August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and staying current on vaccinations is a topic that matters especially for older adults — and for the grandchildren and family members in their lives. Today we’re covering some of the basics of keeping your vaccinations up to date, along with practical tips for making it easier to get them. As always, this is general information; your physician is the right person to advise you on your specific situation.
Young woman embracing senior mother at home and looking at camera.
Talk to Your Physician
Vaccine recommendations have changed since many older adults were children, and some vaccines matter more as we age than they did earlier in life. The shingles vaccine, for example, is specifically recommended for older adults, and the yearly flu shot often becomes more important with age. The best way to know which vaccines are right for you is to talk directly with your doctor — they may even offer certain vaccinations during your routine visit, which makes staying up to date one less thing to schedule separately.
Have a Plan and Look Into Local Resources
Getting to a vaccine clinic or pharmacy can be a barrier for some older adults, especially if driving isn’t an option. If transportation is a challenge, look into medical transportation services in your area — some organizations offer rides to appointments at reduced cost or even free of charge. Many local health departments and community organizations also run free or low-cost vaccine clinics throughout the year, and your local pharmacy can be a convenient option since most now offer the most common vaccines without an appointment.
How Home Care Can Help
For CareBuilders clients, transportation to appointments is something our caregivers can help with directly. Many of our caregivers will drive clients to medical appointments — including vaccine appointments — during their shift, as long as it’s arranged ahead of time. If that’s something you’d like to add to your care, just give the office a call and we’ll work it into the schedule.
Keep a Simple Vaccine Record
Keeping a written or digital record of what vaccines you’ve received and when helps you and your provider stay on top of your schedule. Note the vaccine name, date received, and where you got it. This becomes especially useful for booster schedules and when speaking with a new provider, and it removes the guesswork about when you’re due for the next dose.
Staying healthy at home is often about the everyday support that makes routine care easier to keep up with. Our in-home companion care team in Louisville can help with transportation to medical appointments, appointment reminders, and daily support that helps seniors stay well and independent at home.
Written by Brigid Coffey
