The Most Contagious Diseases in Retirement Communities
(PRWEB) January 06, 2014 -- Home Care Assistance of West Texas, a leading provider of in-home care for seniors, is dedicated to community education around topics related to aging and longevity. In line with this commitment, Home Care Assistance of West Texas is raising awareness around conditions common in communal living environments. Individuals who reside in a close proximity to one another and who share amenities such as bathrooms and dining areas, are at a greater risk of contracting contagious illnesses. According to the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), nursing home residents have little reserve to fight off the most rampant, contagious diseases including influenza, multidrug resistant organisms, skin infections and gastroenteritis.
"We know how quickly these illnesses can spread and how detrimental they can be to the elderly clients we care for," says Kendall Warren, Client Care Manager of Home Care Assistance West Texas. “For this reason, our caregivers spend time cleaning clients' homes each day, ensuring that your loved one is in the healthiest, safest environment possible."
Influenza, typically common between October and March, spreads rapidly by inhalation of droplets from coughing and sneezing. Multidrug resistant organisms like MRSA and VRE can also wreak havoc because both strains are resistant to antibiotics. The most contagious virus and one that employees and residents will want to take all precautions to avoid is the Norovirus. The virus causes inflammation in the stomach or intestines, causing stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. One recent example of a Norovirus outbreak left 33 people very ill and four hospitalized.
Most of these illnesses are spread through contact with an infected person or contaminated surface, or through ingestion of contaminated food or water. Follow the below tips to safeguard against the virus:
• Wash your hands often
• Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly
• Cook shellfish thoroughly
• Clean surfaces and wash laundry
• When you’re sick don’t prepare food for others
Home Care Assistance of West Texas provides older adults with quality care that enables them to live happier, healthier lives at home. The company’s services are distinguished by the caliber of their caregivers, the responsiveness of their staff and their expertise in live-in care. Home Care Assistance embraces a positive, balanced approach to aging centered on the evolving needs of older adults.
For more information about Home Care Assistance of West Texas, please visit HCAWestTexas.com or call (432) 695-6489.
ABOUT HOME CARE ASSISTANCE
Home Care Assistance is the leading provider of home care for seniors across the United States and Canada. Our mission is to change the way the world ages. We provide older adults with quality care that enables them to live happier, healthier lives at home. Our services are distinguished by the caliber of our caregivers, the responsiveness of our staff and our expertise in Live-In care. We embrace a positive, balanced approach to aging centered on the evolving needs of older adults. A 2012 Franchise500® Company, Home Care Assistance has received numerous industry awards including Entrepreneur’s Fastest-Growing Franchises and Franchise Business Review’s Top 50. For more information about Home Care Assistance, our services and franchise opportunities, visit homecareassistance.com or franchise.homecareassistance.com.
Kathryn Zakskorn, Home Care Assistance, +1 650-462-9501, [email protected]
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