How Important Is Washing Hands for Your Senior’s Health?

By Christopher Butters | September 10, 2018 |

September 16th thru 22nd is International Clean Hands week. As a family caregiver, this is the ideal opportunity for you to learn more about how important it is for your aging parents, and for you, to wash their hands regularly as an ongoing part of germ control efforts. Making this simple change in daily activities can dramatically reduce the chances your senior will suffer a serious illness or infection, which can be much more dangerous for older adults than younger ones.

Home Care in Fairfax VA: The Importance of Hand Washing

Some things you should know about the importance of washing hands include:

More than 3,000 people die each year as a result of foodborne illness, much of which can be prevented through handwashing to reduce or eliminate cross-contamination.
Handwashing reduces risk of diarrhea by 31 percent.
Handwashing reduces diarrheal illness among those with reduced immune system by 58 percent.
Handwashing reduces spread of respiratory illnesses throughout the community by 16 to 21 percent.
Removing germs on the hands by washing them reduces the spread to the eyes and skin, which dramatically reduces the chances of infection.
Washing hands also reduces the chances your parent will collect germs from their own eyes, mouth, or nose onto their hands and spread them onto surfaces, into foods or beverages, or directly to other people.
Those who wash their hands regularly are less likely to develop respiratory diseases and diarrheal diseases. Both of these are frequently inappropriately treated with antibiotics, which contributes to antibiotic resistance both in people, and in the germs themselves. By washing your hands, you reduce the chances of this resistance.
Germs can remain alive and infectious on surfaces for 24 hours or more.
Germs can remain alive and infectious on tissues for 15 minutes.
Though germs only remain alive and infectious on the skin for around five minutes, this is enough of a window to spread onto surfaces where they will last longer, or into the mouth, nose, or eyes.

Helping your senior stay healthier as they age is one of the most beneficial aspects of home care. An in-home senior care services provider can help your loved one manage their health in a wide variety of ways, including helping them to create and follow a germ control approach. This care provider can encourage your parent to make good lifestyle choices such as washing their hands, using hand sanitizer, and avoiding those who have been ill. They can further support good health through preparation of nutritious meals and snacks, supporting hydration, encouraging your parent to stay physically active, and giving medication reminders to help them stay compliant with prescriptions and guidelines.