Keeping Seniors Healthy During Respiratory Illness Season: What Families Need to Know
As we head deeper into respiratory illness season, older adults remain among the most at-risk populations for serious complications from seasonal viruses such as influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19. Federal health agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) emphasize the importance of prevention strategies, vaccinations, and smart care planning to keep seniors safe and thriving.
A Graceful Transition comes with you guiding families every day in pairing senior loved ones with communities that prioritize safety, wellness, and peace of mind — especially when respiratory viruses are circulating.
What Health Officials Are Saying This Season
Public health outlooks project that the 2025-2026 respiratory virus season will see ongoing circulation of flu, RSV, and COVID-19, with combined hospitalizations potentially similar to recent seasons. Additionally, current surveillance indicates that respiratory viruses — particularly influenza and RSV — continue to spread at high levels across the United States this winter.
That means families and care providers should act now to protect older adults, who are more likely to experience hospitalization or complications from these illnesses.
Vaccination: The Best Defense
CDC and HHS strongly recommend vaccination as the cornerstone prevention strategy this season:
Flu Vaccines
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older. Annual dosing remains the best way to reduce flu-related illness, hospitalization, and death.
RSV Vaccine
RSV vaccine is recommended for adults 75+, and for adults 60-74 who have conditions that increase their risk for severe disease.
COVID-19 Vaccination
CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) now supports shared decision-making between individuals and their healthcare providers regarding COVID-19 vaccination, especially for older adults and those with chronic health conditions.
Great News for Seniors: Vaccine Costs
Thanks to recent health policy updates, many vaccines recommended for older adults — including flu, RSV, and COVID-19 shots — are covered by Medicare Part B or Part D without out-of-pocket cost when ACIP-recommended.
This reduces financial barriers and makes vaccine access easier for older adults who need protection the most.
Why Seniors Are at Higher Risk
Aging naturally weakens the immune system, and many older adults also live with chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease — all factors that increase the likelihood that a respiratory virus could lead to hospitalization or serious complications.
Vaccination can cut the risk of severe disease, hospital visits, and serious outcomes nearly in half for adults 65+ when kept up-to-date.
Beyond Vaccines: Everyday Protection
In addition to staying up-to-date on vaccines, CDC and HHS encourage families and caregivers to adopt everyday habits that lower transmission risk:
Wash hands frequently with soap and water
Stay home when sick or if symptoms appear
Use high-quality masks (e.g., N95 or KN95) in high-risk settings
Ensure good ventilation in shared spaces
Discuss antiviral treatments with care providers when illness occurs
These simple steps help protect not only seniors, but all residents and staff within care environments.
Choosing Safe Senior Living Options
Different senior living communities vary in their approaches to health monitoring, infection prevention, and vaccine promotion. When comparing options, ask about:
✅ On-site vaccination programs
✅ Illness prevention protocols
✅ Housekeeping and sanitization schedules
✅ Visitor health screening practices
✅ Access to medical and nursing oversight
With our help families identify communities that demonstrate strong infection prevention practices and compassionate care — a key factor in keeping seniors healthy during cold and respiratory virus seasons.
We’re Here to Help You Plan Confidently
Protecting senior loved ones starts with informed planning and the right support. If you’re exploring assisted living, independent living, or memory care options this season, our specialists are here to help you make the best choice for your family’s needs.
What’s next?
A Free, Personalized Senior Care Consultation.
Let us walk you through vetted communities and elder care safety practices that put wellness first.
A Graceful Transition has spent decades walking alongside Oregon families during some of life’s most important decisions. With more than 20 years of hands-on experience in senior living, deep relationships with hundreds of assisted living, memory care, and adult care homes across Oregon, and a proven history of helping families find the right local fit—not just any opening—we understand both the emotional and financial sides of this journey.
That experience is built into our Senior Living Cost Calculator. Using real, community-level data from the senior living options we work with every day, the calculator provides clear, realistic cost estimates for senior living in Oregon—so families can plan with confidence, clarity, and peace of mind.
