Handling COVID, Colds & Flu In The Elderly

Understanding the impact of COVID, colds and flu on older adults

When caring for an older loved one with a naturally weaker immune system, there are a number of illnesses you may come across. Here, we are looking closely at three of the most common; COVID-19, colds, and flu. We will cover why older people tend to be more susceptible to these illnesses, symptoms you may need to manage, how these conditions can be diagnosed, treatments to help manage symptoms, what complications could arise if not treated, how they may be prevented, how severe cases are best managed, and the support available for caregivers looking after an older loved one with any of these three illnesses. At Home Instead, our aim is to help people age positively and in place by bringing expert care to their home. For nearly 20 years, we have been providing the highest standard of care, and creating industry-leading training programmes for our Care Professionals that are accredited by nursing and medical professionals. Today, we are the world’s largest global domiciliary care network, supporting over 100,000 older adults with personalised, tailored care at home. So whatever questions you have about COVID-19, colds and flu in older adults, we can help. 

Why are older adults more susceptible to these illnesses?  

According to the National Council on Aging, older adults tend to be more susceptible to COVID-19, colds and flu due to the natural ageing process, which weakens the immune system over time. As people get older, their immune response may become slower and less effective at fighting off common infections. This makes it easier for viruses such as COVID-19, colds and flu to take hold in the body and cause various distressing symptoms. Even a mild cold can develop into a more serious illness for an older adult. Similarly, flu can be a mild illness for some people lasting a few days or a couple of weeks, but older adults with chronic health conditions can experience flu as a much more serious or even life-threatening condition. Aside from a weakened immune system, older people may find themselves more susceptible to viruses due to:

• Underlying health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes or respiratory issues, which further increase their vulnerability and complicate their ability to recover. 
• Close living environments, such as care homes and nursing homes, which mean viruses may spread from person to person more easily. In particular, studies done during the COVID-19 pandemic found crowding in nursing homes to be associated with high numbers of COVID-19 infections. 
• A weaker response to vaccines, which makes them less effective at preventing viruses compared to the protection they offer younger individuals. 

How are these illnesses usually diagnosed? 

COVID-19, colds and flu are typically diagnosed using a combination of asking questions about the person’s symptoms, performing a physical examination if applicable, and doing any specific tests needed to distinguish between the three conditions.

• COVID-19 testing is only advised for those eligible for COVID treatments and at high risk. When in hospital as an inpatient you may be have this done through a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test (otherwise known as a molecular test) or a rapid antigen test. Rapid antigen tests can also be bought over the counter in most pharmacies.  These tests involve a sample taken from the nose or throat which can help detect the presence of COVID-19. 
• Colds can usually be diagnosed based on their symptoms, such as a runny nose, sore throat and sneezing. Colds never feel good, but since they are usually mild and unlikely to cause complications, specific tests are generally thought to be unnecessary unless there is a particular health worry or a suspicion of flu or COVID-19.
• Flu can be diagnosed using a rapid influenza diagnostic test (RIDT) or a molecular test like a PCR. These are designed to detect the presence of an influenza virus, but a healthcare professional may also be able to identify this based on symptoms like a fever, cough and body aches, particularly if they arise during flu season.

Ultimately, all three illnesses can usually be identified by their symptoms, or by specific tests to find out which one is the culprit. In many cases, it is not necessary to distinguish between them unless there are complications to consider, as the treatment options are mostly the same. 

How are these illnesses usually treated? 

The treatment for COVID-19, colds and flu primarily focuses on managing symptoms, as there is no specific medication or treatment option to eliminate all symptoms. In the case of COVID-19 or flu, the recommended treatment depends on the severity of the condition. Mild cases can usually be managed at home with plenty of rest, drinking lots of fluids, and taking over-the-counter medications to manage a fever and any pain the person may experience, such as a headache. Colds are also usuallytreatedat home with rest, hydration, and taking over-the-counter medications such as decongestants for a blocked nose, pain relievers, and cough suppressants. Since colds are usually mild, there is no specific treatment required, and you should try to let them run their course. Typically they will last no longer than 2 weeks if the person is already in good health, or if they have underlying health issues, colds can last longer due to a weakened immune system. For all three conditions, many people find they can boost their immune system and therefore get over an illness faster by improving their diet to include nutrient-rich foods and reduce inflammatory foods such as excess sugar and processed foods. Here are some other tips to help manage COVID-19, colds and flu:

• For a sore throat, try drinking tea with added honey to soothe throat pain, gargling with salt water, or using a room humidifier to reduce inflammation in the nose and throat, as some studies recommend. 
• For chapped lips and dry skin around the nose from using tissues, apply lip balm or another type of moisturiser to manage this. 
• Avoid smoking while you recover, as smoke can further irritate the nose, throat and lungs if you have a cold or another respiratory illness.
• Sleep with your head slightly higher than the rest of your body to prevent the buildup of mucus overnight. 
• Boost your immune system with supplements if you are not getting all necessary nutrients in your diet – you can read more about this in our guide to the best supplements and vitamins for older adults.

What are the complications of untreated COVID-19 or flu in older adults, and how are severe cases managed? For some older adults, COVID-19 or flu can lead to more severe complications that require hospitalisation in order to address the worst symptoms and avoid other conditions from developing. While in hospital, a person might require oxygen therapy, corticosteroids to reduce inflammation in the body, antiviral medications, or other forms of treatment as recommended by a doctor. It is important to address severe symptoms of these conditions as soon as possible, as secondary infections could occur if left untreated. For those with COVID-19, this could mean a severe case of respiratory issues like pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). If the condition progresses further, this can cause organ failure, blood clots, and leave an older adult with long-term health problems like chronic fatigue or lung damage. This long-term condition is known as long COVID, but more research must be done on why it persists in this manner, and who is susceptible to this. As with any serious illness, there is also a higher risk of death from COVID-19, particularly in older adults. In the case of flu, when this is left untreated it could worsen pre-existing health conditions such as heart disease or diabetes, and can lead to complications like pneumonia or heart attacks. If you are caring for an older loved one with flu or COVID-19 and are worried that their symptoms may be more severe than they should be, you can call NHS 111 to discuss their symptoms and if necessary, call an ambulance or take them to the hospital for further treatment. Due to the viral nature of flu and COVID-19, you should only attend or take someone to the hospital if they have severe symptoms of one of these contagious illnesses, to avoid spreading the illness to other vulnerable people.

Are there ways to prevent COVID-19, colds or flu? 

There are a few things you can do in daily life to make catching one of these conditions less likely, such as improving your diet to boost your immunity, getting regular exercise to improve your overall health, and getting enough sleep every night to help your body fight off infections. One of the most important ways to avoid catching COVID-19 or flu is to get the yearly vaccination as a preventive measure. COVID-19 vaccines can help to reduce the risk of developing a severe illness, reduce the risk of being hospitalised, and recover more quickly. In the UK, this vaccine used to be available to the general public for free during the pandemic, but today it is mostly offered to older adults only. Similarly, the flu vaccine is offered to older adults every year, and offers protection against some of the most common strains of influenza. Every year the strains differ and adapt, so it is important to get a yearly booster to ensure you are covered. Remember, you can contract the flu at any time of year, but it is more common in autumn and winter. It starts to spread in October – the flu season – so this is a good time to get your vaccine. There is no vaccine for a cold, so personal hygiene is a crucial factor in preventing this as colds are very contagious. Personal hygiene can be adhered to by engaging in regular handwashing using soap or hand sanitizer, and avoiding touching your face as much as possible to reduce the risk of infection. You can read more about this in our guide to the importance of personal hygiene care for older adults.Wearing masks and social distancing has also been found to potentially help those who are in close contact with people who have contracted one of these illnesses, as well as cleaning your environment regularly. In addition, lifestyle changes can help to boost the immune system, such as eating healthfully, getting enough sleep, reducing your stress levels, and getting enough exercise.

What support is available for caregivers of older adults suffering from COVID-19, colds or flu?

If you are a caregiver looking after an older adult who is suffering from COVID-19, a cold, or flu, it is important to also manage your own health alongside this, especially if you are the sole caregiver for your older loved one. If you catch their illness, you may end up unable to provide adequate care in the long run, or have to organise respite care to cover for you. Try to take steps to avoid catching their illness if you can. This is difficult when you are in such close contact with your older loved one, but it is not impossible. Taking vitamins and supplements to boost your own immune system, keeping your distance where possible, washing your hands frequently during care duties, and wearing a mask are all effective ways of keeping yourself healthy, so do try to implement some of these while your loved one is ill, without compromising on their care. As a caregiver, you may need to facilitate virtual doctor consultations for your loved one, organise home health services like visiting nursing care if applicable, and monitor their symptoms to make sure they appear to be getting better and not worse. If you are trying to avoid mixing with others, you can usually organise with your local pharmacy or doctor to do medication deliveries, meal delivery services, and other helpful resources that could limit your loved one’s exposure to other vulnerable people and give them an opportunity to rest. It is also helpful to remember that, as many older people tend to get ill more frequently than younger people due to their weakened immune system, this could start to have an emotional impact on them. Offer them a listening ear if they need to talk about how they feel, and consider techniques to help with any anxiety they may have about their illness, for example, worries about breathing difficulties. You can read more in our guide to supporting mental health in older adults.

How can professional home carers help older adults with COVID-19, colds or flu? 

It is possible to enlist the help of a professional home carer to look after an older loved one with COVID-19, a cold or flu, either for respite care or to help with the care of people with long COVID. Our Care Professionals receive comprehensive training in infection control and follow industry guidance from the UK’s Public Health Authorities and the World Health Organization, which includes emphasis on the importance of safe handwashing practice and other preventative measures to minimise the spread of these illnesses while prioritising the care of the older person. The safety and wellbeing of our carers and clients is a priority, so we adhere to the latest guidance on Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), robust infection control training, and hygiene measures. If you or a loved one requires help managing the symptoms of COVID-19, colds or flu, and believe you could benefit from support from a home care professional, you can reach out to your local Home Instead office to learn more.Our Care Professionals are the best of the best, and highly trained to deliver the services you need. No matter what type of home care you are looking for, we can provide a tailored service that suits you or your loved one.We’re an award-winning home care provider and part of a worldwide organisation devoted to providing the highest-quality relationship-led care for older people in their own homes. Arranging care for yourself or your loved one shouldn’t be stressful, so whatever questions you would like answered, feel free to reach out to the Home Instead team to discuss your needs.