Prevent the Spread of Infections in Your Retirement Home

Information for residents and substitute decision makers

Infections can spread quickly in retirement homes because residents live close together. Residents are more likely to get infections because of chronic illnesses and age. That’s why it’s important to do all you can to recognize an infection early and stop it from spreading. Here are five things you can do if you or your loved one is a resident:

Clean your hands often

• Clean your hands before you eat or prepare food, and after you use the toilet. Also, clean your hands before and after you care for someone who is sick.

• Use gentle soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub. Lather or rub for at least 15 seconds. Both are equally effective, but if you can see dirt on your hands, use the soap and water.

Cover your cough

• Use a tissue to cover your cough or sneeze and trash the tissue and clean your hands. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve.

Tell your caregivers when you’re ill

• If you have a new cough with fever or chills, or vomiting or diarrhea, tell your caregivers right away. They keep track of how many people in the home are ill, so that they can recognize an outbreak early and put measures in place to limit its spread.

Limit contact with others while you’re ill

• If you have a contagious illness such as a cold, flu or gastrointestinal illness, keep to yourself as much as possible. This is especially important during the first few days of your illness when you’re most contagious. 

Get immunized

• The best way to prevent influenza is to get immunized every year. Influenza vaccine decreases the incidence of pneumonia, hospital admissions, and deaths in the elderly. Every autumn, KFL&A Public Health makes the vaccine available to residents; ask your caregivers where and when the vaccine will be available this year.

If you want more information about how to prevent infections, you can call KFL&A Public Health at 613-549-1232.