Hygiene Tips for Seniors: Best Practices to Keep You Healthy

In a single day, you come into contact with millions of germs that can make you sick. From bathroom counters to the grocery carts at your local market, germs and bacteria are everywhere and you become more susceptible to these as you age. Luckily, maintaining personal hygiene practices as a senior can help you care for your body and protect you from diseases.
In this post, we’ll review why maintaining your personal hygiene is so important and provide 5 easy hygiene tips for seniors.

Why is Personal Hygiene Important?

Why is personal hygiene important? Having good personal hygiene is an essential component of living a healthy life. It is imperative that you invest time in your personal hygiene every day to stay healthy and safe, especially right now when you want to limit your exposure to coronavirus.

Here are just a few benefits you can receive by staying healthy and hygienic:

• Disease Prevention- Having good hygiene can help lower your risk of coming into contact with diseases and illnesses.
• Pain Prevention- By practicing good hygiene, you can prevent yourself from developing painful infections and diseases.
• Increased Confidence and Self Esteem – When you practice good hygiene you may feel more confident in yourself, both mentally and physically.
• Professional and Social Acceptance – Good hygiene can help you feel good about yourself when around family, friends and neighbors.
  Utilizing the following personal hygiene tips for seniors can help you reduce your chances of becoming ill and help you stay healthy.

5 Hygiene Tips for Seniors

There are many simple ways you can be proactive about staying healthy throughout the day and during the spread of coronavirus. Incorporating these personal hygiene tips into everyday life should help you reduce your chances of becoming ill and provide you with greater peace of mind.

1. Wash Your Hands Often.

Washing your hands several times a day with soap and warm water will significantly help decrease your chances of contracting any germs or bacteria. Germs have the ability to live on surfaces for several hours, so make sure to wash your hands after touching any surfaces that have not been cleaned. Carrying an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a great way to keep your hands clean when you are unable to access a sink.

2. Keep Your Hands Away from Your Face.

It is never a good idea to touch your face, eyes, nose or mouth. This is an easy way to spread germs into your respiratory system and cause you to become ill. Try to make it a habit to not touch your face if possible and wash your hands before you do. Another way you can safely touch your face if needed is by using a tissue to do so.

3. Boost Your Immune System.

It is imperative to boost your immune system any way you can to help prevent yourself from becoming ill. One way to improve your immune system is by consuming foods with high levels of Vitamin C. Increasing your intake of Vitamin C can help reduce cold and flu symptoms and work to help fight off viruses before they attack. Another way to help boost your immune system is by exercising moderately throughout the week if possible.

4. Avoid Crowded Places.

Avoiding places where large amounts of people gather can help you avoid an excess intake of germs. Germs are more easily spread when a large amount of people are gathered in one space, especially if the space is poorly ventilated. Avoiding close contact with people that may be infected can help you reduce your risk of becoming ill.

5. Stay Hydrated.

Staying hydrated is a great way to help keep your body strong and ready to fight off germs and bacteria. Drinking an adequate amount of water everyday may even help boost your immune system and make it harder for viruses to thrive and make you sick.

How to Maintain Hygiene at Home

You can also pay close attention to your personal hygiene at home. For example:

• Wipe down areas with disinfectant in your home and clean them often to help reduce the spread of germs.
• Put a heavy focus on cleaning frequently touched areas such as countertops, doorknobs and light switches.
• Another great tip to maintain hygiene at home is to sanitize your mobile devices. This can be easily done using sanitizing and disinfecting wipes.

Cleaning regularly with disinfectant can help reduce the spread of germs and help you stay healthy in your home.

Maintain a Healthy, Active Life at Advent Christian Village

At Advent Christian Village, you’ll find a clean and independent retirement lifestyle that can keep you healthy and active for longer. We offer countless opportunities for personal growth, physical improvement and spiritual development that will have you living your very best life. And in this time of the coronavirus, we have taken necessary precautions to keep our community safe and our residents healthy.

For more information about our senior living community, home options and resident lifestyle, please contact us today.