

Seniors are more likely to get the flu because the body's immune system weakens as it gets older. The Centers for Disease Control advises flu shots not only guard against the flu but also offer protection from flu-related complications such as pneumonia.

Flu Basics: According to the CDC, the flu season can begin as early as October with its peak in January and February.

• . . . . . .65% of elderly Americans get a flu shot each year (The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services hopes to increase the immunization rate to 90%.)

• . . . . . .Seniors account for 46% of all flu-related hospital days. • . . . . . .More than 30 million seniors receive the flu shot each year. • . . . . . .More than 200,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized from flu-related illnesses

each year. • . . . . . .Medicare has been covering flu shots since 1993.

"We realize the importance of flu basics and our caregivers are there to provide extra support for seniors during this flu season," say Barbara Roden, Owner of Senior Helpers of Southeast Michigan (MI). "Our caregivers encourage seniors to wash their hands regularly and be sure to keep the house clean and as germ-free as possible."

Senior Helpers also helps keep our clients up-to-date about current flu-related information, such as a recent flu vaccine for seniors, Fluzone High-Dose.

Fluzone High-Dose Vaccine:

Senior Helpers In Home Elder Care of Southeast Michigan Reveals the Importance of Flu Reminders

• . . . . . .Extra-dose flu vaccine for elderly 65 years and older • . . . . . .Provides four times the amount of antigen as a regular flu shot • . . . . . .Approved by the FDA in December, 2009

Sources: The CDC, Dpt. of HHS, Cochrane Library study (a publication of the Cochrane Collaboration)

©2011 SH Franchising, LLC

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Media Contact: Barbara Roden, (248) 865-1000, broden@seniorhelpers.com

For more information about Senior Helpers, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/2601

About Senior Helpers:

Senior Helpers provides many in-home, caregiving services for the elderly in Southeast Michigan. We offer extensive in-home care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that goes with it. Our in-home care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of whom pass a national background check.

If a senior family member needs in-home care services in Franklin, Mount Clemens, White Lake, West Bloomfield, Highland, Holly, Novi and surrounding areas, we are an excellent choice with exemplary references. In-home care is the compassionate choice for your elderly loved ones' continued independent living. We promise we will do our best to make it a positive experience for them and you. For more information, please visit: http://seniorhelpers.com/location/2601.