Live Oak — Savvy Senior

New Flu Vaccine for Seniors Provides Better Protection

Dear Savvy Senior,

I’ve read that there is a new extra-strength flu vaccine being offered to seniors this year. What can you tell me about it, where can I find it, and does Medicare cover it?

Flu-Conscious Connie



Dear Connie,

The new extra-strength flu vaccination you’re inquiring about is called the Fluzone High-Dose, and it’s designed specifically for seniors, age 65 years and older. Here’s what you should know.



Fluzone High-Dose

Manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur Inc., the Fluzone High-Dose vaccine was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in Dec. 2009, and was first made available last flu season on a limited basis.



The main difference between the Fluzone High-Dose and a regular flu shot is its potency. The High-Dose vaccine contain four times the amount of antigen (the part of the vaccine that prompts the body to make antibody) as a regular flu shot does, which creates a stronger immune response for better protection. This extra protection is particularly helpful to seniors who have weaker immune defenses and have a great risk of developing dangerous flu complications. The CDC estimates that the flu puts more than 200,000 people in the hospital each year and kills around 24,000 – 95 percent of whom are seniors.



As with all flu vaccines, Fluzone High-Dose is not recommended for seniors who are allergic to chicken eggs, or those who have had a severe reaction to a flu vaccine in the past.



To locate a vaccination site that offers the Fluzone High-Dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist, or check the online flu-shot locator at flu.gov for clinics or stores offering flu shots. Then, contact some in your area to see whether they have the High-Dose vaccine. CVS, Walgreens, Safeway, Kmart, Rite Aid and Kroger are among some of the chains offering the High-Dose shot.



You’ll also be happy to know that if you’re a Medicare beneficiary, Part B will cover 100 percent of the cost of your High-Dose vaccination. But if you’re not covered the cost is around $50 to $60 – that’s about double of what you’d pay for a regular flu shot.



Pneumovax

Another important vaccination the CDC recommends to seniors – especially this time of year – is the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine for pneumonia and meningitis (the vaccine is called Pneumovax 23). Pneumonia causes more than 40,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, many of which could be prevented by this vaccine. If you’re over age 65 and haven’t already gotten this one-time-only shot, you should get it now before flu season hits. Pneumovax 23 is also covered under Medicare Part B, and you can get it on the same day you get your flu shot. If you’re not covered by insurance, this vaccine costs around $75 to $85 at retail clinics.



This vaccine is also recommended to adults under age 65 if they smoke or have certain chronic conditions like asthma, heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, diabetes, sickle cell disease, have had their spleen removed, or have a weakened immune system due to cancer, HIV or an organ transplant.



Savvy Tips: In addition to getting vaccinated, the CDC reminds everyone that the three best ways to stay healthy during flu season is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and stay home if you’re sick. For more information on the recommended vaccines for older adults see cdc.gov/vaccines.



Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.





Savvy Senior

Fire Safety Tips for Seniors

Dear Savvy Senior,

Can your write a column on fire safety tips for seniors? With winter approaching, it’s important that seniors know that home fires are far more common and deadly among the elderly, but there are things they can do to guard against it. Thanks for your help.

Fire Safety Council



Dear Council,

You’re right! Because of physical limitations and slower reaction times, seniors are particularly vulnerable in home fires. In fact, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, seniors over the age of 65 are twice as likely to die or be injured in a home fire, than those younger. For those over 75, the risk nearly triples. But with a little awareness and a few precautionary tips (see firesafety.gov), seniors can go a long way in protecting their property and themselves.



Fire Hazards

While there are many possible causes of accidental home fires, the three most common among the elderly are caused by smoking, cooking and alternative heating devices. Here’s a breakdown of what seniors can do to protect themselves in each of these key areas.



Smoke Safely: Careless smoking is the leading cause of home fire deaths and the second leading cause of injuries among seniors. For those who smoke it’s important to remember:

Never smoke in bed.

Put your cigarette or cigar out at the first sign of feeling drowsy while watching television or reading.

Don’t leave your lit cigarette or cigar unattended.

Use deep ashtrays and put your cigarettes all the way out.

Consider switching to fire-save cigarettes (firesafecigarettes.org) that self-extinguish when they’re not being smoked.   



Cook Safely: Home cooking fires are the number one cause of fire injuries among the elderly. Tips that can help include:

Never leave food cooking on a stove top unattended. When leaving the kitchen, take a wooden spoon or potholder as a reminder to turn off the oven or burners, or consider installing an automatic stove shut-off device as a safety precaution. Cookstop.com, homesensers.com, stoveguardintl.com and pioneeringtech.com sell them.  

Avoid wearing loose clothing with hanging sleeves when you cook and keep towels and pot holders away from flames or burners.

Never use the range or oven to heat your home.

Double-check the kitchen before you go to bed or leave the house.



Heat Safely: Alternative heating devices like space heaters, stoves and fireplaces are another potential fire hazard for seniors. Seniors who use these devices should keep these tips in mind:   

If you use a space heater, keep anything that can burn at least three feet away and always turn it off when you leave the house or go to sleep. Also, if you’re buying a new space heater, look for one with a safety feature that automatically shuts off the power if the heater falls over.

If you use a fireplace that burns wood, be sure you have a glass or metal screen front to catch the flying sparks and rolling logs, and have the chimney flue inspected annually and cleaned if needed.

If you use a heating device fueled by gas, oil, wood or kerosene purchase and install carbon monoxide detectors to alert you to potential toxic gas problems.  



Home Tips

Around 75 percent of seniors who die in fires each year don’t have working smoke alarms in their homes. Seniors or caregivers should make it a priority to install smoke alarms on every level of their house outside their sleeping area, and change the batteries at least once a year. It’s also important to have an escape plan in the event of a fire.



For seniors who are hearing impaired, companies like Silent Call (silentcall.com) and Harris Communications (harriscomm.com) sell smoke and carbon monoxide detectors that work with flashing strobe lights and bed vibrators to alert you when a problem arises. And, there are also home smoke and fire monitoring services like ADT (adtfireprotection.com) that can alert seniors, caregivers and the fire department if a fire happens.



Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.