It has long been recognized by the medical community that seniors are at a higher risk of serious complications and hospitalization from the flu. Because immune defenses become weaker with age, this elderly age group contains the majority of deaths attributed to influenza. As we head into cold and flu season, it is important to boost your immune system and keep your aging loved ones healthy.
Get a flu shot. The Center for Disease Control and Preventions recommends that you get a flu vaccine every year, especially if you are 65 years or older. The flu vaccine protects against the flu viruses that research indicates will be the most common in the upcoming season.
Encourage your family and caregivers to get a flu shot. Encourage family and loved ones who will be in contact with the elderly to prevent the flu as well with a vaccine.
Good health habits. Coughing into your sleeve and washing your hands are vital to prevent the spread of the flu. Here are a few more habits to practice this season:
Lay low this season. Taking extra precautions during the flu season, the frail should avoid large crowds and limit their exposure to others who may be ill.
Visiting children. If an elderly parent lives with children in the household or grandchildren come to visit, parents need to be extra careful to make sure that their children wash their hands regularly. And if possible, avoid visits if the children are not well.
Exercise regularly. Walking, golf, tennis, yoga and swimming are great ways to keep moving at any age and boost your immune system.
Get plenty of sleep. It is recommended to get between 7-9 hours per night. During flu season, perhaps go to bed a little earlier to make sure that you are well-rested and stay healthy.
Eat a balanced diet. Load your diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to get the necessary vitamins, nutrients, and fiber that you need to boost your immune system and guard against illness.
Stay hydrated. During colder weather, many of us forget to drink water as often as we should. Drink plenty of water and healthy beverages throughout the day and avoid caffeine.
Reduce your stress. Daily stress and tension can have detrimental effects on your immune system. Try to reduce your stress level and ask for assistance if you need it.
Seek medical attention quickly. If you or your elderly loved one shows signs of the flu, seek medical advice quickly. Many medications for the flu must be administered with the first 48 hours after symptoms appear. Don’t wait.
Whether they live alone, with your family or in a senior living community these tips will help to keep your parent healthy.
Respite Stays & Day Stays give family caregivers a real break—hours, days, or a few weeks—while your loved one enjoys a safe, enriching short‑term home at Aegis Living. Guests settle into a beautifully furnished private apartment and have 24/7 care staff and onsite nurses, medication management, and discreet safety technology (motion sensors, medical‑alert pendants, visitor check‑in) for peace of mind. Each day feels purposeful with chef‑prepared, all‑day dining and 200+ monthly activities—from book clubs and fitness classes to movie nights—plus full use of the community. We coordinate with your loved one’s physicians to mirror their routines and care, so the stay feels familiar. It’s also a smart trial run for senior living: meet neighbors, test services, and see what supported independence looks like—without a long‑term commitment. Choose a Respite Stay when you’re traveling or need time to recharge, when your loved one would benefit from structure, social connection, and great meals, or when you both want peace of mind while keeping options open.
Hospice & End‑of‑Life Care at Aegis Living is comfort‑first support for the final stage of life, delivered in your loved one’s private apartment by our 24/7 care team in coordination with a trusted local hospice provider you choose (or we can recommend). Together, we create a coordinated care plan that manages pain and other symptoms, oversees medications, and provides calm, dignified help with daily needs, while offering compassionate emotional support for both resident and family. Discreet safety measures and a reliable medical‑alert system bring help quickly; chef‑prepared, in‑apartment meals adapt to changing appetites. Families are guided through decisions and moments of closure so they can focus on being present in a peaceful, home‑like setting. If your loved one already lives at Aegis, they can remain in the comfort of their home, avoiding disruptive moves. Choose this level of care when curative treatment is no longer the goal and you want expert symptom control, hands‑on daily support, and a setting that protects dignity and prioritizes comfort, meaning, and time together.
Memory Care is specialized, secure support for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias who benefit from a calm, structured environment and round‑the‑clock expertise. At Aegis Living, that care happens in Life’s Neighborhood—an intimate, thoughtfully designed setting where 24/7 dementia‑trained caregivers and a nursing team on site seven days a week deliver personalized help with daily living, medication management, and mobility (including Hoyer lifts and two‑person transfers), while gently redirecting agitation and confusion. Days are purpose‑filled with science‑based cognitive programming, certified music therapy, and social activities; chef‑prepared meals are easy to enjoy and dining spaces and cues are designed for memory support. Discreet safety features like secured entrances, emergency pendants with fall detection, and optional motion sensors, prevent wandering and bring peace of mind, and visiting physicians and wellness professionals reduce trips off‑site. Families receive education and ongoing support. If your loved one is unsafe alone, missing medications, wandering, needs frequent cueing or hands‑on help with bathing or dressing, or thrives with a predictable routine, Memory Care offers the right level of care. For milder needs, our transitional Assisted Living can be a first step; for advancing symptoms, secured Memory Care provides the specialized, heartfelt support to help them feel calm, connected, and at home.