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Cold Prevention for Seniors

By Sharon Bryant
Geriatric Registered Nurse

Making your whole life healthier is the best step in preventing a cold. You can start off with these five easy and natural strategies:

1. Wash your hands. Most viruses are spread by direct contact and germs can live for hours. Washing your hands prior to meals, after visiting the restroom, and after contact with high traffic areas (such as handrails, elevator buttons, etc) will help to protect yourself. 

2. Don't cover your sneezes and coughs with your hands. Germs on your hands can be quickly passed on to others through personal contact. Instead, use a tissue then throw it away immediately. 

3. Drink plenty of fluids. Water flushes your system from toxins as it rehydrates you. Typically, we need eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. 

4. Eat foods containing phytochemicals. "Phyto" means plants, and the natural chemicals in plants give the vitamins in food a supercharged boost. Target those dark green, red, and yellow vegetables and fruits. 

5. Avoid touching your face. Viruses enter your body through the eyes, nose, or mouth. If you must touch your face, wash your hands prior to doing so. For women, try using a tissue or disposable applicator to apply make-up instead of your fingers.

St. Andrew's Senior Solutions helps to serve the needs of older adults and their families in the comfort of their home, including housekeeping, transportation, meal preparation, personal care, nursing services and companionship. 

For more information, please call (314) 726-5766.

St. Andrew's Senior Solutions - A service of St. Andrew's Resources for Seniors System
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St. Andrew's seeks to serve all seniors and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or handicap.