Huron Expositor, 2003-11-05, Page 7Anyone over 65, especially with chronic
conditions, needs an annual flu shot
By Linda Stobo
Special to the Expositor
The flu shot is a safe, effective way to give your body an
extra fighting chance against influenza.
Every year, our community is affected by influenza and
influenza -related illness. Influenza, commonly called the
'flu', is a highly contagious viral infection of the nose,
throat, and lungs.
The flu virus causes sudden fever, sore throat, dry cough,
headache, muscle aches, and extreme fatigue.
Although colds and various other viruses may cause
similar symptoms, the flu weakens a person much more than
other viruses.
The flu lowers the body's ability to fight other infections
that may develop with the flu, putting you at risk for
developing pneumonia and other complications.
Anyone over 65 years of age, babies and young children,
and those with chronic health conditions like asthma,
diabetes, heart disease, cancer and kidney disease are at high
risk for health complications from the flu.
Flu -related complications may require a stay in the
hospital or can even cause death.
In the elderly, the flu shot prevents complications such as
pneumonia in about six out of 10 people and can prevent
death in more than eight out of 10 people.
Who Should Get
the Flu Shot?
The flu is very contagious and spreads easily from person
to person. In Huron County,. there are 10, 430 people over
the age of 65 years and since September 2002, 37% of
Huron County reside per cent have been told by a doctor or
health care professional that they have a chronic health
condition.
It is particularly important that individuals at risk for
serious complications get their flu shot every year.
Infected children, adults, and healthcare workers can
easily spread the flu to those at risk for serious flu
complications; therefore, anyone over six months of age
who wants to avoid spreading the flu should consider getting
a flu ,shot.
When Should I
Get my Flu Shot?
Ideally, the vaccine should be given in mid to late
October. The protection from the flu shot lasts for up to six
months before it starts to wear off. Getting your flu shot in
October will maintain your immunity through the peak of
the flu season from January to March.
Is There Anything Else I Should Do to Stay Healthy
and Protect Others?
In addition to your flu shot, proper and frequent hand
washing is the single most effective way to prevent the
THE HURON EXPOSITOR, NOVIIMSIR 5, 2003-7
FACILITIES FOR RENT
•ANNIVERSARIES *BANQUETS •MEETINGS •WEDDINGS
Modern Kitchen Facilities Wheel Chair Accessible
Over 10,000 Square Feet Of Show Area
For Rental Information Call At (519)527-1321
or Fax (519)527-0983
Seaforth
Agricultural Society
OFFICE 519-527-1321
John Bennett Sharon Flanagan Joanne Maloney -Flanagan
President Secretary - Treasurer President Home Craft
www.c4thagsociety.on.ca
Susan Hundertmark photo
Seaforth Manor resident Bob McMillan receives his flu shot
from RN Cathy Broome. The Manor is administering flu shots
to its residents today.
spread of respiratory illness, including the flu.
If you do not have access to warm, running water, using
an alcohol -based hand sanitizer is an effective alternative to
keep your hands clean.
Encourage family and friends who are feeling unwell and
experiencing flu-like symptoms to stay home and get plenty
of bed rest.
If you are feeling unwell, do not visit family and friends in
hospital or long-term care facilities since you might put
them at risk of catching your illness.
Finally, live a healthy, active lifestyle; being physically
active and eating a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of
fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will help to keep your
immune system strong.
Linda Stobo is a senior public health promoter at the
Huron County Health Unit
Residents enjoy fall colours on bus tour
Marjory Papple was on
hand at Maplewood Manor to
get the month of October
started with an afternoon of
music. Bill Gibson also
played the piano for our
residents during the month.
Church services were held
with Father Lance, Pastor
Hildebrand, Pastor Wyllie,
Rev. Wilson and Rev. Atkins.
It is great to see those who
come along to join in these
services.
Beth Pryce, Velma
Preszcator, Helen
MacKenzie, Delphine
Dolmage, June Martene and
Charlie and Peggy Perkins
always make our crokinole
games lots of fun. Anne
Downey and Hilda Austin
were the • lucky jackpot
winners at our bingos with
Betty Hulley.
Betty Harris and Barbara
Scott have residents busy as
bees at our craft classes as we
prepare for our Christmas
Bazaar and Tea to be held
Saturday, Nov. 29 from 10
a.m. - 3 p.m.
Alice Reid, Marilyn
Hodgert and Marjory Phillips
thoroughly enjoyed the slide
presentation of flowers of the
world at the Seaforth
Horticultural Society
meeting. Congratulations to
ON SENIORS
Why not consider living in
Marton, in the beautiful
Bruce Peninsula?
Assisted and lndepetdant living in
a Victorian Style Home.
• Private Rooms
• Full Meats Pmvided
• Beautiful, view, tranquil sl safe
• Close to allantentities,
inchedind Marton Ho ital
Ca us new for TUl
Wir sprechen deutsch.
www.rid view
Phone; O.a
OM s s65
ii
8
Maplewood Manor Nursing Home
Marjory Phillips and Mary
McLeod, who received their
lifetime membership pins.
Thanksgiving was
celebrated with a delicious
turkey dinner and all the
trimmings.
During Horticulture Club,
residents enjoyed watching
slides of the beautiful flowers
in the.gardens of Art and
Eleanor Horst.
The afternoon was perfect
as Ann Furry of Murphy Bus
Lines gave a wonderful fall
colour tour as we headed
through Benmiller, Safford,
Goderich and back through
Bannockburn.
Geri Fashions, of London,
visited Maplewood to display
their fall and winter clothing.
Virginia Elg, Pat Dalton,
Nancy Henderson, Helen
Henderson, Margaret Hulley,
Betty Beuttenmiller and
Alice Reid were models for
the fashion show and did a
great job.
The month ended on a
musical note as Georgina Rae
played the guitar and sang
many of our most favourite
songs.
Pumpkins were carefully
carved to prepare for some
good old-fashioned
Halloween games that were
won by Gladys Leiper, Mary
Connelly and Delphine Buys
who was lucky enough to be
the "Witch of Maplewood."
During these activities,
goblins, ghosts and whoever,
tip -toed through the halls of
Maplewood to check on our
residents. Residents also
enjoyed the special "little"
Halloween visitors who
came.
FREE DELIVERY
Prescriptions, Home Health Care & Moire!
KEATING'S
Guardian Pharmacy
67 Main St., Seaforth 527-1990
PHARM
Assir,T
Come in now for a tour
and book your stay with
the first week FREE!
Mark your calen
Saturday, November 8, 2
Bazaar, Bake Sale, Tea Roo`
& Silent Auction
We look forward to seeing you!
1
eaoeti
✓et�xP�rrenGt Q. Yme
:aK/fAa.:*s211.1sl't iSal,-olw•s -.:.retia"+.
•
....for more information irrmation cull
Charlene Toxton, R('tirenl('nt Home Director
or Cathie 5rhrrll:, .1(lnlinigr(ltor
at 527-0030
MAPLEWOOD MANOR
Retirement Home
13 Church St., Seaforth
At present we have
Private and Semi -Private
accommodations available.
Features include:
• excellent dining and snacks
• dietician approved menus
• laundry
• housekeeping
• medication administered by our
professional staff
• transportation arranged for
appointments
• 24 hour friendly professional staff
• beauty salon
• barber services
• daily activities
• convalescent & respite stays
available
ORCA
1
for more information
contact Tracy Nash at
527-1440
Pax # 527-2977
Maplewood Manor
"Your Invitation to Gracious
Retirement Living"