How Does Hand Hygiene Reduce The Health Risk Among Seniors In Palm Beach County?

Are seniors in Palm Beach County catching cold more often? As seniors age, the risk of catching cold and flu also increases. Moreover, the healing also takes time. 

Consequently, it’s important to find ways to mitigate the risk of cold among seniors in Palm Beach County. One of the most preventive measures to safeguard seniors against germs contributing to colds or other diseases is understanding the importance of hand hygiene. 

Let us see how hand hygiene reduces the health risk among seniors in Palm Beach County. 

How Do Germs Spread On Seniors’ Hands In Palm Beach County? 

Most germs don’t cause disease, but 80% of infectious diseases are spread through touch, as germs on our hands can enter our bodies through the mouth, nose, and eyes. The germs can spread on hands by using the toilet, handling food, emptying trash cans, coughing into hands, handling pets or their waste, and caring for a sick person. 

The seniors in Palm Beach County can decrease the spread of germs by practicing frequent hand washing. The Centers For Disease Control reported that hand hygiene is the most important and effective way to prevent the spread of germs on hands. 

Hand Washing Tips For Seniors In Palm Beach County

Washing hands does not take more than 20 seconds and some people end up washing hands in merely 5 seconds. Seniors in Palm Beach County can ensure there are no germs on their hands by using clean, running water along with regular soap. 

Here are some simple tips for hand washing to get rid of germs causing colds and other infections in seniors. 

• Firstly, seniors need to wet their hands with the running water and then apply soap. 
• Rub the hands together and form a lather. Rub hands between fingers and under nails. 
• Scrub hands for around 15-20 seconds and make sure that the sides of the hands are clean. 
• Scrubbing hands helps to remove dirt and loose microbes. 
• When turning off the top, use a towel or tissue. 
• Lastly, dry your hands using a paper towel. 

Seniors in Palm Beach County should also take care to cover the nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing. Also, wash hands after disposing of the tissue in the trash. 

A hand sanitizer can also be used for washing hands if soap and water are available at the moment as this also removes 99% of the germs. It is a good option for seniors having mobility issues.