Experts urge families to protect elderly after seniors left off vaccination priority list. Almost 10% of U.S. Swine Flu deaths occurred in people over age 65.

Holly Springs, NC -- (SBWire) -- 09/16/2009 -- Remember all those care packages your parents sent you to heal a broken heart, feed you at college or make your birthday memorable? Now children/grandchildren can send aging relatives a care package of their own with the Senior Swine Flu Prevention Package. Some senior groups complain senior citizens did not make the government’s priority list for Swine-Flu vaccinations. So senior care experts warn relatives it’s their job to keep elderly loved ones safe.

“This season’s flu outbreak is a constantly changing dynamic situation and families must be vigilant, especially with seniors,” says Peter Ross, CEO of Senior Helpers. “If you have aging out-of-town relatives, send them a prevention care package and/or hire a caregiver to go into their home and help them take precautions. In- home caregivers are trained to spot symptoms and get seniors immediate help.”

This year, The White House advised Swine Flu could infect half the U.S. population, hospitalize 1.8 million people and lead to as many as 90,000 deaths. The government’s vaccination priority list that left off seniors did include pregnant women, health care workers, people caring for infants, children and young adults from 6 months to 24 years and people age 25 – 64 with underlying medical conditions such as asthma or diabetes. Seniors are not as likely to get Swine Flu because they have some immunity, having been exposed to multiple flu outbreaks. Still, since April, the CDC reports more than 9 thousand U.S. hospitalizations from Swine Flu (not broken down by age). Swine Flu has killed 593 people - 171 deaths in adults age 50-64 and 57 deaths in adults ages 65 and older. So Senior Helpers, the fastest growing provider of in-home care for seniors, says families should not take chances.

“In this massive outbreak, we don’t want families to get lackadaisical about looking out for elderly loved ones,” says Ross. “If your aging relative gets really sick from Swine Flu, you’ll wish you had done something. The kit is one way to help protect seniors from Swine Flu and even seasonal flu, especially if you live apart from your aging relatives.”

You can assemble the Senior Swine Flu Prevention Package for less than $20. For other prevention suggestions, go to www.Flu.gov.

The Senior Swine Flu Prevention Package includes:

• Senior Swine Flu Tip Sheet (available to download at www.seniorhelpers.com)
• Latex gloves – to wear when opening doors, shopping, etc. to avoid picking up germs.
• Vitamins
• Hand Sanitizer – Pocket size bottles can easily be kept in purses, cars, briefcases and desks.
• Baby Wipes – Seniors should wipe down hands, door knobs, car doors, pens, etc..

Media Contacts:

Sue Yannello
syannello@seniorhelpers.com
919.459.8162

Sean McBride
smcbride@seniorhelpers.com
919.459.8161

About Senior Helpers:
Senior Helpers connects professional caregivers with seniors who wish to live at home as opposed to a nursing or assisted living facility. The company has 280 franchises in 38 states and offers a wide range of personal and companion care services to assist seniors living independently with a strong focus on quality of life for the clients and peace of mind for their families. Senior Helpers strives to be the leading companion and personal care provider that offers dependable, consistent and affordable home care. For more information, please visit: http://www.seniorhelpers.com/.