According to the World Atlas, Crawfordsville is one of the best Indiana towns for a comfortable retirement. The city, albeit small, is attractive to retirees for its solid foundation of care, affordable cost of living, many opportunities for physical, social, and mental wellness, and easy access to the big-town amenities of Indianapolis, which is just under 50 miles away.
With so many sights to see, activities to partake in, and potential social connections to make, retirees should stay on top of the recommended vaccines for seniors. Vaccinations can help keep them from acquiring infectious diseases, illnesses that can prevent them from doing things they want and enjoying everything Crawfordsville has to offer.
So, join us today at Whitlock Place Assisted Living, our beautiful senior living community in Crawfordsville, as we share practical aging health tips and crucial details about senior immunizations in IN.
As explained by the Cleveland Clinic, influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are just some of the pathogens or disease-causing germs that can cause hundreds of infectious diseases. Immunization shots, such as flu and pneumonia vaccines, are critical aspects of preventive care for seniors because they help protect against infections that the aging body may no longer be able to fight off as effectively as before.
Although everyone eligible for vaccinations should consider getting them, it's even more vital for seniors because with aging comes immunosenescence. Immunosenescence is the medical term for when the body's immune system degrades due to aging.
When the immune system becomes impaired, it won't be able to do its job of fighting off harmful invaders (like bacteria and viruses). Older adults can then become more susceptible to developing infectious diseases.
Even when vaccines can't stop an infection from developing, they can still help by reducing the severity of the symptoms that occur. They can also lower the risk of complications, such as pneumonia from lung infections and senior hearing loss from secondary ear infections.
There are several vaccines recommended for seniors in Crawfordsville, IN (and anywhere else for that matter). Some of the most common ones are for the following illnesses:
Let's explore each one in more detail.
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness whose symptoms are similar to those of the common cold, but its symptoms are generally more severe. Some of the signs of the flu that infected seniors may experience are:
The U.S. CDC recommends that everyone 6 months+, especially high-risk individuals, get an annual flu vaccine, ideally by late October. The health agency says people at a higher risk include seniors and those with certain chronic health conditions (e.g., heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, or asthma).
SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind COVID-19, can primarily cause a respiratory infection with symptoms similar to those of the flu. For many younger people and generally healthy adults, the illness can be mild, and they often recover after a few days or weeks. However, seniors, particularly unvaccinated ones, can experience more severe, potentially deadly illnesses.
The Mayo Clinic says that as of March 2024, adults 65 and older account for around 76% of all COVID-19 deaths in the United States. The non-profit health organization also says getting inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines can lower the risk of severe illnesses or death caused by the virus.
RSV is a virus that causes illnesses with symptoms like those of the common cold, flu, or COVID-19. Like these other infectious diseases, RSV disease can also be mild to moderate, with most people who are otherwise in good health recovering from it. However, it can be more severe in adults with weaker immune systems, including seniors, and may lead to dangerous, even fatal complications.
The U.S. CDC recommends the RSV vaccine to adults 50 to 74 with a higher risk of developing severe RSV disease and all seniors 75 and older. Unlike the flu and COVID-19 vaccines, which are annual, the RSV vaccine isn't. The U.S. CDC says RSV vaccination can last for up to two years.
Adults with an increased risk for severe disease are those living with certain chronic or long-term illnesses. Examples include:
Eligible adults can get RSV vaccination any time of the year, but it's best administered in the late summer or early fall (August to October).
Pneumococcal vaccines can help protect older adults against illnesses caused by the bacteria known as Streptococcus pneumoniae or pneumococcus. Examples of diseases the bacteria can cause are:
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) recommends that adults 50+ get pneumococcal vaccination. The vaccines can help protect them against pneumococcal disease or minimize its symptoms and the likelihood of causing complications.
Vaccination is one of, if not the most effective, ways to prevent infectious diseases. However, seniors can further lower their risk by:
Staying up-to-date on vaccines for seniors and implementing the above strategies can help protect older adults from infectious diseases. They can avoid getting ill and instead, spend more of their time pursuing interests, socializing, and exploring Crawfordsville and everything it has to offer.
Whitlock Place Assisted Living is proud to provide high-quality personal care, including personal hygiene and medication assistance, to seniors in Crawfordsville, IN. We also have many amenities and services designed to promote healthy aging, including exercise classes, nutritious, chef-prepared meals, and housekeeping to keep our residents' homes clean and sanitary.
Call us today to discover more about our assisted living community and how we can help you or an older loved one age healthily!