As flu cases rise, extra precautions are taken at assisted living facilities to keep seniors healthy

It’s that time of year again for symptoms no one wants: acute onset, high fever, fatigue, achiness, chills, and cough. Flu is back and rearing its ugly head across Nebraska.

“We’re early in the flu season. Flu activity only began two to three weeks ago, and it’s building now,” Tim Timmons of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department said. “The numbers of individuals testing positive are increasing each week.”

So far, 70% of people in Lancaster County testing positive for flu are 19–years–old or younger. While that’s mostly school–aged children, particularly those between six and twelve-years-old, they’re not the highest risk group –seniors are, and assisted living facilities in Lincoln such as Sumner Place are ready for the battle.

They start planning for the flu in September and take action in October.

“All of our residents receive their flu shots in October and then all of our staff receives their flu shots as well,” Shelly LeFever, Infection Preventionist at Sumner Place Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation in Lincoln, said.

When you first walk in the door there’s a hand sanitizing station. All visitors must clean their hands before entering, and may be asked to do so again while they’re there. Seniors often have multiple health problems and the flu only makes things worse.

If there are signs the flu is starting, the staff quickly jumps into action.

“If we have one resident that has influenza or starts having symptoms we’re calling the docs right away. We’re also quarantining a certain area,” LeFever said.

That area stays quarantined until the resident doesn’t show symptoms for up to 48 hours. Their meals are served in their rooms and the same staff works that wing to keep the contamination as limited as possible. While it’s frustrating for all involved, it’s a necessary precaution to keep everyone as healthy as possible.

The flu is a nasty beast, but the suggestions are the same: wash your hands, cough into your elbow, call your doctor if you start feeling sick, and stay home if you are sick.

“Our folks are susceptible, it’s harder for them to fight off the flu,” LeFever said.

So far this flu season there has been one flu death in Lancaster County and three across the state.