Adult vaccination: Protect yourself and those around you.
Many of us think of vaccinations as something that children get. Most of us have some memories of receiving shots at the doctor’s office, or at school as part of a program to prevent childhood diseases. But getting the recommended vaccines as an adult is just as important for maintaining our health as we age. 
At Lincolnshire Nursing Home we know that aging has an impact on the immune system. In general, it begins to function less efficiently, and our healing and immune responses slow down as we age. As a result, the likelihood of older adults becoming ill increases. You can help keep your immune system in good shape with proper nutrition, regular exercise, a healthy amount of sleep, and a positive outlook. However, in addition to a healthy lifestyle, vaccinations also play a role in keeping the population disease-free.
The prevention of disease can have a big impact on a senior’s quality of life as well as their longevity. Simple vaccinations can not only help seniors avoid the discomfort of being sick, it can also save lots of money and visits to the doctor, or even hospitalization that can come with illness.
Some of the most common vaccinations that are recommended for older adults are influenza, shingles (herpes zoster), and pneumonia. It is always best to check with your doctor to see which vaccinations are right for you and your specific situation. It is also important for family members and caregivers of seniors to be immunized, to reduce the likelihood of exposing the elderly person to an illness that could end up being life-threatening to them.
It is clear that immunization is a powerful tool that provides a measure of protection for the most vulnerable segments of our population. This simple effort can have significant and widespread benefits for the health of everyone.
