With the continuation of flu season, Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services is making an effort to help prevent elderly Williamson County residents from catching the virus.
The company has assembled Fight the Flu Kits to distribute at community events and is offering in-home services to sanitize senior citizens homes, run errands, provide transportation to receive flu shots and provide care for citizens who do catch the flu.
Fight the Flu Kits include items to help citizens prevent the likelihood of picking up the flu virus, such as hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes, as well as items to boost and monitor health, including Vitamin C supplements and a thermometer.
"Our caregivers run errands so seniors don't go out and get exposed to the virus, especially in high-exposure areas such as the grocery store or the mall," Visiting Angels Marketing Director Stacy Scarborough said in a statement. "Plus, we help sanitize the seniors' homes to keep them as germ-free as possible."
According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, weaker immune systems make senior citizens more vulnerable to the flu, which is why more than half of flu-related hospitalizations occur in people age 65 or older.
"We see it every year around this time," Scarborough said. "A lot of our clients become very ill, and it's very stressful on these families."
Kits will be distributed at the following events:
- Georgetown Chamber of Commerce Business Showcase, Oct. 17, 4–7 p.m., Georgetown Community Center, 445 E. Morrow St.
- Sun City Health Fair, Oct. 18, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., Sun City Ballroom and Lobby, 2 Texas Drive
Flu prevention kits may also be picked up at the Georgetown Visiting Angels office at 202 S. Austin Ave. or requested by calling 877-907-5078.
