Seniors have an increased risk of colds, flu, and pneumonia in the fall and winter. This increased risk stems from the fact that cold weather reduces your immunity, making it harder to fight off viruses.
Strengthening immunity in spring can improve elderly health. Let’s examine the relationship between senior health and diet, environment, exercise, hydration, sleep, stress, and weight and discuss ways for aging adults to strengthen their immunity.
Why Is It Important for Seniors to Focus On Boosting Their Immunity During Spring?
A strong immune system helps seniors fight viruses and toxins, enabling them to stay healthy. As seniors age, their immune systems age with them. Consequently, their immune system doesn’t produce as many B and T cells as it once did. Since B and T cells attack infected cells and prevent or fight off viruses, having fewer B and T cells increases the likelihood that seniors will get sick. They may also take longer to recover from illnesses.
There are also seasonal changes in spring that can compromise seniors’ immune systems.
What Seasonal Changes in Spring Could Potentially Weaken Immunity, and How Can Seniors Address Them?
Although many people look forward to longer, warmer days in spring, this season can present unique health challenges. Temperature changes are one of the issues because it’s harder for an aging immune system to adapt to temperature fluctuations. As trees bud and flowers bloom, the number of allergens in the air also increases. Since the cold winter months undermine seniors’ ability to fight off infections, they may struggle with the effects of illness during winter.
Illness can cause other health issues. If seniors lose their appetite, they may not get the nutrients they need. They’re also less likely to be active, which can weaken their bones, increasing the risks of fractures or osteoporosis.
Seniors can address these issues by eating healthy foods, getting the vitamins and nutrients they need for optimal health, and increasing their activity levels. Seniors can also take steps to reduce their exposure to allergens so they stay healthy.
How Can Seniors Prepare Their Environment To Promote Better Immunity During Spring?
Seniors can support their immunity by making changes to their environment. Using an air purifier can eliminate indoor allergens and improve air quality. Seniors can also reduce their exposure to allergens outdoors by wearing a face mask.
Moving to a region with a dry climate also benefits seniors because there are fewer allergens that can jeopardize their health.
How Does Diet Impact Immune Health in Seniors?
Vitamins and minerals enable the human body to function effectively. Seniors can boost their immune health by consuming a healthy diet that has the vitamins and minerals needed for optimal immune health, including the following:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Iron
- Selenium
- Zinc
Vegetables, nuts, seeds, and shellfish are excellent sources of the nutrients needed for optimal immune health.
How Does Staying Hydrated Benefit the Immune System for Older Adults?
It’s crucial to note the importance of hydration for immune health in seniors. Dehydration weakens the body and immune system, preventing seniors from fighting infections and staying healthy. Staying hydrated also helps prevent headaches, urinary tract infections, heat stroke, kidney stones, and constipation.
Can Regular Physical Activity Enhance the Immune System for Seniors? If So, What Exercises Are Recommended?
Exercise alters your body’s white blood cells (WBCs). WBCs work for your immune system and fight infections. The changes in your WBCs triggered by exercising help your WBCs circulate and locate infections faster, enabling your body to start fighting the infection sooner. This makes it possible to reduce the symptoms and restore your health faster.
Excellent exercises for seniors to enjoy include the following:
- Dance
- Tai chi
- Walking
- Water aerobics
- Yoga
How Does Stress Affect the Immune System in Seniors, and What Stress-Reducing Techniques Are Effective?
Stress makes it harder for your body to fight inflammation and can trigger anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Stress also triggers your body to produce cortisol. Initially, cortisol can lower inflammation levels. However, those affected by prolonged stress will go for extended periods with higher cortisol levels. Eventually, their bodies get used to the cortisol levels, and they stop fighting inflammation, leaving them with a weakened immune system that’s unable to function effectively.
Seniors can help reduce their stress levels with the following activities:
- Deep breathing
- Exercise
- Healthy diet
- Laughter
- Meditation
- Spending time in nature
What Is the Importance of Getting Adequate Sleep for Immune Function in Seniors?
Sleep affects seniors’ immune functions by impairing the immune system, preventing it from identifying and fighting off infections. People with insomnia and other sleep disorders are more susceptible to chronic inflammation, which can cause high blood pressure, autoimmune diseases, heart disease, and other health issues.
How Does Maintaining a Healthy Weight Impact Immunity in Seniors?
Maintaining a healthy weight prevents seniors from suffering the health effects of obesity. Obesity increases the risks of viruses, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and some types of cancer. It’s harder for those with weight issues to stay healthy because obesity weakens their immune systems while damaging cells.
What Precautions Should Seniors Take When Spending Time Outdoors During Spring?
Seniors can help prevent heat-related illnesses by gradually increasing their time outdoors. Wearing a hat and light-colored clothing outdoors in the spring helps to keep skin covered and prevents sunburn, and covering the head can prevent heat stroke. Seniors should also carry a water bottle and ensure they stay hydrated outdoors.
Senior Immunity and Their Home Environment
One way for seniors to improve their immunity is to choose a suitable home environment. For some, this means moving to an assisted living facility in Arizona or a nursing home. These facilities ensure seniors have the support needed to maintain good hygiene, which can help prevent infections. Exceptional Arizona assisted living facilities, like Haven Health, also ensure seniors enjoy a delicious, nutrient-rich diet that helps keep their immune systems healthy. Expert staff provide activities tailored for seniors, including outdoor excursions and exercise classes promoting good immune health.
Exceptional Senior Living Experiences at Haven Health
Haven Health specializes in providing the expert, personalized care seniors need for optimal health. Our assisted living, nursing home, and skilled nursing facilities in Arizona provide nutritious meals, engaging activities, exercise programs, and personal support. When you trust your senior loved one to our care, you can be confident we’ll look after their emotional, mental, and physical needs. Our staff can answer your questions and show you what our facilities offer. Call us to learn more and schedule a tour of a Haven Health facility near you.
Sources:
Pattemore, C. (2022). Scientists Finally Figure Out Why You’re More Likely to Get Sick in Cold Weather.
Risk Factors for Pneumonia. (2023).
Seniors with primary immunodeficiency require extra care. (2022).
Srakocic, S. (2024). Can Face Masks Help Reduce Allergy Symptoms?