September 8, 2023 – Angela Ochoa, who heads infection prevention at Excelsior Springs Hospital, spoke to a group of seniors last Friday at the Excelsior Springs Community Center. Her talk was part of a wellness series set up by the hospital and led by Community Education Coordinator Tina Cook. The series aims to give seniors, who are part of the Excelsior Springs Parks and Recreation Center’s Senior Program, useful health tips and info.
Tips for Keeping Respiratory Illnesses at Bay
Ochoa’s talk was all about how seniors can protect themselves from respiratory illnesses like the flu and COVID-19. She offered a bunch of easy-to-follow tips like:
- Keeping a safe distance from sick folks
- Staying home if you’re not feeling well
- Getting your flu shot
- Covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze
- Washing your hands often or using hand sanitizer
- Being careful not to touch your face too much
- Cleaning and wiping down things you touch a lot
Emphasizing the Importance of Vaccination
Ochoa spent some time talking about why vaccines are a good idea. She said they’re key for not just avoiding illness, but also for keeping people out of the hospital. Ochoa recommended that everyone older than six months should get both their yearly flu and COVID-19 vaccines, ideally before Halloween rolls around. For those over 60, she suggested asking their doctor about an RSV vaccine, which the CDC also recommends.
What to Do If You Get Sick
If you do catch something like the flu, Ochoa outlined what to watch for, including symptoms like fever, a stuffy or runny nose, coughing, a sore throat, body aches, and feeling wiped out. She said it’s a good idea to reach out to a healthcare provider within two days of feeling sick and gave options like calling your doctor, doing a video visit, or checking in with an InstaCare provider. And if you’re sick, Ochoa stressed that you should stay home until you’ve felt good for a whole day. She also gave some tips for taking care of yourself, like staying hydrated and using meds to reduce fever.
More Info Available
For more details about what’s happening at the senior center, you can head over to Excelsior Springs Senior Center. To find out more about the hospital’s health and wellness events, check out their calendar.
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