With a fatality rate in seniors of between 30% and 40%, pneumonia kills more people worldwide than any other infectious disease. These alarming statistics alone should prompt anyone over the age of 65 to seek out the pneumonia vaccine, but additionally, the bacterium that causes pneumonia (pneumococcus) can also cause ear infections, deadly blood infections, and meningitis.
Not surprisingly, the CDC unequivocally recommends a one-time pneumococcus vaccination for all seniors – even those who may have received a pneumococcus immunization as a child. Cost is typically covered 100% by Medicare, and for those not covered by Medicare, state health departments often offer free vaccines.
And if these aren’t compelling enough reasons to convince seniors to receive the pneumonia vaccination, consider that vaccines protect not just the seniors themselves, but their friends and family who come in contact with them and would otherwise be at risk.
Independence-4-Seniors in Chicago is an advocate of wellness and healthy living for seniors, and we’re here to help your senior loved one by providing in-home care services such as personal care, companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, transportation, medication compliance, and more. Contact us for a complimentary in-home assessment or call us any time at 630-323-4665 for more information.