Smile, Mom! It’s Flu Vaccination Day!
Most people aren’t particularly excited about the prospect of getting a shot. That’s only natural. They do, after all, sting a bit. However, researchers now believe that it might be beneficial for people to get the flu shot when they are in a good mood. If your parent hasn’t gotten their shot yet, you may want to wait for a day when they are feeling especially happy.
Home Health Care Broomall PA – Smile, Mom! It’s Flu Vaccination Day!
Positive Mood Makes Flu Vaccination More Effective
Researchers at the University of Nottingham, located in the United Kingdom, conducted a study hoping to discover what behavioral and psychological factors might influence the effectiveness of the flu vaccination. The study involved 138 people who were between the ages of 65 and 85. Participants were observed for a total of six weeks, starting 2 weeks before they received their vaccination and ending 4 weeks afterward. The results of the study showed that the people who were in a good mood on the day that they received the vaccine had more antibodies in their system. This means that the flu vaccination was more effective for those people.
The results of the study are important because, as you may be aware, the flu vaccination isn’t 100 percent effective, especially for seniors. Since seniors are among the most at-risk group for the flu, anything that can improve the effectiveness of the flu vaccine is a benefit.
Tips for Boosting Mood
So, what can you do to help your parent be in a better mood on the day of their vaccination? Well, here are a few ideas that might help:
Go Out for Lunch: There’s something about enjoying a meal out that makes a day a little more special. If your parent has a favorite restaurant, take your parent there either before or after getting their shot. If you’re not available on the day of the shot, a home health care provider can take your parent to lunch and to get their shot.
Take a Walk: Exercise can be a great mood booster, especially on a sunny day. A home health care provider can go for a walk with your parent on the day of the vaccination.
Play a Game: If your parent has a competitive streak, a home health care provider can play a board or card game with them, or promise to play one afterward.
Tell Jokes: Find some great jokes (or even some groaners!) to tell your parent on the way to get the vaccination and even during the procedure.
Though the information linking positive mood and vaccination effectiveness is fairly new and additional studies are probably needed, there’s no reason not to try boosting your parent’s mood before a vaccination. After all, being happy is never a bad thing!
Sources: https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2017/flu-prevention-mood-fd.html?intcmp=HEALTH
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28923405
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Health Care Services in Broomall PA, please contact the caring staff at True Direct Home Health Care today.
Doc, as he is called by everyone - staff, patients and clients - first experienced home health care and hospice care while as a colleg student at King's College as he cared for his mother every day while she first battled COPD and then lung cancer. It was during this time that he came to understand that caring for a patient was more than just clinical expertise.
"Admittedly, my strongest attribute is my communication skills and the simple fact that I love to help people. Even the smallest thing you can do for someone really can mean so much to them long term. In fact, it could change them forever. That's what providing quality personal home health care should be all about."
In his spare time, he cooks for homeless shelters and children's music and arts events. He also is highly involved in his local youth sports soccer academy as a coach and Board member.
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